The Vice Directors of the Council of State Affairs, the Directors of Military and State Affairs, and the Privy Council's Privy Commissioners were what common folk generally regarded as chancellors—the positions below one man and above ten thousand.
However, because of the Two Offices system, there was never just one chief minister. Who ranked higher and who lower depended on the additional titles they held. It was rather complicated, but those in officialdom could discern the clues from the smallest traces.
For instance, if the Emperor intended to elevate someone into the Council of State Affairs as a chancellor, he would generally arrange a post or position within it for that person beforehand, allowing him to enter early and familiarize himself with its procedures and duties. Once the conditions were right, everything would fall into place naturally.
Still, anyone newly entering the Council of State Affairs without a post such as Director of State Affairs could only be called a prospective chancellor. Cen Bo, the new leader of the New Party, held precisely such a status. He had replaced Wang Fu in entering the Council of State Affairs, but with no suitable position available, he had initially merely listened to proceedings within.
That word "listen" revealed the extent of his authority. He could only listen—he could perceive opportunities before they arose, but he could not deliberate upon affairs, and thus could not directly participate in policymaking. At most, he had the right to offer suggestions when the Emperor asked. Only recently had he gradually gained the right to take part in deliberations.
Such arrangements primarily took seniority and the pace of promotion into account. If matters were not kept steady and balanced, even entering the Council of State Affairs would not enable one to hold real power. Qiu Yan today,