Tong Shan

Overview

Tong Shan was a member of the Tongjia clan, Plain Blue Banner, and a relative of Tong Yangzheng. His family had lived in Tongjia for generations and submitted to the Qing dynasty at the beginning of the dynasty. Volume 20 of the official *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Eight Banners Manchu Clans* records that he once served as Minister of War and concurrently as a zuoling (banner-company commander).

The Ministry of War was responsible for national military administration, and the Minister was its head; the zuoling managed the household registration and military records of the lower-level banner people. Holding both positions reflected the dual responsibilities of central military and political affairs and grassroots banner affairs, one title could not be omitted. His second son, Tong Yangliang, gained hereditary status as a zuoling through military service, and his third son, Tundai, distinguished himself in numerous battles, serving as Governor-General of Zhejiang and Fujian and Minister of War. The Governor-General oversaw local military and civilian affairs, and although he and his father served as Minister of War, they were different individuals with different backgrounds. The original genealogy also listed Tong Shan's brother, Tong Gong, and his nephews and grandsons, covering positions such as deputy general, governor, prefect, and county magistrate. It is inappropriate to include all of them as direct descendants of Tong Shan. Later generations were noted to belong to the Han Army of their respective banners; the Han Army banner classification must be preserved in the records. The kinship relationships here connect family branches, but cannot fill in unclear blood distances and birthplaces.