A staunch supporter of Yuan Shikai, he was nicknamed the "Adopted Prince", and when Duan Qirui, a fellow Hefei native, took the Beijing government in 1917, Duan was made a Minister of War; however, with Duan Qirui's defeat by 1920, Duan Zhigui fled to the Japanese embassy.
A devoted follower of Yuan Shikai, he was known as the "Adopted Prince", and when Duan Qirui, a fellow Hefei native, took control of the Beijing government in 1917, Duan was appointed Minister of War; however, with Duan Qirui's defeat by 1920, Duan Zhigui escaped to the Japanese embassy.