Zhechuk

Overview

Zhechuk was a member of the Wuzhala clan of the Plain Blue Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. Volume 30 of the official Qing Dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that he was of the same clan as Nikan, and that they had lived in the Heilongjiang region for generations, submitting to the Qing during the Tiancong reign. His grandson, Lukesu, attacked Wucheng County as a non-official, and after the second ascent of the city wall, he was awarded the title of Yunqiwei (hereditary merit rank), and later, by imperial decree, was promoted to Qiduwei (hereditary merit rank). After his death, his son, Dangkali, inherited the title.

Dangkali, as a Xieling (a military officer), led an expedition to Fujian, where he died in battle at Haicheng County. He had no heir, and his position was succeeded by a collateral branch, Yuanbao. Yuanbao also had no heir, so the position was passed down to Fobao. The Xieling was a military rank within the banner system, while Qiduwei and Yunqiwei were hereditary titles; in the event of no heir, a relative was chosen to inherit the position, preventing a direct father-son succession. The Yunqiwei title awarded to Dangkali for his meritorious service in battle was then passed to Fobao.

Later, due to some incident, he was dismissed and given a half-salary Yunqiwei title, which was then inherited by another relative, Nertai. The "half-salary" treatment involves benefits and should be explained alongside hereditary official ranks; it should not be omitted. The original genealogy separately lists infantry officers, defense officers, and students of the Imperial Academy (jiansheng (student qualification)), with the latter referring to educational qualifications. The specific ancestral home in Heilongjiang, the basis for the half-salary treatment, and the kinship chain are pending verification.