Duerhu

Overview

Duerhu was a member of the Huihe clan of the Plain Red Banner. Volume 39 of the official Qing dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that he was of the same clan as Yekeshu, residing in the Changbai Mountains region, and surrendered to the Qing dynasty at its beginning. Being of the same clan indicates a clan connection, but does not necessarily prove a brotherly relationship; Changbai Mountains was the family's ancestral home, and its origin cannot be changed to Jiangnan simply because later generations fought in Zhejiang or Huguang.

His son, Niyahaqi, served as a military officer in campaigns in Henan and Jiangnan, and was awarded the title of Yunqiwei for his merits, which was inherited by his son, Muchengge. His grandson, Yantai, served as a valiant cavalry officer in the Zhoushan campaign and was awarded the title of Yunqiwei. He later died in battle at Yuezhou and was posthumously awarded another Yunqiwei, which was inherited by his son, Chalan, as Qiduwei. These are two separate grants and inheritances from different branches of the family and cannot be considered as a single individual's continuous experience.

Military officer and valiant cavalry officer were different substantive positions, while Yunqiwei and Qiduwei were hereditary titles; the posthumous consolidation of ranks should also be based on the original text. The genealogy also lists First-Class Guards, Assistant Ministers, Clerks, Attendants, and Captains, belonging to guard, administrative, clerical, ceremonial, and military positions, not all equivalent to military commanders. The complete lineages of each branch, the dates of the battles in Zhoushan and Yuezhou, and the battalion system under the Captains are yet to be verified.