Leherd

Overview

Lehede was a member of the Irgen Gioro clan of the Bordered Red Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. His family had lived in Dong'e for generations and submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. Volume 15 of the official clan genealogy compiled during the Qianlong reign, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, does not record his official positions. His grandson, Gakda, served as a sixth-rank official (ceremonial officer), his great-grandson, Muchen, served as Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Huniu served as a defense officer, Hushihan served as a Qiduwei (hereditary merit rank), and his great-great-grandson, Wencha, also served as Vice Censor-in-Chief. The Vice Censor-in-Chief was a high-ranking deputy position in the supervisory body and should not be confused with a military deputy commander.

The title of official (ceremonial officer) relates to etiquette guidance within the government, while defense and cavalry captainships relate to military management within the banner garrisons. His descendant, Maqin, served as a fifth-rank official (ceremonial officer), while Xiahan is only recorded as a fifth-rank official. The former has a title, while the latter only has a rank; these two pieces of information cannot be used to definitively determine his position. The positions of Langzhong, Zhushi, Yuanwailang, and Bitieshi belong to the category of official duties and clerical work; when the original entry does not specify a ministry or department, other clan members' positions are not used as a reference.

The list extends to the sixth generation, including students of the Imperial Academy and several scribes. Students of the Imperial Academy were graduates of educational institutions, not officials. The presence of multiple generations with the same title does not prove that the same position was vacant and hereditary. Wencha cannot be linked to other clans with the same name. The modern location of Dong'e's former residence, the office of the ceremonial official, the complete paternal lineage, and the terms of office of each official still require verification by the original inscription, local chronicles, and archives.