吏部尚書蹇義とその時代

Abstract

Jian Yi 蹇義 held the post of the Minister of Personnel for over thirty years, from the period just after the enthronement of the Yongle 永樂 emperor until the third year of the Xuande 宣徳 era, when the Ming dynasty passed from the period of its foundation to a period of conservation. The position of Minister of Personnel was known as the top position in the bureaucracy, and Jian Yi was able to hold this position for an exceptionally long period of time, despite the fact that as the controller of administration personnel, this position was especially coveted. Jian Yi's holding on this office for a long period of time, although, including a term when he was unable to exercise his substantial authority, was due to his ability to organize bureaucrats, maintain harmony among personal relationships, his belief in moderation and his firm support of the status quo and untiring effort to avoid disorder. Such a figure was required in the rapidly changing political situation of the era, which saw the usurpation of the Yongle regime, the period of the administration of the Prince during which Yongle made the rounds to Beijing and the expedition to Mongolia, and the change in regime from the Hongxi 洪煕 emperor to the Xuande emperor. In addition, the period in which Jian Yi served as Minister of Personnel was a period of growth for the Cabinet. It can be concluded that under the influence of Jian Yi the emperors' attendants, the bureaucracy of the Imperial Academy, steadily matured to the point where they were able to assume responsibility for the direction of the state.