ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the historical development of the tribute grain system and its interactions with human communities, in order to reconsider the question of continuity and change in the Ming-Qing transition. It also examines the garrisons and transport soldiers of the Huangzhou region of Hubei. The Huangzhou Guard that Cai Jingshang knew in the early and mid-Qing “had a total of 850 households.” The reassignment of large numbers of soldiers from garrisons in Huguang, including Huangzhou and Qizhou, to the north after the capital was moved to Beijing reflected these new imperial military priorities. The Cai Surname Genealogy does not mention any interaction between the descendants of Shouqin and lineage members residing at the original place of registration. The series of adjustments that the Ming government made to the management of garrison soldiers was both a response to and a cause of enormous changes for the garrison soldiers.
