Duan Ye was the founding prince of China's Northern Liang dynasty.
22 Facts About Duan Ye
1.
2.
Duan Ye was of Han ethnicity, and was originally a commandery governor of the Later Liang dynasty, but after the Lushuihu generals Juqu Mengxun and Juqu Nancheng rebelled against the Later Liang, Juqu Nancheng persuaded Duan Ye to accept the leadership role of the rebellion.
3.
Duan Ye was described as a kind but weak ruler who was unable to keep his subjects in check, and who overly trusted witchcraft and magic.
4.
Duan Ye was from Jingzhao Commandery, and was probably a low-level official that Former Qin sent to Liang Province after conquering Former Liang in 376.
5.
The first historical reference to Duan Ye was in 388, when he was one of the officials under the ruler of Later Liang, Lu Guang, then carrying the title the Duke of Jiuquan.
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At a feast, Lu Guang and his officials were discussing his administration, when Duan Ye told Lu Guang that he was being overly harsh in his application of laws.
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In 397, by which time Lu Guang, then with imperial title, was facing a rebellion from Juqu Mengxun and Juqu Nancheng after listening to false accusations and executing their uncles Juqu Luochou and Juqu Quzhou, Duan Ye was the governor of Jiankang Commandery.
8.
Duan Ye initially refused, but after 20 days of siege, no aid came from the Later Liang capital Guzang.
9.
Duan Ye's advisors suggested that he accept Juqu Nancheng's proposal, and Duan Ye, who was apprehensive of Lu Guang's officials Fang Gui and Wang Xiang, with whom he had inimical relationships, agreed.
10.
Duan Ye took the title the Duke of Jiankang and changed era name, signifying a declaration of independence from Later Liang and the establishment of Northern Liang.
11.
Duan Ye entrusted most important affairs of state to Juqu Nancheng.
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Lu Guang's son Lu Hong then withdrew from Zhangye, and Duan Ye moved his capital from Jiankang to Zhangye to further pressure Later Liang.
13.
Duan Ye trailed Lu Hong to try to attack him, against Juqu Mengxun's advice not to cut off Lu Hong's escape, and was defeated by Lu Hong, saved from destruction only by Juqu Mengxun.
14.
In 399, Duan Ye claimed the title of Prince of Liang.
15.
Duan Ye made Juqu Mengxun and Liang Zhongyong key ministers.
16.
Duan Ye sought aid from Southern Liang's prince Tufa Wugu, and Tufa Wugu sent his brother Tufa Lilugu and the general Yang Gui to assist him.
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Duan Ye initially agreed, but was then warned by his general Suo Si that Li Gao had greater ambitions and should not be permitted to stay at Dunhuang.
18.
Duan Ye therefore sent Suo to be the governor of Dunhuang.
19.
At the advice of Juqu Nancheng, Duan Ye executed Suo and apologized to Li Gao, who briefly remained submissive.
20.
Duan Ye set a date with Juqu Nancheng to offer sacrifices to the god of Lanmen Mountain on a vacation day, but submitting a false report through the official Xu Xian that Juqu Nancheng was set to rebel and would start the rebellion on a day that he requested permission to sacrifice to the god of Lanmen Mountain.
21.
Juqu Nancheng, who had realized Juqu Mengxun's plan by this point, told Duan Ye that this was a sign that Juqu Mengxun was about to rebel and that he should keep Juqu Nancheng alive, and then when Juqu Mengxun rebels he could counterattack.
22.
Tian quickly surrendered to Juqu Mengxun, and Duan Ye's remaining troops collapsed.