Principal counsels and ceremonial departments: Difference between revisions

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The '''Principal Counsels''' (列卿, rjat-khrjang) are the [[Monarchy of Themiclesia|Themiclesian emperor]]'s highest-ranking advisors apart from the chancellor and vice chancellor(s).  Those occupying analogous positions towards the empress and the emperor's legal mother and grandmonther are also principal counsels.  As a characteristic, they and their departments are all based in the capital city, and receive a salary of 2,000 bushels.  They are the canonical definition of the central government. Despite their high rank, the development of politics around the [[Inner Court (Themiclesia)|Inner Court]], particularly the [[Council of Correspondence]], later dominating the executive, has deprived them and the chancellor and vice chancellor(s) of policy authority during the 5th century.  Today, their functions vary from being high-ranking civil servants with current duties to sinecures; their subordinate departments have either been repurposed and repositioned in the actual administrative apparatus or have atrophied into sinecures.
The '''Principal Counsels''' (列卿, ''rêt-skrang'') were [[Themiclesia]]'s highest-ranking officials in the Medieval period under the [[Chancellor of Themiclesia|chancellor]] and vice chancellor.  Those occupying analogous positions under the empress, empresses-dowager, and [[Palatine state (Themiclesia)|palatine]] princes are also principal counsels.  As a characteristic, their departments are all based in the capital cities and receive a salary of [[Ranks of the civil service of Themiclesia|2,000 bushels]].   
 
Today, their functions vary from being high-ranking civil servants with current duties to sinecures; their departments are called '''ceremonial departments''' because, while some do retain functions, they no longer behave as coherent administrative agencies.


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The term ''rjat-k′rjang'' is a adjectival-nominal compound term which can be semantically dissected into its components.  ''rjat'', from [[Old Menghean language|Old Menghean]] *br(j)at, means "each"; *br(j)at is a cognate of *b(j)at, meaning "to separate", through the distributive infix *-r-, hence "each".  The glyph that writes ''rjat'' consists of a semantic component for a knife, with another conventionally interpreted as a carcass; the compound meaning is to separate flesh from the skeleton, hence "separate".  The glyph for ''k′rjang'', originally "companion", depicts two individuals sharing a meal.
The term ''rêt-skrang'' is a adjectival-nominal compound term which can be semantically dissected into its components.  ''rêt'', from [[Old Menghean language|Old Meng]] *ret, means "each, all"; *ret is a cognate of *r̥et, meaning "all".  The glyph for ''skrang'', meaning perhaps originally "companion", depicts two individuals sharing a meal.
 
==Constitutional significance==
It is generally held that, prior to [[Abolition of Formalities Act (1975)]], all functions of the central government must occur within or under one of the ceremonial departments, each led by a official holding consular rank.  This tradition which dates to [[Themiclesian Antiquity|antiquity]] is analyzed to represent the sharing of administrative powers and responsibilities between the monarchy and an established aristocracy.  Though the rule has lost part of its substance with more liberal granting of aristocratic titles and their later disassociation with feudal privilege, it has nevertheless been re-asserted multiple times in history by the aristocracy to prevent the crown from appointing sycophants or allies of whom they disapprove.


==Emperor's counsels==
==Emperor's counsels==
===Chancellor===
===Chancellor===
{{main|Chancellor of Tsjinh}}
{{main|Chancellor of Tsjinh}}
The '''Chancellor''' (相邦, ''sjangh-prong'') is not technically a counsel, but the leader of the counsels.  The [[Shinasthana]] name ''sjangh-prong'' means "reviewer of state", literally meaning one who is charged with state affairs [in toto], i.e. head of government.  The Chancellor is usually the most powerful officer of the administration, though in later centuries has been relegated to a ceremonial and procedural role.  In the latter function, all reports by the Outer Court are submitted to the emperor in the name of the Chancellor, with the customary phrase ''sjangh-prong-′djang-st′ja'' (相邦上書), "the chancellor submits this paper"; this phrase is applied with or without an appointed chancellor, and in his absence, the Chief Clerk to the Chancellor applies the seal of the Chancery to satisfy legal requirements.  It is also applied to any military official desiring the emperor's leave, acknowledging the supermacy of the civil administration over the armed forces.
The '''Chancellor''' (相邦, ''smangs-pwrāng'') is the nominal head of the royal government.  He or she is always a [[Peerage of Themiclesia|peer]].  The [[Shinasthana]] name ''smangs-pwrāng'' means "state-overseer", similar to a {{wp|head of government}}.  The Chancellor was originally the most powerful and highest-ranking officer of the bureaucracy, though in later centuries he may be relegated to a ceremonial and procedural function, or even a title for the [[Council of Correspondence|President of Correspondence]].  The Chancellor's authority extends over military as much as civilian officials.
 
===Vice-Chancellor===
The '''Vice-Chancellor''' (丞相, ''ging-smangs'') is an assistant of the Chancellor.  Though most deputies in the Themiclesian administration do not have much independent authority, Vice-Chancellors are an exception, as the office of Chancellor is frequently vacant.  Certain monarchs have also used the Vice-Chancellor to divide the authority of the Chancellor. 
 
There may be one or two Vice-Chancellors; if there are two, then the more senior is called the '''Right Vice-Chancellor''' (右丞相, ''ghwreq-ging-smangs''), and the other the '''Left Vice-Chancellor''' (左丞相, ''dzārq-ging-smangs'').  If there is a third, the most junior is called '''Middle Vice-Chancellor''' (中丞相, ''trung-ging-smangs'')  If the Chancellorship is vacant, then the Right Vice-Chancellor takes his place, but his authority is not as complete as a Chancellor.  While the Chancellor is invariably a [[Peerage of Themiclesia|peer]], Vice-Chancellors are not always peers, though this tends to be the case if he or she ''de facto'' discharges the Chancellor's office.


===Vice Chancellor===
===Exchequer-Chancellor===
The '''Vice Chancellor''' (丞相, ''gljing-sjangh'') is also not technically a counsel, but the deputy of the Chancellor.  Though most deputies in the Themiclesian administration do not have independent authority, the Vice Chancellor is an exception, as the office of Chancellor is not always filled.  Certain monarchs have also used the Vice Chancellor to share the authority of the Chancellor.  Depending on the period, there may be one or two Vice Chancellors; if there are two, then the more senior is called the '''Right Vice Chancellor''' (右丞相, ''gwrje′-gljing-sjangh''), and the other the '''Left Vice Chancellor''' (左丞相, ''dzar′-gljing-sjangh'').  If the Chancellorship is vacant, then the Right Vice Chancellor takes his place, but his authority is generally not as complete as a Chancellor.


===President of Tribunes===
===Account-Chancellor===
 
===Royal Attorney-general===
{{main|Tribune (Themiclesia)}}
{{main|Tribune (Themiclesia)}}
The '''Tribunes''' (御史, ''ngjah-srje′'') are a group of officers in Themiclesia primarily concerned with the maintenance of law and order amongst the Civil Service.  They possess the power to investigate independently, but the President has the additional power to request assistance from other government agencies.  The President of Tribunes is also honoured as the first of the principal counsels.
The '''Royal Attorneys''' (御史, ''ngjas-s.rje′'') are a group of officers in Themiclesia primarily concerned with the maintenance of law and order amongst officials in the royal bureaucracy and household.  They possess the power to investigate misuse of power and primary function as {{wp|ombudsman|ombudsmen}} in the central and local governments.  Formerly, Royal Attorneys also functioned as tribunes in the Themiclesian army and navy, being empowered to monitor military officers of all ranks and to make confidential reports upon their activities; this system fell into disuse in the mid-19th century.
*Secretary of Tribunes (御史丞, ''ngjah-srje-gljêng'')
**Tribune of Invigilation (監御史, ''kram-ngjah-srje''): supervision of 1) prefectures and 2) [[Themiclesian Army|army]] forces on expedition
**Naval Tribune (航御史, ''gang-ngjah-srje''): supervision of [[Themiclesian Navy|Navy]] officers and adjudication of certain legal disputes between sailors and merchants
*Royal Secretary of Tribunes (御史中丞, ''ngjah-srje-trjung-gljêng'')
**Attendant Tribune (侍御史, ''lje'-ngjah-srje''): investigation of certain allegations of official misconduct
**Tribune of Security (禁防御史, ''kljemh-pjang-ngjah-srje''): supervision of security around the emperor
**Tribune of Seals (符節御史, ''bja-kjik-ngjah-srje''): supervision of issuance of [[Credential (Themiclesia)|credentials]] to mobilize militias
**Tribune of Correspondence (治書侍御史, ''lrjeh-st'ja-lje'-ngjah-srje'''): supervision of written communication to the emperor
**Tribune of the Hall (殿中侍御史, ''denh-trjung-lje'-ngjah-srje''): investigation of misconduct by officials in the palace


===Inner Administrator===
===Master of the Exchequer===
{{main|Inner Administrator}}
{{main|Inner Administrator}}
The '''Inner Administrator''' (内史, ''nubh-srje′'') has a broad array of duties centering on finances, particularly of the '''Demesne''' (縣官, ''gwênh-kwal''), the region directly administered by the government, as opposed to that under feudal titles.   
The '''Master of the Exchequer''' (内史, ''nups-sre′'') has a broad array of duties centering on revenues.  The medieval Exchequer was divided into two main departments, the Major Exchequer and the Minor Exchequer; the former had jurisdiction over revenues in kind, such as grains and minerals, and the latter over moneys.  The collection of revenues in kind waned after the 14th century.


*'''Great Exchequer''' (邦大內, ''prong-dadh-nubh''): is the official responsible for overseeing the collection of agricultural revenues in the form of grains.  The Inner Administrator, who controls household records, which is the basis of taxation, issues taxation quotas to local authorities and the Great Exchequer; local authorities submit the revenues to the Great Exchequer, which checks that the amount and quality matches with the dictates of the Inner Administrator.  Though subordinate to him, the Great Exchequer in practice has independent access to the Emperor, to prevent collusion with other officials.  The ''Great'' Exchequer is named in opposition to the ''Minor'' Exchequer, which receives other revenues.
===Great Treasurer===
*'''Minor Exchequer''' (邦少內, ''prong-stjawh-nubh''): is the official responsible for overseeing the collection of revenues other than grains.  The early Themiclesian state collected two principal forms of revenue, grains from farmland (termed the "male" product) but also textiles from households (the "female" product).  Additionally, local bodies were responsible for submitting a number of peculiar products according to the needs of the court; these could be non-staple agricultural products, aquatic products, game and/or their products, mineral extracts, precious and base metals, or other things or a combination of them. Later, a poll tax was added, collected in the form of money (bronze coins), assessed on each person but still collected from the household as a unit.  As with agricultural revenue, the Inner Administrator issued quotas for collection and instructed the Minor Exchequer to receive and scrutinize the deliveries.
The '''Great Treasurer''' (大府, ''lāts-pwaq'') oversaw the state treasury of Themiclesia, where tax revenues were stored.
*Director of the Great Granary (太倉, ''t'adh-tsang''): store of grains in the capital city collected as taxes; after collection of grain taxation was abolished in 1620, a sinecure
*Director of Grains (治粟, ''lrjeh-sjok''): anti-rot and anti-rodent measures in the Great Granary
*Director of Ceramics (甄官, ''krin-kwal''): regulation of ceramics production in the Inner Region (due to use of firewood and risk of fire)
*Director of Dyes (平準, ''brjêng-tjul′'')
*Director of Grain Husking (導官, ''m-lu-kwal''): direction of the husking of grains for official purposes
*Director of East Market (東市, ''tong-dje'''): commercial order in the marketplaces in East Kien-k'ang
*Director of West Market (西市, ''sner-dje'''): commercial order in the marketplaces in West Kien-k'ang


===Great Chamberlain===
===Master of Arts===
The '''Great Chamberlain''' (奉常, bjong'-djang) is primarily invovled in conducting ceremonies, especially for the [[State cult of Themiclesia|state cult]], of public importance.  He also controls the subordinate Departments of Oracles, Clairvoyance, and Worship. Professions once perceived to have some sort of spiritual significance, such as the Departments of Medicine, the Outer Symphony, and Histories are also superintended by the Great Chamberlain.  It was once customary for the mausolea of deceased emperors to be created counties in their own right, and a number of households would be forcibly moved to the vicinity to accompany the mausoleum; rather than paying taxes to the government, their residents instead would be charged with maintenance of the mausoleum.  Their residents were also exempt from participating in the local militia before it was limited.  Due to exemption from taxation and corvée service, these counties became favoured places for merchant families, who could travel more widely without being summoned for local works projects; the duties of maintaining the mausoleum were early commuted to payment for those who did not wish to participate.  Maintenance work on mausolea typically lapsed into negligence after several generations passed, while taxation exemption remained; this exemption was considered the "residual grace" of the deceased emperor entombed there.  Such "mausolea county" were under the control of the Great Chamberlain.
The '''Master of Arts''' (太史, ''lats-sre′'') is primarily invovled in conducting ceremonies of public relevance, especially for the [[State cult of Themiclesia|state cult]].  He also controls departments of oracles, clairvoyance, and worship. Professions once perceived to have some sort of spiritual significance, such as medicine, music, and history are also superintended by the Master of Arcane Arts.  
*Director of Oracles (大卜, ''t'adh-pok''): tortoise shell oracles, used to select days for state and [[State cult of Themiclesia|cult]] ceremonies
*Director of Claivoyance (大筮, ''t'adh-djaih''): bamboo-strip based clairvoyance
*Director of the Outer Symphony (外樂, ''ngwadh-ngljakw''): music for state and cult ceremonies, especially in the emperor's ancestral temples
*Director of Enchantments (大祝, ''t'adh-tjoh''): casting of spells and warding off hexes around royal premises
*Director of Sacrifices (大宰, ''t'adh-dze'''): oversight of sacrifices offered cult shrines and the emperor's ancestral temples
*Director of History (大史, ''t'adh-srje''): management of oracle shells and divination results of the Director of Oracles and Director of Clairvoyance, keeper of official histories and annals, publisher of the Public Gazette
*Director of Medicine (大醫, ''t'adh-'je''): oversight of the Guild of Physicians of Themiclesia, and arrangement of medical services to the emperor
*Director of Hruh Mausoleum (孝陵, ''hruh-rjeng''): management of the Hruh Mausoleum, the tomb of Emperor Mrjing
*Director of Drjang Mausoleum (長陵, ''drjang-rjeng''): management of the Drjang Mausoleum, the tomb of Emperor Gwredh
*Director of Tjaw Mausoleum (昭陵, ''tjaw-rjeng''): management of the Tjaw Mausoleum, the tomb of Emperor T'rjung
*Director of Lang Mausoleum (陽陵, ''lang-rjeng''): management of the Lang Mausoleum, the tomb of Emperor Hruh
*Director of Hwang Mausoleum (皇陵, ''hwang-rjeng''): management of the Hwang Mausoeum, the tomb of Emperor Muh
*Director of Lan Mausoleum (延陵, ''lan-rjeng''): management of the Lan Mausoleum, the tomb of Emperor Gar
*Director of Kaw Mausoleum (高陵, ''kaw-rjeng''): management of the Kaw Mausoeum, the tomb of [[Emperor Shljaps-tsung|Emperor Hên]]
*Director of Mausolea (諸陵, ''tja-rjeng''): management of other official mausolea, such as those of the empresses-consort, and other royal relatives


===Court Justiciar===
It was once customary for a number of households to be moved to a newly-completed mausoleum.  Rather than paying taxes, they would be charged with the mausoleum's maintenance and be exempt from other forms of service.  Thus, these villages became favoured places for merchant families, who could travel more widely without interruption by service.  The duties of maintaining the mausoleum were commuted to payment for those who could afford it.  Maintenance work on mausolea usually lapsed after several generations, while exemption persisted; this was considered the "residual grace" of the deceased sovereign entombed there.  Such "mausolea villages" were under the control of the Great Chamberlain.
The '''Court Justiciar''' (廷尉, ''m-lêng-′judh'') is a senior judicial official, superior to the chief justices of the [[Court of Appeal (Themiclesia)|Court of Appeal]] and the [[Supreme Court (Themiclesia)|Supreme Court]].  While the Court Justiciar once sat in the Court of Appeal, he is restricted to administrative duties around these two courts today.  There remains a vestigial Justiciar Court which tries very limited types of cases committed by government officers; this court has not been active since the early 1800s, its functions subsumed by the Tribunary Court.   
*Under Justiciar (監, ''kram'')
*Puisne Justiciar (平, ''brjêng'')
*Justiciar Secretary (丞, ''gljêng'')


===Capital Marshal===
===Justiciar===
The '''Capital Marshal''' (中尉, ''trjung-’judh'') has functions similar to a [[Administrative divisions of Themiclesia#Prefectures|prefectural marshal]], and the civil magistrate analogous to him is the Inner Administrator.  Canonically, his proper jurisdiction is the Inner Region's militia, but because the Capital Marshal controls the seat of the central government (the [[Inner Region]]), like the  Inner Administrator, he has gained some jurisdiction over national matters, mostly in procuring and storing weapons, and related resources, for the use of the capital city's forces, which are more numerous than what could be supported locally.  The Capital Marshal is the commander-in-chief of the [[Capital Defence Force]], Themiclesia's domestic standing army, until it was [[Army Acts (1921)|merged]] with other professional regiments in 1921.  Additionally, he also oversees the security apparatus in the Inner Region, including the Metropolitan Police, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and detention and correctional facilities there.  A vital appointment, the Capital Marshal was always an experienced and widely-trusted civil servant. 
The '''Justiciar''' (廷尉, ''ling-′uts'') is a senior judicial official, superior to the chief justices of the [[Court of Appeal (Themiclesia)|Court of Appeal]] and the [[Supreme Court (Themiclesia)|Supreme Court]].  While the Justiciar once sat in the Court of Appeal, he is restricted to administrative duties around these two courts today.
*Director of Capital Armoury (武庫, ''mja-k'lah''): storage of weapons in the armouries of the capital city
 
*Director of Charms (淨室, ''tsjêngh-st'jit''): herald of the emperor
===Royal Marshal===
*Director of Penal Labour (中司空, ''trjung-slje-k'ong''): use of penal labour in the capital city's official construction projects; sinecure after 1854
The '''Royal Marshal''' (中尉, ''trjung-′judh'') exercises over the region around the capital city functions similar to a [[Administrative divisions of Themiclesia#Prefectures|prefectural marshal]].  This officer manages the Inner Region's militia and was the commander-in-chief of the [[Capital Defence Force]], until it [[Army Acts (1921)|merged]] with other professional units in 1921.  The Royal Marshal enjoys the courtesy rank of colonel within the Consolidated Army and is regarded as the most senior colonel.
*Colonel of Capital Crossbowmen (中發弩, ''trjung-pjat-na'''): oversight of artillery manufactories in the Inner Region
*Colonel of Capital Chariotry (中輕車, ''trjung-kêng-k'lja''): manufacture and maintenance of chariots in the Inner Region, for ceremonial reasons
*Colonel of Capital Infantry (中材官, ''trjung-dze-kwal''): training of infantry militias in the Inner Region
*Colonel of Capital Cavalry (中騎, ''trjung-gjar''): training of cavalry militias in the Inner Region
*Director of Capital Defensive Works (中壘, ''trjung-rii'''): maintenance and operations in fortifications in the Inner Region
*Director of Capital Ships (中船, ''trjung-sdjon''): boat traffic and policing in the Inner Region


===Marshal of Guards===
===Marshal of Guards===
{{main|Royal Guards (Themiclesia)}}
{{main|Royal Guards (Themiclesia)}}
The '''Marshal of the Guards''' (衛尉, ''gwrjaih-′judh'') usually refers to the Marshal of the Hên-lang Palace, the seat of the empreor.  There are several other Marshals, who control the royal guards at other palaces, though the Marshal of the emperor's palace is regarded as the most important Marshal.  In the rare event of mustering royal guard units under different marshals, usually in a desperate defence of the capital city, one of the Marshals or another important official may be appointed General of Royal Guards (衛將軍).
The '''Marshal of Guards''' (衛尉, ''gwrals-′uts'') is the civilian commander of the [[Royal Guards (Themiclesia)|Royal Guards]], which currently consists of two regiments and nine independent companies.  Under the Marshal of Guards are the colonels of the Sqin′-lang Palace and the Middle Palace and the captains responsible for the other [[List of palaces in Themiclesia|royal residences]].
*Colonel-in-chief (公車司馬, ''kong-k′lja-slje-mra′''): reception of letters and goods at the palace gates
*Director of Hên-lang Left Guards (顯陽左衛士, ''hên′-lang-dzar-gwrjaih-dzrje′''): administration relating to the Left Regiment of the Hên-lang Guards
*Director of Hên-lang Right Guards (顯陽右衛士, ''hên′-lang-gwrje′-gwrjaih-dzrje′''): administration relating to the Right Regiment of the Hên-lang Guards


===Comptroller of Embassies===
===Master of Protocols===
The '''Comptroller of Embassies''' (典客, ''den′-k′rak'') oversaw Themiclesia's relationships with foreign states and domestic principalities.  Domestically, the Themiclesian monarch created his children princes or princesses, who were regarded with a degree of independence and parity with the crown, i.e. ritualistic foreign states.  While royal authority expanded in the Rjang Dynasty (501 – 542) to suppress the substance of princely rule, this ritualistic equality was preserved, that central administration was done through separate department.  Additionally, the Comptroller of Embassies also oversaw diplomatic activity with actual foreign states.  Traditionally, principalities sent permanent missions to the royal capital city to deal with the central government, just as prefectures did; this was replicated for foreign missions, starting with Hallia in 1200.  Prefectural missions to the capital city were regulated by the President of Tribunes, though there is no difference in practice between their treatment and that of principality missions.
The '''Master of Protocols''' (大賓, ''lats-prin'') oversaw ceremonies relating to the imperial court and reception of foreign envoys.  In Antiquity, much emphasis was placed on honouring guests with rituals in temples of royal progenitors and of the hosting city's gods. An accepted system of diplomatic etiquette thus developed around envoys' participation in rituals which were supposed to demonstrate the hosting city's pious and friendly disposition.
*Director of Interpretation (譯, ''lak'')
*Director of Envoys (大行, ''t'adh-gang''): diplomatic protocol.
*Director of Left Embassies (左邸, ''dzar'-ti'''): missions sent by domestic principalities.
*Director of Right Embassies (右邸, ''gwrje'-ti'''): missions sent by foreign states.


===Comptroller of States===
===Marshal of Barons===
The '''Comptroller of States''' (屬邦, ''tjo-prong'') oversaw Themiclesia's relations with "dependent states".  Most of what is eastern Themiclesia, Columbia, and southern [[Nukkumaa]] today was governed by ethnic states or other polities that pledged their support to the court in [[Kien-k'ang]]; the government rarely interfered with their domestic affairs but did maintain regular contact and exchange gifts with them to reinforce relationships.  While in the Themiclesian paradigm this was not an equal one, every effort was made during most dynasties to conceal or disguise this feeling to avoid expensive diplomatic missteps.  Notably, [[Dzhungestan]] was dealt with through the Comptroller of States rather than Comptroller of Embassies.
The '''Marshal of Barons''' (主爵中尉, ''twa′-tsuk-trung-′uts'') was the monarch's representative to his [[Peerage of Themiclesia|barons]] and the peacetime commander of baronial troops pledged to the crown.  This office is now normally filled by a Cabinet minister and acts as the government's representative in the [[House of Lords (Themiclesia)|House of Lords]].


Many such polities were bound by treaty to provide a number of troops of various description, either directly to the court or stationed in certain places for collective defence.  Since most polities were either nomadic or limited in population, such units were ordinarily small; however, many were professional warriors.  Themiclesia did not maintain a regular army in the east or north, and thus these units formed an important defence against encroachment from those directions.  When the [[Themiclesian Army|Themiclesian army]] was [[Army Acts (1921)|re-organized in 1921]], the Comptroller of States was named commander-in-chief of all pledged forces, in continuation of the old treaty relationships.  These pledged forces, termed Territorial Forces, are one of the four primary components of the Themiclesian army, along with the Consolidated Army, Reserve Army, and local militias.
===Barons of the Household===
 
'''Barons of the Household''' (侍中侯, ''le-trung-gwā'') are barons called to the emperor's personal service in various temporary capacities or as an official supervising the royal household.
*Director of Translations (譯, ''lak''): translations for missions and subjects of dependent states visiting the Demesne
*Director of Labour (工室, ''kong-stjit''): manufacture of sundries for trade with or gifts to dependent states
*Director of Armouries (武庫, ''mja-k′lah''): store of weapons to be lent to dependent states or other uses
*Exchequer (内, ''nubh''): receiver for gifts and other revenues from dependent states
*Marshal (尉, ''judh''): manager of pledged forces
 
===Marshal of Peers===
The '''Marshal of Peers''' (主爵中尉, ''tjo′-tsjakw-trjung-′judh'') symbolically administers Themiclesia's peers under the rank of prince (王, ''gwjang''), princes falling under the administration of the Master of Embassies.


===Gallery Marshal===
===Gallery Marshal===
{{main|Gentlemen-at-Arms}}
{{main|Gentlemen-at-Arms}}
The '''Gallery Marshal''' (郎中令, ''rang-trjung-ringh'') leads the '''Gentlemen-at-Arms''' (郎中, ''rang-trjung''), who evolved out of private retainers serving the Themiclesian monarch.  While their original role was mostly civil, they were also expected to act as a bodyguard.  Intimacy to the throne allowed them to fill a range of roles, such as secretaries to the monarch and his ministers, librarians, and court authors and poets.  In the [[Hexarchy]], these roles remained fluid, and inductees were expected to show aptitude in several of them.  Approaching unification in 100s, some gentlemen were ordered to tend to state papers in specific contexts.  This experience made them valuable and proximal to the state administrators.  By the 3rd century, the gentlemen-at-arms were viewed as a cadre of future civil servants, though their role as retainers and bodyguards, growing peripheral, was never repealed.  The body had restricted admission: candidates either had to prove literacy and considerable wealth, or were admitted dynastically.  In 292, the gentry of every prefecture were ordered to elect gentlemen-at-arms.  This became the most legitimate and honourable way to enter service, and in time these gentlemen were distinguished and given the most influential secretarial positions.  Their elective and representative nature allowed for a limited degree of representative government, and they evolved into the Themiclesian [[House of Commons (Themiclesia)|House of Commons]].  Historians have assessed that this institution was crucial to the formation of the '''administrative aristocracy'''.
The '''Gallery Marshal''' (郎中令, ''rāng-trung-rings'') is responsible for the Gentlemen of the Household, who are retainers of the Themiclesian monarch and perform a range of menial functions.  While their original role was mostly civil, they were also expected to act as a bodyguard, and some were comaprable to {{wp|equerry|equerries}} in Casaterran monarchies.
*Gentlemen-Captain (郎中司馬, ''rang-trjung-slje'-mra''): leader of a company of [[Gentlemen-at-Arms]]
*Great Usher (大謁者, ''dadh-′jat-tja''): leader of court ushers, officials who direct ceremonies
*Colonel of the Privy Cavalry (中從騎尉, ''trjung-dzjong-grjar-′judh''): ceremonial commander of the Gentlemen-at-Arms cavalry contingent (中從騎, ''trjung-dzjong-grjar''), used for official processions.  Despite commanding fewer than 100 cavalrymen, the Colonel-general was regarded as the most senior military officer during peacetime and granted a [[Ranks of the civil service of Themiclesia|salary-rank]] of 2,000 bushels.


===President of the Privy Council===
===President of the Privy Council===
{{main|Privy Council (Themiclesia)}}
{{main|Privy Council (Themiclesia)}}
The '''Privy Council''' (中大夫省, ''trjung-dadh-pja-srêng′'') is the sovereign's chief body of non-partisan advisors.  It consists of all former cabinet ministers, though only former prime ministers are regularly summoned for the council's meetings.  Membership is in two classes, the Privy Councillors, former prime ministers, and Councillors-at-Large, former cabinet ministers.  Unlike its Tyrannian namesake, the Privy Council is not the parent organization of the cabinet, nor is its advice legally reqiured in executive functions.  Instead, it mediates the exercise of the emperor's private prerogatives with the government, supervises the running of his household and those of his relatives, and informs the throne about political activities.  While the emperor must always abide by his ministers' advice, the bi-partisan Privy Council generally allows the emperor to gain better insight into government policies and form informed opinions and make proper statements.  This prevents open conflicts, intentional or unintentional, between the crown and his ministers.
The '''Privy Council''' (中大夫省, ''trung-lats-pa-sring′'') is the sovereign's chief body of non-partisan advisors.  It consists of all former cabinet ministers, though only former prime ministers are regularly summoned for the council's meetings. Membership is in two classes, the Privy Councillors, for prime ministers, and Councillors-at-Large, for cabinet ministers.   


*Privy Councillors (中大夫, ''trjung-dadh-pja'')
Unlike its Tyrannian namesake, the Privy Council is not the parent organization of the cabinet, nor is its advice legally reqiured in executive functions.  Instead, it mediates the exercise of the emperor's private prerogatives with the government, supervises the running of his household and those of his relatives, and informs the throne about political activities.  While the emperor must always abide by his ministers' advice, the bi-partisan Privy Council generally allows the emperor to gain better insight into government policies and form informed opinions and make proper statements.  This prevents open conflicts, intentional or unintentional, between the crown and his ministers.
*Councillor-at-Large (散大夫, ''sêl′-dadh-pja'')
*[[Privy Chariotry|Colonel-general of the Privy Chariotry]] (副車尉, ''pjegh-k′lja-′judh'')


===Master of the Horse===
===Master of the Horse===
The '''Master of the Horse''' (太僕, ''t′adh-bok'') was responsible for provisioning the court and militias with horses, which due to their importance in warfare was a regulated resource.  His department oversaw several major horse ranches that spanned thousands of hectares that reared and tended to horses of all uses.  By connection, he also oversaw the raising of livestock that provisioned the court and occasionally was sold on markets.  His subordinates oversaw the many stables that served the government's needs.
The '''Master of the Horse''' (太僕, ''l′āts-bwāk'') was responsible for provisioning the court and militias with horses, which due to their importance in warfare was a regulated resource.  His department oversaw several major horse ranches that spanned thousands of hectares that reared and tended to horses of all uses.  By connection, he also oversaw the raising of livestock that provisioned the court and occasionally was sold on markets.  His subordinates oversaw the many stables that served the government's needs.


*Director of Royal Stables (中廄, ''trjung-kjuh'')
===Barons of the Navy===
*Director of Vehicles (車府, ''k'lja-pjo'')
{{main|Barons of the Navy}}
*Director of Sedans (乘黃, ''djeng-gwang'')
*Director of Riding Horses (騎馬, ''gjar-mra'')
*Director of Great Stables (大廄, ''dadh-kjuh'')
*Director of Tjang Stables (章廄, ''tjang-kjuh'')
*Director of Palace Stables (宮廄, ''kjung-kjuh'')
*Director of Metropolitan Stables (都廄, ''ta-kjuh'')
*Director of Left Stables (左廄, ''tsar-kjuh'')
*Director of Right Stables (右廄, ''gwrje-kjuh'')
*Director of Small Stables (小廄, ''sjaw-kjuh'')
*Director of Steering Stables (御廄, ''ngjah-kjuh'')
*Director of Lower Stables (下廄, ''gra-kjuh'')
*Director of Upper Household Horses (上家馬, ''djang-kra-mra'')
*Director of Lower Household Horses (下家馬, ''gra-kra-mra'')
 
===Comptroller of Waters===
{{main|Comptroller of Waters and Marine Prefect}}
The '''Comptroller of Waters''' (水衡令 / 水黃令, ''sl′jui-grang-ringh'') controlled acquatic resources outside of royal lands, such as waterways, irrigation projects, dredging of rivers, shipping, and the civic marine.  Prior to the establishment of the military navy, the Comptroller of Waters was the principal administrator responsible for providing a navy in case of disturbances at sea.  After the military navy was founded under the Privy Treasurer, the portfolio of the Comptroller of Waters was reduced to civic matters; however, both merchant and war ships are still registered by the Comptroller.  The relationship between the Comptroller and prefectural marines is similar to that between the Master of the Horse and prefectural cavalries.  His principal assistant in administering resources is the '''Marine Prefect''' (護水使者, ''gagh-sl′jui-srje′-tja′''), whose military role was gradually supplanted by the Department of Fleets, evolving into the Great Admiralty of today.   Prefectural marines have been subsumed by the Department of Fleets since the middle ages.  Of the Civil Officers of the navy, the Marine Prefect is the most senior; however, this title is also sometimes granted to admirals as a reward for successes in battle.  The royal household counterpart of the Comptroller of Waters is the '''Director of Palace Waters''' (寺水令, ''lje′-sl′jui′-ringh''), who manages aquatic resources on royal lands, and of the Marine Prefect, the '''Director of Middle Engineers''' (中工室, ''trjung-kong-stjit'').  Until the modern period, the royal marine for the sovereign's personal journeys was separate from the navy.
 
Due to the importance of the shipping and the navy, the Marine Prefect later acquired several distinct role in administering Columbia, essentially treating the entire subcontinent as a large royal forest and extracting resources from it.  These tasks ranged from logging, crafting, mining, to minting coins.  In 1434, every tree in Columbia over 3 feet in diameter, 3 feet from the ground, was declared state property of Themiclesia and could not be logged without permission from the Marine Prefect.  Equally, since he controlled bronze deposits, he oversaw the minting of coins, which numbered in the millions in some years shipped back to Themiclesia for government use.  Since natural resources in Columbia were far less exploited than in Themiclesia, the Marine Prefect's department eclipsed that of the Comptroller of Waters, though the latter remained the legal superior.  Geographically separated from Themiclesia, appointment to this office was exceedingly lucrative and almost always enriched the holder immesurably, sometimes generating disputes with individuals and communities that inhabited the continent.  In 1204, the Themiclesian court promulgated the ''Statute on Extortions'', which permitted redress if the Marine Prefect expropriated "lawfully owned" properties; this in turn led to a body of international litigations between the natives of Columbia, Hallians, and other nationalities against Themiclesia's activities and a clash of legal systems. 
 
*Director of Waterways (都水令, ''ta-sl′jui′-ringh''): dredging, damming, and maintenance of rivers and other waterways
*Director of Price Controls (均輸令, ''kwljel-l′ja-ringh''): assessing local prices of goods and transporting goods to equalize prices
*Director of Shipping (輯濯令, ''kjep-dikw-ringh''): shipping of government and private goods
*Director of Aquatic Engineers (水司空令, ''sl′jui′-slje-k′ong-ringh''): penal labour for aquatic projects
*Director of Mints (黃官令, ''gwrang-kwal-ringh''): minting of coins
*Director of West Woods (西章, ''sner-tjang''): shipwrights for the [[Themiclesian Navy]]


===Comptroller of Works===
===Comptroller of Works===
The '''Comptroller of Works''' (大匠, ''dadh-dzjangh'') was responsible for the central government's building, engineering projects, and manufacture of weapons and other goods.
The '''Comptroller of Works''' (寺工, ''le-kwang'') was responsible for the central government's building, engineering projects, and manufacture of weapons and other goods.
*Left Brigade (左校, ''dzar-krawh''): a brigade of construction workers
*Right Brigade (右校, ''gwrje′-krawh''): do.
*Director of East Woods (東章, ''tong-tjang''): management of state forests in Themiclesia


===Comptroller of the House===
===Comptroller of the House===
{{main|Themiclesian royal family}}
{{main|Themiclesian royal family}}
The '''Comptroller of the House''' (宗正, ''tsung-tjengh'') oversaw the households of untitled members of the royal family; those titled would fall under the supervision of the Marshal of Peers or the Comptroller of Embassies.  His subordinates are the heads of households serving unmarried princes and princesses.  He was responsible for preparing the royal family's family tree and a list of all its current members.  Likewise, the Comptroller of the House arranged for their education and public relations and functioned as a court for the adjudication of offences committed by members of the royal family; criminal cases against them must be brought at this court, which with parliamentary assent may remanded to ordinary courts, and civil cases between themselves as well.
The '''Comptroller of the House''' (公族大夫, ''qwāng-tswāk-lāts-pa'') oversaw the households of untitled members of the royal family; those titled would fall under the supervision of the Marshal of Peers or the Comptroller of Embassies.  His subordinates are the heads of households serving unmarried princes and princesses.  He was responsible for preparing the royal family's family tree and a list of all its current members.  Likewise, the Comptroller of the House arranged for their education and public relations and functioned as a court for the adjudication of offences committed by members of the royal family; criminal cases against them must be brought at this court, which with parliamentary assent may remanded to ordinary courts, and civil cases between themselves as well.
*Director of Penal Labour (中司空, ''trjung-slje-kong''): offences by members of the royal family result in the same sentences applicable to commoners, but they serve their sentences under this department, which segregates them from ordinary prisoners.
*Director of Great Princess Royal Brjiang (平大長公主家, ''brjêng-dadh-trjang'-kong-tjo-kra'')
*Director of Princess Royal Go (侯長公主家, ''go-trjang'-kong-tjo-kra'')
*Director of Princess Royal Sje-mra (司馬公主家, ''sje-mra-kong-tjo-kra'')
*Director of Princess Gwran (寰公主家, ''gron-kong-tjo-kra'')
*Director of Princess Hwjei (暉公主家, ''hljui-kong-tjo-kra'')
*Director of Princess Nga (梧公主家, ''nga'-kong-tjo-kra'')
 
===Pass Marshal===
{{main|Colonial Army (Themiclesia)|South Army}}
The '''Pass Marshal''' (備塞尉, ''brjegh-segh-′judh'') controlled several aspects of Themiclesian administration.  In the Demesne Land, he managed internal boundaries and passes and ports on public highways; as such, he also oversaw the issuance of permits to move armaments and certain controlled substances through them.  Internal boundaries were those between the centrally-controlled parts of the Demesne Land and those under subordinate loci of power.  On the borders, he stationed troops.  In Columbia, he controlled the trade routes and their fortifications.  Due to the distance Columbian fortifications were from Themiclesia, some of Themiclesia's first professional soldiers were hired to defend them on a long-term basis, using local rather than conveyed resources; these forces eovlved into the [[Colonial Army (Themiclesia)|Colonial Army]].  Whereas the Marine Prefect controlled economic and civilian affairs in Themiclesian-controlled parts of Columbia, the Pass Marshal was widely seen as his military counterpart.  The '''Marshal of States''' (屬邦尉, ''tjo′-prong-′judh'') also participated in defence of borders, managing the troops pledged to Themiclesia on the other side of the border. 
 
*Director of Demesne Passes (中關令, ''trjung-kwran-ringh'')
*Director of the Portcullia Port (岌津令, ''grjep-tsjin-ringh'')
*Director of the Maracaibo Port (精津令, ''tsjêng-tsjing-ringh'')
*Director of the Gwrjing-goi Port (永和津令, ''gwrjing-goi-tsjin-ringh'')
*Exchequer of the Passes (津內令, ''tsjin-nubh-ringh'')


===Privy Treasurer===
===Privy Treasurer===
The '''Privy Treasurer''' (少府, ''stjawh-pjo′'') originated as a department serving the emperor's household, controlling his private property and fabricating items for royal use.  Since the emperor owned many of the forests that produced timber and hosted game, anyone logging, hunting, fishing, and trapping in it was fined an entrance fee and either paid for the goods they obtained from them or had to submit part of their acquisitions to the department.  The Privy Treasury also actively exploited the land by large, collective agricultural and mineral enterprises; some of their products went to the royal household, but a large portion was also sold on markets, proceeds also going to the department.  By extention, it attended to the many personal needs of the royal household.  In 502, King Ngjon of the Rjang dynasty prohibited private minting of coins and declared all bronze ores in the Demesne land royal property; the bronze allowed the Privy Treasury to become a mint, further enlarging its wealth and economic prowess.  Prior to the Rjang dynasty, the Privy Treasurer's department already was one of the largest, and the resources it held second only to those of the Inner Administrator. 
{{main|Privy Treasury}}
 
The '''Privy Treasurer''' (御府, ''mgraq-pwaq'') is the treasury of the royal household, controlling the monarchy's private property and fabricating items for royal use.  Since the emperor owned many of the forests that produced timber and hosted game, anyone logging, hunting, fishing, and trapping in it was fined an entrance fee and either paid for the goods they obtained or was required to submit part of their acquisitions.  The Privy Treasury also actively exploited the land by large, collective agricultural and mineral enterprises; some of their products went to the royal household, but a large portion was also sold on markets, proceeds also going to the department.   
The Privy Treasurer has been called the "junkyard of the bureaucracy", in that new government departments that did not have an appropriate principal counsel as a superintendant were all granted to the Privy Treasury.  Its jurisdiction in later ages have thus extended from service to the royal palaces, to curation of artifacts, to management of natural resources and money, to manufacture of goods and weapons, and to the running of a military navy.  With respect to its enormous jurisdiction, the Privy Treasurer has six secretaries that take care more coherent parts of the portfolio, and the Privy Treasurer is usually a sinecure, filled by a [[Lords in waiting (Themiclesia)|lord in waiting]].
 
*Secretary of the Left (左丞, ''dzar′-gljing'')
**Director of Cuisine (大官, ''t'adh-kwal''): catering for court ceremonies
**Director of Premises (居室, ''kja-stjit''): hygiene around the palace
**Director of Lyric Poetry (樂府, ''ngljakw-pjo'''): music and lyrical poetry
**Director of Service (宦者, ''ghwranh-tja'''): administration of the emperor's retinue
**Director of Furnishings (內者, ''nubh-tja'''): upholstry, furniture, and drapery
**[[Director of Cats]] (貓, ''mraw''): cats for entertainment
**Director of Pantries (饈, ''snju''): procurement of food for the royal kitchen, management of royal animal and vegetable farms
**Director of Long Avenue (永巷, ''gwrjêng′-krongh''): security for stores in the palace
**Director of Privy Symphony (寺樂, ''lje′-ngrakw''): chamber orchestra for the emperor
**Director of Teamsters (榦官, ''galh-kwal''): movement of items from one part of the palace to another
**Director of Clocks (更, ''krang''): keeper of time in the palace, management of the bells and drums
**Director of Vehicular Affairs (車官, ''k'lja-kwal''): custodian of motor vehicles for the emperor
**Director of Fanfares (鼓吹, ''ka'-t'jui''): fanfares for processions
*Secretary of the Right (右丞, ''gwrje′-gljing'')
**Director of Mini Gardens (弄田, ''lungh-m-lin''): emperor's play garden
**Director of Ponds (池, ''djar''): ponds in the palace
**Director of Rabbits (罕士, ''kal-dzrje′''): manager of rabbit population in the palace
**Director of Dogs (狡士, ''kraw'-dzrje′''): keeping of dogs for royal company
**Director of Water (寺水, ''lje′-sl′jui′''): keeper of the palace's wells and springs
**Director of Waterworks (宮水, ''kjung-sl′jui′''): custodian of artificial fountains
**Director of Royal Gardens (苑, ''ngrjonh''): royal hunting grounds and upkeep
**Director of Illustrious Woods (華林園, ''gwra-rjem-ghrjon''): royal gardens to the north of Hên-lang Palace
**Director of Solarium (暴室, ''begwh-stjit''): hothouse for growing summer foods during winter
**Director of Royal Greens (左田, ''dzar-m-lin''): gardens for growing foods for retinues and servants
*Secretary of Finances (庫丞, ''k′lah-gljing'')
**Director of Royal Stores (御府, ''ngjah-pjo'''): general storage of goods presented to the royal household
**Director of Left Treasury (左藏, ''dzar-dzang''): emperor's money treasury
**Director of Right Treasury (右藏, ''gwrje-dzang''): emperor's artifacts treasury
**Director of Recruitment (募人, ''magh-njing''): hiring of staff for the royal household
*Secretary of Service (殿中丞, ''denh-trjung-gljing'')
**Director of Royal Attire (尚衣, ''djang′-′jei''): emperor's personal wardrobe
**Director of Royal Comestibles (尚食, ''djang′-mljek''): emperor's private kitchens
**Director of Royal Caps (尚冠, ''djang'-konh''): emperor's personal hats
**[[Council of Correspondence|Director of Correspondence]] (尚書, ''djang'-st'ja''): the Cabinet in modern practice
**Director of Royal Baths (尚浴, ''djang′-ljuk''): emperor's personal baths
**Director of Royal Pendants (尚佩, ''djang′-begh''): emperor's personal jewelry
**Director of Royal Mattresses (尚帷, ''djang′-hjui''): emperor's personal bed and its upholstry
*Secretary of Manufactures (工丞, ''kong-gljing'')
**Director of Armours (武庫, ''mja-k′lah''): storage of weapons in the royal palace
**Director of Left Crafts (左匠, ''dzar-dzjangh''): bronze artifacts
**Director of Right Crafts (右匠, ''gwrje'-dzjangh''): other metal artifacts
**Director of Left Engineers (左工室, ''dzar-kong-da''): construction workers for normal building projects
**Director of Right Engineers (右工室, ''gwrje′-kong-da''): construction workers for building projects outside of palaces
**Director of East Textiles (東織室, ''tong-tjek-stjit''): production of silks
**Director of West Textiles (西織室, ''sner-tjek-stjit''): production of other fabrics
**Director of Writing Implements (守宮, ''sn′ju′-kjung''): procurement of pens and inkwells
**Director of Musical Instruments (清商, ''tsjêng-stjang''): production of musical instruments
**Director of Clay (詔事, ''tjawh-dzrjeh''): procurement and manufacture of earthenware and porcelain for royal use, and sometimes for sale
**Director of Pillar Mountain (氐柱, ''têi′-djogh''): tourism at a popular mountain not far from Kien-k'ang
**Director of Iron Sales (鐵市, ''l′ik-dje'''): taxes on the sale of iron goods
**Director of Iron Weapons (鐵兵, ''l′ik-prjang''): manufacture of iron weapons (opposed to bronze) for royal use
**Director of Instruments (內官, ''nubh-kwal''): manufacture of sundries and scales, rulers, weights, restraints, and torture and execution tools; mutilation and execution of royalty, nobility, and minors
*Secretary of Ceremonies (儀丞, ''ngjar-gljing'')
**Director of Bells (均, ''kwljel''): minting of bells for the ancestral temples
**Director of Great Stores (大府, ''dadh-pjo′''): store of imperial ancestors' belongings
**Director of Tortoise Shells (書府, ''st′ja-pjo'''): storage of tortoise shells after divination
**Director of Cults (祠祀, ''sl′je-sghje''): small cults
**Director of Special Stores (特庫, ''m-lek-k′lah''): storage for sacrificial goods, such as brocade and jade
**Director of Left Symphony (左樂, ''dzar′-ngrakw''): one of two symphonies for the royal court, specializing in domestic and prairie music
**Director of Right Symphony (右樂, ''gwrje′-ngrakw''): one of two symphonies for the royal court, specializing in Casaterran music
*Secretary of Goods (內黃丞, ''nubh-gwrang-gljing'')
**Director of Couriers (都共, ''ta-kjung''): movement of items from the palace to the residences of administrators
**Director of Jade Mining (采珠, ''tse′-tjo''): royal jade mines
**Director of Silver Mining (采銀, ''tse′-ngjen''): royal silver mines
**Director of Iron Mining (采鐵, ''tse′-l′ik''): royal iron mines
**Director of Gold Mining (采金, ''tse′-krjem''): royal gold mines
**[[Director of Oranges]] (橘, ''kwljet''): royal orange farms and orange products
**Director of Sea Salt (海鹽, ''me′-ljam''): collection and sale of salt from the royal beaches
**Director of Left Salt Mines (左鹽, ''dzar′-ljam''): collection and sale of salt from mines north of River Gar
**Director of Right Salt Mines (右鹽, ''gwrje′-ljam''): collection and sale of salt from mines south of River Gar
**Director of Mulberry Woods (桑林, ''sang-rjem''): royal mulberry woods for silkworms
 
These officers following are not under the jurisdiction of any secretary.
*Director of Seals and Credentials (符璽, ''bjo-snji'''): manufacturer of seals and [[Credential (Themiclesia)|credentials]] (under supervision of the Tribune of Credentials)
The naval departments are, by custom, under the direction of the Director of Fleets, or later his staff, the Great Admiralty.
**Director of Fleets (航, ''gang''): [[Themiclesian Navy]]
**Director of Naval Engineers (海寺工, ''m′e′-lje′-kong''): cannon foundries, gunsmiths, and other weapons for the [[Themiclesian Navy]]
**Director of Passengers (冗人, ''njung-njing''): some fiscal functions of the Navy and the [[Themiclesian Marine Corps]]
**Director of Impressment (海官, ''pjang-kwal''): the Impress Service for the Navy
 
==Empress' counsels==
Traditionally, the empress' seat is the Middle Palace.  As a result, her principal counsels have the prefix "middle" attached.  As the emperor's legal and ritualistic peer, the empress-consort's bureaucracy titularly enjoys the same stature as their analogues to the emperor, though their powers are much more limited.  In earlier times, the empress usually held revenue rights over one or several prefectures, as marital customs dictate, so her officials have presence and authority beyond the empress' palace.  Later, after administrative consolidation carried out under the [[Meng-Rjang Dynasty|Restored Meng dynasty]], the emperor's bureaucracy collected the empress' revenues on her behalf, though her officials still nominally received them before paying them into her treasury.
 
===Middle Treasurer===
The '''Middle Treasurer''' (中詹事, ''trjung-tjam-dzrje′'') is the primary manager of the Empress' household and controls most of its establishment.  Many of the officials under the Middle Treasurer are similar in name and function to those of the Privy Treasurer, who was originally the {{wp|majordomo}} of the emperor's palace and household.  The latter's jurisdiction has, due to the emperor's political powers, breached the limits of the palace, while the Middle Treasurer's has not to the same degree.  Before the Meng dynasty, the empress held several prefectures as her household land; though her officials were not directly invovled in its quotidian administration, they did participate in extraction of materials from those areas, and for this they had some interactivity with locals.
 
===Middle Master of the Horse===
中太僕
*中左廄
*中右廄
*中宮廄
*中車府
*中家馬
 
===Middle Marshal of the Guard===
中衛尉
*中武庫
*Director of Middle Left Guards (中左衛士, ''trjung-dzuar-gwrjaih-sdrje''): administration relating to the Left Regiment of the Middle Guards
*Director of Middle Right Guards (中右衛士, ''trjung-gwrje'-gwrjaih-sdrje''): administration relating to the Right Regiment of the Middle Guards
*Director of East Guards (東衛士, ''tong-gwrjaih-sdrje''): administration relating to the East Guards
*Director of Gweng-hljuns Guards (宏訓衛士, ''gweng-xljunh-gwrjaih-sdrje''): administration relating to the Gweng-xljunh Guards
*Director of Gwreng-ngjars Guards (弘義衛士, ''gwreng-ngjarh-gwrjaih-sdrje''): administration relating to the Gwreng-ngjarh Guards
*(and others)
*中公車司馬
*中
 
==Palatine counsels==
As Themiclesia technically maintains a pluralistic constitution, each of the four {{wp|county palatine|palatine states}} also possesses a defective copy of the central government of Themiclesia.  The defects are largely a reflection of the absence of an actual prince palatine ruling the area.  Due to efforts to suppress regionalism through the last 1,500 years, palatine states are only nominally distinct from the area under direct governance from [[Kien-k'ang]].  Practical differences today are limited to formatting documents and addressing recipients, since 23 of the 41 [[Administrative divisions of Themiclesia#Prefectures|prefectures]] are palatine.  Certain [[Peerage of Themiclesia|peers]] are also technically palatine, but these have been part of the national political process from a very early age.  As palatines were a vestige of the political system created by the [[Treaty of Five Kings]], they were maintained by later dynasties to profess heritage from that era.   


Palatine counsels normally include:
By extention, it attended to the many personal needs of the royal household. In 502, King Ngwan of the Rang dynasty prohibited private minting of coins and declared all bronze ores in the Demesne land royal property; the bronze allowed the Privy Treasury to become a mint, further enlarging its wealth and economic prowess.
*Chancellor: sinecure
*Vice Chancellor: sinecure
*President of Tribunes: supervision of bureaucrats within the palatine, as a deputy of the President of Tribunes of Themiclesia
*Inner Administrator: prefectural governor for counties within the palatine seat; financial functions suppressed
*Capital Marshal: do.
*Marshal of Peers: sinecure
*Comptroller of Embassies: sinecure
*Comptroller of States: certain minority polities are subjects of palatine states
*Justiciar: regional court of appeal
*Master of the Horse: supply of horses in the palatine
*President of the Privy Council: sinecure
*Comptroller of Works: public works in the palatine


Palatine counsels normally do not include:
==Other 2,000-bushel officials==
*Gallery Marshal: not appointed without a prince palatine
There are many other officials who are ranked at 2,000-bushels but are not considered part of the panoply of principal counsels. 
*Privy Treasurer: functions suppressed
*Warden Beyond the River (河外監, ''gar-ngwadh-k.ram''; 682), who controlled certain goverment functions in the northeast.
*Comptroller of Waters: late creation
*[[Comptroller of Waters and Marine Prefect|Marine Prefect]] (護水使者, ''gagh-stjui-srje′-tja′''; 1582), who governed the extraction of natural resources in Columbia.
*Comptroller of the House: not appointed without a prince palatine
*General of the Colonial Army (阜將軍, ''pjegh-tsjang-kwjin''; 1348), who led Themiclesia's standing army in Columbia.
*Great Chamberlain: not appointed without a prince palatine
*Colonel-general of Signals (都中尉, ''ta-trjung-′judh''; 1758), who led the [[Royal Signals Corps (Themiclesia)|Royal Signals Corps]].
*Pass Marshal: late creation
*Captain-general of Marines (冗人尉, ''njung-njing-′judh''; 1758), who governed the armed portion of the navy's [[Director of Ancillaries|passengers]].
*Marshal(s) of Guards: not appointed without a prince palatine
*Lieutenant-General of the Colonial Army (阜嬖將軍, ''pjegh-pêk-tsjang-kwjin''; 1758)
*Chief Justice (廷理, ''lêng-rje′''; 1758), who led the [[Supreme Court (Themiclesia)|Supreme Court]].
*Puisne Justices (廷監, ''lêng-k.ram''; 1758), who sat on the Supreme Court's bench.


==Notes==
==Notes==

Latest revision as of 15:00, 3 August 2021

The Principal Counsels (列卿, rêt-skrang) were Themiclesia's highest-ranking officials in the Medieval period under the chancellor and vice chancellor. Those occupying analogous positions under the empress, empresses-dowager, and palatine princes are also principal counsels. As a characteristic, their departments are all based in the capital cities and receive a salary of 2,000 bushels.

Today, their functions vary from being high-ranking civil servants with current duties to sinecures; their departments are called ceremonial departments because, while some do retain functions, they no longer behave as coherent administrative agencies.

Etymology

The term rêt-skrang is a adjectival-nominal compound term which can be semantically dissected into its components. rêt, from Old Meng *ret, means "each, all"; *ret is a cognate of *r̥et, meaning "all". The glyph for skrang, meaning perhaps originally "companion", depicts two individuals sharing a meal.

Constitutional significance

It is generally held that, prior to Abolition of Formalities Act (1975), all functions of the central government must occur within or under one of the ceremonial departments, each led by a official holding consular rank. This tradition which dates to antiquity is analyzed to represent the sharing of administrative powers and responsibilities between the monarchy and an established aristocracy. Though the rule has lost part of its substance with more liberal granting of aristocratic titles and their later disassociation with feudal privilege, it has nevertheless been re-asserted multiple times in history by the aristocracy to prevent the crown from appointing sycophants or allies of whom they disapprove.

Emperor's counsels

Chancellor

Main article: Chancellor of Tsjinh

The Chancellor (相邦, smangs-pwrāng) is the nominal head of the royal government. He or she is always a peer. The Shinasthana name smangs-pwrāng means "state-overseer", similar to a head of government. The Chancellor was originally the most powerful and highest-ranking officer of the bureaucracy, though in later centuries he may be relegated to a ceremonial and procedural function, or even a title for the President of Correspondence. The Chancellor's authority extends over military as much as civilian officials.

Vice-Chancellor

The Vice-Chancellor (丞相, ging-smangs) is an assistant of the Chancellor. Though most deputies in the Themiclesian administration do not have much independent authority, Vice-Chancellors are an exception, as the office of Chancellor is frequently vacant. Certain monarchs have also used the Vice-Chancellor to divide the authority of the Chancellor.

There may be one or two Vice-Chancellors; if there are two, then the more senior is called the Right Vice-Chancellor (右丞相, ghwreq-ging-smangs), and the other the Left Vice-Chancellor (左丞相, dzārq-ging-smangs). If there is a third, the most junior is called Middle Vice-Chancellor (中丞相, trung-ging-smangs) If the Chancellorship is vacant, then the Right Vice-Chancellor takes his place, but his authority is not as complete as a Chancellor. While the Chancellor is invariably a peer, Vice-Chancellors are not always peers, though this tends to be the case if he or she de facto discharges the Chancellor's office.

Exchequer-Chancellor

Account-Chancellor

Royal Attorney-general

Main article: Tribune (Themiclesia)

The Royal Attorneys (御史, ngjas-s.rje′) are a group of officers in Themiclesia primarily concerned with the maintenance of law and order amongst officials in the royal bureaucracy and household. They possess the power to investigate misuse of power and primary function as ombudsmen in the central and local governments. Formerly, Royal Attorneys also functioned as tribunes in the Themiclesian army and navy, being empowered to monitor military officers of all ranks and to make confidential reports upon their activities; this system fell into disuse in the mid-19th century.

Master of the Exchequer

Main article: Inner Administrator

The Master of the Exchequer (内史, nups-sre′) has a broad array of duties centering on revenues. The medieval Exchequer was divided into two main departments, the Major Exchequer and the Minor Exchequer; the former had jurisdiction over revenues in kind, such as grains and minerals, and the latter over moneys. The collection of revenues in kind waned after the 14th century.

Great Treasurer

The Great Treasurer (大府, lāts-pwaq) oversaw the state treasury of Themiclesia, where tax revenues were stored.

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts (太史, lats-sre′) is primarily invovled in conducting ceremonies of public relevance, especially for the state cult. He also controls departments of oracles, clairvoyance, and worship. Professions once perceived to have some sort of spiritual significance, such as medicine, music, and history are also superintended by the Master of Arcane Arts.  

It was once customary for a number of households to be moved to a newly-completed mausoleum. Rather than paying taxes, they would be charged with the mausoleum's maintenance and be exempt from other forms of service. Thus, these villages became favoured places for merchant families, who could travel more widely without interruption by service. The duties of maintaining the mausoleum were commuted to payment for those who could afford it. Maintenance work on mausolea usually lapsed after several generations, while exemption persisted; this was considered the "residual grace" of the deceased sovereign entombed there. Such "mausolea villages" were under the control of the Great Chamberlain.

Justiciar

The Justiciar (廷尉, ling-′uts) is a senior judicial official, superior to the chief justices of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. While the Justiciar once sat in the Court of Appeal, he is restricted to administrative duties around these two courts today.

Royal Marshal

The Royal Marshal (中尉, trjung-′judh) exercises over the region around the capital city functions similar to a prefectural marshal. This officer manages the Inner Region's militia and was the commander-in-chief of the Capital Defence Force, until it merged with other professional units in 1921. The Royal Marshal enjoys the courtesy rank of colonel within the Consolidated Army and is regarded as the most senior colonel.

Marshal of Guards

Main article: Royal Guards (Themiclesia)

The Marshal of Guards (衛尉, gwrals-′uts) is the civilian commander of the Royal Guards, which currently consists of two regiments and nine independent companies. Under the Marshal of Guards are the colonels of the Sqin′-lang Palace and the Middle Palace and the captains responsible for the other royal residences.

Master of Protocols

The Master of Protocols (大賓, lats-prin) oversaw ceremonies relating to the imperial court and reception of foreign envoys. In Antiquity, much emphasis was placed on honouring guests with rituals in temples of royal progenitors and of the hosting city's gods. An accepted system of diplomatic etiquette thus developed around envoys' participation in rituals which were supposed to demonstrate the hosting city's pious and friendly disposition.

Marshal of Barons

The Marshal of Barons (主爵中尉, twa′-tsuk-trung-′uts) was the monarch's representative to his barons and the peacetime commander of baronial troops pledged to the crown. This office is now normally filled by a Cabinet minister and acts as the government's representative in the House of Lords.

Barons of the Household

Barons of the Household (侍中侯, le-trung-gwā) are barons called to the emperor's personal service in various temporary capacities or as an official supervising the royal household.

Gallery Marshal

Main article: Gentlemen-at-Arms

The Gallery Marshal (郎中令, rāng-trung-rings) is responsible for the Gentlemen of the Household, who are retainers of the Themiclesian monarch and perform a range of menial functions. While their original role was mostly civil, they were also expected to act as a bodyguard, and some were comaprable to equerries in Casaterran monarchies.

President of the Privy Council

Main article: Privy Council (Themiclesia)

The Privy Council (中大夫省, trung-lats-pa-sring′) is the sovereign's chief body of non-partisan advisors. It consists of all former cabinet ministers, though only former prime ministers are regularly summoned for the council's meetings. Membership is in two classes, the Privy Councillors, for prime ministers, and Councillors-at-Large, for cabinet ministers.

Unlike its Tyrannian namesake, the Privy Council is not the parent organization of the cabinet, nor is its advice legally reqiured in executive functions. Instead, it mediates the exercise of the emperor's private prerogatives with the government, supervises the running of his household and those of his relatives, and informs the throne about political activities. While the emperor must always abide by his ministers' advice, the bi-partisan Privy Council generally allows the emperor to gain better insight into government policies and form informed opinions and make proper statements. This prevents open conflicts, intentional or unintentional, between the crown and his ministers.

Master of the Horse

The Master of the Horse (太僕, l′āts-bwāk) was responsible for provisioning the court and militias with horses, which due to their importance in warfare was a regulated resource. His department oversaw several major horse ranches that spanned thousands of hectares that reared and tended to horses of all uses. By connection, he also oversaw the raising of livestock that provisioned the court and occasionally was sold on markets. His subordinates oversaw the many stables that served the government's needs.

Barons of the Navy

Main article: Barons of the Navy

Comptroller of Works

The Comptroller of Works (寺工, le-kwang) was responsible for the central government's building, engineering projects, and manufacture of weapons and other goods.

Comptroller of the House

Main article: Themiclesian royal family

The Comptroller of the House (公族大夫, qwāng-tswāk-lāts-pa) oversaw the households of untitled members of the royal family; those titled would fall under the supervision of the Marshal of Peers or the Comptroller of Embassies. His subordinates are the heads of households serving unmarried princes and princesses. He was responsible for preparing the royal family's family tree and a list of all its current members. Likewise, the Comptroller of the House arranged for their education and public relations and functioned as a court for the adjudication of offences committed by members of the royal family; criminal cases against them must be brought at this court, which with parliamentary assent may remanded to ordinary courts, and civil cases between themselves as well.

Privy Treasurer

Main article: Privy Treasury

The Privy Treasurer (御府, mgraq-pwaq) is the treasury of the royal household, controlling the monarchy's private property and fabricating items for royal use. Since the emperor owned many of the forests that produced timber and hosted game, anyone logging, hunting, fishing, and trapping in it was fined an entrance fee and either paid for the goods they obtained or was required to submit part of their acquisitions. The Privy Treasury also actively exploited the land by large, collective agricultural and mineral enterprises; some of their products went to the royal household, but a large portion was also sold on markets, proceeds also going to the department.

By extention, it attended to the many personal needs of the royal household. In 502, King Ngwan of the Rang dynasty prohibited private minting of coins and declared all bronze ores in the Demesne land royal property; the bronze allowed the Privy Treasury to become a mint, further enlarging its wealth and economic prowess.

Other 2,000-bushel officials

There are many other officials who are ranked at 2,000-bushels but are not considered part of the panoply of principal counsels.

  • Warden Beyond the River (河外監, gar-ngwadh-k.ram; 682), who controlled certain goverment functions in the northeast.
  • Marine Prefect (護水使者, gagh-stjui-srje′-tja′; 1582), who governed the extraction of natural resources in Columbia.
  • General of the Colonial Army (阜將軍, pjegh-tsjang-kwjin; 1348), who led Themiclesia's standing army in Columbia.
  • Colonel-general of Signals (都中尉, ta-trjung-′judh; 1758), who led the Royal Signals Corps.
  • Captain-general of Marines (冗人尉, njung-njing-′judh; 1758), who governed the armed portion of the navy's passengers.
  • Lieutenant-General of the Colonial Army (阜嬖將軍, pjegh-pêk-tsjang-kwjin; 1758)
  • Chief Justice (廷理, lêng-rje′; 1758), who led the Supreme Court.
  • Puisne Justices (廷監, lêng-k.ram; 1758), who sat on the Supreme Court's bench.

Notes


See also

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