Li Shuaitai

Family and early service

Li Shuaitai, courtesy name Shouchou, was an early Qing officer registered in the Han-martial-banner Plain Blue Banner. His father was Li Yongfang. Originally named Yanling, he entered Nurhaci's household as a youth and received the name Shuaitai; he later married a woman of the imperial clan. His bestowed name, banner registration, and dynastic marriage represent different features of his personal and family history.

Military career

Under Hong Taiji, Li participated in campaigns involving Chahar, Korea, and Ming territory, gradually rising to the senior early-banner designation meiren ejen. This contemporary office name was later rendered as deputy banner commander (fu dutong), but the later Chinese terminology should not automatically replace the wording of every earlier appointment.

After Qing forces entered Beijing in 1644, Li continued serving in campaigns in Shaanxi, Jiangnan, Zhejiang, and Fujian. His biographical record mentions operations around Tongguan, Jiangyin, Suzhou, and other locations. The surrender of Li Yongfang to the Later Jin belongs to his father's career, while Li Shuaitai's participation in the conquest and in post-conquest military administration constitutes his own record. Membership in the Han Banner establishment did not make him an ordinary soldier of the separate Green Standard forces; the organizational distinction is essential to understanding his appointments.