Xuesheng

Overview

Xuesheng is a figure recorded under the Lao clan entry in Volume 78 of the official genealogy of the Eight Banners Manchu Clans, compiled during the Qianlong reign. He belonged to the Bordered Yellow Banner and was a bondservant officer. His family had lived in Liaoyang for generations, but the year of their submission is unknown. The original book uses "Xuesheng" as his given name; it is incorrect to change his name to "Lao Xuesheng" simply because the surname is Lao, without further verification, and he cannot be directly merged with other individuals of the same name.

His son, Wuge, served as a military officer; his grandson, Feiyanggu, served as an assistant secretary; Dexing was a supplementary candidate; Eyiqi served as a storehouse manager; and his great-grandson, Debao, served as a scribe. Military officer, assistant secretary, storehouse manager, and scribe were all military positions, not titles related to the imperial examinations.

Dexing's "supplementary candidate" status is related to the imperial examinations. The provincial examinations had a main list and a supplementary list. Those who passed the main list were considered successful candidates (JuRen); however, the supplementary candidate status was not generally equivalent to a successful candidate. Even in certain periods of the Qing dynasty, exceptions existed, and it was necessary to prove that the qualification applied to the individual before it could be used. The original book did not record the year Dexing took the exam or the special honors he received, so only his status as a supplementary candidate is retained here, and his experience of passing the imperial examination is not added.