Kuizhao

Kuishao (Manchu: ᡴᡠᡳ᠌ᠵᠠᠣ; transliteration by Mulinde: kuijao; 1790–1843), courtesy name Boyong, style name Yuting, from the Sorutuo clan, Manchu Bannerman of the Plain White Banner in the Inner Court. He was a Chinese Qing dynasty official and a jinshi graduate.

Life and Official Career: His grandfather, Debao, served as Minister of Rites, and his father, Yinghe, held the position of co-Assistant Grand Secretary. Kuishao passed the imperial examination in the 19th year of Jiaqing (1814), ranking second in the top graduating group (Xiangshi); he was selected as a Director of the Hanlin Academy. After leaving the examination hall, he was appointed to compile and edit documents. He later served as Vice Prefect of the Five Ministries, Deputy Commander of the Manchu Bannerman of the Blue Banner in the Mongol division, Commander of the Guards of the White Banner, and Vice Commander of the Mongol division of the Blue Banner, overseeing the affairs of the Xian'an Palace and the eastern religious schools. Subsequently, he served as Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Military Secretariat. Due to certain incidents, he was dismissed from office but was later reinstated as the overall commanding general of the Tialing garrison and supervisor of the Inner Court. In the 22nd year of Daoguang (1842), he was appointed Left Censor-in-Chief, and he died in the following year, in 1843.

Family and Ancestry: Kuishao’s grandfather, Debao, served as Minister of Rites; his father, Yinghe, served as co-Assistant Grand Secretary; his older brother, Kuiyao, also passed the imperial examinations during the Jiaqing reign. By Kuishao’s time, his family had entered the Hanlin Academy for three generations, earning high praise from officials and scholars. Prince Yongxing personally inscribed “Grandfather, father, brothers, and Hanlin Academicians” to commend their scholarly accomplishments. Kuishao’s son, Xizhi, achieved jinshi status in the 15th year of Daoguang (1835), was appointed as a scholarly compiler (Xiaoshiqishi). By this point, four generations and five family members of the clan had become Hanlin scholars. His wife was from the Tungjia clan, and his father was Changyi, a Manchu officer of the Yellow Banner in the Inner Court and an attendant official in the Inner Court. His grandfather was Yi Ling'a, governor of Zhejiang.

Children and Marriages: His son, Xizhi, who achieved jinshi degree in 1835; other sons included Xijin, Xibao, and Xijue. His daughters included one who was honored as Noble Consort Wan by the Xianfeng Emperor, by marriage to a noble consort, and another who married the general Zai Kun as a secondary wife. There was also a daughter who married Yin Jigen Jueluo from the Irgen Gioro clan and another from the Yangjia clan. His grandchildren included Taijie, Taiyuan, Taixing, Taiyun, Tailin, and Taiquan. Notably, Taijie married a sister of Prince Bosen. This information is based on the "Draft History of Qing" (Qing Shi Gao) and related family records.