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 Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC) and was replaced by the Three Departments and Six Ministries system (Chinese: 三省六部) since Sui Dynasty (589-618 AD).

Divisions

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 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 Coachman (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

• Government of the Han Dynasty