33 Facts About Duan Pidi

Duan Pidi was the brother of chieftain Duan Jilujuan, and served as his general in Jin's war with the Han-Zhao state.

Duan Pidi was eventually captured by the Later Zhao in 321, and despite receiving favourable treatment from its ruler, Shi Le, he would later be executed in fear of that he would rebel.

Duan Pidi was a member of the Xianbei Duan clan of Liaoxi.

Some time around 310, Pidi's elder brother, Duan Jilujuan, succeeded Wuwuchen as chieftain following his death.

Duan Pidi participated during Jilujuan's attack on Xiangguo in 312, as part of Wang Jun's plan to divert the Han general, Shi Le, away from the rebelling city of Yuanxiang.

The Duan forces fought Shi Le at Xiangguo but their star general, Pidi's cousin, Duan Mopei, was captured in battle.

Duan Pidi accepted on his own accord before occupying the city and submitting himself to Sima Rui, the paramount leader of Jin in the south.

Duan Pidi urged Shi Le's Administrator of Leling, Shao Xu, to submit to the Jin prince as well.

Duan Pidi sent Wenyang to rescue Liu Yan, and while the commandery fell, Liu Yan was safely retrieved.

Liu Kun was left with nowhere to go, so Duan Pidi sent a letter to invite him over to his base.

Liu Kun chose his nephew Wen Jiao to deliver the petition, while Duan Pidi chose his Chief Clerk of the Left, Rong Shao.

Duan Pidi later tried to get Jilujuan into joining forces with him in a campaign against Shi Le.

However, Duan Mopei advised Jilujuan against agreeing with Pidi, so Jilujuan did not respond, and Pidi had to cancel the campaign.

Pidi left Jicheng to attend his funeral but without his knowledge, Duan Mopei manipulated Shefuchen into believing that Pidi was about to usurp his power.

At Zuobeiping, Shefuchen attacked Duan Pidi but was then betrayed by Mopei who assassinated him while his and Duan Pidi's forces were fighting.

Duan Pidi had Liu Qun write a letter to his father asking him to work as an agent within Pidi's camp, but his envoy was caught by Pidi's scouts along the way.

Liu Kun knew nothing of the letter when Duan Pidi confronted him with it.

Duan Pidi had no suspicion towards Liu Kun, and Liu Kun himself assured that he had no intentions to betray Duan Pidi.

Pidi let him off at first, but his younger brother, Duan Shujun, was able to get his brother to heavily reconsider his actions.

Two of Liu Kun's generals, Pilu Song and Han Ju, planned to retaliate, but Duan Pidi had the conspirators executed after their plot leaked.

Duan Pidi led his army away from battle and tried to flee to Shao Xu in Leling but was badly routed by Shi Le's general Shi Yue at Mount Yan.

Duan Pidi retreated back to Jicheng while Mopei declared himself the new Inspector of Youzhou.

Duan Pidi remained in his city for a year, but by 319, his situation had worsened.

Shi Le's general Kong Chang had taken all of Youzhou's commanderies while most of Duan Pidi's soldiers abandoned him due to depleting rations.

Duan Pidi planned to escape through Shanggu but the Prince of Dai, Tuoba Yulu, was waiting to attack him there.

Desperate, Duan Pidi abandoned his wife and children and made another attempt to flee to Shao Xu, this time successfully doing so.

Duan Pidi pleaded to Shao Xu to assist him in getting revenge on Mopei, so the two men headed out and routed Mopei.

News of Shao Xu's defeat reached Duan Pidi, causing him to rush back to save the city.

Duan Wenyang helped the army fight their way back into the city, where Pidi commanded the defence together with Shao Xu's family.

Duan Pidi Wenyang volunteered himself to lead a daring charge with his cavalries to drive back the invaders.

Duan Pidi's capture lowered the morale of the city's defenders.

Duan Pidi was made Champion General, while Wenyang was made General of the Household Gentlemen of the Left.

Duan Pidi often dressed himself in clothing used in the Jin court and held the imperial staff of authority that Sima Rui gave him.