Ding Feng was from Anfeng County (), Lujiang Commandery (), which is in present-day Gushi County, Henan.(丁奉字承淵，廬江安豐人也。) Sanguozhi vol. 55. He started his career as a soldier under the warlord Sun Quan sometime towards the end of the Han dynasty, and was commissioned as an officer for his courage in battle. He served as a subordinate of various generals under Sun Quan, including Gan Ning, Lu Xun and Pan Zhang. He fought in many wars for his lord and was well known for his valour. He was also wounded in battle several times and had slain many enemy commanders and captured the enemy's flags. He was promoted to Lieutenant-General () for his achievements.(少以驍勇為小將，屬甘寧、陸遜、潘璋等。數隨征伐，戰鬬常冠軍。每斬將搴旗，身被創夷。稍遷偏將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 55.
