生平

永嘉五年（311年），封奕祖父東夷校尉封釋病逝，並將封奕託咐給慕容廆。封釋死後，慕容廆見封奕，稱讚他是奇士，以其補小都督。後慕容廆以封奕為軍祭酒，掌握軍國機要。

咸和八年（333年），慕容廆去世，慕容皝繼位，其弟慕容仁據平郭（今遼寧熊岳城）叛變，慕容皝一方面出兵討伐，另亦派封奕慰撫遼東。不過因為討伐慕容仁的軍隊戰敗，且孫機亦以遼東郡城響應慕容仁，封奕無法進入，只好隨慕容汗等軍回去。咸和九年（334年），段部鮮卑派段蘭及慕容翰進攻柳城（今遼寧朝陽市），不過兩度進攻都在守軍堅守下無法成功。第二次進攻時，慕容皝命慕容汗及封奕救援，臨行時嚮慕容汗指敵軍士氣高昂，指示不要與其爭鋒。不過生性勇猛的慕容汗到後仍率一千多騎為前鋒直攻段蘭，封奕試圖阻止但不果，最終慕容汗於柳城北的牛尾谷大敗，全因封奕整軍力戰，才不至全軍覆沒。咸康元年（335年），慕容皝置左右司馬，封奕任右司馬。

咸康二年（336年）二月，段蘭攻柳城，宇文逸豆歸也進攻安晉作為聲援。但慕容皝兵向柳城時段蘭就不戰而走，於是改攻安晉，宇文逸豆歸棄輜重逃走，封奕受命輕騎追擊，終大敗逸豆歸。接著慕容皝預料段部鮮卑會再來，於是命封奕率數千騎兵在馬兜山埋伏，至三月時果然見段遼率兵來襲，於是大敗段遼，並斬殺敵將榮伯保。

封奕後遷鎮軍左長史，並於咸康三年（337年）以慕容皝任重位輕，勸其稱燕王。慕容皝於是於當年自稱燕王，並置各官，以封奕為國相，封武平侯。338年，後趙進攻慕容皝，慕容皝十分恐懼，劉佩派敢死騎兵衝趙軍兵陣成功後士氣大振，但慕容皝仍向封奕問計，封奕於是說：「石虎凶殘暴虐令人神共憤，災禍失敗的日子很快就到了！今日舉國而來，攻守雙方懸殊，兵馬雖然強卻不能為患；而且他們停駐了很多日，內部糾紛自然會出現，我們只需堅守等他們自亂就行了。」於是安定了慕容皝的心，最終後趙果然退軍。348年，慕容皝去世，世子慕容儁繼位，封奕仍為相國。及後前燕乘後趙內亂進攻中原，封奕於351年出討擁眾於其故鄉渤海自守，依附冉魏的逄約，並成功勸降他。次年（352年），封奕與慕容恪在安喜擊敗並生擒冉魏皇帝冉閔，不久燕軍攻下鄴城（今河北臨漳縣西），滅冉魏。該年十一月，慕容儁稱帝，以封奕為太尉，領中書監。

建熙六年四月壬午（365年5月15日），封奕去世，諡號為匡。

家庭

祖輩

• 封釋，東夷校尉。

父輩

• 封𢚂，《新唐書・宰相世系表》記為封釋子。

• 封悛，封釋子，冀州主簿。《新唐書・宰相世系表》寫其為封奕父親。

• 封抽，封釋子，奔父喪後因道路不通而留在遼東。前燕東夷校尉。

平輩

• 封裕，封抽子。

• 封放，《資治通鑑》作封奕堂弟，而《新唐書・宰相世系表》則作封奕兄。

子輩

• 封蘄，封奕子。

• 封勸，封奕子，後燕侍中、太常卿。

• 封孚，封放子，南燕太尉。

• 封懿，封放子，北魏都坐大官，封章安侯。

• 封衡，封裕子，後燕中山尹、吏部尚書。

孫輩

• 封愷，封勸子。後在北魏因司馬國璠謀叛牽連而被誅。

• 封玄之，封懿子。在北魏因司馬國璠謀叛牽連而被誅。

曾孫輩

• 封鑒，封蘄孫。

• 封魔奴，封玄之子，其四個兄弟皆與父一同被殺，自己雖然得免死但受了宮刑。北魏官至冠軍將軍、懷州刺史，封富城子。

• 封伯達，封愷子，父被殺後出走。

• 封軌，封回族叔。北魏官至廷尉少卿，加征虜將軍。

玄孫輩

• 封琳，封鑒長子，北魏官至安東將軍、光祿大夫。

• 封回，封鑒子，過繼給封魔奴。在北魏歷任安州、汾州、瀛州、冀州刺史等外職，官至右光祿大夫，河陰之變中被殺。

• 封滑，封鑒子。

• 封休傑，封伯達子，回到北魏，為河間太守兼冀州咸陽王府諮議參軍。

• 封靈祐，封休傑堂弟，本在南朝宋為青州治中、勃海太守，後投北魏，為建威將軍、勃海太守。

• 封偉伯，封軌長子，習儒學。蕭寶夤起兵叛魏時意圖起義軍討伐失敗被殺。

• 封業，字君脩，封軌次子，北魏奉朝請，早卒。

• 封翼，字君贊，封軌三子，北魏給事中加揚烈將軍。

• 封述，字君義，封翼弟，東魏廷尉少卿。

• 封詢，字景文，封述弟，尚書起部郎。

註釋

Service under Murong Hui

Feng Yi's family originated from Tiao County (蓨縣, in modern Hengshui, Hebei) in Bohai Commandery. His father was Feng Quan (封悛), and his grandfather was Feng Shi (封釋), both who served as Jin officials. Feng Shi fell ill in 310, so he sent Feng Yi to meet with the Grand Chanyu of the Xianbei, Murong Hui, rising power in Liaodong but also a loyal vassal of Jin. Hui was very impressed by Feng Yi through a conversation between the two and made Feng Yi a minor commander under him.

In 313, Feng Yi and his brother, Feng Yu (封裕) were one of the few people that Murong Hui entrusted in handling confidential affairs. Murong Hui also made Feng Yi an Army Libationer, and Feng would remain in these roles for more than 20 years.

Service under Murong Huang

Murong Hui died in 333 and was succeeded by his heir Murong Huang. Shortly after, Huang's younger brothers, Murong Zhao (慕容昭) and Murong Ren rebelled against him. After killing Zhao, Huang ordered Feng Yi to march to Liaodong to pacify the region. However, the other generals that Huang sent to defeat Ren were either captured, defeated, or surrendered to him. The official, Sun Ji (孫機) also ceded Xiangping (遼東城, in modern Liaoyang, Liaoning) over to Ren. Feng Yi was unable to enter the region, so he retreated while Ren consolidated control over the peninsula.

Battles with the Duan and Yuwen clan

The following year in 334, Feng Yi campaigned against the Xianbei leader, Mudi (木堤) at Bailang (白狼; near present-day Lingyuan, Liaoning) and killed him. Later that year, the leader of the Duan tribe, Duan Liao, sent his younger brother Duan Lan to attack Liucheng (柳城; southwest of present-day Chaoyang, Liaoning). Although their army was well-equipped, they were unable to get past Liucheng's defences. Murong Huang sent Murong Han (慕容汗; not to be confused with his more notable brother, Murong Han (慕容翰)) and Feng Yi to reinforce the city. Han made the rash decision to rush into battle, so Feng Yi advised him to stop, but Han ignored him. As a result, Han was badly defeated by Duan Lan at Niuwei Valley (牛尾谷; north of Liucheng). However, Feng Yi was able to maintain a solid formation and minimize his own losses.

In 335, Feng Yi was made Murong Huang's Marshal of the Right. He was then sent to surprise attack one of the Yuwen tribe's leader, Yuwen Sheyi (宇文涉奕). Feng Yi captured many of Sheyi's soldiers before returning. Sheyi responded by sending his light cavalry against Feng Yi, but Feng defeated them at the Hun River.

Despite his early setbacks, Murong Huang was able to defeat and execute Murong Ren in early 336. However, he was still in conflict with the Duan and Yuwen tribes. In the summer of that year, Duan Lan marched his troops once more to Liucheng while the Yuwen chieftain, Yuwen Yidougui attacked Anjin (安晉) to support him. Huang marched to Liucheng and then to Anjin, and in both cases, the enemies retreated without a fight. Feng Yi pursued and heavily routed them while seizing their equipment and grains. Huang suspected that his enemies were not content with their results and would return soon, so he had Feng Yi prepare an ambush at Mount Madou (馬兜山) in Liucheng. Surely enough, Duan Liao led his troops to attack Liucheng again but Feng Yi ambushed him from two sides and defeated him, even killing his general Rong Bobao (榮伯保).

Soon, Feng Yi launched a successful campaign against the Yuwen tribe. In 337, Murong Huang made Feng Yi his Chief Clerk. In November, Feng Yi and a number of ministers pushed Murong Huang to claim the title of Prince of Yan. Huang agreed, and on the 23 November, he declared himself Prince of Yan, and appointed Feng Yi the Chancellor of the State. Feng was also given the title of Duke of Wuping.

Battle of Jicheng

In 338, Murong Huang entered an alliance with Shi Hu of Later Zhao against the Duan. This campaign resulted in the Duans losing their domain to Zhao and Yan, but Shi Hu soon turned on Murong Huang after realizing that Huang had not be cooperative with Zhao in the campaign. Shi Hu attacked Yan with a large army and placed its capital Jicheng (棘城, in modern Jinzhou, Liaoning) under siege.

Huang was frightened and wanted to flee but was persuaded by his general Muyu Gen not to. He was still unsure of victory, however, so he consulted Feng Yi. Feng told him that Shi Hu would not last long. He pointed out that the campaign had been costly for Shi Hu and that the Zhao army were already worn down due to the long distance that they had travelled. He was confident that strife will grow in a matter of days within Shi Hu's camp, so the best course of action was to wait. Huang was assured by this and remained in Jicheng. After days of fierce fighting, the Zhao soldiers eventually retreated, Huang's son Murong Ke pursued and dealt them a heavy defeat.

Service under Murong Jun and Murong Wei

Advice to Murong Jun

In 348, Murong Huang died, so his heir, Murong Jun succeeded him as Prince of Yan. In 349, Later Zhao descended into civil war, so many of Jun's ministers asked him to take advantage of the infighting by holding an invasion. Jun was reluctant at first, as he was still in a state of mourning, but his brother Murong Ba, tried to persuade him to do so. Jun asked Feng Yi for advice, so Feng said to him:

After further consultation with Huang Hong (黃泓) and Muyu Gen, Jun was finally convinced by their words. He amassed an army of roughly 200,000 strong and launched his conquest of the Central Plains early the following year. Although Murong Jun had initially sought out against Later Zhao, it became apparent that his real challenge to him would actually be Zhao's break-away state, Ran Wei, which was established by Ran Min right before his invasion.

Capturing Pang Yue

After capturing Zhangwu (章武; in modern-day Pingshu, Hebei) and Hejian in 350, Murong Jun appointed Feng Yi to serve as Administrator of Hejian. In September that year, Murong Jun sent Feng Yi and Gao Kai (高開) to subjugate Wei's portion of Bohai commandery, which was defended by its Administrator, Pang Yue (逄約). Feng and Pang had known each other before as they came from the same district in Bohai. After leading his troops to Pang Yue's fortress, Feng Yi sent a messenger to Pang, stating his interest to converse with him to catch up with each other's lives. Pang trusted Feng, so he came out of his fortress to meet with his old friend. They dismissed their escort riders and talked to one another from their horses.

After a friendly conversation between the two, Feng Yi began to reveal his own thoughts to Pang, in which he condemned Ran Min for causing turmoil, and exalted the Murongs for their virtue and continuing success in the war. Feng offered Pang a chance to switch sides, assuring him an illustrious career in Yan. Pang became disappointed, but he was unable to respond. Prior to this, Feng Yi had chosen a strong man named Zhang An (張安) as one of his escorts. Following the instructions given to him by Feng beforehand, as soon as Pang's expression changed, Zhang quickly rushed forward and snatched the reins of Pang Yue's horse. Zhang rode back to Feng Yi's camp while pulling Pang Yue's horse with Pang still on it. After Gao Kai arrived at Bohai, Pang Yue's allies, Liu Zhun (劉准) and Feng Fang (封放; a younger cousin of Feng Yi) surrendered without a fight. Bohai was placed under Yan control, and all three Wei officials were given positions under Murong Jun. Because he had fallen for Feng Yi's ploy, Murong Jun renamed Pang Yue to Pang Diao (逄釣, meaning 'fishhook').

Fall of Ran Wei

On May 17, 352, Feng Yi and Murong Ke attacked Ran Min and fought him at Ran Wei's Changlin Terrace (昌廉臺; west of modern-day Wuji County, Hebei). They defeated and captured him in battle, before sending him to Murong Jun (Jun later ordered his execution). In September, Wei's general in Lukou (魯口; in present-day Raoyang County, Hebei), Wang Wu (王午), declared himself King of Anguo, so Feng Yi, Murong Ke and Yang Wu marched against him. They later retreated after Wang Wu handed over Ran Min's son, Ran Cao (冉操) to them. A few days later, Ran Min's successor, his son Ran Zhi, surrendered Ye and himself to Yan, thus ending the Yan-Wei War.

Later career and death

At the end of 352, Feng Yi, along with 210 Yan officials, presented a petition urging Murong Jun to claim the title of Emperor, which he agreed to. Feng and 55 other officials presented Jun with the imperial seals of office in December, and on 3 January, 353, Murong Jun began handing out imperial offices, making Feng Yi his Grand Commandant. The next day, Murong Jun became Emperor and proclaimed Yan's independence from the Jin dynasty.

In 358, military drafts and levies became increasingly common. Too many ministers and officers were sending their agents out to handle the drafting. The roads and streets were filled with agents, and there was a lot of trouble in trying to accommodate for all of them in counties and commanderies. Because of this, Feng Yi told Murong Jun to stop officials from sending their agents to carry out drafts and levies and instead let the local offices to handle these issues. Feng Yi's advice was taken.

Murong Jun's son, Murong Wei, ascended the throne after his father died in 360. Feng continued to serve as Grand Commandant until his death on 15 June, 365. He was posthumously named Duke Kuang and his position of Grand Commandant was succeeded by Yang Wu.