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How did Zhao Tuo establish the state of Nanyue?
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Guangzhou
Nighttime view of central Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China.
Following the collapse of the Qin dynasty (221–207 BCE), the general Zhao Tuo established the autonomous state of Nanyue.1
Prior to this, Zhao Tuo had been stationed in the region as a military leader, as the city of Panyu (modern-day Guangzhou) had served as the capital of Nanhai prefecture under the Qin. Upon the fall of the dynasty, he leveraged his position to consolidate power and form the independent state. Nanyue remained autonomous until it was eventually annexed by the Han dynasty in 111 BCE.1