Gerbu

Overview

Gerbu was a member of the Yangjia clan. Volume 54 of the official *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* records that he belonged to the Plain White Banner, resided in Baidune, and served as a First-Class Guard. His great-grandson, Molundai, was recorded as an Infantry Captain. Gerbu belongs to the group listed at the end of the volume who were withdrawn from Khorchin during the Kangxi era. This withdrawal record differs from the "return at the beginning of the dynasty" record; its specific time and nature of migration should be preserved.

The First-Class Guard was a military position under the princely court, responsible for escort duties, and was not the same title as the First-Class Imperial Guard in the emperor's guard system. The Infantry Captain was part of the infantry organization, involved in city guarding and patrolling. Gerbu's guard position and Molundai's Infantry Captain position belonged to different generations and systems and cannot be combined into two separate promotions for the same person.

Baidune is the ancestral home recorded in the genealogy, while Khorchin is the location mentioned in the withdrawal record; their roles in the narrative are different. The original text does not directly prove that Gerbu was born in Khorchin, nor does it state when he left Baidune. The Plain White Banner refers to the administrative affiliation, while Yangjia refers to the clan classification. The specific year of withdrawal, the princely residence served by Geerbu, the place of residence of Baidune, and the years of service of his great-grandson are still to be verified. Changes in clan affiliation should not be determined arbitrarily based on the direction of withdrawal.