Abstract: In the mid-Qing Dynasty，the free migration of people in search of new livelihoods was very
common． The government policy varied geographically． In the Northeast and Taiwan the government
controlled access but did not issue an outright ban on migration． For example，it allowed mainlanders
fleeing famine to move elsewhere． In response to a variety of circumstances settlers move to the Northeast
and settled down there． Those had lived in Taiwan for long periods of time were given the right to settle
and allowed to relocate dependents from the mainland． In the southern mountain regions，the government
allowed shed people ( hut dwellers) to settle． Of course，for security and other considerations officials
wanted to integrate shed people into the baojia management systems and those who were long term
residents were given the right to register their households． As for Sichuan，the Qing court had a special
policy for the people who migrated to reclaim land． In addition，Hubei and western Hunan，allowed the
people to migrate following the example of Sichuan． These policies largely alleviated the pressure on the
mainland people's livelihood．