Xiao He (蕭何) | 24 Histories

Overview

Xiao He was a Chancellor.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Posthumous name	Marquis Wenzhong	文終侯	Wénzhōng Hóu

Life and dates

Death

BC 193 二年秋七月辛未
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 32
BC 193 孝惠二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 48, passage 126; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 109
BC 193 惠帝二年
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 271; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 88
BC 193 蕭何薨，參聞之，告舍人趣治行，「吾且入相。」
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 48, passage 271

Age

old at time of release from fetters
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 113; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 97
old when released from imprisonment
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 113

Attested activity

late Qin
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 1-2, 6-7
BC 201 漢六年正月
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passages 168, 173
BC 193 death and succession
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 48, passage 224
BC 209 to BC 193 late Qin through Emperor Hui
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 48, passage 1
BC 193 二年秋七月辛未
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 32
BC 206 to BC 193 亦有蕭、張之謀
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 22

Show 49 more source-backed claims

BC 206 to BC 193 今之管、蕭
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 113, passage 73
BC 206 to BC 193 令言自此蕭何
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 131, passage 24
BC 200 以乙室拔裏比蕭相國
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 71, passage 15
BC 201 六年中
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 34
BC 206 to BC 193 制詞比之蕭何
Strongly inferred · History of Ming 127, passage 54
BC 196 十一年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 91, passages 100, 113
BC 193 孝惠二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 109
BC 205 從東擊項籍
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 93, passage 69
BC 193 惠帝二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 88
BC 197 擊代
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 259
BC 200 故當其有事也，非蕭、曹…
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 99, passage 70
BC 206 to BC 193 故相國蕭何
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 6, passage 51; Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 9
BC 206 to BC 193 昔蕭何舉宗從漢
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 84, passage 209
BC 201 to BC 197 是時蕭何為相國
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passages 17-18
BC 204 漢三年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 22-23, 25
BC 205 漢二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 17
BC 202 漢五年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 26, 28
c. BC 206 to BC 193 漢初
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 60, passage 39
BC 206 to BC 193 漢初
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 222; Book of Later Han 39, passage 265; Draft History of Qing 301, passage 172
BC 206 to BC 193 漢初
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 51, passage 17
BC 209 to BC 193 漢初
Strongly inferred · History of Jin 78, passage 30
BC 206 to BC 195 漢初
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 142, passage 10
BC 206 to BC 193 漢初（史臣譬喻蕭何）
Strongly inferred · Book of Chen 11, passage 169
BC 206 to BC 193 漢初相國
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 11, passage 253
BC 196 漢十一年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 60-62
BC 195 漢十二年秋
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 71-72
BC 209 to BC 193 漢庭蕭
Directly stated · History of Song 141, passage 30
BC 206 to BC 193 漢有蕭、曹之佐
Strongly inferred · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 164
BC 209 to BC 193 漢相蕭何
Directly stated · Book of Jin 41, passage 298
BC 200 漢興
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 25, passage 105
BC 202 to BC 195 漢興之初
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 101, passage 2
BC 221 to BC 209 秦時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 2
BC 209 to BC 193 萧何佐汉
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 89, passage 329
BC 206 to BC 193 蕭 (Han founding minister in the edict's comparison)
Strongly inferred · Book of Chen 2, passage 71
BC 206 to BC 193 蕭、曹與高祖
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 41, passage 211
BC 206 to BC 193 蕭
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 166
BC 206 to BC 196 蕭何、曹參、韓信
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 101
BC 206 to BC 193 蕭何
Strongly inferred · Book of Jin 101, passage 260
BC 206 to BC 193 蕭何
Directly stated · Book of Zhou 26, passage 70
BC 206 to BC 193 蕭何（漢初）
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 173, passage 173
BC 206 to BC 193 蕭何定法令
Strongly inferred · Book of Jin 128, passage 78
BC 209 to BC 193 蕭何指縱
Directly stated · History of Song 256, passage 212
BC 206 to BC 193 蕭何舉族以從軍
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 170
BC 206 to BC 196 蕭何舉韓信
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 30, passage 233
BC 206 to BC 193 蕭曹以來
Dated from the passage context · Book of Southern Qi 16, passage 16
BC 206 to BC 193 邁蕭、曹
Strongly inferred · Book of Southern Qi 4, passage 67
BC 206 to BC 195 高帝時
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 85, passages 80-81, 84
BC 206 高祖在漢中，謂蕭何
Directly stated · History of Song 359, passage 36
BC 206 to BC 193 魏、晉無假蕭、曹之佐
Strongly inferred · Book of Zhou 23, passage 152

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Ancestor of Xi (係)
grandson 孫 · paternal line · 2 generations
grandson 孫 · 2 generations
Directly stated · Book of Han 6, passage 51; Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 9
Ancestor of Xiao Qing (蕭慶)
great-grandson 曾孫 · paternal line · 3 generations
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 138
Ancestor of Xiao Jianshi (蕭建世)
great-great-grandson 玄孫 · paternal line · 4 generations
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 141
Ancestor of Father of Xiao Xi
great-great-grandson 玄孫 · paternal line · 4 generations
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 143
Parent of Child of Xiao He (蕭何子)
child 子
father 父
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 9; Book of Han 6, passage 51
Ancestor of Marquis of Zan (酇侯)
descendant 後 · paternal line
Directly stated · Book of Han 11, passage 253
Child of Father of Xiao He
father 父
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 69; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 58
Child of Mother of Xiao He
mother 母
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 69
Parent of Xiao Lu (蕭祿)
son 子
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 127
Spouse of Lady Tong (同)
wife 夫人
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 128
Parent of Xiao Yan (蕭延)
younger son 小子
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 128

Kinship Role father, sons, and brothers enfeoffed · Count 11 · more than ten
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 58
Kinship Role sons, grandsons, and brothers able to bear arms · Count 2 · ; exact count unspecified in source
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 24-25
Kinship Role clan members who followed Gaozu · Count 20 · several dozen
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 39
Kinship Role descendants who lost the marquisate · Count 4 · four generations
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 110
Kinship Role clan members who followed Emperor Gaozu · Quantity several dozen
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 51
Kinship Role clan members · Quantity unspecified · brought his whole clan to join the army
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 170

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Kinship Role parents and brothers enfeoffed · Quantity more than ten
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 69
Kinship Role sons, grandsons, and brothers able to bear arms · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 37

Key source chapters

Book of Han, Chapter 48 Volume 39: Xiao He and Cao Shen 89 passages
Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 53 House of Chancellor Xiao 68 passages
Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 55 House of Marquis of Liu 3 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 1 Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 1 12 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 2 Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 2 9 passages

Career and standing

chief clerk 主吏
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 146; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 2
clerk handling documents and law 刀筆吏
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 2; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 2, 111
document clerk 刀筆吏
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 2, 259
Han chancellor 漢相
Directly stated · Book of Jin 41, passage 298
Chancellor 丞相
BC 206 when Lord of Pei became King of Han · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 48, passage 26; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 11
Chancellor of State 相國
BC 197 擊代 · Appointed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 259

Show 29 more source-backed claims

Prime Minister 相國
BC 196 漢十一年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 48, passage 75; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 62
Chancellor 丞相
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 26
Clerk of Sishui 泗水卒史
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 7
Minister of State 相國
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 75
Chancellor 相國
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 32; Book of Han 6, passage 51; Book of Han 11, passage 253; Book of Han 25, passage 159; Book of Han 85, passage 81; Records of the Grand Historian 11, passage 9; Records of the Grand Historian 91, passage 113
chief clerk of Pei 沛主吏掾
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 2; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 2
Chief Clerk of Pei 沛主吏掾
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 2
clerk of Sishui 泗水卒史
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 7; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 7
Deputy of the Lord of Pei 丞
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 9
deputy to the Lord of Pei 丞
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 9; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 9
Prime Minister 相國
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 18
chief clerk 主吏
Directly stated · Book of Han 1, passages 16, 531
enfeoffed with Zhang Liang and other great ministers 與蕭何等俱封
BC 201 漢六年正月 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 173
Marquis of Zan 酂侯
BC 202 漢五年 · Enfeoffed
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 48, passage 40; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 28
Marquis of Zan 酇侯
Enfeoffed · Households 8000
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 40
Marquis of Zan 酇侯
Fief increased · Households 2000
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 70
Minister of State 相國
Fief increased · Households 5000
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 75
Prime Minister fief increase 益封五千戶
BC 196 漢十一年 · Increased · Amount five thousand households 五千戶
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 48, passage 75; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 62
Marquis of Zan 酂侯
BC 202 漢五年 · Increased · Amount two thousand households 二千戶
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 48, passage 70; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 59
Received
Reason for fixing statutes
Directly stated · Book of Jin 128, passage 78
posthumous title Marquis Wenzhong 謚為文終侯
BC 193 孝惠二年 · Granted
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 48, passage 126; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 109
Marquis Wenzhong 文終侯
Granted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 126
permitted to wear sword and shoes in the audience hall and not hurry at court 帶劍履上殿，入朝不趨
Granted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 66
wear sword and shoes in the audience hall; not hasten at court 帶劍履上殿，入朝不趨
Granted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 66; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 54
Marquis of Zan 酂侯
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 40; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 28
Marquis Wenzhong 文終侯
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 60, passage 39
Held
First in merit ranking among ministers
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 64, 66; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 52, 54
handed to Commandant of Justice and shackled 下相國廷尉，械繫之
Imprisonment · Entered
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 100; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 86
pardoned and released 赦出相國
Pardon · Received
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 112; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 96

Places and affiliations

BC 197 擊代
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 259
Han 漢
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 26, 75; Book of Han 85, passage 81; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 11, 62; History of Song 141, passage 30
Qin 秦
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 2, 6; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 2, 6, 111
Western Han 漢
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 101, passage 2
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 26, 75; Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 170; Draft History of Qing 142, passage 10; Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 164; Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 22; Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 173; Records of the Grand Historian 96, passages 18, 34; New Book of Tang 84, passage 209; New Book of Tang 140, passage 212
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 166; Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 101

Show 9 more source-backed claims

Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 2, 7
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 222; Book of Chen 2, passage 71; Book of Later Han 30, passage 233; Book of Later Han 39, passage 265; Draft History of Qing 301, passage 172; Records of the Grand Historian 60, passage 39; New Book of Tang 173, passage 173
Polity Western Han 西漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 11, passage 253; Book of Jin 41, passage 298
At Feng in Pei 沛豐
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 1
At Pei 沛
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 1
At Guanzhong 關中 · Relation Governed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 30, 34
At Guanzhong 關中 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 222; Book of Han 48, passages 30, 34; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 17, 21
At Yueyang 櫟陽 · Relation Governed from
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 30; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 17
At Zan 酂 · Relation Enfeoffed at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 60, passage 39

Works and attributed material

蕭何次律令
Directly stated · Book of Han 2, passage 364
Nine Chapters 九章
Relation Compiler
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 142, passage 10
Nine-Chapter Statutes 律九章
Relation Compiler
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 159
biography of Han Xin 信傳
Relation Cross referenced for plan
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 28, 74
Book of Han biography 漢書蕭何傳
Relation Subject of
Directly stated · Book of Jin 101, passage 260
Family instruction · Speaker · About Person Id Xiao He (蕭何) · Mode quotation Speaker Xiao He (蕭何)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 124-125

Show 5 more source-backed claims

Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠帝) · About Person Id Cao Shen (曹參) · Mode quotation Speaker Xiao He (蕭何)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 119, 121-122
Petition · Author · Addressed to Liu Bang (劉邦) · Mode reported-document
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 98
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Liu Bang (劉邦) · Mode quotation Speaker Xiao He (蕭何)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 18, 20-24
Speech · Addressee · Mode quotation Source Work Unknown
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 73-78
Speech · Addressee · Mode quotation
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 86-92

Events and relationships

Advised
Political · Advisor · With Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 22
Asked that people be allowed to cultivate unused land in Shanglin Park
Administrative · Petitioner
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 98
Bought land and engaged in disreputable transactions to damage his reputation and calm imperial suspicion
Political · Subject
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 86, 93
Bought land cheaply to appear corrupt and allay suspicion
BC 195 漢十二年秋 · Political · Subject
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 77, 79
Bought land in remote poor places and did not build substantial walls
Personal · Landowner
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 123, 125
Brought his clan to join the army
Military · Exemplar
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 170

Show 50 more source-backed claims

Brought whole clan to follow Han
BC 206 to BC 193 昔蕭何舉宗從漢 · Loyalty · Follower
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 84, passage 209
Cited as model or warning
AD 544 大統十年 · Political · Exemplar · Mode document Source Person Id Su Chuo (蘇綽)
Directly stated · Book of Zhou 23, passage 152
Declined increased fief and donated wealth to the army
BC 196 漢十一年 · Political · Subject
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 69-70
Declined the increased fief and donated family wealth to the army to allay suspicion
Political · Subject
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 79, 83
Devised plan used to execute Marquis of Huaiyin
BC 196 漢十一年 · Political · Planner · With Han Xin (韓信)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 61
Devised the plan Empress Lü used to execute Han Xin
BC 196 陳豨反 · Political · Planner · With Han Xin (韓信), Empress Lü (呂后)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 72-73
Directed strategy
BC 209 to BC 193 蕭何指縱 · Political · Strategist
Directly stated · History of Song 256, passage 212
Endorsed Cao Shen as successor
Political · Recommender · With Cao Shen (曹參)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 103-105
Endorsed Cao Shen as the only acceptable successor
Political · Recommender · With Cao Shen (曹參)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 118, 122
Entered the passes without plundering and collected maps and registers
Historical allusion
Directly stated · History of Jin 78, passage 30
Expanded to nine chapters
Legal · Compiler
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 142, passage 10
Fixed statutes
Legal · Author
Directly stated · Book of Jin 128, passage 78
Governed Guanzhong from Yueyang, attended the crown prince, founded institutions, and supplied troops
BC 205 漢二年 · Administrative · Guardian · At Guanzhong 關中
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 30-34
Guarded Guanzhong and attended the crown prince
BC 205 漢二年 · Military logistics · Guardian of Guanzhong · At Guanzhong 關中
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 17
Guarded
Administration · Guardian · At Guanzhong 關中
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 222
Helped Han to peace
Political · Minister
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 140, passage 212
Imprisoned in fetters then pardoned
BC 195 漢十二年 · Legal · Defendant
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 86, 96
Pacified Ba and Shu and supplied the army with provisions
Military logistics · Chancellor · At Ba and Shu 巴蜀
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 29
Persuaded the King of Han to accept Hanzhong, cultivate talent, and later recover the Three Qin
Political · Advisor · With Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 18, 24
Posted clerks to record faults
Administrative · Minister
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 89, passage 329
Raised Han Xin without reexamination
Administrative · Recommender · With Han Xin (韓信)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 30, passage 233
Ranked first in merit and received the largest fief after the Han victory
BC 202 漢五年 · Political · Merit claimant
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 39-40, 64, 66
Ranked first while handling Sishui clerk business and declined recruitment by the Qin censor
Administrative · Candidate
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 6-8
Recommended Han Xin for appointment as grand general
Political · Recommender · With Han Xin (韓信)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 27
Secured Ba and Shu and supplied the army
Military logistics · Chancellor · At Ba and Shu 巴蜀
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 16
Secured Qin laws maps and registers at Xianyang
Administrative · Archivist · At Xianyang 咸陽
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 10, 13
Secured Qin laws, decrees, maps, and registers at Xianyang
Administrative · Archivist · At Xianyang 咸陽
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 10-11
Sent armed sons, grandsons, and brothers to the front to allay the king's suspicion
BC 204 漢三年 · Political · Subject
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 35, 38
Sent kinsmen to the front to allay suspicion
BC 204 漢三年 · Political · Advisor
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 23-25
Used his office repeatedly to shield Liu Bang
Administrative · Protector · With Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 3-4
Was denounced by thousands for forcibly buying commoners' land and homes
Legal · Accused
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 94, 97
Was handed to the Commandant of Justice, shackled, and later pardoned
Legal · Prisoner
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 100, 112
Relation Employed by · Person Emperor Gaozu of Han (高祖) · Function civil administration
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 105
Relation Advisor of · Person Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 25, passage 22
Relation Protected · Person Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 3-4
Relation Served · Person Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 3, 26
Relation Patron of · Person Han Xin (韓信)
Directly stated · Book of Han 101, passage 130; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 14
Relation Recommended · Person Han Xin (韓信)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 27
Relation Recommender of · Person Han Xin (韓信)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 30, passage 233
Relation Enfeoffed together with · Person Zhang Liang (張良)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 173
Relation Chancellor pair with · Person Cao Shen (曹參)
Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 164
Relation Recommended as successor · Person Cao Shen (曹參)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 120, 122, 225
Relation Recommended · Person Cao Shen (曹參)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 99
Relation Rival of · Person Cao Shen (曹參)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 101
Relation Compared with · Person Shentu Jia (申屠嘉)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 166
Relation Advised by · Person Zhao Ping (召平)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 79, 82; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 66, 70
Relation Advised by · Person Bao Sheng (鮑生)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 36-37; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 23, 25
Relation Recommended by · Person E Qianqiu (鄂千秋)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 55, 64
Relation Old friend of · Person Emperor Gao (高帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 180
Relation Recommended by · Person E Jun (鄂君)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 43, 56

Assessments and attributes

Assessment began as an undistinguished Qin clerk but became one of the defining ministers of his age · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 259, 262
Assessment brought an age of unity and calm and left an example for a hundred generations · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Emperor Huai (懷帝)
Directly stated · Book of Jin 41, passage 298
merit comparable to Xiao of the Han court 功比漢庭蕭
Assessment court-pillar-merit-exemplar · Mode embedded-song-lyric
Directly stated · History of Song 141, passage 30
Assessment exemplar of loyal bond compared to Zhaoda and Emperor Wen · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Chen 11, passage 169
Assessment exemplary minister whose absence is lamented · Mode quotation Speaker Wei Chuhou (韋處厚)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 173, passage 173
Assessment greatest merit among ministers; ranked first · Mode named-speaker Speaker Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 28, 37, 52-53

Show 17 more source-backed claims

Assessment had the greatest merit and deserved first place among the ministers · Mode named-speaker Speaker Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 40, 64
Assessment held as upright contrast to greedy Northern Qi ministers · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 222
Assessment his achievement was that of the hunter who directs the chase rather than the hounds who catch the quarry · Mode named-speaker Speaker Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 47, 49
Assessment mediocre Qin clerk without extraordinary conduct before Han rise · Mode historian-judgment Speaker Sima Qian (司馬遷)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 111
Assessment merit of the hunter who points the way, not of the hunting dog · Mode named-speaker Speaker Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 35-37
Assessment merit shone after rivals were destroyed; fame rivals Hong Yao and San Yisheng · Mode historian-judgment Speaker Sima Qian (司馬遷)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 113-114
Assessment named as a standard of worthiness alongside Cao Shen and Han Xin · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Zhao Tuo (尉他)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 101
Assessment preserved Guanzhong and supplied the emperor in repeated crises, an achievement lasting ten thousand generations · Mode named-speaker Speaker E Qianqiu (鄂千秋)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 57, 64
Assessment received chief merit without fighting; cited as comparison for Fu Heng · Mode named-source-report Speaker The Emperor (上)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 301, passage 172
Assessment standard of frontier merit in the edict's comparison · Mode named-source-report Speaker the Founder (高祖)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 2, passage 71
Assessment ten-thousand-generation merit preserving Guanzhong · Mode named-speaker Speaker E Jun (鄂君)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 48, 51-52
Assessment Zhao Pu's merit scarcely exceeded Xiao He's direction of strategy · Mode edict Source Person Id Emperor Zhenzong of Song (真宗)
Directly stated · History of Song 256, passage 212
deferential, careful, and frugal; bought remote land and left his walls unrepaired
Character
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 113, 123, 125
frugal; chose poor dwelling places and did not repair walls
Character
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passages 106-108
Item personal guard of five hundred soldiers under a commandant 卒五百人一都尉為相國衛 · Relation Assigned
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 75; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 62
Item private family wealth 家私財 · Relation Donated to army
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 82
Item Qin laws, decrees, maps, and registers 秦丞相御史律令圖書 · Relation Secured
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 10-11; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 10

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Chen 2, passage 71; Book of Later Han 39, passage 265; Book of Southern Qi 16, passage 16; Draft History of Qing 301, passage 159; Records of the Grand Historian 55, passage 173; Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 18; Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 101; History of Song 141, passage 30; History of Song 256, passage 212; New Book of Tang 84, passage 209; New Book of Tang 173, passage 173
His descendant line was continued at Zan by imperial favor recalled in this memorial
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 60, passage 39

References in the histories

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History

251 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 18Volume 18 Biographies 10: Sun Teng; Gao Longzhi; Sima Ziru · 2 passages

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昔蕭何之鎮關中，荀彧之居許下，不亦異於是乎！ Long ago Xiao He guarded Guanzhong and Xun Yu held Xudu — were they not utterly unlike this?

贊曰：閎、散胥附，蕭、曹扶翼。 The encomium says: Hongyao and San Yisheng gathered round in support; Xiao He and Cao Shen lent their aid.

Book of Chen, Chapter 2Volume 2: Emperor Wu 2 · 1 passage

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散騎常侍、使持節、都督會稽等十郡諸軍事、宣毅將軍、會稽太守長城縣侯蒨，學尚清優，神宇凝正，文參禮樂，武定妖氛，心力謀猷，為家治國，擁旄作守，期月有成，辟彼關河，[9]功踰蕭、寇，萑蒲之盜，自反耕農，篁竹之豪，用稟聲朔。 Scattered-cavalry palace attendant, bearer of the staff, commander-in-chief of Kuaiji and ten commanderies, general who proclaims martial valor, and Kuaiji administrator Marquis Qian of Changcheng—his learning is pure and refined, his bearing grave and correct. In civil affairs he upholds ritual and music; in war he quells rebellion. With heart and stratagem he has ordered home and state alike. As territorial defender, within a month he brought order. On the frontier passes [9] his merit outdid Xiao He and Kou Xun; marsh bandits returned to the plow; mountain lords accepted Our calendar.

Book of Chen, Chapter 11Volume 11: Huang Faqu; Chunyu Liang; Zhang Zhaoda · 1 passage

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昭達與世祖鄉壤惟舊，義等鄧、蕭，世祖纂曆，委任隆重，至於戰勝攻取，累平寇難，斯亦良臣良將，一代之吳、耿矣。 Zhaoda and Emperor Wen were old friends from the same country; their bond was like that of Deng Yu and Xiao He. When Wen took the throne he gave Zhaoda great trust; in battle and siege he again and again crushed rebellion—a worthy minister and general, a Wu Han and Geng Yan for his age.

Book of Han, Chapter 1Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 1 · 12 passages

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蕭何為主吏，主進，令諸大夫曰：「進不滿千錢，坐之堂下。」 Xiao He served as chief clerk and was in charge of receiving guests. He instructed the other officials: "Those who present less than one thousand cash should be seated below the hall."

蕭何曰：「劉季固多大言，少成事。」 Xiao He said: "Liu Ji certainly talks big but accomplishes little."

掾、主吏蕭何、曹參曰：「君為秦吏，今欲背之，帥沛子弟，恐不聽。 The assistants and chief clerks Xiao He and Cao Shen said, "You are an official of Qin. If you now turn against it and try to lead the young men of Pei, we fear they will not obey.

沛令後悔，恐其有變，乃閉城城守，欲誅蕭、曹。 The magistrate of Pei later regretted it and feared there would be trouble, so he closed the city gates and defended, wanting to execute Xiao and Cao.

蕭、曹恐，踰城保高祖。 Xiao and Cao were afraid, so they climbed over the wall to join Emperor Gaozu.

蕭、曹等皆文吏，自愛，恐事不就，後秦種族其家，盡讓高祖。 Xiao, Cao, and the others were all civil officials who cherished themselves. They feared that if things didn't succeed, Qin would exterminate their families, so they all yielded to Emperor Gaozu.

於是少年豪吏如蕭、曹、樊噲等皆為收沛子弟，得三千人。 So the young brave officials like Xiao, Cao, Fan Kuai, and others all recruited young men from Pei and gathered three thousand.

蕭何盡收秦丞相府圖籍文書。 Xiao He collected all the maps, registers, documents, and writings from the office of the Qin chancellor.

漢王怨羽之背約，欲攻之，丞相蕭何諫，乃止。 King Han resented Xiang Yu for breaking the agreement and wanted to attack him. Chancellor Xiao He advised against it, so he stopped.

韓信為治粟都尉，亦亡去，蕭何追還之，因薦於漢王，曰：「 Han Xin was Commandant for Grain Supply, but he too deserted. Xiao He pursued him, brought him back, and then recommended him to the King of Han, saying: "

留蕭何收巴蜀租，給軍食。 He left Xiao He to collect taxes from Ba and Shu to supply the army's provisions.

五月，漢王屯滎陽，蕭何發關中老弱未傅者悉詣軍。 In the fifth month, the King of Han encamped at Xingyang. Xiao He called up all the old and weak men in Guanzhong who had not yet been registered for service and sent them to the army.

Book of Han, Chapter 2Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 2 · 9 passages

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填國家，撫百姓，給餉餽，不絕糧道，吾不如蕭何； Filling the state treasury, comforting the people, providing supplies without interruption, maintaining the grain routes - I am not equal to Xiao He.

蕭何治未央宮，立東闕、北闕、前殿、武庫、大倉。 Xiao He had constructed the Weiyang Palace, establishing the eastern gate, northern gate, front hall, armory, and great granary.

上見其壯麗，甚怒，謂何曰：「天下匈匈，勞苦數歲，成敗未可知，是何治宮室過度也！」 The emperor saw its grandeur and was greatly angered. He said to Xiao He: "The world is in turmoil, we have labored bitterly for several years, and success or failure is not yet known. Why have you constructed palace buildings to such excess!"

何曰：「天下方未定，故可因以就宮室。 He said: "The world is not yet settled, so it is suitable to take advantage of this to complete the palace rooms.

燕王綰、相國何等三十三人皆曰：「子恆賢知溫良，請立以為代王，都晉陽。」 King Wan of Yan, Chancellor Xiao He, and thirty-three others all said: "The son Heng is worthy, wise, gentle, and kind. Please establish him as King of Dai, with his capital at Jinyang."

御史大夫昌下相國，相國酇侯下諸侯王，御史中執法下郡守，其有意稱明德者，必身勸，為之駕，遣詣相國府，署行、義、年。 The Censor-in-Chief Chang shall transmit this to the Chancellor, the Chancellor, Marquis of Zan, shall transmit it to the feudal kings, and the Palace Assistant Imperial Clerk shall transmit it to the commandery governors. Those who know men of manifest virtue must personally encourage them, prepare carriages for them, send them to the Chancellor's office, and register their conduct, righteousness, and age.

燕王綰、相國何等請立子恢為梁王，子友為淮陽王。 King Yan Wan, prime minister He and others requested establishing son Hui as King of Liang, son You as King of Huaiyang.

呂后問曰：「陛下百歲後，蕭相國既死，誰令代之？」 Empress Lü asked: "After Your Majesty reaches a hundred years, when Chancellor Xiao dies, who should replace him?"

天下既定，命蕭何次律令，韓信申軍法，張蒼定章程，叔孫通制禮儀，陸賈造新語。 After the world was settled, he commanded Xiao He to arrange the statutes and commands, Han Xin to explain military law, Zhang Cang to establish procedures, Shusun Tong to create rituals and ceremonies, Lu Jia to compose new discourses.

Book of Han, Chapter 3Volume 2: Annals of Emperor Hui · 1 passage

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秋七月辛未，相國何薨。 In autumn, seventh month, on the day xinwei, Chancellor He passed away.

Book of Han, Chapter 6Volume 5: Annals of Emperor Jing · 1 passage

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封故相國蕭何孫係為列侯。 He enfeoffed Xi, grandson of the former Chancellor Xiao He, as a marquis.

Book of Han, Chapter 11Volume 10: Annals of Emperor Cheng · 1 passage

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封蕭相國後喜為酇侯。 Xi, a descendant of Chancellor Xiao He, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Zan.

Book of Han, Chapter 25Volume 23: Treatise on Punishment and Law · 3 passages

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任蕭、曹之文，用良、平之謀，騁陸、酈之辯，明叔孫通之儀，文武相配，大略舉焉。 Gaozu employed Xiao He and Cao Shen in civil administration, used Zhang Liang and Chen Ping for strategy, gave free rein to Lu Jia and Li Yiji in persuasion, and established Shusun Tong’s ceremonial system; civil and military complemented each other, and the broad program was realized.

其後四夷未附，兵革未息，三章之法不足以禦姦，於是相國蕭何雳摭秦法，取其宜於時者，作律九章。 As security pressures rose, Han expanded from minimal law to Xiao He's Nine-Chapter code.

蕭、曹為相，填以無為，從民之欲，而不擾亂，是以衣食滋殖，刑罰用稀。 Under Huang-Lao style minimal interference, economic recovery accelerated and penal severity declined.

Book of Han, Chapter 48Volume 39: Xiao He and Cao Shen · 89 passages

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蕭何，沛人也。 Xiao He came from Pei.

高祖為布衣時，數以吏事護高祖。 While Liu Bang was still a commoner, Xiao He more than once used his office to shield him from trouble.

高祖為亭長，常佑之。 After Liu Bang became a village head, Xiao He habitually looked out for him.

高祖以吏繇咸陽，吏皆送奉錢三，何獨以五。 When Liu Bang, as a conscripted clerk, went to Xianyang for corvée duty, his colleagues each gave him three hundred cash for the road; Xiao He alone gave five hundred.

何乃給泗水卒史事，第一。 He was posted as a clerk in the Sishui commandery office and placed first in the assessment.

秦御史欲入言徵何，何固請，得毋行。 The censor meant to recommend him to the court for appointment, but Xiao He held firm and was spared from having to go.

及高祖起為沛公，何嘗為丞督事。 When Liu Bang was proclaimed Duke of Pei, Xiao He served as his assistant magistrate in charge of administration.

沛公至咸陽，諸將皆爭走金帛財物之府分之，何獨先入收秦丞相御史律令圖書臧之。 When the Duke of Pei entered Xianyang, his generals rushed to loot the treasuries; Xiao He alone went straight to the archives and secured the Qin government’s statutes, ordinances, maps, and registers.

沛公具知天下阨塞，戶口多少，彊弱處，民所疾苦者，以何得秦圖書也。 Liu Bang knew the lie of the land—its defiles, population, relative strength, and the people’s grievances—only because Xiao He had preserved the Qin maps and records.

周勃、灌嬰、樊噲皆勸之，何諫之曰：「雖王漢中之惡，不猶愈於死乎？」 Zhou Bo, Guan Ying, and Fan Kuai urged him to fight, but Xiao He objected: “Even Hanzhong is preferable to annihilation.”

漢王曰：「何為乃死也？」 The King of Han asked, “What makes you say that would mean our death?”

何曰：「今眾弗如，百戰百敗，不死何為？ Xiao He replied, “Our forces cannot match his. Fight a hundred times and you lose a hundred times—what then but death?

乃遂就國，以何為丞相。 He went to his new domain and appointed Xiao He chancellor.

何進韓信，漢王以為大將軍，說漢王令引兵東定三秦。 Xiao He recommended Han Xin, whom the King of Han named grand general. Han Xin then persuaded the king to let him lead the army east and conquer the Three Qin.

何以丞相留收巴蜀，填撫諭告，使給軍食。 As chancellor, Xiao He stayed behind to consolidate Ba and Shu, keep order, issue instructions, and provision the army.

漢二年，漢王與諸侯擊楚，何守關中，侍太子，治櫟陽。 In the second Han year, while the King of Han campaigned against Chu with the allied lords, Xiao He held Guanzhong, attended the heir apparent, and ran the government from Liyang.

計戶轉漕給軍，漢王數失軍遯去，何常興關中卒，輒補缺。 He levied taxes by household, ran the grain barges, and kept the armies fed; each time the King of Han’s host was shattered and he fled, Xiao He raised fresh levies in Guanzhong to replace the losses.

上以此剸屬任何關中事。 The Sovereign therefore left the entire administration of Guanzhong in Xiao He’s hands.

漢三年，與項羽相距京、索間，上數使使勞苦丞相。 In the third Han year, locked with Xiang Yu between Jing and Suo, the Sovereign repeatedly sent messengers to console his weary chancellor.

鮑生謂何曰：「今王暴衣露蓋，數勞苦君者，有疑君心。 Bao Sheng warned Xiao He, “The King endures hardship in the field yet keeps sending messengers to inquire after you—he is testing your loyalty.

於是何從其計，漢王大說。 Xiao He did so, and the King of Han was delighted.

上以何功最盛，先封為酇侯，食邑八千戶。 The Sovereign judged Xiao He’s service supreme and first enfeoffed him as Marquis of Zan with eight thousand households.

今蕭何未有汗馬之勞，徒持文墨議論，不戰，顧居臣等上，何也？」 Xiao He never rode a charge or drew a bow; he only shuffled documents. How can he rank above us?”

至如蕭何，發縱指示，功人也。 Xiao He tracked the game and gave the signal—that is the hunter’s share.

蕭何舉宗數十人皆隨我，功不可忘也！」 Xiao He brought his entire clan, dozens of kinsmen, into my service. Never forget that debt!”

上已橈功臣多封何，至位次未有以復難之，然心欲何第一。 The emperor had already overruled the meritorious ministers to give Xiao He the larger fief. He had no further argument when it came to precedence, though he still wanted Xiao He ranked first.

夫上與楚相距五歲，失軍亡眾，跳身遯者數矣，然蕭何常從關中遣軍補其處。 For five years the Sovereign grappled with Chu, again and again shattered and fleeing alone, while Xiao He repeatedly refilled his ranks from Guanzhong.

非上所詔令召，而數萬眾會上乏絕者數矣。 Without waiting for an edict, Xiao He repeatedly assembled tens of thousands of men just when the emperor's forces were depleted.

夫漢與楚相守滎陽數年，軍無見糧，蕭何轉漕關中，給食不乏。 Years at Xingyang without grain in camp—yet Xiao He’s barges from Guanzhong never let the men go hungry.

陛下雖數亡山東，蕭何常全關中待陛下，此萬世功也。 You lost Shandong again and again, but Xiao He kept Guanzhong whole for your return—that is merit for the ages.

今雖無曹參等百數，何缺於漢？ Had we lacked a hundred men like Cao Shen, would the dynasty have suffered?

柰何欲以一旦之功而加萬世之功哉！ How can you rank a day’s fight above a lifetime’s stewardship?

蕭何當第一，曹參次之。」 Xiao He must be first; Cao Shen second.”

於是乃令何第一，賜帶劍履上殿，入朝不趨。 He ranked Xiao He first, allowed him to wear sword and shoes in the audience hall, and waived the rule that he must trot into court.

上曰：「吾聞進賢受上賞，蕭何功雖高，待鄂君乃得明。」 He added, “They say recommending talent wins the highest reward. Xiao He’s greatness needed Lord E’s voice to be recognized.”

是日，悉封何父母兄弟十餘人，皆食邑。 That same day he granted fiefs to more than ten members of Xiao He's family, including his parents and brothers.

乃益封何二千戶，「以嘗繇咸陽時何送我獨贏錢二也」。 He added two thousand households to Xiao He’s fief, “for the time when, bound for corvée at Xianyang, he alone gave me two hundred cash more than the others.”

呂后用何計誅信。 Empress Lü used Xiao He’s stratagem to put Han Xin to death.

上已聞誅信，使使拜丞相為相國，益封五千戶，令卒五百人一都尉為相國衛。 Learning of Han Xin's death, he promoted Xiao He to minister of state, added five thousand households to his fief, and assigned him a guard of five hundred soldiers under a commandant.

平謂何曰：「禍自此始矣。 Zhao Ping told Xiao He, “Your troubles start here.

何從其計，上說。 Xiao He obeyed, and the Sovereign was pleased.

其秋，黥布反，上自將擊之，數使使問相國何為。 That autumn Qing Bu rebelled; the Sovereign took the field against him and kept sending messengers to ask what Minister of State Xiao He was doing.

客又說何曰：「君滅族不久矣。 Another adviser warned him, “You are courting extermination for your whole line.

夫君位為相國，功第一，不可復加。 You are minister of state and already first in merit—there is nowhere higher to climb.

於是何從其計，上乃大說。 Xiao He followed the advice, and the Sovereign was greatly relieved.

上罷布軍歸，民道遮行，上書言相國彊賤買民田宅數千人。 On the way home from the Qing Bu campaign, commoners mobbed the road with petitions accusing Minister of State Xiao He of bullying thousands of families into selling land and houses for a pittance.

上至，何謁。 When the Sovereign reached the capital, Xiao He came to audience.

上笑曰：「今相國乃利民！」 The Sovereign laughed and said, “So my minister of state has been fleecing the people for their own good!”

民所上書皆以與何，曰：「君自謝民。」 He handed Xiao He the sheaf of petitions and told him, “You may apologize to them yourself.”

後何為民請曰：「長安地狹，上林中多空地，棄，願令民得入田，毋收稿為獸食。」 Later Xiao He pleaded for the people: “Chang’an is crowded, while the Shanglin hunting park lies largely empty; let commoners till those fields, and do not collect the straw as fodder for the beasts.”

上大怒曰：「相國多受賈人財物，為請吾苑！」 The Sovereign exploded: “The minister of state has been bribed by merchants to beg for my hunting preserve!”

乃下何廷尉，械繫之。 He had Xiao He clapped in fetters and handed to the commandant of justice.

數日，王衛尉侍，前問曰：「相國胡大罪，陛下繫之暴也？」 A few days later Commandant Wang of the palace guard, on duty at court, stepped forward: “What grave offense could warrant clapping the minister of state in irons like a common criminal?”

上曰：「吾聞李斯相秦皇帝，有善歸主，有惡自予。 The Sovereign said, “They say Li Si, as Qin’s chancellor, credited the throne with every success and himself with every failure;

今相國多受賈豎金，為請吾苑，以自媚於民。 Now my minister of state is said to have taken merchants’ gold to beg my hunting park—plainly to buy popularity.

陛下柰何乃疑相國受賈人錢乎！ How can you imagine he lined his pockets from shopkeepers?

且陛下距楚數歲，陳豨、黥布反時，陛下自將往，當是時相國守關中，關中搖足則關西非陛下有也。 For years you faced Chu in the field; when Chen Xi and Qing Bu rose, you marched yourself—while the minister of state held Guanzhong. Had that heartland wavered, nothing west of the passes would still be yours.

相國不以此時為利，乃利賈人之金乎？ If he meant to profit from crisis, he had his chance then—would he wait to scrape cash from peddlers?

且秦以不聞其過亡天下，夫李斯之分過，又何足法哉！ Qin lost the empire because its ruler never heard of his faults. Why imitate Li Si’s practice of assuming blame for his sovereign?

陛下何疑宰相之淺也！」 You misjudge your chancellor badly.”

是日，使使持節赦出何。 That same day he sent an envoy with imperial credentials to free Xiao He.

何年老，素恭謹，徒跣入謝。 Old and habitually deferential, Xiao He came barefoot to beg forgiveness.

上曰：「相國休矣！ “Enough, minister of state,” said the Sovereign.

相國為民請吾苑不許，我不過為桀紂主，而相國為賢相。 Had I refused your plea for the people, I would have ranked with Jie and Zhou, while you stood as the good minister.

吾故繫相國，欲令百姓聞吾過。」 I jailed you so the realm would hear of my mistake.”

高祖崩，何事惠帝。 After Gaozu’s death Xiao He served Emperor Hui.

何病，上親自臨視何疾，因問曰：「君即百歲後，誰可代君？」 When Xiao He fell ill, the Sovereign came to his bedside and asked, “When you are gone, who can take your place?”

帝曰：「曹參何如？」 “What of Cao Shen?” asked the Emperor.

何頓首曰：「帝得之矣。 Xiao He kowtowed. “Your Majesty has chosen well.

何死不恨矣！」 I may die content.”

何買田宅必居窮辟處，為家不治垣屋。 Whenever Xiao He bought land or houses, he picked poor, unfashionable neighborhoods and left his walls and roofs unrenovated.

孝惠二年，何薨，諡曰文終侯。 In the second year of Emperor Hui’s reign Xiao He died; his posthumous title was Marquis Wenzhong.

高后乃封何夫人同為酇侯，小子延為筑陽侯。 Empress Lü thereupon made Xiao He’s widow Tong Marquis of Zan and his younger son Yan Marquis of Zhuyang.

景帝二年，制詔御史：「故相國蕭何，高皇帝大功臣，所與為天下也。 In Emperor Jing’s second year the throne ordered the censor: “Xiao He, late minister of state, was a pillar of the August Emperor’s rise; with him the founder won the realm.

其以武陽縣戶二千封何孫嘉為列侯。」 We therefore create his grandson Jia a ranked marquis with two thousand households at Wuyang.”

武帝元狩中，復下詔御史：「以酇戶二千四百封何曾孫慶為酇侯，布告天下，令明知朕報蕭相國德也。」 Under Emperor Wu, in the Yuanshou period, another edict ran: “With twenty-four hundred households at Zan We enfeoff Xiao He’s great-grandson Qing as Marquis of Zan and publish this so the world knows We honor the house of Minister Xiao.”

宣帝時，詔丞相御史求問蕭相國後在者，得玄孫建世等十二人，復下詔以酇戶二千封建世為酇侯。 Emperor Xuan ordered the chancellor and censor to locate any surviving descendants of Minister Xiao; twelve men were found, among them Jianshi, whom the court again enfeoffed at Zan with two thousand households.

成帝時，復封何玄孫之子南讀長喜為酇侯。 Under Emperor Cheng, Xi, a sixth-generation descendant of Xiao He and chief of Nanluan, was again named Marquis of Zan.

秦時為獄掾，而蕭何為主吏，居縣為豪吏矣。 Under the Qin he served as jail clerk while Xiao He was chief clerk; together they ranked as the county’s foremost officers.

蕭何薨，參聞之，告舍人趣治行，「吾且入相。」 When Xiao He died, Cao Shen heard of it and told his house attendants to hurry and prepare for the journey: "I am about to enter the chancellorship."

始參微時，與蕭何善，及為宰相，有隙。 In obscurity Cao Shen had been close to Xiao He; once both held the chancellorship they fell out.

至何且死，所推賢唯參。 Yet on his deathbed Xiao He’s sole recommendation was Cao Shen.

參代何為相國，舉事無所變更，壹遵何之約束。 Cao Shen succeeded Xiao He and altered nothing—he enforced Xiao He’s rules to the letter.

參曰：「陛下觀參孰與蕭何賢？」 “And how do I measure against Xiao He?” asked Cao Shen.

且高皇帝與蕭何定天下，法令既明具，陛下垂拱，參等守職，遵而勿失，不亦可乎？」 The Late Emperor and Xiao He set the laws in clear order. Your Majesty has only to fold your hands on the throne; we ministers need only hold the line without blunder—is that not enough?”

百姓歌之曰：「蕭何爲法，講若畫一； The people sang of him, saying, "When Xiao He made the laws, they were uniform as if drawn with one stroke;

贊曰：蕭何、曹參皆起秦刀筆吏，當時錄錄未有奇節。 The summation runs: Xiao He and Cao Shen began as humble Qin clerks, undistinguished men who had yet shown no extraordinary distinction.

漢興，依日月之末光，何以信謹守管籥，參與韓信俱征伐。 When the Han rose, they caught the founder's reflected glory: Xiao He faithfully guarded the state's keys while Cao Shen campaigned with Han Xin.

淮陰、黥布等已滅，唯何、參擅功名，位冠群臣，聲施後世，為一代之宗臣，慶流曲裔，盛矣哉！ With the Marquis of Huaiyin, Qing Bu, and the others gone, only Xiao He and Cao Shen towered above the ministers. Their names endured as the great ministers of their age, and their good fortune reached even collateral descendants. How splendid!

Book of Han, Chapter 51Volume 42: Zhang, Zhou, Zhao, Ren and Shentu · 4 passages

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是時，蕭何為相國，而蒼乃自秦時為柱下御史，明習天下圖書計籍，又善用算律曆，故令蒼以列侯居相府，領主郡國上計者。 Xiao He was chancellor at the time, and Zhang Cang—who had been a pillar-clerk recorder under the Qin—knew the empire's maps, archives, and tax rolls inside out and was adept at calculation, law, and the calendar. The court therefore had him, still a full marquis, take quarters in the chancellor's compound and supervise the officials who received the year-end reports from every commandery and kingdom.

六年，與蕭、曹等俱封，為汾陰侯。 In the sixth year he was enfeoffed along with Xiao He, Cao Shen, and the rest, as marquis of Fenyin.

昌為人強力，敢直言，自蕭、曹等皆卑下之。 Zhou Chang was blunt and fearless; even Xiao He and Cao Shen treated him with deference.

申屠嘉可謂剛毅守節，然無術學，殆與蕭、曹、陳平異矣。 Shentu Jia was resolute and held fast to principle, but he lacked the strategic breadth of learning that set Xiao He, Cao Shen, and Chen Ping apart.

Book of Han, Chapter 85Volume 74: Wei Xiang and Bing Ji · 2 passages

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相國臣何、御史大夫臣昌謹與將軍臣陵、太子太傅臣通等議：『春夏秋冬天子所服，當法天地之數，中得人和。 Chancellor Xiao He and Imperial Clerk Zhou Chang respectfully deliberated with General Wang Ling, Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent Shusun Tong, and others: The Son of Heaven’s clothing for spring, summer, autumn, and winter should model the numbers of Heaven and earth and attain the mean of human harmony.

近觀漢相，高祖開基，蕭、曹為冠，孝宣中興，丙、魏有聲。 Among Han chancellors, Xiao He and Cao Shen stood first at the founding; under Emperor Xuan’s restoration Bing Ji and Wei Xiang won lasting fame.

Book of Han, Chapter 99Volume 87b: Yang Xiong 2 · 5 passages

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故當其有事也，非蕭、曹、子房、平、勃、樊、霍則不能安； When trouble came, only Xiao He, Cao Shen, Zhang Liang, Chen Ping, Zhou Bo, Fan Kuai, and Huo Guang could set it right.

《甫刑》靡敝，秦法酷烈，聖漢權制，而蕭何造律，宜也。 The old "Fu punishments" had decayed, Qin’s code was savage; sagely Han needed a measured code, and Xiao He framed the statutes—that was appropriate.

故有造蕭何律於唐、虞之世，則悖矣； Had someone drafted Xiao He’s Han code in the age of Yao and Shun, it would have been absurd.

夫蕭規曹隨，留侯畫策，陳平出奇，功若泰山，向若□隤，唯其人之贍知哉，亦會其時之可為也。 Xiao He drew the blueprint, Cao Shen kept to it; Zhang Liang plotted, Chen Ping surprised—merit steady as Taishan, effect like an avalanche. Credit their genius, yes, but credit the age that let them act.

仲尼之後，訖於漢道，德行顏、閔、股肱蕭、曹，□及名將尊卑之條，稱述品藻。 From Confucius down to Han times—Yan Hui and Min Ziqian for virtue, Xiao He and Cao Shen as arms of state, and the ranking of celebrated generals—each is weighed and characterized.

Book of Han, Chapter 101Volume 89: Upright Officials · 2 passages

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漢興之初，反秦之敝，與民休息，凡事簡易，禁罔疏闊，而相國蕭、曹以寬厚清靜為天下帥，民作「畫一」之歌。 In the early Han, the court reversed the abuses of Qin and let the people recover. Government was simple, prohibitions were few, and the law's net was loosely cast. Chancellors Xiao He and Cao Shen made lenience, generosity, and quiet administration the model for the realm, and the people composed the song "Uniformity."

韓信雖奇，賴蕭公而後信。 Han Xin was a prodigy, yet he won trust only after Xiao He backed him.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 30Volume 27: Biographies of Xuan, Zang, Two Wangs, Du, Guo, Wu, Cheng, Zheng, Zhao · 1 passage

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夫薦賢助國，宰相之職，蕭何舉韓信，設壇而拜，不復考試。 Recommending talent is the chancellor's work: Xiao He raised Han Xin to general on a single ceremony, with no further examination.'

Book of Later Han, Chapter 39Volume 34: Biography of Liang Tong · 1 passage

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於是有司奏冀入朝不趨，斂履上殿，謁贊不名，禮儀比蕭何，悉以定陶、成陽餘戶增封為四縣，比鄧禹，賞賜金錢、奴婢、采帛、車馬、衣服、甲第，比霍光，以殊元勛。 Offices proposed that Liang Ji need not hasten at audience, might enter with shoes tied and go unnamed in obeisance—rites like Xiao He's; that Dingtao and Chengyang surplus households be added for four counties like Deng Yu's; and gifts of gold, slaves, silks, horses, carriages, clothes, and mansions like Huo Guang's—to mark singular founding merit.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 89Volume 80a: Biographies of Writers 1 · 1 passage

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萧何佐汉，乃设书过之吏。 Xiao He serving Han assigned clerks to write down missteps.

History of Jin, Chapter 78Volume 78 Biographies 16: Liu Yanzong and His Sons E and Kuo; Kuo's Son Zhonghui; Liu Yi; Shi Liai; Han Qixian and His Son Duo · 1 passage

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明年，再伐宋，已圍汴京，彥宗謂宗翰、宗望曰：「蕭何入關，秋毫無犯，惟收圖籍。 The following year they invaded Song again. With Bianjing already under siege, Yanzong told Zonghan and Zongwang: "When Xiao He entered the passes he took nothing from the people—only the archives.

Book of Jin, Chapter 41Volume 41 Biographies 11: Wei Shu; Li Xi; Liu Shi; Gao Guang · 1 passage

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三年，詔曰：「昔虞任五臣，致垂拱之化，漢相蕭何，興寧一之譽，故能光隆於當時，垂裕於百代。 In the third year an edict declared, "Ancient Shun ruled through five ministers and achieved the government of folded hands; Han's chancellor Xiao He brought an age of unity and calm—thus they shone in their own day and left an example for a hundred generations.

Book of Jin, Chapter 101Volume 101 Records 1: Liu Yuanhai and Liu Xuan · 1 passage

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每讀《漢書》，至《蕭何》、《鄧禹傳》，未曾不反覆詠之，曰：「大丈夫若遭二祖，終不令二公獨擅美於前矣。」 Reading the Book of Han chapters on Xiao He and Deng Yu he would chant, "Had I served Han's founders I would not leave those two alone the laurels."

Book of Jin, Chapter 128Volume 128 Records 28: Murong Chao · 1 passage

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是以蕭何定法令而受封，叔孫通以制儀為奉常。 Xiao He and Shusun Tong won honor for codifying law and rite.

Old Book of Tang, Chapter 131Volume 127 Biographies 77: Yao Lingyan, Zhang Guangcheng, Yuan Xiu, Qiao Lin, Zhang She, Jiang Zhen, Hong Jinglun, Peng Yan · 2 passages

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群兇宴樂，既醉，令言與源休論功，令言自此蕭何，源休曰：「帷幄之謀，成秦之業，無出予之右者。 When the ringleaders feasted and were drunk, Lingyan and Yuan Xiu argued over merit. Lingyan styled himself Xiao He; Yuan Xiu said: "In counsel within the curtains and in completing Qin's enterprise, none stands above me.

吾比蕭何無讓，子當曹參可矣。」 Compared with Xiao He I yield nothing—you may serve as Cao Shen."

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 27Volume 27 Book of Later Tang 3: Zhuangzong Annals 1 · 1 passage

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昔耿純焚廬而向順，蕭何舉族以從軍，皆審料興亡，能圖富貴，殊勳茂業，翼子貽孫，轉禍見機，決在今日。 Geng Chun burned his home for loyalty; Xiao He brought his clan to the colors—both read the times and won lasting honor; the moment to turn fortune is today.

History of Liao, Chapter 71Volume 71 Biographies 1: Empresses and Consorts · 1 passage

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以乙室、拔裏比蕭相國，遂為蕭氏。 likening the Yishi and Bali to Chancellor Xiao of Han, they adopted the surname Xiao.

History of Ming, Chapter 127Volume 127 Biographies 15: Li Shanzhang, Wang Guangyang · 1 passage

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而善長位第一，制詞比之蕭何，褒稱甚至。 Shanzhang nevertheless ranked first; the enfeoffment text likened him to Xiao He, and the praise was lavish.

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 4Volume 4 Annals 4: Prince of Yulin · 1 passage

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閹豎徐龍駒專總樞密，奉叔、珍之互執權柄，自以爲任得其人，表裏緝穆，邁蕭、曹而愈信、布，倚太山而坐平原。 The eunuch Xu Longju held the keys of state; Fengshu and Zhenzhi traded the levers of power, each sure the right men were in place—court and camp "smooth as silk," outdoing Xiao He and Cao Shen, more trusted than Xin and Bo, resting on Mount Tai as if the plain were enough.

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 16Volume 16 Treatises 8: Official Posts · 1 passage

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蕭、曹以來，爲人臣極位。 From Xiao He and Cao Shen onward, it was the highest station a subject could hold.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 142Volume 142 Treatises 117: Penal Law 1 · 1 passage

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魏李悝著法經六篇，流衍至於漢初，蕭何加為九章，歷代頗有增損分合。 Li Kui of Wei wrote the six chapters of the Classic of Law, which passed down to early Han when Xiao He expanded them into the Nine Chapters; successive dynasties then added, cut, divided, and merged them in various ways.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 301Volume 301 Biographies 88: Ne Qin, Fu Heng, Fu Ling An, Fu Long An, Fu Long An, Feng Shenjilun, Fu Chang An · 1 passage

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尋圖功臣像紫光閣，上親制贊，仍以為冠，舉蕭何不戰居首功為比。 Portraits were painted in the Hall of Purple Splendor; the emperor wrote the praises and still ranked Fu Heng first, comparing him to Xiao He.

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 41Volume 41: Book of Shu 11: Biographies of Huo, Wang, Xiang, Zhang, Yang, and Fei · 1 passage

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昔蕭、曹與高祖少小親舊，而陳、韓亡命後主，論其班列，韓最居上，未聞蕭、曹以此為怨。 Xiao He and Cao Shen had grown up with Gaozu, while Chen Ping and Han Xin arrived as fugitives, yet Han Xin ranked above them in court order without rousing Xiao’s or Cao’s resentment.

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 61Volume 61: Book of Wu 16: Biographies of Pan Jun and Lu Kai · 1 passage

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臣聞宰相國之柱也，不可不強，是故漢有蕭、曹之佐，先帝有顧、步之相。 The chancellor is a state's pillar and must be strong: Han had Xiao He and Cao Shen; our late emperor relied on Gu Yong and Bu Zhi.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 11Annals of the Xiaojing Emperor · 1 passage

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二年春，封故相國蕭何孫系為武陵侯。 In the spring of his second year, he enfeoffed Xi, grandson of the former Chancellor Xiao He, as Marquis of Wuling.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 25Treatise on the Pitch-Pipes · 1 passage