Qian Gui

Qian Gui was a noble from the Ming Dynasty, born in Haizhou, Nanjing (now Haizhou District, Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province). His grandfather was Qian Zheng, who fought alongside Ming Chengzu Zhu Di and served as the deputy captain guarding Yanshan. His father was Qian Tong, who reached the position of Commander of the Right Guards. Qian Gui inherited the family positions and often accompanied Ming Chengzu and Ming Xuanzong on northern expeditions, eventually attaining the rank of Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Capital. In the seventh year of the Zhengtong era (1442), his daughter, Lady Qian, was conferred the title of Noble Consort, and he was promoted to concurrent inspector of the Central Government offices. Ming Yingzong repeatedly attempted to grant him noble titles, but he declined each time, so his family was not ennobled. After Qian Gui’s death, his eldest son, Qian Qin, became the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The family also had other children, Qian Zhong (who died in the Tumu Crisis) and Qian Xiong (his posthumous son, who served as Assistant Commander-in-Chief). Among his grandchildren, Qian Xiong’s descendants include Qian Chengzong (who held the title of An Chang Bo), Qian Weiqi (also An Chang Bo), and Qian Weiyuan (Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard).