The first recorded instance of a monarch of China appointing a chief minister was around 1130 BC, by King Tang of the Shang dynasty.
In 1380, the Hongwu Emperor of the Ming dynasty ordered the death of his Chancellor, and did not appoint another in his lifetime.
During much of the Qing dynasty, for example, the traditional role of the Chancellor was performed collectively by the Grand Council.
When Yuan Shikai took over the premiership, the premiers of China played an influential role in Chinese politics.
Zhang Xun briefly held the post during his brief attempt to restore the Qing dynasty in July 1917.