Fùzhōu

Fuzhou lay east of Guangnan, in the mountainous border country between Yunnan and Guangxi. Its hereditary rulers belonged to the Shen family, whose local authority stretched back before the Yuan dynasty. Under the Ming, Fuzhou was a native prefecture subordinate to Guangnan, with settlements spread across a large area of hills and valleys. Relations between the Shen rulers and the expanding Qing government were not always straightforward. Shen Kun surrendered in 1659 and was confirmed in his hereditary office. Attempts to introduce regular officials followed, but local chiefs retained substantial authority. In 1765 the Qing stationed an additional official at Puting, establishing a civil presence alongside the hereditary administration.