CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Cao Shen曹参
Han dynasty chancellor, ruled by non-interference.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 10
- RELATION RECORDS
- 15
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Cao Shen, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
1 figure · 1 record＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Cao Shen—Xiao Hefriend
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
7 figures · 10 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Liu Bang→Cao Shenenfeoff
Cao Shen→Xiao Hesucceed
Liu Fei→Cao Shenappoint
Cao Shen→Han Xinsubordinate
Cao Shen→Kuai Tongrequest guest
Fu Kuan→Cao Shensubordinate
Emperor Hui of Han—Cao Shenruler-subject
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
4 figures · 4 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Cao Shen→Zhang Handefeat
Xiao He→Cao Shendiscord
Source record
Cao Shen→Wei Baocaptive
Cao Shen→Long Juslay
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Official history19 profile notes
Book of Han
10 relations14 verified quotations- Liu Bang→ enfeoff →Cao Shen
- Cao Shen→ assist →Liu Bang
- Cao Shen→ subordinate →Han Xin
- Cao Shen→ succeed →Xiao He
Verified original text · 14
任萧、曹之文
employ · Book of Han, 刑法志
股肱萧、曹
subordinate · Book of Han, 叙传下
12 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history4 profile notes
Book of the Later Han
2 relations2 verified quotations- Cao Shen→ assist →Liu Bang
- Cao Shen→ succeed →Xiao He
Verified original text · 2
曹参及绛侯周勃，皆从高祖征伐，以定天下也。
accompany campaign · Book of the Later Han, 崔骃列传
萧何为法，讲若画一。曹参代之，守而勿失。
succeed · Book of the Later Han, 王充王符仲长统列传
- Official history11 profile notes
Records of the Grand Historian
10 relations13 verified quotations- Liu Bang→ enfeoff →Cao Shen
- Cao Shen→ assist →Liu Bang
- Cao Shen→ subordinate →Han Xin
- Cao Shen→ succeed →Xiao He
Verified original text · 13
齐相平阳侯曹参为相国
任命相国 · Records of the Grand Historian, 汉兴以来将相名臣年表
以中涓从起沛，至霸上，侯。
enfeoff · Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖功臣侯者年表
11 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
Where the histories differ
In the Records of the Grand Historian, Cao Shen is given a separate Hereditary House, while in the History of Han, he is downgraded to a biography and combined with Xiao He in one chapter.
- histories differCao Shen's status in the official histories
The Records of the Grand Historian, in the 'Hereditary House of Chancellor Cao', lists him separately as a 'Hereditary House', affirming his virtue of governing Qi with tranquility and serving as Han's chancellor: 'As Han's chancellor, Cao was tranquil and his words conformed to the Way. However, after the people had suffered the harshness of Qin, Cao allowed them rest and non-interference, so the world praised his excellence.' The History of Han, in the 'Biography of Xiao He and Cao Shen', downgrades him to a biography and combines him with Xiao He in one volume: 'Only He and Shen monopolized fame and merit, ranking above all ministers, their reputation extending to later generations, making them ancestral ministers of an era.' Thus, from a separate Hereditary House to a combined biography of Xiao and Cao.
Relationship network
- enfeoff← Liu Bang → Cao Shenhist × litRecords of the Grand Historian, 汉兴以来将相名臣年表Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖功臣侯者年表Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖功臣侯者年表〈第十八〉Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖本纪Book of Han, 刑法志Book of Han, 叙传下Book of Han, 高帝纪_ch. 1上
Original text (8)
任萧、曹之文
Original relation: employ · Book of Han, 刑法志
股肱萧、曹
Original relation: subordinate · Book of Han, 叙传下
掾、主吏萧何、曹参
Original relation: master-servant · Book of Han, 高帝纪_ch. 1上
始剖符封功臣曹参等为通侯
Original relation: 封通侯 · Book of Han, 高帝纪_ch. 1上
齐相平阳侯曹参为相国
Original relation: 任命相国 · Records of the Grand Historian, 汉兴以来将相名臣年表
以中涓从起沛，至霸上，侯。
萧、曹、绛、灌之属或至四万
上曰：“曹参可。”
Original relation: designate successor · Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖本纪
- assistCao Shen → Liu Banghist × litRecords of the Grand Historian, 曹相国世家Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖本纪Book of the Later Han, 崔骃列传Book of Han, 萧何曹参传
Original text (4)
高祖为沛公也，参以中涓从。
曹参及绛侯周勃，皆从高祖征伐，以定天下也。
Original relation: accompany campaign · Book of the Later Han, 崔骃列传
汉王封参为建成侯
Original relation: ruler-subject · Records of the Grand Historian, 曹相国世家
掾、主吏萧何、曹参乃曰
Original relation: master-servant · Records of the Grand Historian, 高祖本纪
Original text (2)
韩信已破赵，为相国，东击齐，参以左丞相属焉。
参以右丞相属韩信
Original relation: affiliated · Records of the Grand Historian, 曹相国世家
- succeedCao Shen → Xiao Hehist × litRecords of the Grand Historian, 太史公自序Book of the Later Han, 王充王符仲长统列传Book of Han, 叙传下Book of Han, 萧何曹参传
Original text (3)
继而弗革
萧何为法，讲若画一。曹参代之，守而勿失。
续何相国
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
至何且死，所推贤唯参。
Original text (2)
击章邯军，陷陈，追至濮阳。
击章邯军，陷陈
Original text (1)
参以为贤，言之齐悼惠王
Original text (1)
王召见，拜为内史。
Original text (1)
汉使曹参等虏魏王豹
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (2)
相国参薨
纳曹相国之对而心说
Original relation: accept advice · Book of Han, 惠帝纪