Simplify the following text for a Grade 10 native English-speaking person.
Original: Prior to that , Bai was a warlord with a sphere of influence centred around Guangxi province , commanding his own troops and governing Guangxi with autonomy , though part of the ROC .
Simplified: He was a warlord centred around Guangxi Province , commanding his own troops and governing Guangxi ( though part of the Republic of China ) .