Sufa

Overview

Sufa was a member of the Songjia clan of the Plain Blue Banner, the third son of Sun Zhali. According to Volume 42 of the official Qing dynasty compilation, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, he served as a zuoling (a military officer) in the campaign against Shandong, distinguishing himself in the capture of Linzi and earning the title of Qiduwei. Later, he participated in battles in Henan and Jiangnan, fighting at Tongguan and Changshu, and was further promoted to Yunqiwei (a military rank).

zuoling was the title of a basic-level military officer within the banner and its managing official. Qiduwei (a military rank) concurrently holding the title of Yunqiwei was a hereditary military rank. Sufa also served as Langzhong (a military officer), Canling (a military officer), and zuoling, reflecting that actual positions and hereditary titles could coexist. Langzhong were responsible for the administration of their respective government offices, while Canling managed the corresponding banner affairs or military units; neither should be translated as a hereditary title.

His third son, Gaduhun, inherited the title and was granted the title of Third-Class Qingche duwei by imperial decree. Gaduhun later passed the title to his nephew, Hetu. Hetu served as Sanqilang (a military officer), but resigned due to illness, and his son, Kortu, succeeded him. Su Fa's second son, Ezhu, served as a second-class guard, and his great-grandson, Eqitu, served as a third-class guard; these were positions held by other descendants. The titles of guard and imperial bodyguard are distinct and should not be confused. The office to which the Langzhong (LangZhong) belonged, the institution where the Sanqilang (SanQiLang) served, the dates of the battles in Linzi and Changshu, and the succession relationships between different branches require verification from the original printed text and archives.