The Three Lords and Nine Ministers system was a central administrative system adopted in ancient China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

 that was officially instituted in Qin Dynasty

Qin Dynasty

The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...

 (221 BC - 206 BC) and was replaced by the Three Departments and Six Ministries

Three Departments and Six Ministries

The Three Departments and Six Ministries system was the main central administrative system adopted in ancient China. The system first took shape after the Western Han Dynasty , was officially instituted in Sui Dynasty , and matured during Tang Dynasty...

 system since Sui Dynasty

Sui Dynasty

The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....

 (589-618 AD).

Three Lords referred to three highest rank officials in the imperial government, namely,

• the Chancellor
  Chancellor of China
  The Chancellor , variously translated as Prime Minister, Chancellor of State, Premier or Chief Councillor, was a generic name given to the highest-ranking official in the imperial government in ancient China...
  
   (Chengxiang),
• the Imperial Secretary (Yushidaifu),
• the Grand Commandant (Taiwei).

Nine Ministers

Nine Ministers

The Nine Ministers was the collective name for nine high officials in the imperial government of the Han Dynasty , who each headed a specialized ministry and were subordinates to the Three Councillors of State...

comprised all the ministers of importance in the central government. They were:

• the Minister of Ceremonies (Taichang),
• the Supervisor of Attendants (Guangluxun),
• the Commandant of Guards (Weiwei),
• the Minister of Coachman (Taipu),
• the Commandant of Justice (Tingwei),
• the Grand Herald (Dahonglu),
• the Director of the Imperial Clan (Zongzheng),
• the Grand Minister of Agriculture (Dashinong),
• the Small Treasurer (Shaofu).