Zhe'erde

Overview

Zhe'erde was a member of the Hadanara clan of the Plain White Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. His family had lived in Hadan for generations and submitted to the Qing Dynasty at its inception. Volume 23 of the official Qing Dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that his eldest son, Manduhu, participated in battles in Fushun and other areas as a zuoling (banner-company commander), earning the title of Yunqiwei (a military rank). He later participated in battles in Jinzhou and the conquest of the Central Plains, receiving the additional title of Qiduwei (a military rank) and Yunqiwei. This title was further bestowed upon him by imperial decree and was inherited by his descendants and relatives. His fourth son, Seketu, served as a seventh-rank official in the campaign against Guangdong and died in battle in Dianbai County. He was posthumously awarded the title of Yunqiwei, which was inherited by his son, De'erte, and later by his collateral branch, Matang'a. His grandson, Hetu, participated in the Zhaomodo campaign as a zuoling. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the title of Yunqiwei for his military merits, which was inherited by his eldest son, Jingwen. The seventh-rank official title only indicated rank, not specific position; zuoling was a banner officer, while Yunqiwei and other titles were hereditary. Therefore, the awards from three branches with the same title could not be combined. The record of Zeld preserves clues about the merits and hereditary positions of his different sons and grandsons, rather than Zeld's own military achievements. His third son, Mara, served as a Blue-feathered Guard, and other descendants held positions such as Assistant Minister and Doctor, the affiliations and positions of which await further investigation.