Guo Shangzhong

Overview

Guo Shangzhong was a member of the Plain Red Banner's bondservant (baoyi) system during the Qing Dynasty. The Guo family had long resided in Shenyang. Volume 77 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* states that he submitted to the Qing Dynasty at the beginning of the reign, but does not specify the year. His grandson, Guo Chaoming, served as a sixth-rank bondservant (baoyi da), his great-grandson, Guo Shiyun, served as an eighth-rank official, his great-great-grandson, Hetu, served as a ceremonial official, and his fourth-generation descendant, Sanbao, served as a treasurer. These positions were held by descendants and cannot be considered part of Guo Shangzhong's personal resume.

The Plain Red Banner was one of the Eight Banners, and its bondservant personnel could serve within the corresponding princely system; bondservant status was not limited to the three banners under the emperor. The title of "Baoyi Da" was an administrative position within the bondservant system, also noted as sixth-rank in the original text; this differed from the general term for an ordinary sixth-rank official. The ceremonial official was responsible for etiquette and ceremonial guidance, undertaking corresponding duties within the princely court system.

The treasurer was responsible for the management of the warehouse and supplies, a specific position; the eighth-rank official status was merely a rank recorded. In the Qing Dynasty, officials were divided into principal and subordinate ranks, so Guo Shiyun could not be assigned to a specific eighth-rank position. This passage connects three service areas: grassroots bondservants management, etiquette, and treasury affairs, but the official offices to which he belonged and the dates of his service still need to be investigated separately.