Feng Sheng (simplified: 冯胜, traditional: 馮勝, pinyin: Féng Shèng, jyutping: fung4 sing3) was a former member of the Ming Order who became a military leader under Zhu Yuanzhang. After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, his entire family was destroyed during Zhu Yuanzhang’s purges of former Order members.1
Biography
Role in the Ming Order and Ming Dynasty
Feng Sheng was a member of the Ming Order who participated in the organisation’s revolutionary activities against the Yuan Dynasty. After Zhu Yuanzhang seized control of the Ming Order and established the Ming Dynasty, Feng Sheng continued to serve as a military leader under the new regime.2
Tragic fate
After establishing the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang began persecuting many former Ming Order members, including military leaders who had helped him achieve power. Feng Sheng was among those who met a tragic fate: his entire family was destroyed during these purges.3
This tragic ending exemplified the ruthless nature of Zhu Yuanzhang’s rule and contrasted sharply with the few exceptions who survived, such as Tang He, who survived due to his complete loyalty to Zhu Yuanzhang.4
Behind the scenes
Feng Sheng is based on the historical figure of the same name, who was indeed one of the founding generals of the Ming Dynasty. Historically, Feng Sheng was a prominent military commander who played significant roles in various campaigns during the establishment of the Ming Dynasty. However, he eventually fell victim to Zhu Yuanzhang’s purges, with his family suffering the consequences of the emperor’s paranoia about potential threats to his rule.
In the novel, Jin Yong includes Feng Sheng as an example of the tragic fates that befell most of Zhu Yuanzhang’s former comrades, demonstrating the harsh reality of the transition from revolutionary organisation to imperial dynasty. His character serves to contrast with Tang He, who managed to survive through absolute loyalty, highlighting the political realities of Zhu Yuanzhang’s rule.
The character’s inclusion in the Third Edition changes helps illustrate the comprehensive nature of the historical revisions, showing how the novel connects fictional martial arts narratives to real historical events and the tragic consequences that many faced during this period of Chinese history.