Zhao Clan

Overview

The Zhao family is listed in Volume 80 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners* under the section "Appendix: Surnames of the Nikan People of Fushun within the Manchu Banners," with the Changwu family mentioned at the beginning. Changwu belonged to the Bordered Blue Banner, residing in Fushun for generations; the year of his submission is unknown. His grandson, Huamin, served as a military officer; his great-grandson, Wangchen, served as a ceremonial officer; his great-great-grandson, Zhexian, served as a vice minister of the Ministry of Works; and his fourth-generation descendant, Taizhu, served as an imperial censor during the compilation of the genealogy, while Taimin served as a deputy prefect.

The original book also records the Zhao Wangfu branch of the Plain Red Banner, whose ancestral home was Yushubao. Their great-grandsons, Wu Nada and Wenlin, served as military officers and cavalry officers, respectively. The Zhao Wenkui branch of the Plain Blue Banner also resided in Fushun, and the Zhao Wenkui himself served as a county magistrate. These branches, though all bearing the Zhao surname, differ in banner affiliation, administrative category, and ancestral home, and should be explained separately for each branch.

The Ministry of Works managed engineering and construction affairs, with the vice minister serving as the deputy head of the department. Imperial censors participated in oversight, while deputy prefects and county magistrates were local civil officials, and ceremonial officers were officials in the ceremonial department of the prefecture. The Guards School and the Cavalry School belonged to different military organizations. Chang Wu did not adopt the surname Zhao, and his great-grandson Wang Chen was named with the character Wang. The original title is still used for recording, and the surname is not changed based on the literal meaning of the name. The historical context, kinship ties, and term of office of the various branches in this volume need to be verified.