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Song Dynasty Three Departments and Six Ministries System

Type Object Region China Time 1041–1050

The Northern Song central administrative system divided functions among the Zhongshu, Menxia, and Shangshu departments with six ministries beneath, f…

Timeline

  1. 1041–1050Zhongshu Department · KaifengThe Zhongshu Department received the emperor's wishes and drafted edicts and memorials, the starting point of policy formation. In the Song, the chancellor (tong zhongshu menxia pingzhangshi) worked jointly with the Zhongshu and Menxia departments.
  2. 1041–1050Menxia Department · KaifengThe Menxia Department reviewed policies drafted by Zhongshu and had the power to reject improper edicts, forming a check within Song administrative decision-making and embodying a design of divided and balanced powers.
  3. 1041–1050Six Ministries of the Shangshu Department · KaifengThe Shangshu Department was the hub of administrative execution, overseeing the Six Ministries of Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Works, which handled appointments, finance and registration, rites and examinations, military and judicial affairs, and construction, respectively, forming the main body of daily governance.

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