Tong Biao

Overview

Tong Biao was a member of the Bordered Red Banner of the Tongjia clan, related to Tong Yangzheng. His family had lived in Tongjia for generations and submitted to the Qing dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. Volume 20 of the official *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* records that his grandsons held positions such as Deputy General, youji (military officer), and zuoling (banner-company commander). His great-grandson, Tong Yangju, served as Governor of Guangdong. His descendants also held positions such as Circuit Intendant of Wenzhou and Chuzhou, Magistrate, Assistant Magistrate, and Candidate for Prefectural Magistrate.

The Governor was the head of local military and civilian administration, managing government affairs and coordinating with the Governor-General; Circuit Intendants handled matters within their jurisdiction or specific areas; Magistrates managed county-level administration; and Assistant Magistrates were auxiliary officials, belonging to different local levels. Deputy Generals and Guerrilla Commanders were military officers; zuoling managed the banner's household registration and military register. The entire list of officers should not be lumped together as cavalry officers simply because there are many titles. "Candidate" indicates a status or qualification awaiting appointment, not actual appointment; the designation of Candidate Magistrate and Candidate for Prefectural Magistrate must be retained. The original genealogy noted that descendants belonged to the Han Chinese Banner of their respective banner; this organizational information was not omitted due to the clan name. Guangdong and Wenzhou were places where his descendants served, which are different in nature from the ancestral home of Tong Biao himself. The existing materials are mainly family official appointment lists, and Tong Biao's complete official career is not provided.