Duan Da, from Wuwei Guzang, his father served as the governor of Shuozhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Duan Da inherited the title of County Duke of Xiangyuan at the age of just three. When he grew up, he stood eight feet tall, had a handsome beard, and was very skilled in horseback archery. When Gaozu was Prime Minister, he appointed Duan Da as Grand Commander, leading a trusted army and frequently accompanying Gaozu. After Gaozu became emperor, Duan Da was appointed as Left Zhaizhai, and later he steadily advanced to the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry, while also serving as an officer in the army for Prince Jin. When Gao Zhihui and Li Ji rebelled, Duan Da led ten thousand soldiers and captured Dingfang and Chuzhou, for which the emperor rewarded him with a thousand bolts of silk and promoted him to Yitong. He also defeated Wang Wenjin and others in Xuanzhou, was granted the title of Kaifu, and received fifty slaves and four thousand bolts of silk as rewards. During the Ren Shou period, he became the Deputy Commander of the Left Guard of the Crown Prince. In the early years of Daye, due to his previous service in the imperial palace, he was appointed as the General of the Left Yiwu. He participated in the war against the Tuyuhun and was later appointed as a Grand Master of the Golden Purple Light. When the emperor campaigned in Liaodong, the people were conscripted for labor and suffered greatly. Qi Xiaode from Pingyuan, Zhang Jincheng from Qinghe, and others gathered many people to become bandits, breaking through many cities that local officials could not resist. The emperor dispatched Duan Da to combat them, but he was defeated several times by Zhang Jincheng and others, incurring significant losses. Those bandits scorned him and referred to him as "Duan Lao." Later, he employed the strategy devised by Yang Shanhui, the magistrate of Shu County, to fight the bandits again and finally achieved victory. Upon his return to the capital, he was dismissed from his post due to official matters.
In the second year, the emperor went to campaign in Liaodong again, leaving Duan Da to guard Zhuo County. Not long after, he was appointed as the General of the Left Imperial Guard. Wei Dao'er of Gao Yang gathered more than 100,000 people, who referred to themselves as "Lishan Fei," and looted and plundered in the Yan and Zhao regions. Duan Da led the garrison of Zhuo County, along with Guo Xuan, to defeat them. At that time, there were many bandits, and the fighting between the officials and soldiers was intense. Duan Da missed the opportunity to achieve a decisive victory, only cautiously defending and stocking up on food and supplies. He seldom gained military accolades, and people at that time said he was timid and afraid of trouble.
In the twelfth year of Daye, the emperor went to Jiangdu Palace, leaving Yuan Wendo, the Minister of Works, and Duan Da to guard the Eastern Capital. Li Mi occupied Luokou and sent troops to attack the vicinity of Luoyang. Duan Da, along with Pang Yu, the Commandant of the Gate, and Huo Ju, led the imperial troops out of the city to resist. They made some achievements and were promoted to General of the Left Xiaowei. After Wang Chong was defeated, Li Mi advanced and occupied Beimang, reaching Shangchun Gate. Duan Da, along with the Left Minister Guo Wenyi and the Minister Wei Jin, led the troops to resist. Duan Da, seeing the enemy soldiers, fled. Li Mi seized the opportunity, and the army was defeated, with Wei Jin dying in battle. From then on, the enemy forces grew increasingly powerful.
After the emperor's death in Jiangdu, Duan Da and others supported Prince Yue Yang Dong's claim to the throne. Duan Da was appointed Minister of War while also serving as an imperial counselor and being granted the title Duke of Chen. Yuan Wendo and others wanted to kill Wang Chong, but Duan Da secretly warned Wang Chong and offered his assistance. When the plot was revealed, Prince Yue Yang Dong handed Yuan Wendo over to Wang Chong for retribution. Wang Chong was very grateful to Duan Da and held him in high regard. After defeating Li Mi, Duan Da and others persuaded Prince Yue Yang Dong to grant Wang Chong the Nine Rites in anticipation of his abdication. After Wang Chong became emperor, he appointed Duan Da as Minister of Works. After the Eastern Capital was secured, Duan Da was executed due to his involvement in these events, and his wife, children, and property were all confiscated.
The historians say that those who were originally mediocre, who, due to imperial favor, benefited for generations, while individuals like Wang Chong, who had shallow insights and a narrow perspective, were promoted and rewarded even more than the veteran officials because they happened to be in the right place at the right time. Yet, when the country was on the verge of collapse, they failed to serve the country wholeheartedly. Instead, they exploited the chaos, conspired, led rebellions, and turned traitorous, utterly destroying the nation's foundation and even tarnishing their own official titles and court robes.
Some led rebellions in person, while others resorted to poisoning in secret. Their crimes were countless, reaching such an intolerable level that they provoked the wrath of both heaven and humanity! As a result, those ruthless traitors were executed one after another, and those despicable individuals were likewise eradicated in succession, ultimately quelling the fury of the loyal and righteous and imparting a profound lesson for posterity. Ah, as courtiers, shouldn't we heed this as a warning? Shouldn't we heed this warning?
