Tunbao people are descendants of the garrison troops of the Ming Dynasty, who were mobilized by the Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang to open up the wasteland in Southwest China's Yunnan Province for grain cultivation. These government troops are said to have totaled 20,000 men, who came from many areas including the eastern provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Anhui.

In fact, "Tun" referred to a military organizational system in the ancient times, and "Bao" usually referred to the commercial villages built by immigrant merchants. The combinations of military and commercial villages became known as "Tunbao" by later generations. The Tunbao belt used to be a key fortress for entry into Yunnan. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), there was a famous post road, with a post-house built by the side, named "Fanlong (Rice Basket) Post house". Also, weaponry plants were built at that time near Tiantai Mountain.

Author: Jessie

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