 Governmental institutions in China conformed to a similar pattern for some two thousand years , but each dynasty installed special offices and bureaus , reflecting its own particular interests . The Ming administration utilized Grand Secretaries to assist the emperor , handling paperwork under the reign of the Yongle Emperor and later appointed as top officials of agencies and Grand Preceptor , a top @-@ ranking , non @-@ functional civil service post , under the Hongxi Emperor ( ruled 1424 – 25 ) . The Grand Secretariat drew its members from the Hanlin Academy and were considered part of the imperial authority , not the ministerial one ( hence being at odds with both the emperor and ministers at times ) . The Secretariat operated as a coordinating agency , whereas the Six Ministries – Personnel , Revenue , Rites , War , Justice , and Public Works – were direct administrative organs of the state : 
