Necin

Lineage and civil career

Necin was a Qing statesman of the Niohuru clan, registered in the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner. He was a great-grandson of Eidu and the second son of Yinde. In 1727 he succeeded to a hereditary dukedom and served as an unattached high court noble. In 1733 he began service in the Grand Council; in 1735 he took part in the arrangements surrounding imperial succession and later helped oversee government affairs at the beginning of the Qianlong reign. The dukedom derived from family inheritance, whereas Grand Council service depended on imperial appointment.

Necin subsequently held command of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner and occupied major central offices, including minister of war and minister of personnel; he also supervised the Board of Revenue's Three Treasuries. These were distinct responsibilities involving banner command, military administration, civilian appointments, and the handling of government stores. In 1745 he became a grand secretary of the Baohe Hall.

Campaign and downfall

In 1748 Necin received an extraordinary appointment to direct military operations in the first major Jinchuan campaign. The failure to take fortified positions, along with criticisms of his command and reports to the emperor, brought severe censure from Qianlong. He was removed from office and arrested. In early 1749 he was executed under imperial order while being escorted in custody. His field command was a special appointment, not a power attached automatically to his inherited dukedom.