Thousand Scales
The Ministries of the Thousand Scales form the Imperial Bureaucracy of the Realm. They run the day-to-day functions of the Realm ranging from collecting taxes to publishing the debates of the Deliberative.
The bureaucrats of the Ministries are almost entirely mortal Dynasts and patricians, with only the highest ranks home to the Exalted. Positions are filled and new clerks recruited through a system of comprehensive examinations held annually in the Imperial City.
There are well over a hundred divisions within the ministries and some of them are quite small and others are mundane (tracking standardized weights and measures). However, there are some ministers and ministries that are powerful enough to help shape policy in the Realm... though this power has seen them come under political attack from Great Houses displeased to see possible rivals within the Realm’s structure.
The most important ministries are the Assessors, who collect the Realm's taxes; the Imperial Treasury, which decides how that money will be spent; and the Foreign Office, which advised the Empress (and now the Regent) on foreign policy. Recently, following the Empress' disappearance, these three ministries successfully pushed for the removal of the Magistrates from oversight over the Thousand Scales, but they have been loosing power to the Great Houses as time passes.
Technically, the Imperial Legions were part of the Thousand Scales, until the ministers transferred them to care of the Great Houses.
Departments and Ministries of the Thousand Scales
Humble And Honest Assessors Of The Imperial Tax
Wise and Knowledgeable Advisors of Foreign Tributaries
Bureau of Climatic Deliberations
Honorable and Humble Caretakers of the Common Folk
--- Devoted Wellspring of Municipal Beneficence
--- Eternally Vigilant Wardens of Detritus
--- Imperial Census
--- Benevolent Stewards of Health and Utility
--- Determined Brigades Firm against Blazing Conflagration
--- Keepers of Records and Notable Events
Infallible Conveyors of Official Messages and Heartfelt Expressions (Imperial Post)
Imperial Ministry of Jade Management and Mountain Folk Relations
Incorruptible Observers of Geomantic Harmony
Ever-Flowing Office of Foreign Acquisitions
Meticulous Administrators of Accredited Concurrences and Mercantile Contracts
Ministry of the Imperial Gardens
Office of the Divine Elemental Essence
Office of the Imperial Overseer of Airships
Principled Upholders of Perfected Mandates
Righteous and Accountable Ministry of Weights and Measures
Righteous and Perfect Examiners of Illicit Scents {Jade Sniffers}
Right and Responsible Office of Official Education
Splendid and Just Arbiters of Purpose
Wardens of the Blessed Journey
--- Wardens of the Broad and Twisting Journey
--- Wardens of the High and Winding Journey
--- Wardens of the True and Turning Journey
--- Wardens of the Wide and Steady Journey
--- Wardens of the Strong and Flowing Journey
--- Secretariat of Minor Charms and Baubles
Azure Department for the Smooth and Harmonious Transport of Materials
Chamber of Florid and Fluid Masters of Pen and Brush {the Imperial Registry} (dispersed)
--- Infallible Arbitrators of the Imperial Way (dispersed)
Enlightened Regulators of Essence Engineering (dissolved)
Immovable Gatekeepers of the Ancient Paths (dissolved)
Ministry of Scrupulous Observance of History (dissolved)
Efficient and Exemplary Manciples of the Martial Table (dispersed)
Subtle and Skillful Sentries of the Generous Purse (all contact lost)
Imperial Legions (dispersed)