Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty in China, implemented several significant changes to the Chinese government during his rule. Most notably, he reduced the power of the traditional scholar-officials who had been central to the governance of China during the preceding Song Dynasty. This was part of his efforts to establish a new administrative structure that aligned more closely with Mongol traditions and authority.
Kublai Khan also favored Mongols and non-Chinese peoples for high-ranking positions in his government, often placing members of his own family and loyal allies in key roles. This shift was designed to ensure loyalty and control over the vast empire he ruled and to diminish the influence of the Confucian bureaucratic class.
Overall, the changes he implemented included reducing the influence of the scholar-officials, promoting individuals from various non-Chinese backgrounds, and creating a government that reflected a blend of Mongolian and Chinese elements. However, the claim that he put women in powerful government positions or restructured the system to put the military in charge is not widely emphasized in historical sources discussing his governance.
In summary, Kublai Khan's most significant change to China's government was reducing the power of scholar-officials and reshaping the administrative hierarchy.