San Tan

Overview

San Tan was a member of the Huifa Nara clan of the Plain Blue Banner during the early Qing Dynasty. His family had lived in Huifa for generations. At the beginning of the dynasty, he led his followers to surrender, and the population was organized into zuoling (military officers), under his command. The official Qing Dynasty genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, Volume 24, lists his descendants by branching off from his sons: the eldest son, Sazhuhu, served as zuoling; the branch of the second son, Azhuhu, held positions such as Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Minister of Personnel, and Military Commander; the third son, Sabihan, served as zuoling; and the fourth son, Hushi, distinguished himself in the battles at Lushun and Korea, later dying in battle at Pi Island and posthumously awarded the title of Qiduwei. His descendants, such as Yiertu and Halbi, died in battle at Xiamen, each with their own independent posthumous titles and inheritance arrangements. The original genealogy also records that Hushi's descendant, Salinga, combined two hereditary titles, which is different from inheriting a single government position. zuoling managed the lower-level bannermen, the Minister of Personnel managed the selection and evaluation of central officials, and the Military Commander was an officer in the Military Guard; their responsibilities were not interchangeable. The title of "Efu" (efu (imperial son-in-law)) refers to a marriage within the imperial clan, while "Shengyuan" (shengyuan (student qualification)) refers to a student qualification; they are not the same type of official rank. This information spans multiple branches and generations, and military achievements must be attributed to the corresponding descendants. Therefore, the entire lengthy account of family appointments cannot be written as San Tan's personal experience.