Xiao He
Seized Qin's laws and records, held Guanzhong, and drew up the Han legal code.
Life
Seizing the Maps and Registers
Xiao He had been a chief clerk in Pei County and was from Liu Bang's hometown. When Liu Bang entered Xianyang and his generals scrambled for gold and silk, Xiao He alone collected the laws, statutes, maps and registers of the Qin chancellor's office, giving the Han army knowledge of the empire's population, terrain and strategic points.
Holding Guanzhong
During the four or five years of the Chu–Han Contention, Xiao He stayed behind to hold Guanzhong, pacifying the people and sending a steady stream of recruits and grain to the front; each time Liu Bang suffered a crushing defeat, it was Xiao He who replenished his troops. He also strongly recommended Han Xin, the source of the tale of "chasing Han Xin by moonlight."
Cao follows Xiao's rules
After the Han dynasty was founded, Xiao He was ranked first in merit, became chancellor and drew up the Nine-Chapter Code on the basis of Qin law. In his later years, to avoid suspicion, he deliberately forced people to sell him their farmland to tarnish his own name, and he conspired with Empress Lü to kill Han Xin. His successor as chancellor, Cao Can, kept all his institutions intact, known to history as "Cao follows Xiao's rules."
Legacy
Xiao He is regarded as the model of a chancellor devoted to governing and administration, and "Cao follows Xiao's rules" became a byword for institutional continuity.
Major works & achievements
- Secured the Qin statutes, maps and registers
- Drew up the Nine-Chapter Code
- Built the Weiyang Palace in Chang'an
Did you know? The saying "Xiao He made him, and Xiao He undid him" sums up both his recommendation of Han Xin and his role in Han Xin's execution.
Key dates
- 209 BCERose in arms with Liu Bang
- 206 BCEEntered Xianyang and seized Qin's laws and records; strongly recommended Han Xin
- 205 BCEStayed behind in Guanzhong to supply the front
- 201 BCERanked first in merit; became chancellor
- 196 BCEHelped Empress Lü execute Han Xin
- 193 BCEDied; succeeded by Cao Can