Three Lords and Nine Ministers

The Three Lords and Nine Ministers system (Chinese: 三公九卿) was a central administrative system adopted in ancient China that was officially instituted in the Qin dynasty (221 BC – 206 BC) and was replaced by the Three Departments and Six Ministries (Chinese: 三省六部) system since the Sui dynasty (AD 589–618).

Divisions

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[1]

Three Lords

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Three Lords referred to three highest rank officials in the imperial government, namely:

  • the Chancellor (丞相)
  • the Imperial Secretary (御史大夫)
  • the Grand Commandant (太尉)

Nine Ministers

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Nine Ministers comprised all the ministers of importance in the central government. They were:

  • the Minister of Ceremonies (太常, formally known as 奉常)
  • the Supervisor of Attendants (光祿勛, formally known as 郎中令)
  • the Commandant of Guards (衛尉)
  • the Minister of Coachmen (太僕)
  • the Commandant of Justice (廷尉)
  • the Grand Herald (大鴻臚, formally known as 典客 or 大行令)
  • the Director of the Imperial Clan (宗正)
  • the Grand Minister of Agriculture (大司農, formally known as 治粟內史)
  • the Small Treasurer (少府)

See also

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References

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Citations

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  1. ^ Wang 1949, pp. 150–151.

Sources

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  • Li, Konghuai (2007). History of Administrative Systems in Ancient China (in Chinese). Joint Publishing (H.K.) Co., Ltd. ISBN 978-962-04-2654-4.
  • Lyu, Simian (2008). The General History of China (in Chinese). New World Publishing. ISBN 978-7-80228-569-9.
  • Wang, Yu-Ch'uan (June 1949). "An Outline of The Central Government of The Former Han Dynasty". Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies. 12 (1/2). Harvard-Yenching Institute: 134–187. doi:10.2307/2718206. JSTOR 2718206.