Meng Kui

Overview

Meng Kui is a member of the Eji clan recorded in Volume 46 of the official Qing Dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*. He was the grandson of Zhuerku and originally served as a Deputy Commander-in-Chief. The genealogy lists him as belonging to the Bordered Red Banner, noting that he was transferred from the Plain Red Banner. Therefore, it's necessary to retain both the original banner affiliation and the transfer information; the Bordered Red Banner should not be interpreted as the family's permanent banner affiliation.

His son, Xifune, was originally a Captain; his grandson, Xizhong, was originally a Registrar; Xiqing was originally a Yunqiwei (a military rank); and his great-grandson, Xichang'a, was also originally a Yunqiwei. The Deputy Commander-in-Chief was involved in banner affairs and military administration; the Captain managed the subordinate grassroots organizations; the Registrar was a clerical and administrative official; and Yunqiwei was a hereditary title of meritorious service. The fact that his grandson and great-grandson both held the title of Yunqiwei is insufficient to complete the full line of succession based solely on this statement.

This entry also lists Meng Kui's elder brother and the branches of Tobayan and Nikan: Tobayan's grandson, Suozhu, served as a cavalry captain; Nikan's son, Mushha, served as a guard captain; and his grandsons, Hulantai and Huli, served as ceremonial officers. These individuals were related to Meng Kui by family, but were not his direct descendants. The previous entry records that his grandfather, Zhuerku, lived in the Songhua River region and submitted to the Qing dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty, providing clues to the origin of this branch of the family; "Zhuerku's grandson" refers to a kinship relationship, not the place name "Zhuerku's grandson." Meng Kui's own residence, the date of his reassignment, the institution to which his records belonged, and his term of office still need to be verified.