The Xi’an government is an absolute monarchy, headed by an Emperor and supported by a High Council of three advisers. The advisors are responsible for maintaining the Xi’an Service (Pō’t.ōngp.ū), each branch of which is overseen by another Council of Three. Below the family of the Emperor are the Houses: state-corporations run by and made up of vast, interconnected families. Each House oversees a single aspect of society or production, approved of or dictated by the Emperor. The current Emperor, the last heir of the House of Kr.ē, has reigned since 2643.