In more details, regions are roughly classified into the following three categories:- Regions which were directly controlled by an emperor of China, who received the will of heaven (Administrative districts called "sho (Province)" were set up.)- Indirectly controlled area (Influential persons in outlands were appointed to doshi/dokan (local governor) and a certain level of autonomous control was allowed in exchange of tributes.)- Outside of the territory (regions in which "iteki" lived; land which was not covered by influence of the virtue of the emperor; so-called "kegainochi (land out of states reign)").
具体的には、天命を承けた中国皇帝が直接支配する地域（行政区である省が置かれている）間接統治地域（辺境の有力者を土司・土官に任命し、貢ぎ物と引き替えに一定の自治を認める）版図外（「夷狄」のいる地域、皇帝の徳の感化が及ばない土地。所謂「化外の地」）という大きく分けて三つのカテゴリーがある。