Duan Zhixing


Duan Zhixing was the 18th ruler of the Kingdom of Dali between 1172 and 1200. Duan's reign was marred by the power struggles within the influential Gao family, whose power had long eclipsed the ruling Duan family.

Reign

In 1173, Duan sent a party of 23 envoys, led by Li Guanyinde, to trade with the Song dynasty in Hengshan Fort. Li later removed Gao Shouchang, the Duke of Zhong, from power and replaced him with Gao Zhenming.
Aji rebelled and ousted Gao Zhenming, restoring Gao Shouchang back in his duke position. Gao Zhenming then occupied Heqing and proclaimed himself the Duke of Ming and gave himself a temple name, effectively declaring independence from the Kingdom of Dali. Another member of the Gao clan, Gao Miaoyin, also rebelled in Baiya and occupied Shanchan.
He made a pact with his nephews, Gao Chengxian and Gao Chengzheng, to prevent them from taking over Shanchan. However, Gao's nephews betrayed him later and started a war with their uncle. It is unknown if these developments had any long term consequences.
Duan initiated several construction projects in Dali. Being a devout Buddhist like his predecessors, he repaired 16 Buddhist temples in 1190. In 1195, he ordered the building of defensive infrastructure at crucial entry points into Dali. Five years later, he died and was succeeded by his son, Duan Zhilian.

Era names

Duan Zhixing had five era names in the twenty-eight years of his reign.
Duan is fictionalised as a character in the wuxia novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes and its sequel, The Return of the Condor Heroes, by Jin Yong. In the condor series, Duan, known as "Reverend Yideng" after his abdication, is a formidable martial artist.