Akchu

Overview

Akchu was a member of the Lijia clan of the Bordered Yellow 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 had lived in the Zakumu area for generations and submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. Sun Yang'ai, holding a non-official post, participated in the campaign against Datong. He died in battle during the second assault on Xin'an City and was posthumously awarded the title of Qiduwei. His son, Yatali, inherited this title. A non-official post meant not holding a corresponding official position within the banner, while Qiduwei was a hereditary title awarded for merit.

Yatali was promoted to Second-class Qingche duwei by imperial decree. On his return from Guizhou, he participated in the battle against Zheng Chenggong's army and was promoted to First-class Qingche duwei for his merits, serving as Deputy Commander-in-Chief. The position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief assisted in managing banner affairs and differed from the hereditary title of Qingche duwei; promotions based on military merit and imperial decree also had different bases. Subsequently, Yarhu inherited the title and served as a captain, retiring due to old age.

When Yalonga succeeded him, he removed the portion added by imperial decree, retaining only the title of Qiduwei and concurrently a Yunqiwei. Other descendants of the family held positions such as treasurer, clerk, and scribe, respectively involved in treasury affairs, administration, and document work. The location of the ancestral home, the position of Shin-i Castle, and the shape of the inscription on Yang'ai Plain are yet to be verified. The military achievements of the grandchildren were not attributed to Akchu himself.