Guo Keshu

Overview

Guo Keshu was a member of the Siketeli clan of the Plain Yellow Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. Volume 34 of the official Qing Dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that his family originally lived in the Songhua River region. They submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. His son, Yandu, served as a zuoling (banner-company commander), and his grandson, Jiaba, served as a Can Ling (military officer). Jialong'a, due to his competent service as zuoling, was awarded the rank of Qiduwei. Later, due to his military merits in the Heilongjiang, Songhua River, and entry into the Central Plains campaigns, he was promoted to Third-Class Qingche Duwei (Qingche duwei), and further promoted by imperial decree.

The zuoling was in charge of local household registration and military records, while the Can Ling was responsible for the military affairs of his subordinate unit. The ranks of Qiduwei and Qingche Duwei were hereditary. The original text records both his competent service and battlefield merits, which cannot be considered as a single award. After Jialong'a's son, Gardu, died in battle, he was posthumously awarded the title of Third-Class Baron. His son, Baldu, inherited the title and served as Minister of the Military Equipment Bureau and concurrently as a zuoling.

The Military Equipment Bureau was related to the imperial family's military equipment and related supplies. The position of Minister was different from the titles of meritorious officials. Another great-grandson, Jiaerdu, died in battle at Xiangtan while serving as a vanguard bodyguard. He was posthumously awarded the title of Yunqiwei and formed an independent branch. The similar names Jialong'a, Jiaerdu, and Jiaerdu must be distinguished; the specific ancestral home along the Songhua River, the term of office at the Military Academy, and the lineage of the two branches are yet to be verified.