Xierguan

Overview

Xierguan: Xierguan is a member of the Merzhele clan in Volume 52 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, belonging to the Bordered Yellow Banner, and residing in Manaha Village on the Songhua River. The genealogy states that he was appointed village head for his submission and tribute, and after his death, his brother's son, Erzhu, was also appointed village head; however, the exact year of Xierguan's submission is not listed.

During the Kangxi era, the "New Manchus" mentioned in the original book were reorganized into Zuoling (military units). Erzhu was appointed Zuoling for this purpose, and after his retirement due to illness, it was succeeded by Xierguan's son, Walu. Walu then led thirty-seven households to Ningguta and was appointed Qiduwei. Later, there are records of Xinggeli, Hashili, and his brothers and nephews succeeding him. The succession of Zuoling administration and the inheritance of meritorious hereditary titles must be examined separately; village head, Zuoling, and Qiduwei cannot be considered the same position.

The village head is a local group management position recorded in this entry and cannot be directly applied to the modern village election system. "New Manchuria" was the term used in the context of the organization at that time, not a newly established state; Kangxi was the reign title of Emperor Shengzu of Qing, Xuan Ye. The thirty-seven households are clues about population migration, not a fixed number of soldiers. The modern location of Manaha Village and the continuous nephew-grandson relationships still need to be verified by the original printed text and household registration records, and the migration from Ningguta is not direct evidence of Xierguan's personal experience.