Kǎilǐ

Kaili developed within the frontier administrative landscape of eastern Guizhou. Under the Ming, a native administration at Kaili formed part of the system through which imperial officials dealt with local hereditary leaders. In 1601 it was placed under Pingyue Military and Civil Prefecture, and in 1607 its rank was reduced from an appeasement commission to a native chief’s office.

Qing expansion into the neighbouring Miao country brought a resident deputy county magistrate from Qingping to Kaili in the Yongzheng reign. The posting initially carried a three-year qualifying term for promotion, reflecting its frontier classification. In 1744 this was extended to five years as officials judged local conditions more settled. This small change in an official’s career rules records the gradual incorporation of Kaili into regular provincial administration.