Zhao Zhenguo

Overview

Zhao Zhenguo, recorded in Volume 76 of the *Comprehensive Genealogy of the Manchu Clans of the Eight Banners*, was a member of the Bordered White Banner's bondservant class, and his family had long resided in Shenyang. The original record does not specify the year of his arrival or his official position, but it does provide a relatively detailed account of the official appointments and examination results of his great-grandsons and great-great-grandsons, making it suitable for observing the various paths to officialdom taken by descendants of the same family.

Great-grandsons Zhao Shixun and Zhao Shiyan served as prefects; Zhao Shilun was a prefectural assistant at the time the genealogy was compiled; Zhao Shiqi was a candidate prefectural assistant; Zhao Shixi served as a county magistrate; and Zhao Shilie was a candidate scribe. Great-great-grandson Zhao Minwang was listed as a supplementary candidate on the imperial examination list, and Zhao Lingwang was a student of the Imperial Academy. Prefects, prefectural assistants, and county magistrates were of different ranks; the positions of candidate prefectural assistant and candidate scribe were not yet actual posts; and the supplementary candidate and student of the Imperial Academy were qualifications for examination, education, or entry into officialdom, and cannot be simply lumped together as "all having become officials."

This document can prove the lineage of Zhao Zhenguo's descendants in local administration and officialdom, but it cannot deduce Zhao Zhenguo's own academic achievements in the imperial examinations, nor can it directly identify Zhao Shixun and Zhao Shiyan as his sons. The original text does not detail the specific paternal relationships among the great-grandchildren; other genealogical records are needed to establish a detailed family tree.