Dali was a Kingdom in the SW of China. In 1253 (2950, Yin Water Ox in the Chinese calendar), it was not attacked by Mongols as in OTL and thus survived. 1352 (3049, Yang Water Dragon), Black Death hit Dali. During the years 1362-66 (3059, Yang Water Tiger / 3063, Yang Fire Horse), the emperor of Hong China conquered the upper Yangtse kingdom, the kingdom of Szechuan and Dali (the latter one hadn't been part of China until now). Over the centuries, the country was Sinicized and became part of the province Yunnan.