Li Feng was an official of Cao Wei. Wikidata names him Li Feng, so the title stays the personal name. The cited article gives his courtesy name as Anguo, and in another account as Xuanguo. The courtesy name is disputed, so it does not replace the title. He was from Dong county in Fengyi, and this entry places his birthplace at Dali County. His father, Li Yi (the name written 义), was commandant of the guards. Li Feng rose to prefect of the palace secretariat. This entry dates his death to 254 and records him as a political figure.[1][2]
Early reputation
In the Huangchu years he was summoned to follow the army because of his father's appointment. He was then seventeen or eighteen, living at Ye, known for integrity and for judging men, and his reputation soon reached Xuchang. His father made him shut his door and study, away from guests. After Cao Rui became emperor he asked a man who had come over from Wu which notable of the central plains he had heard of. The man said he knew only Li Anguo. Cao Rui later asked his attendants who Li Anguo was, and they said it was Li Feng's courtesy name. Li Feng served as gentleman of the yellow gate, commandant of cavalry, and palace attendant. After Cao Rui died he became coachman of Yongning. The article says his fame outran his ability, so he was not given great trust.[2]
After Zhengshi
In the Zhengshi years he became attendant within the palace and vice director of the secretariat, and he often pleaded illness. A hundred days of sick leave stopped the salary, so for several years he was ill for a few days, recovered, and fell ill again. When his son Li Tao was chosen to marry a princess, Li Feng refused in public and agreed in private. His younger brothers, Li Yi (the name written 翼) and Li Wei, were grand administrators for many years. While Sima Yi was long ill, Li Wei drank and mismanaged Xinping and Fufeng, and Li Feng did nothing. People thought he relied on favor. While Cao Shuang held power, Li Feng tried to please both Cao Shuang and Sima Yi. A jingle compared Cao Shuang to hot soup, the grand tutor to cold slurry, and the Li brothers to the spirit Youguang. On the day Sima Yi destroyed Cao Shuang, he stopped his chariot at court and told Li Feng. Li Feng was so frightened that he crouched on the ground and could not rise. After Sima Yi died, the prefecture of the secretariat was vacant. Someone recommended Li Feng to Sima Shi. Li Feng thought of his marriage tie to Cao Fang and did not decline. He privately favored Xiahou Xuan and joined Zhang Ji, the empress's father, who had been removed from a commandery. They meant to overthrow Sima Shi and make Xiahou Xuan general-in-chief. Li Feng secretly had his younger brother Li Yi (翼) ask to enter court with troops. The requests were not granted.[2]
Death
The article places the plot in the second month of 254, when a noble lady was to be received at court. Li Feng planned to use the imperial carriage's arrival, have the emperor's troops at the gates kill Sima Shi, replace him with Xiahou Xuan, and make Zhang Ji general of the agile cavalry. The plotters included Su Shuo, supervisor of the yellow gate, Le Dun, prefect of the Yongning office, and Liu Xian, servant of the attendants. Sima Shi heard of it and sent Wang Yang with a carriage to fetch Li Feng. Under questioning Li Feng knew the plot was exposed and cursed Sima Shi aloud. Sima Shi, in anger, killed him with the iron ring on a knife handle. That night the body was sent to the commandant of justice. Zhong Yu first refused it, saying it was not a case for the judge, and accepted it only after the edict arrived. Zhang Ji was ordered to die. Zhong Yu reported that Li Feng and the others had meant to seize the emperor and kill Sima Shi on their own authority. After the ministers and the commandant deliberated, Li Tao, Xiahou Xuan, Su Shuo, Le Dun, Liu Xian, and others were beheaded and their three kindred groups destroyed. The remaining dependents were moved to Lelang. A separate edict spared the three sons of Princess Qi the Elder because she was a daughter of the late emperor. Li Feng's daughter Li Wan, already married to Jia Chong, was exiled and separated from her husband, and was pardoned only after the Western Jin was founded. Cao Fang was furious at Li Feng's death and asked how he had died. Empress Dowager Guo, afraid, called Cao Fang inside, and the questioning stopped. Cao Fang was deposed in the ninth month.[2]