Classics of the Book of Han

Author: Xiao Wei, Bo Ke Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: The Book of Han is a monumental dynastic history written in the Zhuangzhuan (biographical) style, and also the first comprehensive history of a unified empire in China. The Book of Han emerged in the early Eastern Han Dynasty, not only achieving remarkable academic excellence but also seamlessly blending feudal politics with feudal historiography. Thus, it earned the title of a "masterpiece of its time" (ming dai qi zuo - a phrase by Fu Xuan), becoming a model for traditional historiography and holding a revered position in ancient Chinese history. As the orthodox historical text, The Book of Han is renowned for its elegant and ornate language, rigorous structure, and clear, concise narratives. In its portrayal of figures, it vividly captures their essence, with many biographies leaving readers deeply moved and in awe. This book selects the most compelling biographies from The Book of Han. However, given the brevity of The Book of Han's language, the translator has taken creative liberties while ensuring the core historical facts remain intact. The result is a reading experience that feels immersive and emotionally resonant.
The story of Xiao Guan Cao (Shao Guan Cao) begins with Cao Can, a native of the same region as Liu Bang. He not only achieved great military success during the turbulent times of the late Qin Dynasty but also served as the Chancellor of the Han Dynasty, overseeing national affairs. In the late Qin era, Cao Can worked alongside Shao He as his deputy in the county government. Compared to Shao He, Cao Can was a more formidable warrior but far less adept at governance. Throughout his life, Cao Can never surpassed Shao He in political prowess.
During the late Qin period, Cao Can earned numerous military accolades in battles against the Qin forces. However, his victories often came at moments when the Qin army was already disintegrating, and he rarely engaged in direct confrontations with their main commanders. As a result, his achievements, though impressive, were somewhat modest. Nevertheless, he sustained over seventy wounds and was still highly regarded by the court when Liu Bang, the founding emperor, reviewed military merits. During the Chu-Han contention, Cao Can's contributions were often under the command of Han Xin. Notably, in the war against Qi, Cao Can, under Han Xin's leadership, defeated Long Ju, one of the most formidable generals of Chu, next only to Xiang Yu. After capturing Qi, Han Xin was appointed King of Qi, and Cao Can became the Right Chancellor of Qi. It was Cao Can's tenure as Right Chancellor that allowed Liu Bang to strip Han Xin of his royal title and appoint him as King of Chu. Later, Liu Bang appointed his eldest son, Liu Fei, as King of Qi, making Cao Can the Prime Minister of Qi. When Liu Bang rewarded his loyalists, Cao Can was enfeoffed as Marquis Pingyang, ranking second in merit, just below Shao He.
After the establishment of the Han Dynasty, rebellions persisted, forcing Liu Bang to campaign across the empire. Cao Can led the Qi army in support of Liu Bang. His most notable achievement was commanding a force of 120,000 infantry and cavalry, which decisively defeated the rebel forces of Chen Bu, significantly easing the burden on the frail Liu Bang. At this point, however, Cao Can still could not be compared to Shao He. While his battlefield exploits were commendable, they fell far short of Shao He's contributions during the five-year Chu-Han conflict. Shao He tirelessly replenished Liu Bang's armies from the Central Plains, ensuring a steady flow of reinforcements. During the stalemate at Xingyang, Shao He secured provisions and transported them to the Han army via water routes. When Liu Bang repeatedly lost control of Shandong, Shao He preserved the Central Plains and held the rear.
Building an empire is difficult; maintaining it is even harder. After the wars concluded, Cao Can successfully transitioned from a general to a statesman—a rare feat in Chinese history. Chen Bu's rebellion left the Han Dynasty weakened, while the Xiongnu, under the leadership of Modun, grew increasingly powerful, constantly raiding the Han borders. Liu Bang was forced to lead his troops in a counterattack but suffered a crushing defeat. Had it not been for Chen Ping's strategic counsel, Liu Bang's life would have been in peril. At this juncture, the Han Dynasty needed a strong national foundation to bolster its military, which required a stable economic base. Cao Can, as Marquis Pingyang and Prime Minister of Qi, excelled in this regard.
Cao Can served as Prime Minister in the state of Qi, which was governed by Liu Bang's eldest son, Liu Fei, who was still young. Thus, most state affairs were handled by Cao Can. To formulate governance policies, Cao Can summoned the elders and scholars of Qi for deliberation. Qi was a hub of Confucian scholars and reclusive figures, each offering unique insights. Cao Can found it challenging to decide. Then, he heard of Gai Gong, a master of the Huang-Lao philosophy, living west of Jiaozhou. He immediately dispatched messengers to invite Gai Gong with great honor and wealth. Gai Gong proved extraordinary. He advocated for "tranquility and non-action, where the people will govern themselves"—a famous conclusion from Laozi's Tao Te Ching: "Governing a great state is like frying small fish." Cao Can was deeply impressed and treated Gai Gong as an esteemed guest. From then on, he adopted Gai Gong's principles for governance...