How did the Grand Secretariat develop during the Yongle emperor’s reign?

During the reign of the Yongle emperor, the Grand Secretariat evolved from a group of secretarial assistants into a powerful administrative institution. The emperor relied heavily on a select group of young scholar-officials drawn from the Hanlin Academy and assigned to palace duty.1

As these officials took on increasing responsibilities, they eventually formed a stable Grand Secretariat (known as the Neige). By the end of the Yongle emperor’s reign, this body had become a significant buffer between the emperor and the various administrative agencies of the government. This development was part of a broader trend in the 15th century where new institutions were devised to provide necessary coordination for the central government, helping to manage the complexities of the Ming administration.12