Cao Shen (曹參) | 24 Histories

Overview

Cao Shen was a Han general, chancellor, and Marquis of Pingyang.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Shen	參	Can
Posthumous name	Marquis Yi	懿侯	Yì Hóu

Life and dates

Death

BC 190 五年秋八月己丑
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 52
BC 190 參為漢相國出入三年卒
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 278; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 127-128
BC 190 參爲相國三年，薨，諡曰懿侯。
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 48, passage 278

Attested activity

reign of Emperor Hui
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 101
BC 202 to BC 193 Han fifth year through Emperor Hui
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 48, passage 53
BC 209 to BC 190 late Qin through Emperor Hui
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 48, passage 145
BC 190 五年秋八月己丑
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 52
BC 190 參為漢相國，出入三年。卒
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 127-128
BC 206 to BC 190 子當曹參可矣
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 131, passage 25

Show 20 more source-backed claims

BC 194 孝惠帝元年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 81
BC 204 to BC 202 屬相國參
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 98, passage 10
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, passages 88, 100
BC 200 故當其有事也，非蕭、曹…
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 99, passage 70
BC 200 to BC 190 曹參
Dated from the passage context · Book of Jin 108, passage 133
BC 206 滅秦
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 31
BC 202 漢五年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 41
BC 200 漢興
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 25, passage 105
BC 202 to BC 190 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 206 to BC 190 蕭曹以來
Dated from the passage context · Book of Southern Qi 16, passage 16
BC 206 to BC 190 邁蕭、曹
Strongly inferred · Book of Southern Qi 4, passage 67
BC 203 韓信、曹參破殺龍且
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 42, passage 89
BC 204 韓信與曹參破殺龍且
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 94, passages 60, 65
BC 205 高祖二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 54
BC 201 高祖六年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 74
BC 206 to BC 190 高祖時
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 85, passage 206
BC 209 高祖為沛公而初起
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 3
BC 206 to BC 190 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 Cao Xiang (曹襄)
great-grandson 曾孫 · paternal line · 3 generations · Through Cao Zhu (曹窋), Grandson of Cao Shen
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 254
Ancestor of Great-great-grandson of Cao Shen
great-great-grandson 玄孫 · paternal line · 4 generations
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 256
Parent of Cao Zhu (曹窋)
son 子
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 237; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 110

Kinship Role marquises in Cao Shen's line through the present · Count 8
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 258

Key source chapters

Career and standing

assistant jailer 獄掾
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 146; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 2
document clerk 刀筆吏
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 146, 259
Chancellor of Han 漢相國
BC 193 惠帝二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 226; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 100
Acting Left Chancellor 假左丞相
BC 205 漢二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 198
Acting Left Chancellor 假左丞相
BC 205 高祖二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 198; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 54
Chancellor of Qi 齊相國
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 217; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 73

Show 36 more source-backed claims

General 將軍
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 178
Minister of State of Han 相國
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 226
Minister of State of Qi 齊相國
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 217
Assistant Jailer 獄掾
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 146
Chancellor 相
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 161
Chancellor 相國
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passages 52, 65
Commandant 中尉
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 188, 192; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 44, 48
Left Chancellor 左丞相
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 208
Marquis of Pingyang 平陽侯
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 53
Palace Attendant 中涓
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 147
personal attendant 中涓
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 147; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 3
Right Chancellor 右丞相
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 65
general 將軍
Promoted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 178; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 34
Lord of Qi 戚公
Promoted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 165; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 22
Chancellor of Qi 齊丞相
BC 194 孝惠元年 · Redesignated
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 263
Chancellor of Qi 齊丞相
BC 194 孝惠帝元年 · Retitled
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 263; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 81
assistant or chief clerk 掾、主吏
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 1, passage 531
Zhibo 執帛
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 164
Marquis of Pingyang 平陽侯
Enfeoffed · Households 10630 · Hereditary true
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 218
Marquis of Jiancheng 建成侯
Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 177
Granted food fief
At Ningqin 寧秦
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 186; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 42
Granted food fief
At Pingyang 平陽
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 203; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 59
Marquis of Pingyang 平陽侯
At Pingyang 平陽 · Households 10630 · Granted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 218; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 75
Lord Jiancheng 建成君
Granted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 164
Lord Qi 戚公
Promoted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 165
Zhigui 執珪
Promoted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 170
Marquis Yi 懿侯
Granted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 278
Marquis Yi 懿侯
Posthumous title
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 278; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 128
Marquis 列侯
BC 201 高祖六年 · Granted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 218; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 74
Holder of Silk / Lord of Jiancheng 執帛、建成君
Granted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 164; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 21
Marquis of Jiancheng 建成侯
Granted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 177; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 33
Marquis of Pingyang 平陽侯
Held
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 53; Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 41
Holder of Jade 執珪
Promoted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 170; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 27
Seventh-Order Grandee 七大夫
Granted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 154; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 10
Fifth-Order Grandee 五大夫
Promoted
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 158; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 14
Caned
With Cao Zhu (曹窋) · Strokes 200
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 242; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 115

Places and affiliations

Han 漢
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 206
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 147, 177, 226, 278; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 33, 100
Polity Qi 齊 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 217, 264, 270; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 73, 82
Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 146; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 2
At Pei 沛
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 145; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 1
At Guanzhong 關中 · Relation Garrisoned
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 198

Show 2 more source-backed claims

At Guanzhong 關中 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 198; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 54
At Hanzhong 漢中 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 178; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 34

Learning and skills

Teacher Person Id Master Gai (蓋公) · Subject Huang-Lao governance 治道黃老
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 268, 270; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 85, 87
Teacher Person Id Master Gai (蓋公) · Subject Huang-Lao government 治道黃老
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 267-268
Belief Huang-Lao 黃老 · Relation Adherent of
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 270; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 87

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠帝) · About Person Ids Liu Bang (劉邦), Xiao He (蕭何) · Mode quotation Speaker Cao Shen (曹參)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 245, 247, 249-250
Instruction · Speaker · Addressee Description successor as chancellor of Qi · Mode quotation Speaker Cao Shen (曹參)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 273, 275-277
Speech · Speaker · Addressee Group retainers · Mode quotation Speaker Cao Shen (曹參)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 271
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠帝)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 118, 120, 122-123
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Cao Zhu (曹窋) · Mode quotation Speaker Cao Shen (曹參)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 242
Popular song · Subject · Mode popular-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 279-281

Show 1 more source-backed claim

Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 89, 91, 93-95

Events and relationships

Attacked Dingtao and took Linji
Military · Commander · At Dingtao and Linji 定陶、臨濟
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 160
Attacked Feng after it defected to Wei
Military · Commander · At Feng 豐
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 153
Attacked Yu Ying at Kunyang and pursued him to Ye
Military · Commander · With Yu Ying (羽嬰)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 195
Attacked
Military · Commander · With Yu Ying (羽嬰)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 51
Beheaded
Military · Commander · With Long Ju (龍且)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 67
Beheaded
Military · Commander · With Xia Yue (夏說)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 60

Show 93 more source-backed claims

Besieged and captured Yongqiu
Military · Commander · At Yongqiu 雍丘
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 192
Besieged General Qi while Han Xin and Zhang Er attacked Chen Yu
Military · Commander · With Han Xin (韓信), Zhang Er (張耳), Chen Yu (陳餘), General Qi (戚公)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 205
Besieged Zhang Han at Feiqiu
Military · Commander · With Zhang Han (章邯) · At Feiqiu 廢丘
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 187
Besieged Zhang Ping until he fled Haozhi
Military · Commander · With Zhang Ping (章平)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 182
Besieged then beheaded
Military · Commander · With General Qi (戚將軍)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 61-62
Besieged
Military · Commander · With Zhang Han (章邯) · At Feiqiu 廢丘
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 43
Broke the Qi army at Lixia and took Linzi
Military · Commander · At Lixia and Linzi 歷下、臨淄
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 209
Campaigned from Hanzhong through the fall of Xiang Yu and returned to Xingyang
Military · Commander · With Xiang Yu (項羽)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 197
Caned Cao Zhu two hundred strokes for questioning his government
Legal · Father · With Cao Zhu (曹窋)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 242
Captured Dang, Xiao, and Pengcheng
Military · Commander · At Dang, Xiao, and Pengcheng 碭、蕭、彭城
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 190
Captured Huling
Military · Commander · At Huling 胡陵
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 150
Captured King Tian Guang's chancellor Tian Guang, Xu Zhang, and Tian Ji
Military · Commander · With Tian Guang (田廣), Tian Guang (田光), Xu Zhang (許章), Tian Ji (田既)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 213
Captured Wei general Wang Xiang at Anyi
Military · Commander · With Wang Xiang (王襄) · At Anyi 安邑
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 200
Captured Wuguan and Yaoguan
Military · Commander · At Wuguan and Yaoguan 武關、嶢關
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 174
Captured Xianyang, which was renamed Xincheng
Military · Commander · At Xianyang 咸陽
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 184
Captured alive
Military · Commander · With Wei Bao (魏豹)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 57
Captured family
Military · Commander · With Mother of King Bao of Wei, Wife of King Bao of Wei
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 58
Captured
Military · Commander · With Zhou Lan (周蘭)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 67
Captured
Military · Commander · With Yi (齮)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 29
Captured
Military · Commander · With Wang Xiang (王襄)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 56
Captured
Military · Commander · With Tian Guang (田光), Xu Zhang (許章), Tian Ji (田既)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 69
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
Defeated and captured the Nanyang governor Yi and pacified Nanyang
Military · Commander · With Yi (齮) · At Nanyang 南陽郡
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 173
Defeated Chen Xi's general Zhang Chun as minister of state of Qi
Military · Commander · With Chen Xi (陳豨), Zhang Chun (張春)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 219
Defeated Long Ju and Xiang Tuo at Dingtao
Military · Commander · With Long Ju (龍且), Xiang Tuo (項它) · At Dingtao 定陶
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 189
Defeated Qin forces at Huling and Fangyu
Military · Commander · At Huling and Fangyu 胡陵、方與
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 148
Defeated Qin south of Lantian and in a night attack, then reached Xianyang
Military · Commander · At Lantian and Xianyang 藍田、咸陽
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 175
Defeated Sima Xin and took Hufu and Qishanzhi
Military · Commander · With Sima Xin (司馬欣) · At east of Dang 碭東
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 155
Defeated the armies of Zhao Ben and Interior Secretary Bao
Military · Commander · With Zhao Ben (趙賁), Interior Secretary Bao (內史保)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 183
Defeated the East Commandery commandant south of Chengwu
Military · Commander · At south of Chengwu 成武南
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 166
Defeated the rebel Marquis of Zhutian and took Yanshi
Military · Commander · With Marquis of Zhutian (柱天侯)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 194
Defeated the rebels Wang Wu and Cheng Chu
Military · Commander · With Wang Wu (王武), Cheng Chu (程處)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 193
Defeated the Sishui governor's army west of Xue
Military · Commander · At west of Xue 薛郭西
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 149
Defeated the Three Qin armies east of Rang and at Gaoli
Military · Commander · At east of Rang and Gaoli 壤東及高櫟
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 181
Defeated Wang Li south of Chengyang and again at Gangli
Military · Commander · With Wang Li (王離)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 167
Defeated Yang Xiong at Quyu and captured a Qin major and censor
Military · Commander · With Yang Xiong (楊熊) · At Quyu 曲遇
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 169
Defeated Zhang Ping south of Haozhi and captured Rangxiang
Military · Commander · With Zhang Ping (章平)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 180
Defeated Zhao Ben and besieged him in Kaifeng
Military · Commander · With Zhao Ben (趙賁) · At Kaifeng 開封
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 168
Defeated Zhao Ben north of Shi
Military · Commander · With Zhao Ben (趙賁) · At north of Shi 尸北
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 172
Defeated Qi
Military · Commander · With Person Id Han Xin (韓信)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 65, 68
Defeated rebels
Military · Commander · With Wang Wu (王武), Cheng Chu (程處)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 49
Defeated
Military · Commander · With Ying Bu (英布) · With Person Ids Liu Fei (劉肥), Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 77
Defeated
Military · Commander · With Zhang Ping (章平)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passages 36, 41
Defeated
Military · Commander · With Sun Su (孫速) · With Person Id Han Xin (韓信)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 55
Defeated
Military · Commander · With Marquis of Zhutian (柱天侯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 50
Defeated
Military · Commander · With Zhang Chun (張春)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 76
Defeated
Military · Commander · With Yi (夷)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 11
Defeated
Military · Commander · With Long Ju (龍且), Xiang Tuo (項它)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 45
Defended preserving Gaozu and Xiao He's completed laws rather than changing them
Political · Chancellor · With Liu Bang (劉邦), Xiao He (蕭何), Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 245, 252
Drank heavily, prevented visitors from remonstrating, and covered subordinates' minor faults
Personal · Chancellor
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 229, 236
Fought Xiang Ji and retreated in the Han army's defeat
Military · Commander · With Xiang Yu (項羽)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 191
Fought Zhang Han's cavalry from west of Xiayi to Yu
Military · Commander · With Zhang Han (章邯)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 156
Governed Qi for nine years, leaving it peaceful and earning a reputation as a worthy chancellor
Administrative · Chancellor · At Qi 齊
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 270
Held Jingling for twenty three days and routed Zhang Ping's attack
Military · Commander · With Zhang Ping (章平) · At Jingling 景陵
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 185
Helped pacify the Three Qin and captured Xiabian, Gudao, Yong, and Tai
Military · Commander · At Three Qin 三秦
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 179
Helped destroy Qin
BC 206 滅秦 · Military · Participant · At Xianyang 咸陽
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 31
Helped kill Long Ju and Tian Ji
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 94, passages 60, 65
Invited Master Gai, lodged him in the main hall, and adopted Huang Lao government
Administrative · Student · With Master Gai (蓋公)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 267, 270
Joined Han Xin in defeating Long Ju at Jiami, beheading him, and capturing Zhou Lan
Military · Commander · With Han Xin (韓信), Long Ju (龍且), Zhou Lan (周蘭)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 211
Joined Han Xin in defeating Wei general Sun Su
Military · Commander · With Han Xin (韓信), Sun Su (孫速)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 199
Joined Han Xin in routing Xia Yue east of Wu and beheading him
Military · Commander · With Han Xin (韓信), Xia Yue (夏說)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 204
Joined Liu Bang as a palace attendant when he rose as Lord of Pei
Military · Attendant · With Liu Bang (劉邦)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 147
Killed
Military · Commander · With Li You (李由)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 18
Led 120,000 cavalry with Liu Fei and Emperor Gaozu to defeat Ying Bu
Military · Commander · With Liu Fei (劉肥), Liu Bang (劉邦), Ying Bu (英布)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 220
Lodged advisor
Administrative · Actor · With Master Gai (蓋公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 86
Pacified all fifty two Wei counties and captured Wei Bao's mother, wife, and children
Military · Commander · With Mother of Wei Bao, Wife of Wei Bao
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 202
Pacified all seventy counties of Qi
Military · Commander · At Qi 齊郡
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 212
Pacified Jibei and captured six named places
Military · Commander · At Jibei 濟北郡
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 210
Prepared to enter the Han chancellorship immediately on hearing of Xiao He's death
Political · Successor · With Xiao He (蕭何)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 271-272
Preserved Xiao He's regulations and selected steady, plainspoken clerks while dismissing harsh self promoters
Administrative · Chancellor · With Xiao He (蕭何)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 226, 228
Pursued and beheaded General Qi
Military · Commander · With General Qi (戚公)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 206
Pursued and captured Wei Bao alive
Military · Commander · With Wei Bao (魏豹)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 201
Relieved Dong'e, broke Zhang Han's formation, and pursued him to Puyang
Military · Commander · With Zhang Han (章邯)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 159
Relieved Yongqiu, defeated Li You, killed him, and captured a Qin scout
Military · Commander · With Li You (李由)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 161
Remained behind to pacify unconquered parts of Qi after Han Xin became king
Military · Commander · With Han Xin (韓信) · At Qi 齊
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 214
Responded to emperor
Political · Speaker · With Emperor Xiaohui (孝惠帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 3, passage 65
Returned south through Qi and pacified Zhuyi, Xiang, Xiao, and Liu
Military · Commander · At Zhuyi, Xiang, Xiao, and Liu 竹邑、相、蕭、留
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 221
Returned the chancellor's seal after Qi became a commandery
Political · Chancellor
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 216
Returned chancellor seal
Political · Actor
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 72
Stormed cities and seized territory; suffered seventy wounds
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 53, passage 41
Summoned elders and scholars to seek a policy for settling Qi
Administrative · Chancellor
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 264, 266
Suppressed Fangyu after it defected to Wei
Military · Commander · At Fangyu 方與
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 152
Took Yangwu, Huanyuan, and Goushi and cut the Yellow River crossing
Military · Commander · At Yangwu, Huanyuan, and Goushi 陽武、轘轅、緱氏
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 171
Unchanged from Xiao He rules
Administrative · Actor · With Xiao He (蕭何)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 100
Warned his successor not to disturb prisons and markets
Administrative · Chancellor
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 273, 277
Was credited with seventy wounds and the greatest record of storming cities and taking territory
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 53
Was first over the walls at Yuanqi and Kangfu
Military · Commander · At Yuanqi and Kangfu 轅戚及亢父
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 157
Relation Employed by · Person Emperor Gaozu of Han (高祖) · Function civil administration
Directly stated · Book of Han 25, passage 105
Relation Campaigned alongside · Person Han Xin (韓信)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 199, 204, 208, 211; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 147
Relation Estranged from · Person Xiao He (蕭何)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 224
Relation Friend of · Person Xiao He (蕭何)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 224; Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 97
Relation Later estranged from · Person Xiao He (蕭何)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 98
Relation Student of · Person Master Gai (蓋公)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 267, 270

Assessments and attributes

Assessment alone claimed foremost reputation among marquises after Han Xin · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id Sima Qian (司馬遷)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 148
Assessment among founding chancellors with Xiao He · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 85, passage 206
Assessment began as an undistinguished Qin clerk, became a leading minister, and shared with Xiao He the achievement of settling the realm · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 259, 262
Assessment had exceptional battlefield merit but it was a temporary achievement compared with Xiao He's preservation of Guanzhong · Mode named-speaker Speaker E Qianqiu (鄂千秋)
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 53, 64
Assessment praised for giving people rest after Qin · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id Sima Qian (司馬遷)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 150
Assessment preserved Xiao He's laws without losing them and thereby brought the people peace · Mode popular-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passages 279, 281

Show 4 more source-backed claims

Assessment stillness in accord with the Way · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id Sima Qian (司馬遷)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 149
Assessment was widely praised as a worthy chancellor after nine years of tranquil government in Qi · Mode popular-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 270
Assessment worthy chancellor · Mode popular-judgment
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 54, passage 87
Item chancellor's seal 相印 · Relation Returned
Directly stated · Book of Han 48, passage 216

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 16, passage 16

References in the histories

Search passages

History

145 passages

Book of Han, Chapter 1Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 1 · 7 passages

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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.

漢王以韓信為左丞相，與曹參、灌嬰俱擊魏。 King Han appointed Han Xin as left chancellor, and together with Cao Shen and Guan Ying attacked Wei.

曰：「是不能當曹參。 The king said: "He cannot stand up to Cao Shen.

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

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甲申，始剖符封功臣曹參等為通侯。 On the day jiashen, he first divided tallies and enfeoffed meritorious ministers Cao Shen and others as noble marquises.

上曰：「曹參可。」 The emperor said: "Cao Shen is suitable."

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

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秋八月己丑，相國參薨。 In autumn, eighth month, on the day jichou, Chancellor Shen passed away.

聞叔孫通之諫則懼然，納曹相國之對而心說，可謂寬仁之主。 When he heard Shusun Tong's admonition he was fearful, when he accepted Chancellor Cao's response his heart was pleased. He can be called a lenient and benevolent ruler.

Book of Han, Chapter 25Volume 23: Treatise on Punishment and Law · 2 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.

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 42Volume 33: Wei Bao, Tian Dan and Hán Xin (King of Han) · 1 passage

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漢將韓信、曹參破殺龍且，虜齊王廣。 Han generals Han Xin and Cao Shen defeated and killed Long Ju and captured King Guang of Qi.

Book of Han, Chapter 48Volume 39: Xiao He and Cao Shen · 57 passages

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列侯畢已受封，奏位次，皆曰：「平陽侯曹參身被七十創，攻城略地，功最多，宜第一。」 After the ranked marquises had received their enfeoffments, the court submitted a proposed order of precedence. Everyone said, “Cao Shen, Marquis of Pingyang, personally suffered seventy wounds while storming cities and seizing territory. His merit was the greatest, and he should rank first.”

夫曹參雖有野戰略地之功，此特一時之事。 Cao Shen’s battlefield conquests matter only for a single campaign.

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?

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

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

曹參，沛人也。 Cao Shen came from Pei.

高祖為沛公也，參以中涓從。 When Liu Bang became Duke of Pei, Cao Shen joined him as an inner attendant.

於是乃封參執帛，號曰建成君。 Cao Shen was then raised to the Chu rank of Zhibo and styled Lord Jiancheng.

漢王封參為建成侯。 The King of Han enfeoffed Cao Shen as Marquis of Jiancheng.

參將兵守景陵二十三日，三秦使章平等攻參，參出擊，大破之。 Cao Shen held Jingling for twenty-three days; when Three Qin generals led by Zhang Ping attacked, he sallied and shattered them.

參以中尉圍取雍丘。 As colonel of the guard Cao Shen besieged and took Yongqiu.

王武反於外黃，程處反於燕，往擊，盡破之。 Wang Wu rose at Waihuang and Cheng Chu at Yan; Cao Shen marched against them and crushed both revolts.

柱天侯反於衍氏，進破取衍氏。 When the Pillar-of-Heaven marquis mutinied at Yanshi, Cao Shen advanced, broke him, and occupied the town.

參自漢中為將軍中尉，從擊諸侯，及項王敗，還至滎陽。 From Hanzhong onward Cao Shen held the ranks of general and colonel of the guard, campaigned against the lords, and when Xiang Yu fell he was back at Xingyang.

漢二年，拜為假左丞相，入屯兵關中。 In the second Han year he was named acting left chancellor and sent into Guanzhong to garrison troops.

月餘，魏王豹反，以假丞相別與韓信東攻魏將孫速東張，大破之。 A month later King Bao of Wei rebelled; Cao Shen, still acting chancellor, joined Han Xin in a separate column, struck Wei general Sun Su at Dongzhang, and shattered him.

韓信與故常山王張耳引兵下井陘，擊成安君陳餘，而令參還圍趙別將戚公於鄔城中。 While Han Xin and Zhang Er drove through Jingxing against Chen Yu, Cao Shen was sent back to bottle up Zhao’s general Qi in Wu.

戚公出走，追斬之。 When Qi broke out and ran, Cao Shen overtook him and cut him down.

韓信已破趙，為相國，東擊齊，參以左丞相屬焉。 After Han Xin crushed Zhao he was named chancellor of state and turned east on Qi; Cao Shen served under him as left chancellor.

韓信立為齊王，引兵東詣陳，與漢王共破項羽，而參留平齊未服者。 After Han Xin was made King of Qi he marched east to Chen to help the King of Han destroy Xiang Yu, while Cao Shen stayed to mop up Qi’s holdouts.

參歸相印焉。 Cao Shen handed back his chancellor’s seal.

高祖以長子肥為齊王，而以參為相國。 Gaozu made his eldest son Liu Fei king of Qi and named Cao Shen minister of state to him.

高祖六年，與諸侯剖符，賜參爵列侯，食邑平陽萬六百三十戶，世世勿絕。 In Gaozu’s sixth year he split the tally with the lords and enfeoffed Cao Shen at Pingyang with 10,630 households in perpetuity.

參以齊相國擊陳豨將張春，破之。 As Qi’s minister of state Cao Shen defeated Chen Xi’s general Zhang Chun.

黥布反，參從悼惠王將車騎十二萬，與高祖會擊黥布軍，大破之。 When Qing Bu rose, Cao Shen led a hundred twenty thousand chariots and horse for Prince Liu Fei (Daohui), joined Gaozu, and shattered Qing Bu’s army.

參功：凡下二國，縣百二十二； The tally of Cao Shen’s campaigns: he overthrew two kingdoms and reduced 122 counties;

孝惠元年，除諸侯相國法，更以參爲齊丞相。 In Emperor Hui's first year, the office of minister of state in the vassal kingdoms was abolished, and Cao Shen was redesignated chancellor of Qi.

參之相齊，齊七十城。 When Cao Shen governed Qi, the state had seventy cities.

天下初定，悼惠王富於春秋，參盡召長老諸先生，問所以安集百姓。 The empire had just been settled; King Dao Hui was still young. Cao Shen summoned all the elders and various masters and asked how to settle and gather the people.

而齊故諸儒以百數，言人人殊，參未知所定。 Qi's established Confucian scholars numbered in the hundreds, and each offered different advice, leaving Cao Shen unsure what policy to adopt.

既見蓋公，蓋公爲言治道貴清靜而民自定，推此類具言之。 When Cao Shen met Master Gai, the scholar explained that government should prize purity and tranquility, allowing the people to settle themselves, and developed the principle in detail.

參於是避正堂，舍蓋公焉。 Cao Shen then yielded the main hall and lodged Master Gai there.

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."

居無何，使者果召參。 Before long, an envoy indeed summoned Cao Shen.

參去，屬其後相曰：「以齊獄市爲寄，慎勿擾也。」 When Cao Shen departed, he entrusted his successor, saying, "Take the prisons and markets of Qi as your charge; be careful not to disturb them."

參曰：「不然。 Cao Shen said, "Not so.

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.

卿大夫以下吏及賓客見參不事事，來者皆欲有言。 From senior ministers down, staff and visitors saw the chief minister idle and came hoping to remonstrate.

至者，參輒飲以醇酒，度之欲有言，復飲酒，醉而後去，終莫得開說，以為常。 He plied each with strong wine; if they tried to speak he poured again until they reeled home—so no one ever got a word in, and that became routine.

從吏患之，無如何，乃請參遊後園。 His aides fretted but could not silence them, so they asked Cao Shen to tour the garden.

參見人之有細過，掩匿覆蓋之，府中無事。 He smoothed over small mistakes so that the ministry stayed free of scandal.

參子窋為中大夫。 His son Cao Zhu held the post of palace counselor.

窋既洗沐歸，時間，自從其所諫參。 After his ritual bath Cao Zhu waited for a private moment and spoke as the emperor had coached him.

參怒而笞之二百，曰：「趣入侍，天下事非乃所當言也。」 Cao Shen thrashed him two hundred strokes with the rod and barked, “Back to your post—state business is not yours to discuss.”

至朝時，帝讓參曰：「與窋胡治乎？ At the next audience Emperor Hui reproached him: “Why did you beat Cao Zhu?

參免冠謝曰：「陛下自察聖武孰與高皇帝？」 Cao Shen removed his cap and asked, “How do Your Majesty's wisdom and martial ability compare with those of the High Emperor?”

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

參曰：「陛下言之是也。 “Then we agree,” said 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?”

參爲相國三年，薨，諡曰懿侯。 Cao Shen served as chancellor for three years, then died; he was given the posthumous title Marquis Yi.

曹參代之，守而勿失。 when Cao Shen replaced him, he held them without loss.

至哀帝時，乃封參玄孫之孫本始為平陽侯，二千戶，王莽時薨。 Under Emperor Ai, Benshi, a grandson of Cao Shen’s great-great-grandson, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingyang with two thousand households; he died in Wang Mang’s time.

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 · 3 passages

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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 · 1 passage

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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 · 3 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.

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 · 1 passage

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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."

Book of Jin, Chapter 108Volume 108 Records 8: Murong Hui · 1 passage

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王司徒清虛寡欲，善於全己，昔曹參亦綜此道，著畫一之稱也。 He praised Wang Dao's quiet survival craft.

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 · 1 passage

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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."

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.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 53House of Chancellor Xiao · 6 passages

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列侯畢已受封，及奏位次，皆曰：「平陽侯曹參身被七十創，攻城略地，功最多，宜第一。」 After all the marquises had received their fiefs, the question of precedence arose. They all declared, 'The Marquis of Pingyang, Cao Shen, bore seventy wounds on his body, storming cities and seizing territory. His merit is the greatest; he should rank first.'

夫曹參雖有野戰略地之功，此特一時之事。 Cao Shen may have the merit of campaigning in the field and seizing territory, but these are achievements of the moment.