of the civilized [shu] Miao sort, who hitherto did not much cultivate paddy rice.
All of them were ordered to form tenant households to pay taxes and supply food
[presumably thorough paddy cultivation]. These people were diligent in cultiva-
tion and their nature was quite honest and open. Now they can no longer be
classed as Yi households and can properly augment cultivation.^57
This“civilizing”of the Zhaotong Yi was the ethnic outcome of an arab-
list process that Gao had envisioned during his tenure. He began with a
relatively limited notion in 1724 – 25. Greater state direction of local salt
mines would“steadily transform and rectify”restive indigenous peoples
scattered across the Yuanjiang, Zhenyuan and Pu’er prefectural border
region“until this nesting place for wild bandits can be changed over time
intoneidi[i.e., Yunnan proper, or Hanspace].”^58 This process, however,
was merely an adjunct to the larger arablist dream with which Gao
concluded his deliberations that can stand for the Qing state’s own ideal
agenda for the proper conduct of environmental relations in the
southwest:
In the nativefields of Weiyuan, Pu’er, and the Mekong region there is to be found
a richness that far surpasses the core regions of Yunnan province. Their mountain-
tops abound in water and their grains ripen twice annually. Yet forsaken lands are
extremely vast generally because the indigenous tribals are few and so unable to
fully exploit the land for cultivation. Moreover, the disturbances of wild bandits
preclude a peaceful existence from year to year.
If these nativefields are completely opened up, there will not only be a sufficiency
of supply for military rations, but the area can be transformed into a paradise
[letu]. There are yet places where departments and districts can be established, but
there are currently very few households, and the malaria [yanzhang] of the
riverbanks is not yet dissipated. So there is no question of haste; plans should be
made gradually.
I, in conjunction with Yunnan Governor Yang Mingshi, have ordered local
officials of the various locales to advise the tribals in their jurisdictions to engage
in widespread cultivation. I have also ordered them to induce people from other
places who sincerely wish to do so to come here and clear lands for cultivation.
I therefore request, in accordance with regulations established in 1723 , that dry
fields so cleared not be taxed for a decade. As the density of human habitation
steadilyflourishes, the mists and miasmas will dissipate on their own; as the
residents increase, banditry will be quelled commensurately.^59