Abstract: During the Ming and Qing Dynasty, the gentry played an important role in the local administration. This paper examines the basis of gentry power and how it came into being. The birth of the gentry authorities was mainly based on the following factors. First, the state power could nor extend its authority to the grass-roots of society. Second, the gentry owned most social resources. The gentry ruled local society through lineage organizations, the magistrates, the private secretaries, the clerks, the runners, and the bao jia organization they controlled local areas.