Three Lords and Nine Ministers
# 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

### Three Lords

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

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)
