Degelei

Degelei, Manchu Degelei, born November 13, 1592; died October 1635. He was the tenth son of Nurhaci, with his biological mother being Consort Fucha. He was initially appointed as a Taiji. In the sixth year of the Tianming era (1621), he led troops to raid Fengjibao. During the retreat, he pointed out the Ming soldiers in front, and together with Yu Tuo and Shuo Tuo, attacked and defeated the Ming general Li Bingcheng. Subsequently, along with Taiji Zhaisanggu to inspect the Sanchahe Bridge, they arrived at Haizhou, where officials and commoners welcomed them. He ordered the soldiers not to disturb civilians, not to plunder, and not to stay in civilian homes. The next day, reports came that the bridge was destroyed and there were no boats to cross, so they withdrew their troops.

In the eighth year of Tianming (1623), he cooperated with Abatai in campaigns against the Kalga Zhaluote tribe. In the eleventh year of Tianming (1626), he again participated with Daisan in campaigns against the Zhaluote tribe. In the third year of the Tiancong era (1629), he cooperated with Jirhalang to invade Jinzhou, burning accumulations, and was promoted to a Heshuo Beile for his merit. In the fifth year of Tiancong (1631), the Qing court established the Six Ministries, and Degelei was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. He participated in the siege of Dalinghe, leading troops to assist and defeating Ming commissar Da Zhangchun. In October of the same year, Zu Dashou surrendered; Degelei and others disguised themselves as Ming soldiers to attack Jinzhou, killing many enemies.

In the sixth year of Tiancong (1632), he cooperated with Ji’erhaLang and others in invading Guihua City, then with Yu Tuo in attacking and looting territory from Yaozhou to Gai Prefecture along the south. In the seventh year of Tiancong (1633), he captured Lüshun. In the eighth year of Tiancong (1634), he followed the army to fight the Ming, bringing Mongolian populations back, capturing Dushikou and attacking Chicheng. They failed to take the city and withdrew, then entered Bao'anzhou, regrouped at Yingzhou, and withdrew again. In the ninth year of Tiancong (1635), in October, Degelei died. Emperor Hong Taiji arrived to funeral and mourned deeply, holding a memorial ceremony and removing the banquet for three days.

In December of that year, although Manggolor’s son had already passed away, the monk Leng Shengji accused Manggolor, Degelei, Manggu Jigege, and others of conspiracy and resentment, and due to treason, stripped Degelei of his Beile title. Deng Shiku was also implicated and had his clan removed. Dekexik died in battle while campaigning with Huo Ge against Zhang Xianzhong. The Emperor ordered his son Hui'er Shiji, a first-ranked Azhani Han, to receive his stipend. In the 52nd year of Kangxi (1713), Shengzu ordered the restoration of the Degelei lineage and granted a red sash with the "Jue Luo" title.

Regarding descendants: Degelei’s sons included De Kexik (mother’s primary wife, Buerjigit clan), Feiyata (mother Bohan Luo Ke), and Deng Shiku (concubine, surname unknown).