The Cabinet Chief Assistant after Shen Shixing

After Zhang Juzheng, the cabinet chiefs were Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, Gao Gong, Xu Jie, Shen Shixing, Ye Xianggao, and Yang Tinghe.

Xu Jie was the head of the cabinet after Yan Song.

After Zhang Juzheng, Shen Shixing was the chief assistant of the cabinet.

There were many candidates for the chief assistant of the Chongzhen cabinet, including Shi Yulai, Li Guo, Lai Zongdao, Zhou Daodeng, Han Yulai, Li Biao, Cheng Jiming, Zhou Yanru, Wen Tiren, Zhang Zhifa, Kong Zhenyuan, Liu Yuliang, Xue Guoguan, Fan Fucui, Zhang Sizhi, Chen Yan, Jiang Dejing, and Wei Zaode. However, because the information provided in the search results was not detailed enough, it was impossible to determine the specific time and achievements of each person as the cabinet chief. Therefore, he could not give an accurate answer.

During the Jiajing period, the cabinet chiefs were Zhang Cong, Xia Yan, Yan Song, Xu Jie, Yang Tinghe, Jiang Mian, Mao Ji, Fei Hong, Huanghuai, Xie Jin, Hu Guang, Yang Rong, Yang Shiqi, Huang Jin, Li Chunfang, etc. Among them, Zhang Cong had the best political achievements among the chief assistants during the Jiajing period. He was praised as "In the end of the Jiajing period, there was no one like Fujing (Zhang Cong) among the physiognomists." Xia Yan stood out in the Great Ceremony and became the chief assistant of the cabinet. Yan Song was a powerful official and had once served as the chief assistant of the cabinet. Xu Jie was a famous official of his generation, but he did not stand up to support Xia Yan after he was framed and worked with Yan Song for more than ten years. Yang Tinghe, Jiang Mian, Mao Ji, Fei Hong, Huang Huai, Xie Jin, Hu Guang, Yang Rong, Yang Shiqi, Huang Jin, Li Chunfang, and others had also served as cabinet chiefs during the Jiajing period.

Zhang Juzheng became the chief assistant of the cabinet in the sixth year of Longqing (1572).

The rank of the cabinet chief was different in different dynasties. In the Ming Dynasty, the chief assistant of the cabinet was usually a first or second rank official. In the Qing Dynasty, the chief assistant of the cabinet was usually a third or fourth rank official. However, the specific rank of the official position was not clearly defined, but was determined according to the specific situation. Therefore, it was impossible to accurately answer the rank of the cabinet chief.

After Zhang Juzheng, Shen Shixing was the chief assistant of the cabinet.

Xu Jie was a famous cabinet chief in the Ming Dynasty. He served as the cabinet chief from the late Jiajing Dynasty to the early Longqing Dynasty. Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng had a deep master-disciple relationship. Xu Jie was Zhang Juzheng's teacher. He had planned and promoted Zhang Juzheng, recommending him as a lecturer and confidant. Xu Jie held Zhang Juzheng in high regard during his term as the chief assistant of the cabinet. Xu Jie and Gao Gong also served as cabinet chiefs. The three of them were famous cabinet chiefs in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, and their power was unparalleled. The relationship between them was very subtle. Xu Jie and Zhang Juzheng had a deep master-disciple relationship and helped each other, but their relationship with Gao Gong was unknown. In general, Xu Jie played an important role in the cabinet during the Ming Dynasty and had a close relationship with Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng served as the chief assistant of the cabinet during the Wanli period.