Heyamu

Overview

Qiyamu was a member of the Irgen Gioro clan of the Bordered Red Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. His family had lived in Akuri for generations and submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of its rule. He served as a third-class imperial bodyguard. Volume 14 of the official clan genealogy compiled during the Qianlong reign, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that his son, Nuodoli, served as a military officer, and his grandson, Qinu, participated in the battle of Ruicheng in Shanxi Province, being the first to scale the city walls and receiving the title of Baturu and Qiduwei (hereditary merit rank). The character "Qi" in his name was retained, but the military merit of his grandson's city-building cannot be attributed to his ancestor.

The titles of third-class imperial bodyguard and military officer respectively pertain to the imperial bodyguard and military command; Qiduwei (hereditary merit rank) and Qingche duwei (hereditary merit rank) were hereditary titles for meritorious officials, while Baturu was a valiant title. These titles cannot be confused with the same military rank. Qinu later distinguished himself in the battle of Chaotian Pass in Sichuan, increasing his rank. His son, Hu Shiba, also distinguished himself in the campaign against Galdan in Zhaomodo, receiving another rank increase and serving as a commander. The military achievements of these two generations are described separately and cannot be combined into Qinu's original title.

The succession after Hu Shiba involved the removal of the portions added by imperial decree and the portions added by military merit. The original book clearly distinguishes between these, and the basis for each reduction should be retained rather than stating that the rank remained unchanged. Other descendants also served as zuoling, Yuan Wai Lang, and Xiao Qi Xiao, which were substantive official positions and could not be automatically inherited through hereditary succession. The modern location of Akuri, the dates of each succession, and the complete paternal lineage still require cross-verification with the original engraving, local chronicles, and military merit records.