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Which six ministries took over administrative duties after the Secretariat was abolished?
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Hongwu
The Hongwu emperor; in the National Palace Museum, Taipei.
After the Hongwu emperor abolished the Secretariat in 1380, administrative authority was fragmented among six functionally differentiated ministries that had previously been subordinate to the Secretariat. These six ministries are:12
- Personnel: Managed the appointment, promotion, and evaluation of officials.
- Revenue: Oversaw taxation, census, and state finances.
- Rites: Handled state ceremonies, rituals, and diplomatic protocols.
- War: Administered military affairs, including appointments and logistics.
- Justice: Managed the legal system, penal codes, and judicial proceedings.
- Works: Supervised public construction projects and state infrastructure.12
By eliminating the position of prime minister and the central chancellery, the emperor ensured that these ministries reported directly to him, thereby consolidating his personal control over the state.31