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Xiao He

The foremost meritorious minister of the early Han, who secured the state and soothed the people

Vessels of the Court · Chancellors & Reformers

The Three Heroes of early HanCao carrying on Xiao’s rulesLogistics

Who they are

Xiao He, a fellow Pei native of Liu Bang, ran the rear throughout the uprising. When Liu Bang stormed into Xianyang and the generals scrambled for gold and silk, Xiao He went straight to the chancellor’s office and took the law codes, maps, and archives — with these documents the Han army knew the realm’s households, terrain, and passes intimately. Through four years of the Chu–Han war he held Guanzhong, sending troops and grain to the front without cease; Liu Bang could lose and rise again only because of this supply line. At the ranking of merits Liu Bang placed him first, and when the generals objected he answered with a hunting metaphor: they were the "meritorious hounds" that chased and bit the game, Xiao He the "meritorious man" who pointed and directed. On his deathbed he recommended Cao Can as successor, and Cao Can kept everything as it was — "Cao carrying on Xiao’s rules" became a byword for governance that consolidates rather than changes.

Key stories

Chasing Han Xin by moonlight

Unused in Liu Bang’s army, Han Xin fled. Hearing of it, Xiao He gave chase himself that very night with no time to report. Someone told Liu Bang "the chancellor has fled," and Liu Bang raged as if he had lost his right hand. Two days later Xiao He returned and said he had gone after Han Xin. Liu Bang cursed him: dozens of generals have fled and you chased none, yet you chase one Han Xin? Xiao He answered, "Generals are easy to find, but a man like Han Xin is a peerless talent of the state." So Liu Bang fasted, built an altar, and made Han Xin his supreme commander.

Sullying himself to survive

In his later years, while away suppressing revolts, Liu Bang repeatedly sent messengers to ask "what is the chancellor doing?" A retainer warned Xiao He: your rank is at the summit and you hold the people’s hearts — the emperor is testing you. So Xiao He forced the purchase of people’s land and lent at interest, deliberately ruining his own reputation. When Liu Bang returned, the people blocked the road to accuse the chancellor, and Liu Bang laughed and was at ease. A meritorious minister trading his good name for his ruler’s peace of mind — the cruelty of early Han politics is laid bare in this detail.