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Lerjin: Prince Shuncheng and Commander during the Three Feudatories Revolt

English editorial translation of the Chinese source entry

Lerjin was the son of Lekdehun, Prince Shuncheng of the Second Rank, and succeeded to his father's princely title. In 1672 he was assigned responsibility for affairs of the Imperial Clan Court, which administered imperial genealogies, succession to noble titles, and disciplinary …

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Source-based English editorial manuscript · Historical details subject to final source verification.

Clan position and office

Lerjin was the son of Lekdehun, Prince Shuncheng of the Second Rank, and succeeded to his father's princely title. In 1672 he was assigned responsibility for affairs of the Imperial Clan Court, which administered imperial genealogies, succession to noble titles, and disciplinary matters concerning the ruling lineage. It was not a census bureau for the general population. His inherited princely status and the field command he later received were separate.

The Huguang theater

After Wu Sangui revolted, Lerjin became a general assigned to suppress the southern rebellion, stationed at Jingzhou. He directed operations in areas including Yiling, Yidu, Junzhou, and Nanzhang and proposed additional warships, the use of Green Standard infantry, and siege equipment and artillery to overcome rivers and fortifications. His campaign thus involved water defenses and difficult terrain rather than a straightforward cavalry offensive. The court repeatedly criticized him for delay and reverses. After Wu Sangui's death, Qing forces under his responsibility recovered places including Songzi, Zhijiang, Yidu, and Lizhou.

Removal from command

Lerjin was subsequently ordered toward Chongqing but turned back during the journey and asked to resign his command. The court ultimately stripped him of princely rank on charges including prolonged encampment, wasted military expenditures, and missed opportunities. The family's title later continued through the next generation, which does not imply that Lerjin remained prince while deprived of the distinction. The earlier Shunzhi campaigns of his father Lekdehun must likewise be distinguished from Lerjin's activities during the Kangxi reign.

Sources and Bibliography

  1. Historical source 1 — zh.wikisource.org
  2. Historical source 2 — zh.wikisource.org
  3. Historical source 3 — zh.wikisource.org

Links reproduce references supplied with the Chinese editorial manuscript; they do not establish that every individual statement has undergone independent archival verification.