How did Taizong make the Tang government work more effectively?

The Taizong emperor did not fundamentally innovate the Tang government's institutions, as the core laws and structures were established by his father, the Gaozu emperor. Instead, Taizong focused on perfecting these systems and ensuring they functioned effectively.12

His approach to governance included:

• Collaborative Leadership: Taizong was renowned for his unique style of governing as "first among equals," actively seeking and accepting outspoken criticism and ethical advice from a team of talented, capable ministers.12
• Administrative Standardization: He worked to restore civil administration following years of civil war and utilized special commissioners from the capital to conduct regional inspections, ensuring standardized local governance.12
• Balanced Appointments: To prevent any single regional group from dominating, he balanced his administration by employing officials from various aristocratic groups, including the Guanlong, Shanxi, and southern factions.2
• Educational Reform: He expanded state schools and standardized the curriculum by producing an official edition of the Confucian Classics, which supported the use of the examination system to cultivate a highly educated court elite.12
• Centralization: He opted for a centralized system of prefectures and counties over a feudal model, ensuring direct control over the bureaucracy.2