Duan tribe

The founder of the Duan tribe was Rilujuan (or Jiulujuan), a Xianbei who was sold as a slave to a Wuhuan family in Yuyang Commandery known as the Kunuguan (庫辱官).

He gathered a group of exiles and established a base in Lingzhi (令支, in present-day Qian'an, Hebei), a city that had been abandoned during the Han dynasty.

During the War of the Eight Princes, the Jin Chief Controller of You province, Wang Jun sought to secure his position by allying with the surrounding Xianbei and Wuhuan people.

He entered a marriage alliance with Duan Wuwuchen, offering him a fiefdom as the "Duke of Liaoxi" in return for his tribe's military service.

Wang Jun's barbarian auxiliaries were a deciding factor in the civil wars, with the Duan playing a role in his victory against the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying in 304.

The Duan continued to support Wang Jun in his war against the Xiongnu state of Han-Zhao, battling the Jie warlord, Shi Le with much success.