At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Yuan Shao was one of the most powerful princes in the north, with a large army and vast territory, and once competed with Cao Cao for dominance of the world. Under his command, there were many outstanding strategists and generals, the most famous of which was Tian Feng.
Tian Feng was a famous man in Hebei, known for his resourcefulness, and once gave Yuan Shao many good strategies to help him pacify the Quartet and consolidate his power. However, such a loyal and good general was finally killed by Yuan Shao, which is puzzling. What did Tian Feng do wrong?
Tian Feng's merits
Tian Feng was born in Wei County, Hebei Province, with a prominent family background, his grandfather Tian Kai was a lieutenant, and his father Tian Zhang was a Sikong. Tian Feng was talented, well-read, and proficient in the art of war when he was a teenager, and once refused the call of the Han Dynasty and was unwilling to serve the emperor in troubled times. Later, he took refuge in Yuan Shao and became Yuan Shao's military advisor, giving advice to Yuan Shao and making a lot of contributions. For example, he once suggested that Yuan Shao take in Liu Bei, who was being pursued and killed by Cao Cao, in order to befriend Liu Bei, win people's hearts, and contain Cao Cao at the same time.
He also suggested that Yuan Shao attack Gongsun Zhan, eliminate a strong enemy in the north, and expand Yuan Shao's sphere of influence. He also once suggested that Yuan Shao coerce the Son of Heaven to order the princes, use the prestige of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, and call on the righteous men of the world to resist Cao Cao's usurpation. These are all wise strategies formulated by Tian Feng for Yuan Shao, and if Yuan Shao can fully implement them, he may be able to dominate the world and become the hegemon.
Tian Feng's negligence
However, although Tian Feng has extraordinary wisdom, he also has fatal shortcomings. His character is upright and outspoken, regardless of Yuan Shao's color, which often angers Yuan Shao. His words are harsh, he is not good at speaking, and he will not follow Yuan Shao's wishes. These were all Tian Feng's mistakes, which made him gradually lose his status and trust in Yuan Shao's heart, and even aroused Yuan Shao's suspicion and disgust. For example, he once opposed Yuan Shao's attack on Cao Cao, believing that the time was not ripe and that he should stabilize the rear and wait for the opportunity. Yuan Shao thought that he was afraid of things, did not dare to take risks, and did not listen to his advice, which led to the fiasco of the Battle of Guandu.
He once opposed Yuan Shao's relocation of the capital to Yecheng, believing that Yecheng was not conducive to defense and that Jizhou should be held in case of Cao Cao's attack. Yuan Shao thought that he was stubborn, inflexible, and did not listen to his advice, which led to the loss of Jizhou. He also once opposed Yuan Shao's abolition of Chang Liyu, believing that this would cause civil strife, and that the inheritance rights of his eldest son Yuan Tan should be respected in order to maintain family harmony. Yuan Shao thought that he was troublesome, ignorant of current affairs, and did not listen to his opinions, which led to the conflict between the Yuan brothers.
The cause of Tian Feng's death
Tian Feng's death was actually Yuan Shao's impulse, and it was also the sorrow of Yuan Shao's life. Yuan Shao was defeated by Cao Cao in the Battle of Guandu, suffered heavy losses, was demoralized, and was depressed. When he returned to Yecheng, he heard that Tian Feng had learned of his failure in prison, and he couldn't stop laughing, and his heart was even more angry, so he ordered Tian Feng to be beheaded. In fact, Tian Feng did not laugh at Yuan Shao, but lamented that Yuan Shao did not listen to his advice and brought about his own destruction, and at the same time felt that his death had come. He told the jailer: "The lord is tolerant and generous on the surface, but in fact he is narrow-minded. If he had won the battle, I would have lived, and now that I have failed, I will surely die. ”
The jailer didn't believe it, but Yuan Shao's left and right misrepresented it as Tian Feng's ridicule, which led to Tian Feng's death. Tian Feng's death was not only a big loss for Yuan Shao, but also a big mistake for Yuan Shao. He has lost a loyal strategist, a good friend who dares to speak out, and a wise man who can help him achieve hegemony. Since then, Yuan Shao's power has gradually declined, and was finally destroyed by Cao Cao, becoming the laughing stock of history.