Su Zha

Overview

Su Zha was a member of the Zhangjia clan of the Bordered Blue Banner. The character "Su" retains its original spelling. Volume 40 of the official Qing dynasty clan genealogy, *The Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, records that he was of the same clan as Lai Ta, residing in Mudan Village, and was conquered at the beginning of the dynasty. The original text uses the term "conquest" to describe his submission; it cannot be rewritten as him voluntarily leading his people to surrender for the sake of uniformity. Furthermore, Mudan Village cannot be equated with modern Mudanjiang City without evidence. His grandson, Song Gadai, served as a scribe; his great-grandson, Chang Shou, served as a military officer; Yang Shu served as an assistant minister; and his great-great-grandson, Ming Tu, served as the director of the Imperial Observatory, with the additional title of Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. The Imperial Observatory was responsible for astronomical and calendrical affairs, and the director was the head of the agency. The title of Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was an honorary title and does not necessarily mean that Ming Tu simultaneously held the position of Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and presided over all sacrificial rites. Later generations also include Third-Class Guards, zuoling (military officers), Master of Ceremonies, and Translators. The Manchu title for a scribe was bithesi, responsible for handling documents and written affairs. The title of "Translator" (translation-examination graduate) was a qualification obtained through the Qing Dynasty's translation examinations, not necessarily equivalent to being a certified translator. Branches and ethnic groups must also be distinguished from direct descendants. The timing of the early conquest, Ming Dynasty records, the location of Mudan Village, variant names, and complex lineages require verification.