The Ming Dynasty Governor's Office was an institution with important military and administrative functions, commanding the military of a specific region and handling local government affairs. However, in the later period, it gradually became the reason why high-ranking officials such as governors were awarded medals, mainly as follows.
First, the change in the political system of the Ming Dynasty was one of the fundamental reasons for the loss of power of the late governor. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the Governor's Office was established in a relatively important strategic area, with sufficient strength and resources. However, with the stability of the Ming Dynasty and the strengthening of centralized power, the political system of the Ming Dynasty gradually changed to a bureaucratic system. With the establishment of the central administrative bodies, the military and administrative powers of the provinces were gradually deprived, and the functions of the governor's office gradually weakened.
Second, the economic downturn at the end of the Ming Dynasty also led to a decline in the status of tofu. After the middle of the Ming Dynasty, social and economic development faced many problems such as natural disasters, wars, and the emergence of capitalism. These problems led to insufficient troops, corruption of local officials, etc., undermining the de facto authority of the Metropolitan Ministry. Due to local financial difficulties, it was difficult for the Metropolitan Governor to provide sufficient military materials, to effectively manage the local army, and to be incompetent by senior officials.
In addition, the restrictions imposed by the Ming Dynasty on foreign trade also exacerbated the helplessness of the later independent department. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, foreign trade gradually increased and became an important pillar of the economy. However, the Ming government's control over foreign trade gradually declined, and individual merchants gradually increased, gaining many trade benefits. Tensions between these private companies and the Governorate, where senior officials were unable to stop their activities and lost control of maritime trade, further weakening the Governorate's prestige.
Finally, the corruption of the army in the late Ming Dynasty was also one of the reasons for the weakening of the authority of the Governor's Department. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, due to the lack of military spending in various provinces, the perennial unpaid military expenditure became corrupt flesh and blood. The interests of the provinces and high-ranking officials merged, the development of armaments became widespread, and the combat effectiveness of the army was reduced and lost. Under such circumstances, the governor lost control of the local army, and the senior officials could not do anything.
In short, the capital governorate was an important administrative and military institution in the Ming Dynasty, but in the later period, high-ranking officials such as the capital governor became decorations. This was mainly due to changes in the Ming dynasty's political system, economic downturn, restrictions on foreign trade, and military corruption. These problems led to the decline of Du Fu's authority at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and high-ranking officials lost real power and influence, becoming nominal commanders.