Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 109

Page 20

The Military Intendants of Jingnan and Yunxiang [in Huguang]; Runan in Henan; Guannan Hanqiang and Shangluo in Shaanxi; and the Kui-Qu Circuit of Lower Eastern Sichuan are all subject to this commander’s strategic control. This indicates a centralized command structure capable of coordinating defense across four different provinces to address cross-border threats.

Garrison Commanders

One Garrison Commander

General-in-Chief for the Pacification of the Barbarians and Regional Commander This post was originally established in the 10th year of the Jiajing reign (1531), abolished in the 12th year (1533), and subsequently restored. It was abolished again in the 8th year of the Wanli reign (1580) before being reinstated in the 12th year (1584). The commander is stationed in the provincial capital. The title "General-in-Chief for the Pacification of the Barbarians" (Pingman Jiangjun) was an honorary designation given to the highest-ranking military officer in regions where the Ming state was actively managing or suppressing uprisings among ethnic minority groups.

Three Regional Assistant Commanders

Assistant Regional Commander of Liping This post was formerly the Assistant Regional Commander of Jingzhou. In the 9th year of the Wanli reign (1581), the station was moved to the Wukai Guard district. This official is responsible for the military reorganization and discipline of eight Guards—including Wukai, Jingzhou, Tonggu, Pianqiao, Zhenyuan, Qingping, and Yuanzhou—as well as the Tianzhu Station. They concurrently oversee the ten counties and tribal officesThe "Si" (司) or tribal offices refers to the Tusi system, where the Ming court granted titles to local hereditary chieftains to govern ethnic minority populations on behalf of the empire. under the jurisdiction of Liping Prefecture.