Bayan of the Merkid vs Yao Chong

Bayan ordered the abolition of the Confucian civil service examinations, which had been reinstated by earlier Yuan emperors. This move was part of his policy to reduce Chinese influence in the government and favor Mongol and Semu officials.

Bayan of the Merkid was appointed as chancellor (chengxiang) under Emperor Toghon Temur. He quickly centralized power, becoming the de facto ruler of the Yuan dynasty.

Bayan issued decrees forbidding Chinese from learning the Mongol script and requiring them to adopt Mongol names. These measures aimed to suppress Chinese cultural identity and reinforce Mongol dominance.

Emperor Toghon Temur, with the help of Bayan's nephew Toqto'a, staged a coup that removed Bayan from power. Bayan was exiled and died shortly thereafter, ending his anti-Chinese policies.

Yao Chong was appointed Chancellor under Emperor Zhongzong after the restoration of the Tang dynasty. He served briefly before being demoted due to political infighting, but his administrative skills were already noted.

As Chancellor under Emperor Xuanzong, Yao Chong proposed and implemented a ten-point reform program. It included reducing taxes, curbing Buddhist temple influence, promoting frugality, and streamlining the bureaucracy, laying the foundation for the Kaiyuan era prosperity.

Yao Chong ordered the defrocking of over 12,000 Buddhist monks and nuns who had entered the clergy to evade taxes and corv

Yao Chong was dismissed from the chancellorship after his son and subordinates were implicated in bribery and corruption. Despite his earlier reforms, his inability to control his household led to his downfall, though he remained respected.