Editing Revolt of the Three Feudatories (section)

==Background==
After the [[Qing dynasty]] from [[Manchuria]] conquered [[China proper]], during the reign of the [[Shunzhi Emperor]] (1643–1661), the central government's authority was not strong enough to control the provinces in southern China directly. The government initiated a policy of "letting the Han Chinese govern the Han Chinese" (以漢制漢). Some generals of the former [[Ming dynasty]] who had surrendered to the Qing were allowed to help govern the provinces in the south.<ref name="Tanner2009">{{cite book|author=Harold Miles Tanner|title=China: A History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VIWC9wCX2c8C&pg=PA347|date=13 March 2009|publisher=Hackett Publishing|isbn=978-0-87220-915-2|pages=347}}</ref>

That was the result of the crucial contributions those generals had made at decisive moments during the [[Transition from Ming to Qing|Qing conquest of China]]. For instance, the navy of Geng Zhongming and Shang Kexi brought about the quick capitulation of Joseon in 1636, allowing rapid advance into Ming territories without worrying about what was behind. The defection and subsequent cooperation of [[Wu Sangui]] allowed swift capture and settlement of the Ming capital [[Beijing]]. In return, the Qing government had to reward their achievements, and acknowledge their military and political influence.

In 1655, Wu Sangui was granted the title of "Pingxi Prince" (平西王; "West Pacifying Prince") and granted governorship of the provinces of [[Yunnan]] and [[Guizhou]]. [[Shang Kexi]] and [[Geng Zhongming]] were granted the titles of "Pingnan Prince" and "Jingnan Prince" (both mean "South Pacifying Prince") respectively, and were put in charge of the provinces of [[Guangdong]] and [[Fujian]]. The three lords had great influence over their lands and wielded far greater power than any other regional or provincial governors. They had their own military forces and had the authority to alter tax rates in their fiefs.