Duan Shao (died 18 October 571), courtesy name Xiaoxian, Xianbei nickname Tiefa, was a military general of the Northern Wei, Eastern Wei and Northern Qi during the Northern and Southern dynasties period. A nephew of Gao Huan, he participated in several campaigns against the Erzhu clan and Western Wei, and by the establishment of the Northern Qi, he was already one of the most trusted officials of the ruling Gao family. Throughout his lengthy career, he was most known for his role in the war against the Northern Zhou, during which he led the Qi to their biggest victories at Jinyang and Mount Mang in 564.
Background Duan Shao was a native of Guzang County (姑臧縣), Wuwei Commandery (武威郡; in present-day Wuwei, Gansu) and the eldest son of Duan Rong and his wife, Lou Xinxiang (婁信相). In his youth, he was seen as a prospective general through his talents in horse riding and archery. His mother was the elder sister of Gao Huan's wife, Lou Zhaojun, thus making him their nephew. Duan Rong was one of Gao Huan's earliest followers, and Duan Shao was held in high regard by his uncle, who treated him as a close counsellor. In 528, Duan Shao received his first official position as Chief Controller of the Confidants.Book of Northern Qi, vol.16
Service under Gao Huan
Campaign against the Erzhu clan In 531, Gao Huan rebelled against the Erzhu clan and faced their forces led by Erzhu Zhao at the Battle of Guang'a. He was concerned by their numerical superiority, but Duan Shao assured him that despite their numbers, the Erzhus' defeat was imminent, as they already lost the goodwill of the people by committing multiple transgressions against the emperor and the gentry clans. In the end, by sowing discord among the enemy, Gao Huan managed to defeat Erzhu Zhao's forces. Soon, Duan Shao followed his uncle to attack and capture Ye from the Inspector of Xiang province, Liu Dan (劉誕).Zizhi Tongjian, vol.155
In 532, Gao Huan fought the Erzhu clan again at the decisive Battle of Hanling. Duan Shao was among the first to charge into the enemy lines, and Gao's forces routed and scattered the Erzhu forces. In 533, he accompanied Gao Huan out of Jinyang and chased after Erzhu Zhao to Chihong Ridge (赤洪嶺; in present-day Lishi District, Shanxi), where they destroyed the last of his forces and drove him to suicide. For his contributions against the Erzhu clan, Duan was enfeoffed the Baron of Xialuo County.History of the Northern Dynasties, vol.54
Invasion of Xia province In 534, the Northern Wei was split into two, with Gao Huan controlling the Eastern Wei and Yuwen Tai ruling the Western Wei. In 536, Duan Shao followed Gao Huan to conquer Xia province and captured the Western Wei provincial inspector, Hulü Mie'Tu (斛律彌娥突) alive. He was promoted to Prancing Dragon General and Counsellor Remonstrant, and later, to General of the Military Guards. Gao Huan also allowed Duan Rong to pass his title of Marquis of Guzang over to Duan Shao. In turn, Duan Shao gave his title of Baron of Xialuo to his step-brother, Duan Ning'an (段寧安).
Battle of Mount Mang (543) In 543, Gao Huan led his army against the Western Wei at the Battle of Mount Mang. During the battle, the Western Wei general, Heba Sheng, managed to recognize Gao and chased after him with his elite soldiers. Duan Shao rode alongside his uncle and shot arrows at the enemy vanguard, deterring the pursuers from getting closed. Near the end of the pursuit, Heba was about to strike Gao with his spear, but Duan managed to shoot down his steed in time, allowing them to escape. The battle ultimately ended in victory for the Eastern Wei, and for his heroics, Duan Shao's peerage was elevated to the Duke of Guzang.Zizhi Tongjian, vol.158
Battle of Yubi In 546, Duan Shao followed Gao Huan on his final military campaign against the Western Wei at Yubi (玉壁, in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), which ended in heavy defeat. He fell deathly ill and was forced to withdraw, and soon, he summoned his generals to discuss their next plans. He asked Hulü Jin, Han Gui and Liu Fengsheng on their opinions on assigning Duan Shao to the important task of defending the capital, Ye, which they all approved. Thus, he ordered Duan to guard Ye with his second son, Gao Yang while his eldest son, Gao Cheng left the city to meet his father. Before his death, Gao Huan advised Gao Cheng, "Duan Xiaoxian is loyal, bright and kind, possessing both wisdom and courage. Among my relatives, only he is worthy for you to consult on important military matters."
Service under Gao Cheng In 547, Gao Huan died and was succeeded by Gao Cheng. Soon after, the Eastern Wei general, Hou Jing, rebelled in the Henan and planned on surrendering the region to either the Western Wei or the Liang dynasty in the south. Gao Cheng toured to various places to appease his other subordinates and left Duan Shao to protect Jinyang and take charge of military affairs. When Gao Cheng returned to Ye, he was enfeoffed as the Duke of Changle Commandery. Later, Duan followed Murong Shaozong to quell Hou Jing's rebellion. During the campaign, they secretly set fire to the banks of the Woyang river, but Hou Jing led his cavalry to jump into river and then withdraw, wetting the grass and extinguishing the fire. In 548, Hou Jing was finally defeated and forced to flee south to the Liang dynasty.Zizhi Tongjian, vol.160
In 549, Duan Shao was once against left in charge of Jinyang when Gao Cheng went to campaign against the Western Wei general, Wang Sizheng in Yingchuan. After Gao Cheng's return, he was given an additional fief as Baron of Zhending County and appointed Inspector of Bing province.
Service under Emperor Wenxuan
Emperor Wenxuan's ascension Later in the year, Gao Cheng was assassinated, and Gao Yang succeeded his brother. Gao Yang had ambitions to claim the throne from Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei, and during the process, he asked Duan Shao to inquire Hulü Jin's opinion on the matter. In 550, Gao Yang forced Xiaojing to abdicate the throne to him, thus establishing the Northern Qi dynasty. Duan Shao was enfeoffed the Duke of Chaoling Commandery and Marquis of Bacheng County, as well as the title of Specially Advanced. However, Duan submitted a petition returning the Duke of Chaoling title and requested that his step-mother Lady Liang (梁氏), be given the commandery as a Lady. Gao Yang, posthumously Emperor Wenxuan, commended Duan's behaviour and granted his request. Duan then gave his Marquis of Bacheng title to Lady Liang's brother, Duan Xiaoyan (段孝言), which earned him praise from the public. Emperor Wenxuan also took in Duan's sister as one of his concubines.
Duan Shao was on bad terms with the Prince of Guangwu, Gao Changbi (高長弼). When Emperor Wenxuan was about to leave for Jinyang, Gao Changbi expressed his worries about Duan's command over the strong military in Jinyang and warned that he might rebel. The emperor dismissed his concerns, and when he met Duan, he told him, "Even a loyal minister like you can get slandered, let alone others!" He was later promoted to Right Supervisor of the Masters of Writing. In 552, Duan was appointed as Inspector of Ji Province and Grand Chief Controller of the Six Provinces. During his tenure, he was well-loved by his officials and people for his altruistic policies.
Campaigns against the Liang dynasty In 553, the Liang dynasty general, Dongfang Bai'e (東方白額) infiltrated Suyu (宿預; in present-day Suqian, Jiangsu) and incited the residents of the Northern Qi's southern border to kill their local officials, causing unrest between the Huai and Si rivers. In 554, Emperor Wenxuan sent Duan Shao to suppress the rebellion. At the time, the Liang paramount general, Chen Baxian about to lead his troops to Guangling, while his general Yan Chaoda (嚴超達) was besieging Jing province (涇州; around present-day central Anhui). The Northern Qi inspector, Wang Jingbao (王敬寶) had also sent an envoy to the court for emergency assistance, as the Liang general, Yin Siling (尹思令) had gathered 10,000 soldiers to attack his city of Xuyi. When Duan Shao arrived, the three Liang armies were frightened.
Duan left his general, Yao Nanzong to defend Suyu when he led several thousand troops in a hasty march toward Jing province. As Duan passed through Xuyi, Yin Siling was surprised by their sudden arrival and promptly fled. Duan then continued his way to Jing, where he defeated Yan Chaoda and seized all his ships and equipments. Duan then turned back to Guangling, forcing Chen Baxian to retreat as well. He pursued Chen's forces all the way to Yangzizha (楊子柵; in present-day Yangzhou, Jiangsu) before withdrawing back to Suyu, seizing more military supplies and equipment along the way. At Suyu, Duan sent people to convince Dongfang to surrender, and Dongfang was open to an alliance. Once the alliance was made, however, Duan executed Dongfang and his brothers and sent their heads to Ye, thus pacifying the Jianghuai region. Emperor Wenxuan rewarded Duan Shao by elevating his fief to the Prince of Pingyuan Commandery.
In 554, the Liang capital, Jiangling was attacked by the Western Wei, so Emperor Wenxuan sent Duan Shao and the Prince of Qinghe, Gao Yue to rescue the city. However, the city fell while they were en route, so they turned back and captured Ying province along with the Liang provincial inspector, Lu Fahe (陸法和). Later that year, Duan Shao followed Gao Yue, the Prince of Changshan, Gao Yan and the Prince of Shangdang, Gao Huàn to build four cities, namely Fa'e (伐惡), Xincheng (新城), Yancheng (嚴城) and Henan (河南) in the southwest of Luoyang. They also set up Guomo garrison (郭默戍) at Xincai Commandery (新蔡郡; around present-day Gushi County, Henan) before returning to their posts.
Service under Emperor Fei and Emperor Xiaozhao In 559, Emperor Wenxuan died and was succeeded by his son, Emperor Fei. Duan Shao was later appointed the Minister of Education. The following year, Gao Yan and Grand Empress Dowager Lou Zhaojun preemptively arrested and executed the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Yang Yin, and others, who had attempted to remove Lou from power. Duan Shao participated in the coup on the side of his aunt, entering the inner palace with Gao Yan through the Yunlong Gate (雲龍門). Afterwards, Duan was appointed the Grand General.Book of Northern Qi, vol.6
Months after the coup, Lou Zhaojun had Emperor Fei pass the throne over to Gao Yan, posthumously known as Emperor Xiaozhao. After ascending the throne, he appointed Duan Shao as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.
Service under Emperor Wucheng
Gao Guiyan's rebellion Emperor Xiaozhao's reign was short-lived, as he died and was succeeded by his brother, Emperor Wucheng in 561. Two days after his ascension, Emperor Wucheng promoted Duan Shao as Grand Marshal. In 562, he was appointed Inspector of Bing province again. That year, the Prince of Pingqin, Gao Guiyan, rebelled in Ji province. Duan and the Prince of Dong'an, Lou Rui led their forces to quell the rebellion, quickly breaking through Guiyan's city and capturing him. In the same month, Duan was promoted to Grand Preceptor, but he continued to work from Bing province. During his tenure, Duan Shao was said to have focused on upholding the main principles of governance while not paying much to minor issues, which made him greatly popular among the people.Book of Northern Qi, vol.7
Battle of Jinyang