During the Five Dynasties period, Duan Xiyao was widely praised for his virtuous conduct. When Emperor Mingzong of the Later Tang reigned, Duan served as a humble recorder in Weizhou. It happened that Shi Jingtang, who would later become the founding emperor of the Later Jin, was inspecting the Ye region. Hearing of Duan's diligent and hardworking governance, Shi promoted him to administrative officer in Luozhou.
During the final years of the Later Tang Dynasty, Shi Jingtang led his army to attack Daibei. One day, the troops suddenly erupted in chaos, with soldiers shouting "Long live the emperor!" within the ranks. Uncertain of the cause, Shi Jingtang hesitated. Duan Xiyao warned, "This rebellion is like a raging wildfire—if not swiftly suppressed, it will spread and consume us all." Shi Jingtang then ordered the execution of the instigators, quickly quelling the disturbance.
The following year, Shi Jingtang planned a secret uprising in Taiyuan to overthrow the Later Tang dynasty and gathered his trusted advisors for discussion. As everyone voiced enthusiastic approval and the room buzzed with fervor, Duan Xiyao stepped forward to object, his words resolute and firm. Many accused Duan of being out of touch with the times and demanded he be punished. Seeing this, Shi Jingtang recalled Duan's consistent honesty and sincerity, so he spared him from punishment. When Shi Jingtang's rebellion succeeded, the others were promoted to high-ranking positions, but Duan Xiyao was only given a minor post as a provincial official.
After the Later Jin Dynasty was established, Duan Xiyao received a modest promotion to Right Remonstrance Advisor and was sent on an imperial mission to Wuyue. On the day of departure, the weather was clear as Duan led his soldiers aboard a ship sailing the vast sea. Suddenly, the sky darkened, a fierce wind howled, and towering waves crashed against the hull. The helmsman and attendants turned pale with terror, exchanging panicked glances. Amid the chaos, Duan Xiyao remained calm and told his men, "I have always been cautious and upright in my dealings, never plotting in secret. Heaven can clearly see my heart—will it not protect me? Do not fear; trust in me as your anchor." Strange as it seemed, no sooner had Duan spoken than the wind ceased and the sea grew calm, allowing them to reach their destination safely.
After returning from the Wu and Yue regions, Duan Xiyao received the emperor's commendation and thereafter lived a peaceful life, enjoying his later years until passing away peacefully at the age of seventy-nine.
The idiom "xiang gu shi se" means to exchange glances with faces turning pale, describing a group of people showing terror together.
Source: *Old History of the Five Dynasties*, "Biography of Duan Xiyao"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "相顾失色" came to describe a group of people showing terror together.