Tong Guo

Overview

Tong Guo was a member of the Lijia clan of the Plain Red Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. Volume 33 of the official Qing Dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that his family originally resided in the Zakumu region. He submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of its rule and was appointed as a zuoling (banner-company commander). zuoling was both a basic unit within the Eight Banners and an official in charge of household registration and military records. Tong Guo was originally classified under the Lijia clan in the genealogy, not the Tongjia clan simply because his name contained the character "Tong".

His son, Jueshan, served as a zuoling in campaigns in Yehe, Liaodong, and Zunhua, repeatedly leading the charge and sustaining injuries. He was awarded the rank of Qiduwei and later received further rewards for his military achievements in battles at Dalinghe, the Guanzhong Plain, and Jiangxi, eventually becoming the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. Qiduwei, Qingche duwei, Baron, and Viscount were hereditary titles or ranks awarded for merit, while the Left Censor-in-Chief was a central supervisory official, a different nature.

Jueshan's rank and titles were passed down through several descendants. When Guan Bao inherited his title, the portion added by imperial decree was removed, leaving him as a Third-Class Baron. Sunjirtab was also appointed as Commander-in-Chief, Minister of War, and Minister of State Affairs, concurrently serving as a military commander; these official positions belonged to his descendants and cannot be included in the official record of the Tong state. The location of Zakumu, the succession of various branches, and the dates of concurrent appointments are pending verification.