The grand chancellor (''zaixiang, tsai-hsiang''), also translated as counselor-in-chief,

chancellor Chancellor ( la, cancellarius) is a title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the or lattice work screens of a basilica or law cou ...

, chief councillor, chief minister, imperial chancellor, lieutenant chancellor and prime minister, was the highest-ranking executive official in the imperial Chinese government. The term was known by many different names throughout Chinese history, and the exact extent of the powers associated with the position fluctuated greatly, even during a particular dynasty. During the

Six Dynasties period Six Dynasties (; 220–589 or 222–589) is a collective term for six Han-ruled Chinese dynasties that existed from the early 3rd century AD to the late 6th century AD. The Six Dynasties period overlapped with the era of the Sixteen Kingdoms, ...

, the term denoted a number of power-holders serving as chief administrators, including ''zhongshun jian'' (Inspector General of the Secretariat), ''zhongshu ling'' (President of the Secretariat), ''shizhong'' ( Palace Attendant), ''shangshu ling'' and ''puye'' (president and vice-president of the Department of State Affairs).

History

In the

Spring and Autumn period The Spring and Autumn period was a period in Chinese history from approximately 770 to 476 BC (or according to some authorities until 403 BC) which corresponds roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou period. The period's name derives fr ...

, Guan Zhong was the first chancellor in China, who became chancellor under the

state of Qi Qi, or Ch'i in Wade–Giles romanization, was a state of the Zhou dynasty-era in ancient China, variously reckoned as a march, duchy, and independent kingdom. Its capital was Linzi, located in present-day Shandong. Qi was founded short ...

in 685 BC. In Qin, during the

Warring States period The Warring States period () was an era in ancient Chinese history characterized by warfare, as well as bureaucratic and military reforms and consolidation. It followed the Spring and Autumn period and concluded with the Qin wars of conquest ...

, the chancellor was officially established as "the head of all civil service officials." There were sometimes two chancellors, differentiated as being "of the left" (senior) and "of the right" (junior). After emperor

Qin Shi Huang Qin Shi Huang (, ; 259–210 BC) was the founder of the Qin dynasty and the first emperor of a unified China. Rather than maintain the title of "king" ( ''wáng'') borne by the previous Shang and Zhou rulers, he ruled as the First Emperor ( ...

ended the Warring States period by establishing the

Qin dynasty The Qin dynasty ( ; zh, c=秦朝, p=Qín cháo, w=), or Ch'in dynasty in Wade–Giles romanization ( zh, c=, p=, w=Ch'in ch'ao), was the first dynasty of Imperial China. Named for its heartland in Qin state (modern Gansu and Shaanxi), ...

(221–206 BC), the chancellor, together with the imperial secretary, and the grand commandant, were the most important officials in the imperial government, generally referred as the Three Lords. In 1 BC, during the reign of Emperor Ai, the title was changed to ''da si tu'' (大司徒). In the

Eastern Han dynasty The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and a w ...

, the chancellor post was replaced by the Three Excellencies: Grand Commandant (太尉), Minister over the Masses (司徒) and Minister of Works (司空). In 190,

Dong Zhuo Dong Zhuo () (died 22 May 192), courtesy name Zhongying, was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25� ...

claimed the title "Chancellor of State" (相國) under the powerless Emperor Xian of Han, placing himself above the Three Excellencies. After Dong Zhuo's death in 192, the post was vacant until

Cao Cao Cao Cao () (; 155 – 15 March 220), courtesy name Mengde (), was a Chinese statesman, warlord and poet. He was the penultimate Grand chancellor (China), grand chancellor of the Eastern Han dynasty, and he amassed immense power in the End of ...

restored the position as "imperial chancellor" (丞相) and abolished the Three Excellencies in 208. From then until March 15, 220, the power of chancellor was greater than that of the emperor. Later this often happened when a dynasty became weak, usually some decades before the fall of a dynasty. During the Sui dynasty, the executive officials of the three highest departments of the empire were called "chancellors" (真宰相) together. In the

Tang dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdo ...

, the government was divided into

three departments The Three Departments and Six Ministries () system was the primary administrative structure in imperial China from the Sui dynasty (581–618) to the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). It was also used by Balhae (698–926) and Goryeo (918–1392) a ...

: the Department of State Affairs (尚書省), the Secretariat (中書省), and the Chancellery (門下省). The head of each department was generally referred to as the ''chancellor''. In the

Song dynasty The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the res ...

, the post of chancellor was also known as the "Tongpingzhangshi" (同平章事), in accordance with late-Tang terminology, while the vice-chancellor was known as the ''jijunsi''. Some years later, the post of chancellor was changed to "prime minister" (首相 ''shou xiang'') and the post of vice-chancellor was changed to "second minister" (次相 ''ci xiang''). In the late Southern Song dynasty, the system changed back to the Tang naming conventions. During the Mongol-founded

Yuan dynasty The Yuan dynasty (), officially the Great Yuan (; xng, , , literally "Great Yuan State"), was a Mongols, Mongol-led Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after Division of the M ...

, the chancellor was not the head of the Secretariat, but the

Crown Prince A crown prince or hereditary prince is the heir apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The female form of the title is crown princess, which may refer either to an heiress apparent or, especially in earlier times, to the wife ...

(皇太子) was. After the establishment of the

Ming dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...

, the post became the head of the Zhongshu Sheng again. The post was abolished after the execution of Hu Weiyong, who was accused of treason (though his conviction is still strongly disputed in present times because of a lack of evidence to prove his guilt).
The History of Chancellor of China
'', QQ.com. Still, appointments of the people who held the highest post in the government were called "appointment of prime minister" (拜相) until 1644.

List of chancellors of China

List of chancellors of Shang dynasty

Zhou dynasty

* Jiang Ziya *

Duke of Zhou Dan, Duke Wen of Zhou (), commonly known as the Duke of Zhou (), was a member of the royal family of the early Zhou dynasty who played a major role in consolidating the kingdom established by his elder brother King Wu. He was renowned for acting ...

* Duke Huan of Zheng *

Duke Zhuang of Zheng Duke Zhuang of Zheng (; 757–701 BC) was the third ruler of the State of Zheng during the Spring and Autumn period in ancient China. His ancestral name was Ji (姬), given name Wusheng (寤生), which means "difficult birth" with breech pres ...

* Guan Zhong of Qi state (died in 645 BC) *

Bao Shuya Bao Shuya (; d.644 BC) was a Chinese businessman and politician of the State of Qi under Duke Huan of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period in China. He was a contemporary and friend of Guan Zhong. Though an able administrator in his own right ...

of Qi state * Yan Ying of Qi state * Fan Li of Qi State and Yue state *

Wu Zixu :''Note: names are in simplified characters followed by traditional and Pinyin transliteration.'' Wu Yun (died 484 BC), better known by his courtesy name Zixu, was a Chinese military general and politician of the Wu kingdom in the Spring and Aut ...

of Wu state * Bo Pi of Wu state * Cheng Dechen of Chu state *

Sunshu Ao Sunshu Ao (孫叔敖, c. 630 – c. 593 BCE) was a Chinese hydraulic engineer and politician. He was a court minister serving the administration of King Zhuang of Chu during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. During his governmental career, Sunshu Ao was ...

of Chu state * Wu Qi of Chu state * Lord Chunshen of Chu state *

Lord Mengchang Lord Mengchang (; died 279 BC), born Tian Wen, was an aristocrat and statesman of the Qi Kingdom of ancient China, one of the famed Four Lords of the Warring States period. He was a son of Tian Ying and grandson of King Wei of Qi. He succeeded ...

of Qi state * Tian Dan of Qi state * Li Kui of Wei state * Hui Shi of Wei State * Lin Xiangru of Zhao state * Li Mu of Zhao state * Su Qin of Yan state * Yue Yi of Yan state * Baili Xi of Qin state * Shang Yang of Qin State * Zhang Yi of Qin State

Qin dynasty

* Fan Ju * Lü Buwei (251–238 BCE in office) * Lord Changping * Kui Zhuang * Wang Guan * Li Si (?–208 BCE in office) * Feng Quji *

Zhao Gao Zhao Gao (died 207 BC) was a Chinese politician and calligrapher. He was an official of the Qin dynasty of China. Allegedly a eunuch, he served as a close aide to all three rulers of the Qin dynasty – Qin Shi Huang, Qin Er Shi and Ziying ...

(208–207 BCE in office)

Han dynasty

Xiao He Xiao He (257 BC–193 BC) was a Chinese politician of the early Western Han dynasty. He served Liu Bang (Emperor Gao), the founder of the Han dynasty, during the insurrection against the Qin dynasty, and fought on Liu's side in the Chu–Han ...

(206–193 BCE in office); Chen Xi (197 BCE), over Zhao * Cao Shen (193–190 BCE in office) * Chen Ping (190–179 BCE in office) * Zhou Bo * Guan Ying * Zhou Yafu * Huo Guang * Shi Dan 史丹 (see Emperor Yuan of Han) *

Wang Mang Wang Mang () (c. 45 – 6 October 23 CE), courtesy name Jujun (), was the founder and the only emperor of the short-lived Chinese Xin dynasty. He was originally an official and consort kin of the Han dynasty and later seized the thro ...

* Liu Yan (Bosheng) *

Deng Yu Deng Yu (2–58 CE), courtesy name Zhonghua, was a Chinese statesman and military commander of the early Eastern Han dynasty who was instrumental in Emperor Guangwu's reunification of China. Although acquainted during his childhood with Liu Xiu, ...

(25–27 in office) * Wu Han * Yuan An * Dou Xian * Li Gu *

Liang Ji Liang Ji (梁冀) (died 9 September 159Emperor Huan's biography in ''Book of the Later Han'' recorded that Liang Ji and Sun Shou committed suicide on the ''dingchou'' day of the 8th month of the 2nd year of the ''Yanxi'' era of his reign. This co ...

Dou Wu Dou Wu (; died 25 October 168), courtesy name Youping (), was a Chinese philosopher and politician of the Eastern Han dynasty. He was known as a Confucian scholar and served as a low-level official during the reign of Emperor Huan until his da ...

Chen Fan Chen Fan (90s- 25 October 168), courtesy name Zhongju (), was a Chinese politician of the Eastern Han dynasty. A native of Pingyu, Runan (north of present-day Pingyu County, Henan), Chen served as Grand Commandant () during the reign of Emper ...

Qiao Xuan Qiao Xuan (110 – 6 June 184), courtesy name Gongzu, was an official who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty of China. Family background Qiao Xuan was born in the Eastern Han dynasty during the reign of Emperor An ( 106–125 CE). He wa ...

* Cao Song * Zhang Wen * Liu Yu *

* He Jin * Wang Yun * Ma Midi * Xun Shuang * Huangfu Song * Zhu Jun *

(196-220 in office) *

Cao Pi Cao Pi () ( – 29 June 226), courtesy name Zihuan, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was the second son of Cao Cao, a warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty, but the eldest son ...

Three Kingdoms

Eastern Wu Wu ( Chinese: 吳; pinyin: ''Wú''; Middle Chinese ''ŋuo'' < Eastern Han Chinese: ''ŋuɑ''), known in historiography as Eastern Wu o ...

* Sun Shao (221–225) *

Gu Yong Gu Yong (168 – November or December 243), courtesy name Yuantan, was a minister and the second Imperial Chancellor of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Born in the late Eastern Han dynasty in the Jiangdong ...

(225–243) *

Lu Xun Zhou Shuren (25 September 1881 – 19 October 1936), better known by his pen name Lu Xun (or Lu Sun; ; Wade–Giles: Lu Hsün), was a Chinese writer, essayist, poet, and literary critic. He was a leading figure of modern Chinese literature. W ...

(244–245) *

Bu Zhi Bu Zhi (died June or July 247), courtesy name Zishan, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Originally a scholar of humble background, he became a subordinate of the wa ...

(246–247) *

Zhu Ju Zhu Ju (194–250), courtesy name Zifan, was an official and military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. A son-in-law of Wu's founding emperor Sun Quan, Zhu Ju served briefly as the fifth Imperial Chan ...

(249–250) * Sun Jun (253–256) * Sun Chen (258) * Puyang Xing (262–264) * Zhang Ti (279–280)

Shu Han Han (; 221–263), known in historiography as Shu Han ( ) or Ji Han ( "Junior Han"), or often shortened to Shu (; pinyin: ''shŭ'' < Middle Chinese: ''źjowk'' < Eastern Han Chinese: ''dźok''), was one of the three major states that compet ...

Zhuge Liang Zhuge Liang ( zh, t=諸葛亮 / 诸葛亮) (181 – September 234), courtesy name Kongming, was a Chinese statesman and military strategist. He was chancellor and later regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He is r ...

(221–234) *

Jiang Wan Jiang Wan (180s - November or December 246), courtesy name Gongyan, was a regent and military general of the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Born in the late Eastern Han dynasty, Jiang Wan initially served as a scribe, c ...

Fei Yi Fei Yi (died 16 February 253), courtesy name Wenwei, was a regent and military general of the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Born in the late Eastern Han dynasty, Fei Yi started his career as an attendant to Liu Shan ...

Dong Yun Dong Yun (died December 246), courtesy name Xiuzhao, was a Chinese general and politician of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. His father, Dong He, also served as an official in Shu. Dong Yun was one of four persons ...

Jiang Wei Jiang Wei (202 – 3 March 264), courtesy name Boyue, was a military general of the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Born in Ji County (present-day Gangu County, Gansu), Jiang Wei started his career as a military offic ...

* Dong Jue * Fan Jian * Zhuge Zhan

Cao Wei Wei (Hanzi: 魏; pinyin: ''Wèi'' < Middle Chinese: *''ŋjwei^C'' <

* Jia Xu *

Hua Xin Hua Xin (158 – 30 January 232), courtesy name Ziyu, was a Chinese politician who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of China. He initially served directly under the central government of the Eastern Han dynasty ...

Zhong Yao Zhong Yao (151 – April or May 230), also referred to as Zhong You, courtesy name Yuanchang, was a Chinese calligrapher and politician who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of China. He served in the state of ...

* Wang Lang *

Chen Qun Chen Qun (died 7 February 237), courtesy name Changwen, was a Chinese politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He initiated the Nine-rank system for civil service nomination in Wei. Following the death of th ...

* Dong Zhao *

Cui Lin Cui Lin (died January or February 245), courtesy name Deru, was a Chinese politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was known for his scruples in good governance, judgment of character, and for being the f ...

* Man Chong * Jiang Ji * Cao Shuang *

Sima Yi Sima Yi ( ; 179 CE – 7 September 251 CE), courtesy name Zhongda, was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He formally began his political career in 208 un ...

Gao Rou Gao Rou (174 – October or November 263), courtesy name Wenhui, was a Chinese politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was a younger relative of Gao Gan. He previously served under the warlords Yuan Sha ...

* Wang Ling * Zhuge Dan * Sun Li * Sima Shi *

Sima Zhao Sima Zhao () (211 – 6 September 265), courtesy name Zishang, was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Sima Zhao capably maintained control of Wei, which had been ...

* Sima Fu * Wang Chang * Wang Guan * Deng Ai *

Zhong Hui Zhong Hui (225 – 3 March 264), courtesy name Shiji, was a Chinese calligrapher, essayist, military general, and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was the younger son of Zhang Changpu with Zhong Ya ...

* Sima Yan * Wang Xiang *

Sima Wang Sima Wang (205–271), courtesy name Zichu, was an imperial prince and military general of the Jin dynasty of China. He previously served in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. Life Sima Wang was the second son of Sima Fu b ...

Sui dynasty

* Gao Jiong * Li Delin * Su Wei * Yang Su *

Yang Guang Emperor Yang of Sui (隋煬帝, 569 – 11 April 618), personal name Yang Guang (), alternative name Ying (), Xianbei name Amo (), also known as Emperor Ming of Sui () during the brief reign of his grandson Yang Tong, was the second emperor ...

* Yang Xiu * Yang Zhao * Yang Jian * Xiao Cong * Yuwen Shu * Yu Shiji * Li Yuan * Yuwen Huaji *

Wang Shichong Wang Shichong (; 567– August 621), courtesy name Xingman (行滿), was a Chinese military general, monarch, and politician during the Sui dynasty who deposed Sui's last emperor Yang Tong and briefly ruled as the emperor of a succeeding stat ...

* Li Mi

Tang dynasty

* Li Shimin (618–626 in office) (later

Emperor Taizong of Tang Emperor Taizong of Tang (28January 59810July 649), previously Prince of Qin, personal name Li Shimin, was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649. He is traditionally regarded as a co-founder of the dynasty ...

) * Fang Xuanling (626–648 in office) * Wei Zheng (629–643 in office) * Cen Wenben (unknown, under

) * Cen Changqian (unknown, under Emperor Gaozong of Tang) * Cen Xi (unknown, under Emperor Shang of Tang, Emperor Ruizong of Tang and

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (; 8 September 685 – 3 May 762), personal name Li Longji, was the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty in China, reigning from 712 to 756 CE. His reign of 44 years was the longest during the Tang dynasty. In the ear ...

) *

Fan Lübing Fàn Lübing (范履冰, died March 26, 690) was a Chinese politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as chancellor during the first reign of Emperor Ruizong. He was a member of the elite Fàn family. During Emperor Gaozong's reign It is not k ...

(686–688 in office) *

Di Renjie Di Renjie (630 – November 11, 700), courtesy name Huaiying (懷英), formally Duke Wenhui of Liang (梁文惠公), was a Chinese politician of Tang and Wu Zhou dynasties, twice serving as chancellor during the reign of Wu Zetian. He was one o ...

(691–693, 697–700 in office) *

Yao Chong Yao Chong (; 650 – September 28, 721), né Yao Yuanchong (姚元崇), known 700s–713 by the courtesy name of Yuanzhi (元之), formally Duke Wenxian of Liang (梁文獻公), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty and Wu Zetian's Wu Zhou ...

(698–705, 710–711, 713–716 in office) * Zhang Jiuling (733–736 in office) *

Li Linfu Li Linfu () (died January 3, 753), nickname Genu (), formally the Duke of Jin (), was a Chinese historian, musician, and politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor for 18 years (734–752), during the reign of Emperor Xuanzo ...

(734–752 in office) *

Yang Guozhong Yang Guozhong () (died July 15, 756Volume 218 of ''Zizhi Tongjian'' recorded that Yang was killed on the ''bingshen'' day of the 6th month of the 1st year of the Zhide era of Tang Suzong's reign. This date corresponds to 15 Jul 756 on the Gregori ...

(752–756 in office) * Wang Wei (758–759 in office) * Li Deyu (833–835, 840–846 in office)

Song dynasty

Northern Song

* Fan Zhi (960–964 in office) * Zhao Pu (964–973, 981–983, 988–992 in office) * Kou Zhun (1004–1006, 1017–1021 in office) * Fan Zhongyan (1040–1045 in office) *

Wang Anshi Wang Anshi ; ; December 8, 1021 – May 21, 1086), courtesy name Jiefu (), was a Chinese economist, philosopher, poet, and politician during the Song dynasty. He served as chancellor and attempted major and controversial socioeconomic reforms k ...

(1067-1075, 1076–1077 in office) *

Sima Guang Sima Guang (17 November 1019 – 11 October 1086), courtesy name Junshi, was a Chinese historian, politician, and writer. He was a high-ranking Song dynasty scholar-official who authored the monumental history book ''Zizhi Tongjian''. Sima was ...

(1085–1086 in office) * Fan Chunren (1086– in office) * Fan Chunli (– in office) * Zhang Dun (1094–1100 in office) *

Cai Jing Cai Jing (1047–1126), courtesy name Yuanchang (), was a Chinese calligrapher and politician who lived during the Northern Song dynasty of China. He is also fictionalised as one of the primary antagonists in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four G ...

(1101–1125 in office)

Southern Song

* Li Gang (1127 in office) * Zhang Jun (1135–1137 in office) *

Qin Hui Qin Hui or Qin Kuai (January 17, 1090 – November 18, 1155) was a Chinese politician. He was a Chancellor of the Song dynasty in Chinese history. He was a contemporary of Yue Fei during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Song. Modern historia ...

(1131–1132, 1137–1155 in office) * Han Tuozhou (1194–1207 in office) *

Shi Miyuan Shi Miyuan (; February 23, 1164 – November 27, 1233) was a Chinese politician during the Southern Song Dynasty. He was instrumental in installing Emperor Lizong on the throne, despite the fact that Lizong was not in the line of succession. Unde ...

/Shih Mi-yüan (1207–1233 in office). * Jia Sidao (1259–1275 in office) * Chen Yizhong (1275–1276 in office) * Wen Tianxiang (1275–1278 in office) * Lu Xiufu (1278–1279 in office)

Ming dynasty

Note: after the death of Hu Weiyong, the title of grand chancellor was abolished. The office of the Grand Secretariat assumed the ''de facto'' powers of the chancellery after the reign of the

Hongwu Emperor The Hongwu Emperor (21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398), personal name Zhu Yuanzhang (), courtesy name Guorui (), was the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty of China, reigning from 1368 to 1398. As famine, plagues and peasant revolts ...

. * Li Shanchang (1368–1376) * Hu Weiyong (1376–1380) – The last chancellor of China * Yang Siqi *

Yan Song Yan Song (; 1480–1567), courtesy name Weizhong (惟中), pseudonym Jiexi (介溪), was a Chinese politician and regent of the Ming dynasty. He was notorious for being corrupt and for dominating the Ming government for two decades as Grand Sec ...

(in office 1544–1545) *

Xia Yan Xia Yan is the name of: * Xia Yan (Ming dynasty) (1482–1548), Ming dynasty politician * Xia Yan (playwright) (1900–1995), Chinese playwright, screenwriter and official {{hndis ...

(in office 1546–1547) *

(2nd time in office 1548–1562) * Xu Jie * Gao Gong * Zhang Juzheng (in office 1572–1582) * Zhang Siwei * Shen Shixing * Wang Jiabing * Zhao Zhigao * Wang Xijue * Zhao Zhigao

Qing dynasty

The

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...

bureaucratic hierarchy did not contain a chancellor position. Instead, the duties normally assumed by a chancellor were entrusted to a series of formal and informal institutions, the most prominent of which was the Grand Council. Occasionally, one minister may held enough power in the government that he comes to be identified, figuratively, as the "chancellor". In 1911, the Qing court adopted reforms which, amongst other changes, established the position of

prime minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is ...

. This position existed for less than a year before the Qing government was overthrown.

Premiers after 1911

Gallery

File:Xiao he.jpg,

, chancellor of the

Han dynasty The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by th ...

File:Cao Shen.jpg, Cao Shen, chancellor of the Han dynasty File:Chen Ping, Marquis of Quni.jpg, Chen Ping, chancellor of the Han dynasty File:Huo guang.jpg, Huo Guang, chancellor of the Han dynasty File:蜀汉丞相忠武侯诸葛亮.jpg,

(181–234), chancellor of the

Shu Han Han (; 221–263), known in historiography as Shu Han ( ) or Ji Han ( "Junior Han"), or often shortened to Shu (; pinyin: ''shŭ'' < Middle Chinese: *''źjowk'' < Eastern Han Chinese: *''dźok''), was one of the three major states that compet ...

(221–234) File:魏·太傅司馬懿.jpg,

(179–251), chancellor of the

Cao Wei Wei (Hanzi: 魏; pinyin: ''Wèi'' < Middle Chinese: *''ŋjwei^C'' <

(221–251) File:Yang Su.jpg, Yang Su, chancellor of the Sui dynasty File:Chinese - The Twenty-Four Ministers of the Tang -T'ang- Dynasty Emperor Taizong -T'ai-Tsung- - Walters 3557 - Changsun Wuji.png, Zhangsun Wuji, chancellor of the

File:房玄龄.jpg, Fang Xuanling (579–648), chancellor of the Tang dynasty (626–648) File:杜如晦.jpg, Du Ruhui, chancellor of the Tang dynasty (628–629) File:魏徵.jpg, Wei Zheng, chancellor of the Tang dynasty (629–643) File:狄仁杰.jpg,

, chancellor of the Tang dynasty (691–693, 697–700) File:韩滉画像.jpg, Han Huang (723–787),

painting File:李德裕像.png, Li Deyu, chancellor of the Tang dynasty (833–835, 840–846) File:宋丞相赵普.jpg, Zhao Pu, chancellor of the

(964–973, 981–983, 988–992) File:宋丞相寇莱公准.jpg, Kou Zhun, chancellor of the Song dynasty (1004–1006, 1017–1021) File:Wang Anshi.jpg,

, chancellor of the Song dynasty (1067–1075, 1076–1077) File:宋丞相司马温公光.jpg,

, chancellor of the Song dynasty (1085–1086) File:秦檜.jpg,

, chancellor of the Song dynasty (1131–1132, 1137–1155) File:史彌遠.jpg,

chancellor of the Song dynasty (1207–1233) File:文天祥肖像.jpg, Wen Tianxiang chancellor of the Song dynasty (1275–1278) File:陸秀夫.jpg, Lu Xiufu chancellor of the Song dynasty (1278–1279) File:Yansong2.jpg,

, Grand Secretary of the

File:高拱.jpg, Gao Gong, Grand Secretary of the

File:張居正-清晰版.jpeg, Zhang Juzheng, Grand Secretary of the Ming dynasty (1572–1582)

References

Citations

Sources

* * * {{Chinese Imperial Government Xiang Government of Imperial China Positions of authority

History

List of chancellors of China

List of chancellors of Shang dynasty

Zhou dynasty

Qin dynasty

Han dynasty

Three Kingdoms

Eastern Wu Wu ( Chinese: 吳; pinyin: ''Wú''; Middle Chinese *''ŋuo'' < Eastern Han Chinese: ''*ŋuɑ''), known in historiography as Eastern Wu o ...

Shu Han Han (; 221–263), known in historiography as Shu Han ( ) or Ji Han ( "Junior Han"), or often shortened to Shu (; pinyin: ''shŭ'' < Middle Chinese: *''źjowk'' < Eastern Han Chinese: *''dźok''), was one of the three major states that compet ...

Cao Wei Wei (Hanzi: 魏; pinyin: ''Wèi'' < Middle Chinese: *''ŋjweiC'' <

Sui dynasty

Tang dynasty

Song dynasty

Northern Song

Southern Song

Ming dynasty

Qing dynasty

Premiers after 1911

Gallery

See also

References

Citations

Sources

Eastern Wu Wu ( Chinese: 吳; pinyin: ''Wú''; Middle Chinese ''ŋuo'' < Eastern Han Chinese: ''ŋuɑ''), known in historiography as Eastern Wu o ...

Shu Han Han (; 221–263), known in historiography as Shu Han ( ) or Ji Han ( "Junior Han"), or often shortened to Shu (; pinyin: ''shŭ'' < Middle Chinese: ''źjowk'' < Eastern Han Chinese: ''dźok''), was one of the three major states that compet ...

Cao Wei Wei (Hanzi: 魏; pinyin: ''Wèi'' < Middle Chinese: *''ŋjwei^C'' <