Chapter 61 60 Xiao Cao Liangxiang Kingdom

In the second year of Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty's accession to the throne, the elderly Xiangguo Xiao He was seriously ill.Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty visited him in person and asked him who would succeed him in the future. Xiao He didn't want to express his opinion, but said: "Who can understand your subjects like Your Majesty?" Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty asked him: "What do you think of Cao Shen?" Xiao He and Cao Shen were both officials in Pei County in their early years, and they raised troops with Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty.The two had a good relationship at first, and later Cao Shen made a lot of military exploits, but his status was not as good as Xiao He's.The two people are not so reconciled.But Xiao He knew that Cao Shen was a talent for governing the country, so when Emperor Hui of Han mentioned him, he also agreed, saying: "Your Majesty's idea can't be wrong. With Cao Shen taking over, I can feel at ease after I die."

Cao Shen was originally a general. When Han Gaozu made his eldest son Liu Fei the king of Qi, he called Cao Shen the prime minister of Qi.At that time, when the world had just settled down, Cao Shen went to Qi State, summoned more than a hundred elders and Confucian scholars in Qi, and asked them how to govern the people. These people have expressed some opinions, but they each have their own views, and I don't know which one to listen to. Later, Cao Shen found out that there was a famous hermit in the local area named Gai Gong.Cao Shen invited him to ask him for advice. This Gai Gong believes in the theory of Huang Lao (Huang Lao refers to Huangdi Laozi), and advocates that those who govern the world should be quiet and inactive, so that the common people can live a stable life.

Cao Shen followed Gai Gong's words and tried not to disturb the people as much as possible.He has been Qi Xiang for nine years, and more than 70 cities belonging to Qi State are relatively stable. As soon as Xiao He died, Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty immediately ordered Cao Shen to enter Chang'an to take over as Prime Minister.Cao Shen still used Gai Gong's method of being quiet and inactive, and everything was done according to the regulations that Xiao He had stipulated, and nothing changed. Seeing Cao Shen's inaction, some ministers were a little anxious, and some went to him to give him some advice.But as soon as they arrived at Cao Shen's house, Cao Shen invited them to drink together.If someone brought up important court affairs in front of him, he always diverted the conversation so that others could not speak.In the end, the guest went back drunk and didn't say anything.

When Emperor Hui of Han saw Cao Xiangguo's appearance, he thought that he was relying on the old to sell the old, and looked down on him, so he felt very uneasy. Cao Shen's son, Cao Yu (sound zhu), served Emperor Hui in the palace.Emperor Hui asked him: "When you go home, find a chance to ask your father: Gaozu has returned to heaven, the emperor is so young, and the country's affairs are all presided over by Xiangguo. But you drink every day and don't care about things. How can you go on like this?" Can you govern the world well? See what your father says." When Cao Yu went home during the vacation, he told Cao Shen exactly what Emperor Hui said.

When Cao Shen heard this, he became angry. He scolded and said, "What do you know, you little brat? It's your turn to talk about national affairs." As he said this, he asked his servant to bring a board and beat Cao Shen pause. Cao Yu was beaten for no reason and was very wronged. Of course, he told Emperor Hui of Han when he returned to the palace.Emperor Han Hui was also very unhappy. The next day, when Cao Shen went to court, Emperor Hui said to him: "I asked him to say what Cao Yu told you. Why did you beat him?" Cao Shen pleaded guilty to Emperor Hui, and then said: "May I ask your majesty, which one is more wise than Gao Zu?"

Emperor Hui of Han said: "It goes without saying, how can I compare with Emperor Gao." Cao Shen said: "Compared with Xiao Xiangguo, which one is capable?" Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty couldn't help smiling slightly, and said, "It seems not as good as Xiao Xiangguo." Cao Shen said: "What your Majesty said is correct. Your Majesty is not as good as Emperor Gao, and I am not as good as Xiao Xiangguo. Gao Emperor and Xiao Xiangguo settled the world, and formulated a set of regulations for us. We only need to follow their regulations. It’s a resignation.”

Only then did Emperor Hui of Han understand a little bit. Cao Shen used his Huang-Lao theory to serve as Xiangguo for three years.Since the people needed stability after the turmoil of the long-term war at that time, his method did not add more burdens to the people.Therefore, someone compiled a ballad to praise Xiao He and Cao Can. This incident was called "Xiao Gui Cao Sui" in history.