Governance Reform in the Ming Hongzhi Reign

Timeline

1. 1490–1494Beijing · North ChinaThe fiscal austerity policy continued from the early Hongzhi years was carried on through the 1490s: unnecessary inner-court retainers and redundant staff were cut, inner-workshop duties such as weaving and kiln work were restricted, and local levies were reduced. The Xiaozong Emperor personally handled state affairs and practiced economy and care for the people; records indicate inner-court spending was markedly reduced compared to the Chenghua years.
2. 1495–1499Beijing · North ChinaThe Grand Secretariat worked with the Censorate and Six Ministries to strengthen the evaluation and promotion or dismissal of local officials, severely punishing corruption and oppressive governance. Officials such as Qiu Jun submitted memorials on contemporary affairs and proposed institutional reforms, most of which the Xiaozong Emperor adopted, consolidating central oversight of local administration in the mid-to-late 1490s.