Hedong'e

Overview

He Dong'e was a member of the Manchu Majia clan of the Bordered Yellow Banner during the early Qing Dynasty, residing in Majia for generations. Volume Seven of the official clan genealogy compiled during the Qianlong reign, *The General Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, he and his brother Nima Chan led 55 households to submit to the Qing. He himself was granted the title of Zhalguqi, and his brother was granted the title of Beiyu. He Dong'e participated in battles such as Hada, Huifa, Ula, Zhalute, and Yehe, and obtained the hereditary title of First-Class Baron.

Majia was originally a place name, and the clan adopted it as their surname. Zhalguqi was related to judicial and legal affairs in the early Qing Dynasty; the background of this position can be explained using the biography of Fei Yingdong in the *Draft History of the Qing Dynasty*. Beiyu was an early title and cannot be directly applied to later garrison ranks. The title of First-Class Baron was a military merit rank, different from the actual position held by his brother. Nima Chan inherited the title but lost it due to some incident, remaining as Beiyu, and later died from injuries sustained in the Battle of Dalinghe.

Hedong'e's eldest son, Yaxichan, received a hereditary title and was appointed Zhalguqi for his submission and meritorious service in battle. His son, Gonggun, managed the Zuoling (military command). Later, the title was distributed among his brothers for inheritance. Another son, Shuose, and Wutai served as treasurers, indicating that the family branch was involved in treasury affairs in addition to military matters. The independent merits of sons and the inheritance by brothers cannot all be attributed to the individual's final title. The complete process of the modern settlement of Magia, the early dates of appointment, and the multiple succession of titles still needs to be verified by the original inscription.