Duan Chengshi (Chinese:段成式;pinyin:Duàn Chéngshì;Wade–Giles:Tuan Ch'eng-shih) (died 863) was a Chinese poet of theTang dynasty. He was born to a wealthy family in present-dayZibo, Shandong. A descendant of the early Tang official Duan Zhixuan (段志玄,Duàn Zhìxuán) (-642), and the son of Duan Wenchang (段文昌,Duàn Wénchāng), a high official underTang Xuanzong, his family background enabled him to obtain office without taking theimperial exams.[citation needed] As a poet, he was associated withLi Shangyin andWen Tingyun.
Duan is best known outside of China for being the author of an early version ofCinderella, calledYe Xian. In 853, the story first appeared inMiscellaneous Morsels from Youyang, which was published shortly after he returned toChang'an after his term of acting Governor ofJizhou (now known asJi'an inJiangsu). It is believed that it was afolktale told bypeasants before it was recorded on paper.
Duan is also known for describing in his written work of 863 AD theslave trade,ivory trade, andambergris trade of Bobali, which believed to be what is nowBerbera inSomaliland,East Africa.[1][2]
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