What caused Wu Sangui to rebel against the Qing dynasty from Yunnan?

Wu Sangui’s rebellion against the Qing dynasty was primarily driven by his fear of losing the autonomous power he had established in southwestern China. After being tasked with eliminating Ming resistance in 1659, Wu was granted civil and military control over Yunnan and neighboring Guizhou, where he operated an independent satrapy with his own tax and trade systems.1

The conflict was triggered in 1673 when the Kangxi emperor, seeking to consolidate central authority, accepted a retirement offer from another southern warlord, Shang Kexi. This move signaled the Qing government's intent to dismantle the power bases of the three regional vassal kings. Alarmed that his own authority would be restricted and his army stripped away, Wu Sangui launched a revolt—known as the Revolt of the Three Feudatories—to protect his position. Although he eventually proclaimed himself emperor of a new dynasty, the rebellion was ultimately suppressed by the Qing in 1681.231