Bilu

Overview

Bilu was a member of the Manchu Samarji clan, belonging to the Bordered Blue Banner. His family had lived along the Songhua River for generations and submitted to the Qing dynasty during the Tiancong era. The official Qing dynasty genealogy, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, Volume 44, lists him as a biographical figure, primarily recording the military achievements of his great-grandson, Ende. Tiancong was the reign title of Huang Taiji during the Later Jin dynasty, meaning Bilu's submission occurred before the Qing dynasty entered the Central Plains and cannot be combined with the era of his descendants' campaigns against Galdan.

Ende served as a military officer in campaigns in Jiangxi, Huguang, and Yunnan, repeatedly distinguishing himself in battle. Later, he participated in the war against Galdan and was awarded the title of Yunqiwei for his merits. After his death, his son, Sangge, inherited the title. The military officer was responsible for the management, training, and duty of his assigned military unit, and Yunqiwei was a hereditary title for meritorious officials. Ende's appointment and the title he received were different, and Sangge's inheritance of the hereditary title did not equate to him succeeding as military officer.

The book also records that Bilu's great-grandson, Wuergene, served as an infantry officer, and his great-great-grandson, Alantai, served as a cavalry officer. The infantry, cavalry, and guards each had their own organization and responsibilities, thus this is a record of a group of clansmen holding different military positions. The Songhua River, as the name of a major river, covers a vast area; the original text only records "Songhua River region," which cannot be used to directly specify a present-day city, county, or village. The exact years of Bilu's personal experiences, ancestral river section, and various military campaigns undertaken with grace and favor await verification.