Shi Tingzhu

Overview

Shi Tingzhu was a general in the early Qing Dynasty. The *Draft History of the Qing Dynasty* records that his family ancestors descended from the Suwan Guwalgiya clan, and his father adopted the surname Shi after migrating to Liaodong; Shi Guozhu and Shi Tianzhu were his elder brothers. Therefore, one cannot determine his family origin solely based on his Han surname, nor can one confuse his clan origin with his later Han Banner affiliation. He was originally the garrison commander of Guangning during the Ming Dynasty, surrendering to the Later Jin in the seventh year of the Tianming era and participating in the command of surrendered personnel. During the Battle of Dalinghe in the fifth year of the Tiancong era, he participated in activities such as persuading Zu Dashou to surrender. Later, he joined the Ujen Chaoha system, serving in relevant command positions within the Han army. The Ujen Chaoha system was related to the development of the Han army and firearms units in the early Qing Dynasty; its early name cannot be simply equated with the status of all Han Bannermen after the conquest of China. After the gradual formation of the Han army's banner system, Shi Tingzhu served as the Gushan Ezhen of the Bordered Red Banner Han army. The Gushan Ezhen was later renamed Dutong, responsible for the officers and soldiers of a banner and its affairs. His banner affiliation, hereditary titles, and personal military rank must be distinguished according to the year. While Shi Guozhu's involvement in receiving Kong Youde's envoy reflects the era the brothers lived in, it cannot be directly attributed to Shi Tingzhu's personal actions.