How did Taizu divide responsibility among fiscal, military, and general ministers?

To limit the power of individual officials and prevent the political instability that plagued previous dynasties, Emperor Taizu of the Song dynasty implemented a system of divided authority.12

He maintained a structure where three distinct ministers were directly responsible to him for different aspects of administration: fiscal, military, and general (civil) affairs. By separating these functions, Taizu ensured that no single official held excessive power.12

Key aspects of this arrangement included:
* Direct Reporting: Each of the three commissioners reported directly to the emperor, who acted as the final coordinator for all major decisions.2
* Civilian Oversight: Taizu delegated the supervision of military affairs to able civilians, effectively subordinating military officers to civil authority to counter the threat of military coups.2
* Checks and Balances: This division of authority was part of a broader, pragmatic civil service system that utilized elaborate checks and balances to maintain control and ensure that no official was regarded as above suspicion.2