Ugnug Eljigidei

Ugnug Eljigidei
Courtly painting of His Excellency Ugnug Eljigidei, Grand Envoy to the court of the Marble Emperor
Chief Cattle Assessor of Khovil Banner
In office 1704–1708
Chief Tax Collector of Khovil Banner
In office 1709–1714
Darughachi of Khovil Banner
In office 1715–1723
Master of Tongues
In office 1724–1733
Grand Envoy to the court of the Marble Emperor
In office 1734–1752
Personal details
Born	24 September 1682 Alchigh
Profession	Diplomat Bureaucrat
Military service
Allegiance	Qian dynasty
Battles/wars	Battle of Tegusken Battle of Muunokhoi

Ugnug Eljigidei also known as Sutrora Mùgorikuv in Kiravia was an important functionary and diplomat who served the Qian dynasty in the 18th century. Born as the middle son to a princely Degei family, Ugnug was the grandson of chief Molon of the Eljigidei clan, which ruled the northeast quadrant of the traditional Degei lands in now western Huoxia. As a dwarf, he was vulnerable to being killed by his superstitious people, therefore he was sent as tribute to the Qian court. Inducted into the palace school in Daguo, the headmasters soon targeted him for higher office in the future, his origin being valuable in their dealings with the steppe. Ugnug was trained diligently to eventually rise to become the Darughachi (administrator) of the Khovil Banner. With the backing of Imperial forces and his own clan, he started the Cattle wars, a series of skirmishes with various clans to force them to submit their herds for proper itemization and taxation. The successful conclusion of the conflict in 1715 saw him promoted to Darughachi and overseer of the Degei, the ruinated clans in turn gave him the bitter nickname of Odo Shuurga or 'Dwarf Tempest'. Rule by a dwarf was a humiliation for the proud Degei, who rose against him in 1718, only to be crushed by him at the Battle of Muunokhoi. After pacifying the steppes and starting the sedentarization of the nomads, he was appointed as Master of Tongues by Emperor Airen. He accompanied the Emperor on tours of inspection to Huoxia, Metzetta and Australis. Ugnug grew very wealthy as a result of both his high salaries and continued rule as Darughachi by-proxy and the incomes that came with it, he owned extravagant apartments and even acquired a villa in Sarolasta through an intermediary.

Cattle wars

In 1704 fresh off the palace school he was appointed Chief of the cattle assessors of the Khovil Banner. Cattle was the primary form of tribute and taxes extracted from the steppe peoples by the Qian