Abstract: In the late Qing, Guangdong’s serious bandit problem hindered the process of local military reform. Consequently, the Green Standard Army could not be comp letely disarmed; the development of “braves”units ( Yongying) became more obviously and characteristically“localized”, and the construction of the New Army was retarded. Failure of the military reform undermined administrative control of local society, and resulted in neglect of anti-bandit duties and the emergence of“bandit soldiers”, both of which exacerbated social disturbances.