Holy Terra, High Lords Council.
The Imperium, consisting of over a million habitable planets and countless functional planets, is so vast that the Department of Justice simply doesn't bother with events like dozens of planets and billions of residents being destroyed.
Under the constant threat and attack from innumerable alien species and traitorous forces, the Imperium's borders are continuously expanding and contracting in a prolonged interstellar war. The daily governance of the Imperium belongs to the High Lords of Holy Terra, a group of 'senile old men' (who are actually the most cunning of individuals) who basically don't care about anyone or anything, and half the time don't even know what they're doing.
The High Lords of Terra are the highest authority governing the Imperium of Man, located at the heart of the Imperium, on Holy Terra. This body is composed of the most powerful individuals in the Imperium, representing different mighty organizations. They are responsible for maintaining the Imperium's operation, coordinating interstellar wars, managing administrative affairs, and coordinating with other powerful factions (such as the Adeptus Mechanicus). Nominally, they are the Emperor's agents, directly serving the will of The Emperor of Mankind, even though The Emperor of Mankind has been 'monarch offline' on the Golden Throne for ten millennia.
The High Lords Council typically consists of 12 High Lords, but the exact number can sometimes fluctuate, and there may even be rotations of important members. These Lords come from the most influential institutions and organizations within the Imperium, including military, religious, judicial, and economic sectors.
It includes nine permanent seats and three non-permanent seats.
"The Master of the Adeptus Administratum"
"The Ecclesiarch of the Adeptus Ministorum"
"The Fabricator-General of the Adeptus Mechanicus"
"The Minister of the Department of Justice of the Adeptus Arbites"
"The Paternoval Envoy of the Navigators"
"The Master of the Astronomican"
"The Grand Master of the Officio Assassinorum"
"The Master of the Adeptus Astra Telepathica"
"The Inquisitorial Representative of the Inquisition"
The three non-permanent seats are chosen from among the most powerful leaders of various Imperial factions:
"Lord Commander of the Segmentum Solar"
"Astra Militarum General Commander of the Astra Militarum"
"Lord High Admiral of the Imperial Navy"
"Cardinal(s) of the Holy Synod of Terra"
"Abbess Sanctorum of the Adepta Sororitas"
"Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes"
"Chancellor of the Estate Imperium"
"Speaker for the Chartist Captains"
Although the High Lords Council nominally executes the will of The Emperor of Mankind, it actually possesses supreme power, and its decisions have a profound impact on every level of the Imperium.
The Council is responsible for formulating Imperial policy, especially when dealing with major threats such as Chaos, Xenos, and internal rebellions. The Council's decisions can determine the future of the entire Imperium of Man. The Council is also responsible for appointing important military and political positions, including Planetary Governors and sector Commanders.
Although the High Lords Council is the highest authority in the Imperium, its internal affairs are rife with political intrigue, conflicts of interest, and power struggles. Each High Lord represents a different faction and organization, and their interests often conflict.
This leads to extremely complex decision-making within the Council, where any major decision requires lengthy negotiations and compromises. The relationships between the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Ecclesiarchy, the Inquisition, and the Imperial Army are particularly delicate, often leading to conflicts over resource allocation, strategic directives, and other issues.
Although the High Lords control the actual governance of the Imperium, they must still remain loyal to the will of The Emperor of Mankind. Although The Emperor of Mankind has been silent on the Golden Throne for millennia, his existence is the foundation of the Imperium's stability.
The legitimacy of the High Lords Council comes from the authorization of The Emperor of Mankind. Any act of betrayal against The Emperor of Mankind will be considered Heretics and severely punished by the Imperial Inquisition and other loyal forces.
However, all of this is based on the premise that The Emperor of Mankind can do nothing… If one looks at the nine permanent seats of the Imperium's High Lords Council, it can be observed that they are almost all 'civilian groups'.
Li Feng discovered that the current administrative system of the Imperium of Man is very similar to the situation during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, with elements of the 'one lineage for ten thousand generations' from Sakura Island.
The Wanli Emperor didn't want to work, but The Emperor of Mankind couldn't work. Almost all power in the Imperium is in the hands of civil officials. If it weren't for the Imperial Cult, which worships The Emperor of Mankind, forming the Core of the Imperium, it would be questionable whether the Imperium would even bear the 'Imperial' name.
Li Feng came to a very good conclusion: the religion most hated by The Emperor of Mankind and the book of sacred words ironically saved the foundation of his rule. In other words, Lorgar, the chief of the traitors, 'saved the nation through indirect means' in a sense.
Originally, everything was so wonderful. For these ten thousand years, The Emperor of Mankind didn't work, leaving everything to the 'Elder Cabinet members,' and the Imperium continued 'as usual.' However, a decade ago, the Adeptus Custodes, who had always been transparent, brought an edict and production blueprints out of the Imperial Palace.
"Star Chain Project"
Custodes Marshal Trajann, holding the plan and blueprints, walked into the High Lords Council and read out the edict of The Emperor of Mankind. It commanded them to fully cooperate with the "Star Chain Project" to improve the administrative efficiency of the Imperium.
The transmission of that plan was signed with The Emperor of Mankind's seal and an official title and name they had never heard of.
"Secretary of the Imperial Palace: Empress Li (Imperial Palace Secretary-General: Sanguinius Li)"
Immediately, a sense of crisis permeated the entire High Lords Council. A power beyond their control and restraint reached out from within the palace walls.
Subsequently, this Secretary-General demanded that major decisions of the High Lords Council, once a result was reached, be sent to the Imperial Palace for the 'vermilion approval' of The Emperor of Mankind himself and the Secretary-General.
At this point, the High Lords felt something was wrong; their power began to be usurped by this Secretary-General. It wasn't until the Battle of Phalanx, when Li Feng staged 'four crossings of Frax, becoming a god in one battle,' that they understood why the Adeptus Custodes and the Living Saint sought this man.
"friend of the emperor"
And when Li Feng returned to Terra Spaceport, although the Adeptus Custodes cleared out the onlookers, there are no secrets that can be kept forever. They also saw for the first time who this legendary 'Secretary-General' truly was.
A stunning red-haired woman, and even more terrifying was... that Li Feng, the 'friend of the emperor,' clearly had an unclear relationship with this woman, and the name on the signature explained everything.
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