The secretaries were responsible for transmitting all written messages to the emperor, official correspondence with Excellencies, high-ranking ministers, provincial authorities, ordinary people presenting monuments to the throne, and non-Han Chinese peoples inside and outside the empire. [118] Since the Masters of Scripture were not eunuchs and were therefore not allowed to enter the imperial harem, Emperor Wu established an all-eunuch secretariat for the inner palace, which was abolished in 29 BC. [119] The Minister of the Guardians (Weiwei 衛尉) was also known as commander of the guard and briefly as prefect of the Great Palaces (Zhong da fuling 中大夫令) during the reign of Emperor Jing of Han (r. 157-141 BC) before returning to the original title. This minister was responsible for securing and patrolling the walls, towers and gates of imperial palaces. [83] The functions of his ministry were carried out by prefects, one of whom controlled the doors where candidates for office were received and officials sent monuments to the throne. [84] To control and monitor the flow of traffic through the palace gates, the prefects used a complex pass system with wooden and metal counts. In an emergency, the meters were gathered and no one was allowed to enter unless they forced through the doors. [85] The guards were enlisted peasants who served as soldiers for a year and were invited to a party organized by the emperor before demobilization.
[86] “Soon after, the whole government received the form it had until after Christ.