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The Tang government had three senior departments (san-sheng): The Department of State (Shang-shu-sheng), the Imperial Chancellery (Men-hsia-sheng) and the Imperial Secretariat (Chung-shu-sheng). The Department of State was again divided into more specific boards. Those who held positions in any of the three senior departments wielded the most power and influence in the government.

Imperial Chancellery

One responsibility of the Imperial Chancellery was to accept the imperial orders and updates that were provided by the central and provincial governments to the members of the department. It was then the members' job to analyze or look over these updates and orders and afterwards, bring forth any significant information to the Emperor. Another responsibility was to keep hold of the imperial seals.

 

Imperial Secretariat

The Imperial Secretariat was liable for promoting the laws of the country, in addition to storing and maintaining official documents.

 

The Department of State

The Department of State controlled six boards called "liu-pu" through which policies were implemented. The six boards included:

 

The Board of Civil Appointment (li-pu)

Until 736 AD, this board had been given the task of running the government examinations but was later relieved of it. Other duties included supplying the civil service staff with new personnel; sorting through grades; and allocating positions to new officials.

 

The Board of Finance (hu-pu)

The Board of Finance regulated the compilation of taxes. Furthermore, they administered the land, resources, crops (grain) and other commodities.

 

The Board of Rites (li-pu)

The Board of Rites managed the acceptance of foreign representatives as well as religious issues. Later, in 736 AD, the undertaking of the government exams was transferred from the Board of Civil Appointment to the Board of Rites.

 

The Board of War (ping-pu)

The Board of War resided over military services, equipment and issues. They were also responsible for overseeing military troops and promoting old, or appointing new, officers. Any foreigners that lived in conquered lands were put under this board's control.

 

The Board of Punishments (hsing-pu)

The Board of Punishments made certain that justice was served to those who were victims of crimes by issuing proper punishments to criminals.

 

The Board of Works (kung-pu)

The Board of Works maintained the condition of the Empire (mainly state buildings and other similar projects). Forms of transportation and irrigation were also among the projects taken on by the Board of Works.

The senior officials often met with other statesmen as Congress in the United States today. Daily meetings were held to discussed policies and issues. All topics and resolutions were later addressed to the emperor. If the emperor approved, the results would be carried out.

The Censorate (Yü-shih-t'ai)

The Censorate was divided into three parts lead by one main official and two associates. The Censorate was an independent entity with a mission to inspect and prevent any unjust acts by government officials. Its success and power allowed for a more stable government with the purge of unworthy administrators.

The first branch was a general issues office consisting of six members (censors). These members were in charge of impeaching any official who committed any injustice. The second division was a palace affairs office consisting of nine members (censors). Any issue or process that dealt with the palace was put into the hands of this office. In addition to this, they examined palace procedures.

The third branch was an inspection office consisting of fifteen members (censors). They kept a close watch on the actions and work of the officials and reported them if anything was found wrong. The censors would travel to the province of the official in question to evaluate their work.