Yamushda

Overview

Yamushda was a member of the Ningguta clan of the Plain Yellow Banner. Volume 41 of the official Qing dynasty compilation, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that his family had lived in Suifen for generations, and at the beginning of the dynasty, he led 150 Manchus to surrender. The number is clearly stated in this entry and cannot be changed to 150 households; Suifen is the historical name of his ancestral home and does not directly prove that the family originated from a specific city or district today.

His great-grandson, Weng Xiku, served in the campaign as a layman, and was the first to scale the city walls of Teng County, earning the title of Baturu (a bravery honorific) and Qiduwei. He was later granted the title of Second-Class Qingche duwei by imperial decree. The hereditary title was passed down through his son, Yierhadai, to Shuertu, where the additional imperial decree grant was deducted, but the Qiduwei title was retained. Later, the title was inherited by Yang'an. The titles of honor, unappointed bannerman status, hereditary rank, and the actual position of assistant department director (*yuanwailang*) in Yang'an must be explained separately.

Later generations also held positions such as Vice Minister of War, Minister of Rites, Censor, and Junior Compiler of the Hanlin Academy. The Minister and Vice Minister were central government officials, the Censor was responsible for supervision, and the probationary officials (shujishi) belonged to the Hanlin Academy's training and selection system and could not be directly equated with having already served as a local county magistrate. The civil and military records of multiple generations are not attributed to Yamushda himself. The location of Suifen, the original printed edition style, the terms of office for each position, and the succession of relatives are yet to be verified.