Tongjishan

Overview

Tongjishan was a member of the Bayara clan of the Bordered Yellow Banner. Volume 38 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 Heilongjiang region for generations. He surrendered to the Qing dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty and served as a military officer in campaigns at Lushun and other locations, earning the rank of Third-class Qingche duwei for his military merits. However, Heilongjiang was the family's ancestral home, while Lushun was a battleground; the latter cannot be considered a proven place of origin.

The position of Military Officer was part of the Qing dynasty's military system, managing personnel and affairs; the title of Qingche duwei was a hereditary title awarded for merit, with a system of succession. Since he held both a substantive and hereditary position, the term "Qingche duwei" cannot be interpreted literally as an ordinary official managing vehicles, nor can it be assumed that obtaining a hereditary title automatically changed his banner affiliation.

His son, Uljiaqi, served as Treasurer; his grandson, Xingchun, served as Military Officer; Fobao served as Clerk; and his great-grandson, Yatu, served as Clerk; Laomi served as Cavalry Commander. The treasurer was in charge of related treasury affairs, the specific duties depending on the institution. The Manchu title for scribe was bithesi, who handled documents and related written matters. The treasury duties, clerical work, and military positions held by successive generations were not part of Tongjishan's continuous promotions. The dates of the Lushun battle, the hereditary succession of the position, the institution to which the treasurer belonged, and the ancestral home are pending verification.