Lai Da

Overview

Lai Da was a member of the Zhaojia clan of the Plain Blue Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. Volume 31 of the official Qing Dynasty compilation, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that he was of the same clan as Jue Se, and that they had lived in the Ermin region for generations. They submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty, and a zuoling (banner-company commander) was established under his command. The zuoling was a basic-level administrative officer of the Eight Banners, responsible for household registration, military records, and other affairs; this post-submission organizational arrangement illustrates the process by which the clan members entered the Banner system.

His son, Sang Guan, served as zuoling; his grandson, Gong Tu, served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief and zuoling; his great-grandson, Tuo Heqi, served as Infantry Commander; Ji Xing served as Guard Commander and zuoling; and Wei La served as Commander-in-Chief and zuoling. The Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Commander-in-Chief managed Banner affairs, the Infantry Commander was in charge of the infantry in the capital and patrol affairs, and the Guard Commander managed the Guards; these roles cannot all be simplified to a single general.

His great-great-grandson, Kuerchan, served as Acting Deputy Commander-in-Chief and zuoling; Suokexi and others served as Second-Class Guards; and there were also officials such as Clerk, Principal, and Assistant Secretary. The appointment signifies that the person is entrusted with performing duties, and the guards and ceremonial personnel belong to the prince's palace's guard and ceremonial system. Ermin's location, the garrison locations of various camps, and the appointments are pending approval. Fathers and sons often serve as captains, and the same position is not directly promoted to hereditary succession.