← Explore on the interactive map

Grand Secretariat Advisory System

Type Object Region China Time 1382–1644

Advisory system formed after the Ming abolished the chancellor: Grand Secretaries set up in the inner court in Hongwu 15, entering the Grand Secretar…

Timeline

  1. 1380Nanjing · Ming dynastyIn Hongwu 13 the Secretariat and chancellorship were abolished; the emperor personally handled all affairs and the Six Ministries reported directly, leaving a gap in advisory functions and creating conditions for a subsequent inner-court advisory institution.
  2. 1382Inner court, Nanjing · Ming dynastyIn Hongwu 15 Grand Secretaries were appointed for the Wenhua Hall, Wuying Hall, Wenyuan Pavilion, Eastern Pavilion, and Direct Pavilion, ranked fifth rank, attending the emperor, advising, and drafting edicts—the origin of the Grand Secretariat system.
  3. 1382–1390Nanjing · Ming dynastyIn the later Hongwu reign Grand Secretaries discussed classics and history, advised, and participated in secrets; though without the title of chancellor, they already exercised inner-court advisory functions, laying the foundation for the later rescript-drafting system.

Sources