The trouble Duan Zhengming faced originated with the crown prince of Dali, the Princely Heir Duan Yu.
Though Duan Zhengming was the ruler of Dali, he was a devout Buddhist. This was a Dali tradition; many emperors would pass on the throne as soon as the next generation was able, feeling confident in their successor's capabilities, and then, without any hesitation, they would head to the Dali temple to be ordained as a monk.
Talking about imperial power and wealth, they only wished to adhere to monastic discipline and rules...
Duan Zhengming went even further than other rulers of Dali by relying on the existence of a younger brother.
Unlike others who didn't even marry, he entrusted the task of continuing the Duan family line entirely to his brother, Duan Zhengchun. He only planned to take monastic vows at the Dali temple as soon as he came of age.
