Warriors will always be warriors... First three commentaries are by Annette Bügener, from the online Sothebys catalog.
Fude, Vice-General, Pacifier of the Frontier, Count of the first rank [with the epithet] jingni chengyong (Perfect and Brave Suppresser of the Rebellion) and Minister for Colonial Affairs
Fude (died 1776) was a member of the Guwalgiya clan garrisoned at Kirin and belonged to the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner. He held a leading position in the campaign in East Turkestan and Jinchuan (1771-1776). He showed special heroic bravery together with other generals during the breaching of the besieging army’s lines and the relief of the Manchu troops under General Jaôhui (see no. 3) in February 1759. Due to his merits in this campaign, he was promoted several times and finally awarded the title of Marquis with the epithet jingni chengyong. Fude’s subsequent career was characterised by numerous inglorious affairs. He was sentenced to death several times for embezzlement and other offences, but the Qianlong Emperor always pardoned him. Finally, his false accusation against the successful General Agûi (1717-1797) for exceeding his authority proved fatal. A few days after Agûi’s triumphal return from Jinchuan (1776), Fude was beheaded.
Čebdenĵab, Vice General, Pacifier of the Frontier, Commandery Prince with the rank of Imperial Prince [with the epithet] chaoyong (Outstanding and Brave)
Čebdenĵab (1705-1782) belonged to the Borjigit clan and was a member of the East Mongol Qalqa. His illustrious father Cering had been honored by marriage to an Imperial Princess and thereby awarded the title Consort (of the Imperial Princess). Since 1755 he gained merit by persecuting the West Mongol rebel leaders Dawaci and Amursana. In the spring of 1758, he decisively participated as General in the victory of the battle of Khorgos and was awarded the honorary title ‘Eminent and Brave' of his father. Later he was transferred to posts in Ili and Tibet. From 1771 to 1773 he acted as third Governor of Qalqa. In his commentary, the Qianlong Emperor makes special mention of Čebdenĵab’s imperial descent, praises his excellence in horseback archery, and compares him in his lack of literary aspirations to the famous generals of old.
(Zhaohui) Jaohûi, General, Pacifier of the Frontier, Duke of the first rank [with the epithet] wuyimouyong (Martial, Steadfast, Resourceful and Brave) and Minister of Revenue
Jaohûi (1708 - Dec. 10, 1764), given name He-fu, was a member of the Wu-ya clan and belonged to the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner. As a grand-nephew of Empress Xiaogong, he was a second cousin of the Qianlong Emperor. Outstanding among his many civil and military missions was his successful participation in the First Jinchuan War (1748-1749). Later he played an eminent role in the conquest of East Turkestan (1755-1759). During the three-month siege at the Kara Usu river near Yarkand in the winter of 1758-1759, he showed perseverance and received much glory and many imperial honors, among them the honorary title of Duke of the first rank, with the epithet wuyi mouyong. On his return to the capital at the head of the victorious army in 1760, Jaohûi was greeted by the Emperor personally outside Beijing and honored with several banquets before the throne. Afterwards he served as Minister of Revenue and was appointed Assistant Grand Secretary in 1761. Until his death in 1764, he was several times sent to inspect and report on river conservancy. In 1796, the name of Jaohûi was placed in the Imperial Ancestral Hall, among those of other eminent statesmen.
General Mingliang, who was active during Emperor Qianlong's time and lived from 1736-1822. He was originally a member of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner, who rose to become a high-ranking commanding officer...... eventually achieving the appointment to the rank of "General of Heilongjiang province" (a.k.a Manchuria). During his time, he had participated in a few campaigns to quell several of China's internal conflicts (such as fighting against Gansu province's Muslim rebels).
Before his retirement due to illness, he was holding the appointment of a top ranking scholar academic in the "Wu Ying Dian" or "Imperial Hall of the Martial and Heroic". (From my mainland chinese book on Chinese military biographies)
Incidentally, I had once obtained sections of a Qing primary source document, on the military administration, training and structure of the Eight Banners, from my local library:
http://linc.nus.edu.sg:2083/search/t{21303...1525d}&1%2C%2C2
Only to realize that General Mingliang was one of the authors and compiling editors.
Emperor Kangxi...
Emperor Qianlong...
Ming Wanli (1570s) era brigandine color-coded armour (notice the cavalry are wearing black, red and green brigandine armour)
http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/8898/ming4ax.jpg
1590s brigandine armour
1590s helmet...
