Yuánjiāng

Yuanjiang lies in the deep, warm valley of the river that flows southeast toward the Red River. The Na family, hereditary Tai rulers of the district, held authority over a wide mountain country. At the beginning of Ming rule Na Zhong submitted and received the title of prefect; appointed officials and schools were subsequently established alongside the local administration.

Yuanjiang stood near the competing powers of the southwest. In 1387 the Ming sent an officer to train troops here as the rising power of Luchuan threatened neighbouring lands. Na Rong, a later ruler, asked to lead a campaign against Babai and received the emperor's encouragement. Relations between the hereditary house and imperial officials were not always peaceful: during the Jiajing reign Na Jian rebelled, and government troops marched against him.