Qiang Xiao

Overview

Qiang Xiao is a bondservant of the Bordered Yellow Banner under the entry for the "Qiang Qiali Clan" in Volume 58 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*. His family had lived in Yaozhou for generations. The original text lists him as someone who came to submit during the Tiancong era, but does not record his specific date of submission or his official rank. The term "bondservant" here refers to a component of their banner system and cannot be omitted as referring to ordinary Bordered Yellow Banner personnel.

His great-grandson, Qiang Yuzhi, served as an assistant department director (*yuanwailang*); Qiang Yuyi served as Salt Commissioner; his great-great-grandson, Qiang Guozhong, served as an assistant department director (*yuanwailang*); Qiang Guotai served as a Third-Class Imperial Guard; and Qiang Guofu served as a Military Officer. His fourth-generation descendant, Shizhuo, served as the Chief Steward of the Imperial Kitchen; Shiyi served as a Clerk; and Haiming served as an assistant department director (*yuanwailang*) when the genealogy was being compiled. His fifth-generation descendant, Qiang Ju, served as a Clerk. This branch of the family spanned salt administration, the imperial kitchen, the banner garrison, and clerical work.

The same volume lists Qiang Yusheng as a member of the same clan as Qiang Xiao, whose family had lived in Yaozhou for generations. This indicates that the genealogy confirms that the two belonged to the same clan, but it cannot be used to determine whether they were father and son or brothers. Further information is needed to support the historical location of Yaozhou and the specific dates of office for each generation of figures.