[4] The rebellion was so successful that the armies of Li and Gao effectively controlled large parts of China and ruled them as independent entities.
Accordingly, Gao became the empress and took control over the city as his regent, but soon after, the Qing dynasty took Beijing and extended its rule into China proper.
Gao now saw the Qing as her new enemies, and switched her allegiance to her former enemies: the remnants of the Ming ruling family had formed a new court in the southern China and ruled as the Southern Ming dynasty, and Gao, making herself known as the greatest enemy of the Qing dynasty, was called there to serve and continue the fight against the foreign intruders.
[4] She was styled "Lady of the first degree" in her own right, her position as military commander was secured and she was declared protector of the new Ming dynasty.
Gao Guiying is undoubtedly one of the most unusual and interesting characters in Chinese history, especially considering the time she lived; there have been a large number of women in her position earlier on in Chinese history, but in the 12th century, women's position in China diminished severely, and the only other women of her time to have a similar position were Shen Yunying and Qin Liangyu.