Gǔzhōu

Guzhou lies at the meeting of rivers in the forested mountains of southeastern Guizhou. Its waters join the Duliu River, which flows onward toward Guangxi. Miao and Dong communities lived among the valleys and hills, while local hereditary chiefs governed parts of the surrounding country. In 1729 Qing officials established a new subprefecture at Guzhou during a military campaign to extend direct rule into the region. An earthen town was built at Zhugaying, and in 1736 the government established two garrisons with fortified settlements and fields for their soldiers. The town stood beside the rivers, but the same waters could be dangerous: in 1833 a flood swept away many houses, offices, temples and drum towers.