Qingge

Overview

Qingge was a great-grandson of the Hushitun family of the Hong'e clan. Volume 55 of the *General Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* records that he once served as a scribe. The Hushitun branch belonged to the Bordered White Banner, residing in Hada for generations. They submitted to the Qing dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty, and the family also produced officials such as guard captains, lieutenants, officials, and clerks.

The title *bithesi* is a transliteration of the Manchu official title, often written as *bithesi*, referring to a clerk, related to *bithe* meaning "book" or "document." During the Qing dynasty, this official position was established in ministries and related institutions of the Eight Banners, handling copying, registration, and Manchu-Chinese document affairs; some institutions also involved translation. This was different from a private scribe; it was a formal official position, and its duties and rank should be understood in conjunction with the official office it belonged to.

The original book does not list Qingge's department; therefore, he cannot be designated as a *bithesi* of the Ministry of Works simply because his relative, Tuna, served as Minister of Works, nor can all *bithesi* be assigned the same rank. Qingnai, serving as a principal officer, and Qingde, serving as a lieutenant, belong to the same great-grandson generation; their official positions cannot be merged. The original text's use of "former officer" indicates that they are no longer currently serving in the compiled materials. As for the start and end dates of their appointments, the reasons for their resignation, and Qingge's direct father, the article does not provide this information and should be reserved for further investigation.