Duan Zhixuan
Duan Xiong | |
---|---|
Consultant of Imperial Kitchen ( | |
In office 617–626 | |
Monarch | Emperor Gaozu of Tang |
Grand (Senior) General of Left Brave Guard ( | |
In office 627–637 | |
Monarch | Emperor Taizong of Tang |
Prefectural Governor of Jinzhou ( | |
In office 637–638 | |
Monarch | Emperor Taizong of Tang |
Grand (Senior) General of Right Guard ( | |
In office 638–640 | |
Monarch | Emperor Gaozu of Tang |
Zhenjun Grand General (镇军 | |
In office 640–642 | |
Monarch | Emperor Taizong of Tang |
Personal details | |
Born | 598 Zouping |
Died | Between 22 February and 15 November 642[1] Chang'an |
Children | Duan Zan (son) Duan Guan (son) Duan Gui (son) |
Parent |
|
Occupation | General, Official |
Courtesy name | Zhixuan ( |
Title | Duke of Bao (褒国 |
Posthumous name | Zhongzhuang ( |
Duan Xiong (Chinese:
In history
[edit]Duan Zhixuan was the son of Duan Yanshi, a mid-low ranked officer of Taiyuan during the Sui dynasty, and a friend to Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang dynasty. Duan Zhixuan and his father joined the rebellion led by Li Yuan that eventually overthrew the Sui dynasty in 617–618. During the rebellion, Duan Zhixuan, Chai Shao and Liu Wenjing defeated and captured the Sui generals Sang Xianhe and Qutu Tong in a battle near Tong Pass. Duan was rewarded the title Marquis of Linji after this battle.[2] Later, he became a subordinate to Li Shimin and took part in unification wars against various warlords including Xue Ju, Liu Wuzhou[3] and Wang Shichong.[4] In 626, he was a key figure that helped Li Shimin obtain the crown in the Xuanwu Gate Incident. When Li Shimin became the emperor (Emperor Taizong of Tang), Duan Zhixuan was rewarded the title Duke of Fan and appointed to be the Grand General of Left Brave Guard.[5] During the reign of Emperor Taizong, Duan Zhixuan served in different positions both in the military and in local government. He also took part in the early stage of the campaign against Tuyuhun in 634. In 637, his title changed to Duke of Bao, and his descendants were given the privilege to inherit his title.[6] He died in 642 and was given a posthumous name Zhongzhuang (Chinese:
In popular culture
[edit]In Chinese folklores and some classic novels, Duan Zhixuan is often mistakenly referred to as Duan Zhiyuan (Chinese:
Family
[edit]- Grandfather: Duan Yuan, the County Mayor of Pingling during the Northern Qi dynasty.
- Father: Duan Yanshi, the secretary of law in Taiyuan Prefecture during the Sui dynasty; rewarded Duke of Yidu County during the Tang dynasty.
- Elder brother: Duan Zhihe (Duan Hui), served in local military divisions during the Tang dynasty, Baron of Quwo County.
- Younger Brother: Duan Zhigan, a junior general in the Left Guard during the Tang dynasty.
- Son: Duan Zan, Grand (Senior) General of Left Station Guard during the reign of Wu Zetian.[7]
- Grandson: Duan Huaijian, Taizi Zhanshi (officer for crowned prince affairs) in the reign of Emperor Xuanzong.[8]
- Grandson: Duan Huaigu
- Guandson: Duan Huaiyi, Prefectural Governor of Fangzhou.
- Son: Duan Guan, an assistant managing imperial seals.
- Grandson: Duan Huaixu, a mid-low ranked officer in Dezhou.
- Great Grandson: Duan Chengzong (686—753), Vice Prefectural Governor of Jinling,
- 4th Generation Grandson: Duan Xian
- Great Grandson: Duan Chengzong (686—753), Vice Prefectural Governor of Jinling,
- Grandson: Duan Huajiao.
- Great-grandson: Duan E.
- 4th Generation Grandson: Duan Wenchang, Duke of Zouping, served as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong
- 5th Generation Grandson: Duan Chengshi, poet and writer, the author of Ye Xian.
- 4th Generation Grandson: Duan Wenchang, Duke of Zouping, served as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong
- Great-grandson: Duan E.
- Grandson: Duan Huaiyan.
- Grandson: Duan Huaixu, a mid-low ranked officer in Dezhou.
- Son:Duan Gui
- Grandson: Duan Huaiben, Prefectural Governor of Suzhou.
References
[edit]- ^ While Duan Zhixuan's epitaph (
唐 故 辅国大将 军右卫大将 军扬州都 督 褒忠壮 公 段 公 碑 铭) recorded his exact date of death, the month had become illegible. (以贞观十 六 年 〇月 十 八 日 ,薨于京 师之醴泉里 第 ,春秋 卌五。) There are 10 possible dates (18th day of the 1st month to 10th month) in the Julian calendar, ranging from 22 Feb to 15 Nov 642. - ^ Tombstone of Duan Zhixuan (
段 志 玄 碑 ):又 与 柴 绍、刘文静 破 桑 显和、屈 突通 ,累 迁右光 禄 大夫 、上 柱 国 ,封 临济县侯,食 邑一千 户。 - ^ Tombstone of Duan Zhixuan (
段 志 玄 碑 ):又 从上讨薛举、刘武周 。 - ^ Old Book of Tang:
后 从讨王 世 充 - ^ Old Book of Tang:
太 宗 即位 ,累 迁左骁卫大将 军,封 樊国公 ,食 实封九 百 户。 - ^ Old Book of Tang:
十 一 年 ,定 世 封 之 制 ,授金州 刺史 ,改 封 褒国公 。 - ^ Old Book of Tang:
子 瓚,袭爵褒国公 ,武 太 后 时,官 至 左 屯 卫大将 军。 - ^ Old Book of Tang:
子 怀简,袭爵,开元中 ,官 至 太子 詹事。