Tong Guowei

Overview

Tong Guowei was a member of the Tongjia clan, the second son of Tong Tulai, and originally belonged to the Bordered Yellow Banner. Volume 20 of the Qing Dynasty official genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that he initially served as a First-Class Imperial Guard, later becoming a Grand Minister; as the father of Empress Xiaoyiren, he was granted the title of First-Class Duke.

The title of First-Class Duke belonged to the system of titles for relatives of the emperor and meritorious service, and was not equivalent to the title of Prince of the Imperial Family. Imperial Guards were responsible for palace security and accompanying the emperor, while Grand Ministers were high-ranking close attendants and military officials; their titles and positions should be listed together. The original genealogy records that he participated in the battle of Ulan Butong against Galdan's army, and continued the attack even after his brother Tong Guogang was killed in battle; he later retired due to illness, and was posthumously awarded the title of Duanchun. In the early years of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Tutor. Retirement, posthumous title, and posthumous conferment respectively indicate his departure from office, posthumous evaluation, and honorary title. His sons, Longkodo and Qingfu, inherited or served as Minister of Personnel and Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, respectively; these were experiences of the next generation and could not be transferred to their father. The genealogy also records the sons, grandsons, guards, and civil servants, forming a multi-generational resume of the maternal relatives' family. Specific changes in banner affiliation and years of service still need to be verified with other archives.