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What jobs were handled by the nine Han ministers of state?

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Map showing the Han Empire's territory around 100 BCE, shaded in orange, covering much of eastern China and extending westward. The map also marks the boundary of modern China and highlights the Great Wall running along the northern frontier, built for protection against the Huns. Major rivers and the capital, Chang'an (Xi'an), are labeled. — Han dynasty Map showing the extent of the Han empire c. 100 bce.

In the government of the Han dynasty, the nine ministers of state were responsible for managing specialized administrative functions to support the empire. Their duties included:

Overseeing religious cults12
Managing the security of the palace12
Adjudicating criminal cases12
Conducting diplomatic relations with foreign leaders12
Handling the collection and distribution of state revenue12

These ministers operated within the "Outer Court" and were supported by departments staffed by directors and subordinates. To prevent any single official from accumulating excessive power, the Han government often duplicated functions; for instance, financial responsibilities were split between the Department of Agriculture and Revenue and the Privy Treasury. While these nine ministers held significant roles, they were subordinate to the emperor’s highest advisers, which included the chancellor, the imperial counselor, and occasionally the commander in chief.12