Qīngjiāng

Qingjiang lies on the Qingshui River amid the forested hills of southeastern Guizhou. Miao villages occupied the riverbanks and surrounding slopes, where fir forests provided timber that could be floated downstream. The river joined this mountain country to markets farther east, while paths climbed steeply through the hills toward Zhenyuan. In 1729 Qing officials advanced into the district, seeking to bring its villages under direct administration. Some submitted, while others resisted the troops sent against them. The following year the government built a town below Gong'e village and established Qingjiang Subprefecture. Posts along the road carried official messages and supported the garrison, as timber growing and trade continued to shape life along the river.