The business of the royal court served as the occupation of city elites. The oba ran the kingdom with the existence of three cabinet members or lords. Anyone who wants to speak to the oba addressed one of the lord to gain permission. They served as the oba’s go-between because no person spoke directly to the king. The lords had specific authority over commoners, slaves, military affairs, and agricultural business. The three lords appointed governors over the country who remained subject to the oba. Power is vested in the King and his three lords. The first of the three lords is the governor of Benin. The other serve as lesser governors and in each province has its own particular government, all of which depend on these three chief governors who “without their consent they dare not act.” As mentioned, outside of the capital city of Benin. The majority of Benin citizens lived in rural villages as subsistence farmers. Each village had a chief and council of elders who served as the local authority. Once a year each of the villages sent representatives carrying yams, kola nuts, and other food items to give to the Oba as tribute.