Debao

De Bao (Manchu: ᡩ᠋ᡝ᠋ᠪᠣᠣ; Mulin De transcription: deboo; 1719–1789), courtesy name Zhongrong, Runting, Huaiyu, Pangcun; pseudonym Dingpu; also known as Zhongrong; a Manchu of the Socheole clan within the Inner Court of the Manchu Eight Banners, of the Plain White Banner (Han military division). Originally from Changbai County, Jilin. A Qing officials who entered the bureaucratic system through successful imperial examinations.

Life and Official Career

Born in 1719, at age 17 he took the Sheng Tian imperial examination in Shuntian (1736). At 19, he passed the top three of the Ding Si Proper Science Examination and became a Jinshi (1737). Subsequently appointed as a Liberal Bachelor, he was assigned to the Hanlin Academy as an editorial reviewer. Before the 44th year of Qianlong, he held multiple positions, including official in charge of Daily Court Annals and secretary of the Southern Study. In 1744, promoted to lecture on court affairs; the following year, served at the Nanshu Pavilion. In 1746, promoted to Shijing (Lecturer), and the next year, appointed as the Governor of Shanxi province, then promoted to Shidu (Surveillance Emperor’s Guest). In 1750, served as the Governor of Shandong province, then promoted to Shijingxueshi (Academic Advisor). In 1752, appointed as Deputy Minister of Works. In 1761, promoted to deputy general of the Han Army banners in the Plain Yellow Banner and Vice Minister of Personnel, and served as a court lecture. In 1769, promoted to Principal of the Hanlin Academy, transferred to become Vice Commander of the Manchu Banner on Red Shield Banner, and appointed as Governor of Guangdong. In 1771, acting Viceroy of Liangguang, later acting as Governor of Fujian and Supervisor of the Grain Transport; the next year, concurrently acting as Governor of Jiangnan and Waterway. In 1778, acting Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, and consecutively served as Minister of Rites for eleven years (succeeding Changqing), also commanding the Han Army banners of the White Banner and Yellow Banner. Over forty years, concurrently held positions such as Minister of Personnel, Principal of the Hanlin Academy, Left Grand Disciple of the Censorate, Minister of Ritual, and Minister of War; from the 13th to the 52nd year of Qianlong, served long-term as Commander of the Inner Court Secretariat. Served as examiner in the Sheng Tian and Shuntian provincial exams, participated in the compilation of multiple statutes and ritual systems. Died in 1789, posthumously honored as Wenzhuang; in the 4th year of Jiaqing, the stele inscription was composed by Wang Zihuan. Wrote poetry and essays honoring virtuous conduct; compiled multiple poetry collections and edited government documents.

Academic Works and Writings

De Bao was skilled in poetry and prose, as well as music and sound arts. His publications include the 13-volume poetry collections *Dingpu Poems Collection* and *Lexian Tang Poems Collection*, edited by his son Yinghe and published in the 59th year of Qianlong’s reign; also a one-volume work *Duyun Cao*. Under imperial orders, participated in editing *Yinyin Shuwie* and the *Imperially Approved Code of Rituals*, and contributed to the compilation of the complete *Qin Ding Shi Jing Yue Pu Quan Shu* among the Siku Quanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries). Served as chief reader for the Siku Quanshu, overseeing the compilation of *Rich Records from the Sunken World* and *Imperial Edition of Rich Records from the Sunken World*; held overall editorial responsibilities. Maintained correspondence with Jinshi calligrapher Liu Yong, and left behind a copybook in regular script *Buddha Speaks of the Wisdom Seal of the Tathagata* (now housed in the Palace Museum in Taipei).

Family and Lineage

De Bao was from the Socheole clan of the Manchu, initially focused on literary pursuits, later moving to Beijing for residence. His father, Ming De (1697–1775), was awarded the title of First-Class Advisor of the Court and authored *Xian An Poetry Collection*. His mother was from the Zhuojia clan. Among his siblings, many distinguished themselves in scholarship and official posts, such as De Feng and Guan De. His descendants continued the imperial examination tradition; among them was Yinghe (his son), who achieved second rank in the 58th year of Qianlong’s reign, became a Grand Councilor, and served as co-editor of the Grand Secretariat. The De Bao family’s children and collateral branches held significant influence within the Qing imperial Eight Banner aristocracy; after relocating to Beijing, they settled near Dong'anmen.