Markdu

Overview

Markdu was a member of the Guarjia clan of the Bordered Red Banner of Manchuria. His family had lived in Anchulaku for generations and submitted to the Manchus during the Tiancong era. Volume 2 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* records that his great-grandson, Humise, served as Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Dosana as a secretary. His great-great-grandson, Hushan, served as a scribe in the campaign against Galdan and died in battle at the Urhui River, posthumously awarded the title of Yunqiwei (a military rank).

The Court of Judicial Review was involved in criminal case review, with the Minister being its chief official. Secretaries were subordinate officials of various ministries, with specific duties varying depending on their department. The title of scribe was a transliteration of the Manchu scribe's official title, *bithesi*, related to *bithe* meaning "book" or "writing," responsible for copying, registering, and handling Manchu and Chinese affairs. Hushan, despite his scribe status, could still accompany the army on campaigns, and his death could not be attributed to Markdu.

After Hushan's death, the title of Yunqiwei was first inherited by his son, Huerqi, and later by his uncle's son, Guanbao. The entry also records that Yintai, the great-grandson of Matanga, the younger brother of Makedu, served as a garrison commander and was awarded the title of Yunqiwei (a military rank) for his military exploits. He later served as the governor-general of Sichuan and Shaanxi, and was granted a hereditary position due to his commendation. Yintai belonged to the younger brother's branch of the family and was not Makedu's son. The governor-general was a high-ranking local military and political official, while the Yunqiwei was a hereditary title; these two positions should be explained separately. The exact year of Tiancong's surrender and the modern location of Anchulaku remain undetermined.