Hetali

Overview

Qitali was a member of the Ningguta clan of the Bordered Red Banner, and the character "Qi" retains its original spelling. Volume 41 of the Qing Dynasty official genealogy, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that the family had lived in Ningguta for generations, but the date of their submission is unknown. It is incorrect to add Qitali to the same period simply because other nearby branches recorded their submission at the beginning of the dynasty; banner affiliation only indicates organizational affiliation. His grandson, Tuolai, served as a zuoling (military officer); his great-grandson, Bathai, served as a Vanguard Commander; his great-great-grandson, Fobaozhu, served as a Third-Class Guard; and Ma Yantai served as a Xiaoqi Commander. zuoling managed the basic organizational structure within the banner; Vanguard Commanders belonged to the Vanguard system; and Xiaoqi Commanders had corresponding military positions; Third-Class Guards belonged to the guard system of princely residences and cannot be changed to Third-Class Attendant. The original genealogy also lists his younger brother, Zhuohenuo's grandson, Zhakedana, as a Xiaoqi Commander; his younger brother, Weihenuo's grandson, Fulata, as a Tongzhi (assistant prefect); and Suwanzhu as a Defense Commander. The descendants of these two brothers belong to collateral branches and should not all be listed as Qitali's direct descendants. The Assistant Magistrate was a local administrative official whose specific duties varied depending on the government office, and he could not be collectively referred to as a military officer. The date of his surrender, the location of his post, the various guard units, and the two complete lineages need to be verified against the original inscriptions and archives.