• 大臣だいじん — minister (of state)
• 家臣かしん — retainer, vassal
• 忠臣ちゅうしん — loyal retainer
• 重臣じゅうしん — senior statesman
• 臣民しんみん — subjects of the emperor
• 近臣きんしん — close vassal

This pictographic kanji originally represented an eye watching attentively — later adapted to mean someone who observes and serves. It evolved to represent a loyal subject or minister who serves a ruler, and appears frequently in historical or governmental terms.

大臣だいじんが 会見かいけんを開ひらきました。
The minister held a press conference.

その忠臣ちゅうしんは 命いのちを捧ささげました。
The loyal retainer gave his life.

家臣かしんたちは 城しろを守まもっていました。
The retainers defended the castle.

🎧 “シン” and “ジン” are both used in compound words depending on the word structure. There is no commonly used kun-yomi today.