1. Cao Shen or Cao Can, courtesy name Jingbo, was a Chinese military general and politician.
17 Facts About Cao Shen
1. 2.
Cao Shen served as a chancellor of the Western Han dynasty.
3.
Cao Shen was from Pei County in present-day Jiangsu and he served as a prison warden in his early days.
4.
Cao Shen sought refuge with his followers on Mount Mangdang and maintained secret contact with Cao Shen and Xiao He.
5.
Liu Bang built up his rebel army in Pei County and Cao Shen served as one of his advisors.
6.
Cao Shen defeated the Qin armies led by Xue Guo, Hu Ling and Fang Yu, and was promoted to a high rank by Liu Bang for his contributions.
7.
Cao Shen defeated Zhang Han's army and drove Zhang towards Puyang.
8.
Cao Shen returned to help Liu Bang, who was trapped at Yongqiu, and defeated Li You, the Qin general defending Sanchuan.
9.
Liu Bang later sent Cao Shen to suppress the remnants of Qi.
10.
Cao Shen was historically known as "Emperor Gao".
11.
However, Cao Shen resigned from his post as Right Chancellor.
12.
In 201 BC, Cao Shen was appointed as chancellor of Qi Kingdom, which was then ruled by Liu Fei.
13.
Cao Shen was conferred the title of "Marquis of Pingyang" and given 10,630 households in his marquisate.
14.
Cao Shen followed Gai Gong's advice to implement policies to restore social stability and frequently consulted Gai Gong on how to govern Qi.
15.
Cao Shen spent his time drinking and feasting, and maintained well Xiao He's system of governance but did not implement any new changes.
16.
When Emperor Hui asked him why he did not change the system, Cao Shen replied that he was not as good as Xiao He and did not want to make changes for fear of negatively affecting the system left behind by Xiao.
17.
Cao Shen Zhu was in turn succeeded by his son, Cao Shen Qi, who helped Emperor Jing suppress the Rebellion of the Seven States.