Why did later Ming rulers find the Hongwu emperor’s centralized government system difficult to manage?

Later Ming rulers found the Hongwu emperor’s centralized government system difficult to manage primarily because it was highly inefficient and inconvenient.1

By abolishing the prime minister position and the central chancellery in 1380, the Hongwu emperor eliminated the highest level of administration. This left the six ministries to report directly to the emperor, making him the sole coordinator of all state affairs. This structure created a significant defect: it was impossible for even the most vigorous emperor to effectively attend to all the complexities of state business.23

Furthermore, the system was characterized by a fragmented government structure that lacked necessary coordination. As the dynasty aged, the population expanded, and administration became increasingly complex, later emperors were forced to innovate to restore functionality. They eventually developed the Grand Secretariat to help guide the ministries and delegated high-ranking officials to serve as regional coordinators to manage provincial affairs.21