Wu Lemu

Overview

Wu Lemu, simplified as Wu Lemu, was a member of the Plain Red Banner of the Hurha clan and a cousin of Nahantai. Volume 48 of the official Qing dynasty compilation, *the Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that he initially served as a military officer. During the Tiancong era, he was sent as an envoy to the Ming dynasty. His adherence to proper etiquette earned him praise from Emperor Huang Taiji, who bestowed upon him a python robe and appointed him as a zuoling (military officer). Tiancong was Huang Taiji's reign title before his conquest of China; this diplomatic activity occurred during the period of coexistence between the Later Jin and the Ming dynasty.

Later, Wu Lemu's proficiency in written documents led to his appointment as an assistant department director (*yuanwailang*) in the Ministry of Revenue, and he was soon promoted to Minister. The Ministry of Revenue was responsible for matters such as national population and finance. assistant department director (*yuanwailang*)s and Ministers were internal officials within the ministry, with Ministers bearing the management responsibilities of their respective departments. This resume indicates that his appointment was related not only to military service but also to his clerical skills, but this entry does not specify which languages ​​he was proficient in. The eldest son, Benbai, once served as a first-class bodyguard; the second son, Eqili, served as a secretary and concurrently as a military commander and captain; the grandson, Wohene, was awarded the rank of Yunqiwei for his meritorious service in the campaign against Galdan. Bodyguards were attendants in the princely court, while military commanders and captains were involved in the management of the banner garrisons, and both must be distinguished from Wu Lemu's own official positions. The dates of the mission, the content of the negotiations, and the specific style of the python robe still require further verification from the original archives.