生平

早年生活

蕭何，沛縣人。在沛縣時，蕭何為主吏，劉邦曾擔任亭長，為其下屬。蕭何與劉邦、曹參、樊噲皆為沛縣人，但蕭、曹二人已當上官吏，縣中多有好名聲，劉、樊二人之地位相當於地痞，在鄉里父老眼中地位大有不同。劉邦任亭長時，常犯錯，蕭何皆袒護劉邦為其掩過，劉邦也很感激，與蕭何關係良好。蕭何在沛縣為縣令所倚重的主要官僚，但蕭何曾經拒絕來自秦朝中央提出的仕宦機會。當時秦國御史來到沛縣察看各郡國事務實行情形，並召喚沛縣各個從事事務的人問話。蕭何頭頭是道，上論泗水周邊情勢，而以各項歷史典故作終，為秦國御史評為第一。秦國御史想要徵召蕭何進入秦國朝中侍宦，蕭何堅拒，因此仍留在沛縣繼續主吏的工作。

反秦戰事

西元前209年，陳勝、吳廣假託太子扶蘇與楚國將軍項燕名號，發動了大澤起義，反抗秦朝，各地紛紛出現響應者，天下大亂。蕭何和曹參、樊噲、周勃等沛縣人士聚集商議應如何面對。沛縣縣令原本聽從蕭何、曹參的意見，認為應該從天下大勢反秦，不料卻馬上反悔，打算將蕭、曹二人以反賊罪名逮捕獻給秦國官員。此時，擔任亭長的劉邦已縱放囚犯，開始反秦起義，蕭、曹二人與劉邦裏應外合，殺了沛縣縣令而反秦，蕭、曹二人因地位較高，原被推為首領，但兩人卻有所顧忌，鄉中父老卜筮，認為劉邦最適合，因此推舉劉邦為沛縣反抗軍首領，蕭何、曹參成為其臣子。

楚後懷王讓劉邦攻取關中，劉邦攻克咸陽後，諸將皆爭奪金、帛、財物，蕭何卻獨入府庫內尋找秦國各種內政資料，接收了秦丞相、御史府所藏的律令、圖書，掌握了全國的山川險要、郡縣戶口，並知民間疾苦，對日後制定政策和取得楚漢戰爭勝利起了重要作用，使劉邦對於天下的關塞險要、戶口多寡、強弱形勢、風俗民情等等都能瞭若指掌。因劉邦先攻下咸陽，平定秦國，項羽先發後至，意圖攻擊劉邦取咸陽城，劉邦於是向項羽謝罪，表明自己不應急於立功，搶在抗秦軍主帥之先，並將統治權讓予項羽。項羽接管後，即屠、燒咸陽城，而蕭何則隨同劉邦離開咸陽城。

楚漢相爭

劉邦封為漢王，以蕭何為丞相，因蕭何收納了記載秦朝詳細國情的圖書資料，使得劉邦具知天下關塞、戶口的資料、民生疾苦。

推薦韓信

蕭何認同韓信的才幹，不斷向劉邦推薦，但劉邦一時未重用。在劉邦進漢中南鄭的時候，韓信認為蕭何已經推薦過，劉邦不會重用他而逃離。蕭何聽到消息，來不及報告劉邦就追上去，這就是後世所稱的「蕭何月下追韓信」。追回韓信後，蕭何極力推薦他，劉邦築壇封他為大將軍。

鎮撫關中

楚漢相爭時，蕭何留守關中，制定法令約束人民，侍奉太子盈，鞏固漢中，使關中成為漢軍的有力後方，每每提供後勤支援劉邦，不斷地輸送士卒糧餉支援作戰，對劉邦戰勝項羽，建立漢代起了重要作用。

漢朝初立

論功行賞位次第一

漢代建立後，以他功最高封為侯，位次第一，食邑八千戶。許多功臣見到蕭何受封第一，甚為不悅，向劉邦抱怨道：「我們像狗像馬一樣地作戰，在戰事中出生入死，冒著性命危險，徒然增加的是自己身上的傷痕。為什麼蕭何一個文弱書生，拿著一支筆，動動嘴巴大放厥詞，居然論功是第一？這又是什麼道理！」劉邦說：「你們懂得狩獵的道理嗎？知道獵犬的作用嗎？今天諸將你們就好像負責追蹤的獵狗，但是發現獵物蹤跡，並指揮獵狗追殺的人，是蕭何！而且你們只以個人身份追隨我，但蕭何是全家親族都為我賣命，我不能忘記他的功勞。」群臣聽到後都沒有怨言。

然而群臣亦認為猛將曹參軍功無數，應列第一，但劉邦仍較屬意蕭何。關內侯鄂君於是解釋：「群臣當然也沒有錯。曹參的確有野戰略地之功，但楚漢相爭五年，卻失軍亡眾，喪失不少兵將。然而蕭何卻從關中遣軍補足士兵的不足，若不是蕭何，漢軍早就折損所有兵卒了。楚漢相爭在滎陽時，漢軍面臨缺糧危機，蕭何利用關中的漕運，使得我們都有兵糧可吃。雖然蕭何沒有隨軍，卻守在關中支援，形同隨時陪伴陛下一般，這應該是萬世之功。我認為論功應該是蕭何第一，曹參次之。」高祖曰：「你說的沒錯。」於是乃令蕭何第一，賜給錦帶，允許蕭何可以配劍，穿鞋子上殿，入朝拜見高祖不用行趨禮。

蕭何任丞相定法制

蕭何採摭秦六法，重新制定律令制度，作為《九章律》（《盜律》、《賊律》、《囚律》、《捕律》、《雜律》、《具律》，增加《戶律》、《興律》、《廄律》）。

成也蕭何，敗也蕭何

高祖十一年，陳豨謀反，劉邦親征討伐，此時呂后用蕭何的計謀把韓信騙入宮內，以有人密告他與陳豨共謀，將韓信誅殺，劉邦回來時聽說韓信已死，又喜又憐，於是拜丞相蕭何為相國。後世有名言，「成也蕭何，敗也蕭何」，說的是韓信的成、敗都是蕭何一手造成的。

晚年自污

高祖十一年（前196年）征陳豨時，蕭何協助高祖消滅韓信，被拜為相國，同時派了五百名士兵以保護之名就近監視；翌年征英布時，又不斷派人探問蕭何動向。蕭何為了避免高祖猜忌，聽從門客建議拒絕封賞，更強占民地自毀聲譽，試圖避開被殺害的危機。但當高祖讓蕭何向民謝罪時，蕭何又忍不住請高祖將上林苑閒置的土地開放給貧苦百姓耕種，高祖懷疑他收買民心憤而回絕，並以勾結富商、謀盜國土的罪名將蕭何予以囚禁，所幸獲得其他官員直諫才得以釋放。

高祖死後，他輔佐惠帝。惠帝二年（前193年）七月辛未逝世。蕭何一向很避諱與曹參相比能力，病危時推薦曹參繼任相國。

紀念

蕭何墓，位于今天陝西省漢中市城固縣博望鎮謝家井辦事處杜家漕村 ，2008年被列為第五批陝西省文物保護單位。

人物逸話

高帝十一年，劉邦征陳豨時聽說韓信已死後，拜丞相蕭何為相國，加封食邑五千戶，並派兵卒五百人為蕭何貼身侍衛。群臣都不住向蕭何道喜，召平卻深以為懼，於是向相國說：「禍害自此開始了。現在淮陰侯剛剛才因謀反伏誅，陛下在外征戰，相國你留守京中沒有戰功卻得封賞，是因為懷疑你有二心。陛下給你配置衛士，實在是為了防備監視你而不是寵信你。我勸你拒絕所有封地，並且將自己的私有財產獻出用作漢軍軍費。」蕭何聽從召平勸諫，劉邦非常高興。

高帝十二年秋天時，英布謀反，劉邦屢屢遣使問相國在做什麼，蕭何表示願謹守本份以奉公，並像陳豨謀反時一樣捐獻家財充作軍需。有人向相國勸說：「我看蕭氏距離滅族不久了。你以相國居功第一，陛下再沒有什麼能封賞於你。自你初入關中以來，已得到十多年的好名聲，百姓依附你，你卻仍在不斷善待百姓。陛下探問於你，是怕你會趁機煽動關中百姓造反。你不如自己賤買強買人民田產，自毀名聲，主上就會安心了。」蕭何聽從勸諫。劉邦討伐黥布歸來時，聽說此事，拿著百姓的陳情，笑著諷刺蕭何：「相國竟然如此『造福人民』啊！」還把所有投訴蕭何的狀紙拿給蕭何，命令蕭何自己跟百姓謝罪。蕭何卻說劉邦讓百姓進入君王園林沒有使用之空地上耕作。劉邦大怒，說：「蕭相國一定是收受商人賄賂，居然敢要我的林苑！」於是下令廷尉逮捕蕭何，還綁上刑具。

有王姓衛尉隨侍在劉邦身邊時，問劉邦：「蕭相國到底犯了甚麼大罪，要這麼殘暴地被逮捕呢？」劉邦回答：「我聽說李斯任秦相國時，好事都歸於君主，過錯都歸自己頭上。現在蕭相國受商人賄賂關說，想要使人民進入御苑耕種，故意討好人民，所以我將他綁了以治罪。」王衛尉說：「辦事有利於民的方法，向陛下請求，就真的是相國應該做的工作啊，陛下怎會懷疑相國收了商人的錢了呢？況且陛下過去親自出征抵抗楚軍數年，之後又御駕討伐陳豨跟黥布，相國身在長安，只要稍有動作已輕易奪得關中了。當時相國不覺得佔有關中造反是利益，現在就把收點賄賂當作利益嗎？而且秦朝因為君主不知過錯而亡，李斯為君王分擔過失，又有什麼值得效法？陛下怎會那麼淺薄地會懷疑相國了呢？」劉邦很不高興，但還是在當天就赦免蕭何之罪，派了使者拿著符節到獄中放了蕭何，年邁的蕭何赤腳向劉邦謝罪，劉邦說：「愛卿不要這樣了罷！我不答應你為百姓開放御苑，不過是像桀、紂一樣的昏君，而愛卿你才是賢相啊，我把你下獄，就是要讓人民知道我的過錯。」

世系圖

王莽篡漢後，酂侯被廢，建初七年，漢章帝採納韋彪的建議，複封蕭何後裔蕭熊為酂侯。漢獻帝建安九年（204年），封蕭何後代為安眾侯。

評價

• 劉邦：「夫運籌策帷帳之中，決勝於千里之外，吾不如子房。鎮國家，撫百姓，給餽饟，不絕糧道，吾不如蕭何。連百萬之軍，戰必勝，攻必取，吾不如韓信。此三者，皆人傑也，吾能用之，此吾所以取天下也。」

• 鄂秋：「郡臣議皆誤。夫曹參雖有野戰略地之功，此特一時之事。夫上與楚相距五歲，失軍亡眾，跳身遁者數矣，然蕭何常從關中遣軍補其處。非上所詔令召，而數萬眾會上乏絕者數矣。夫漢與楚相守滎陽數年，軍無見糧，蕭何轉漕關中，給食不乏。陛下雖數亡山東，蕭何常全關中待陛下，此萬世功也。今雖無曹參等百數，何缺于漢？漢得之不必待以全。奈何欲以一旦之功加萬世之功哉！蕭何當第一，曹參次之。」

• 劉盈：「故相國蕭何，高皇帝大功臣，所與為天下也。」

• 司馬遷：「蕭相國何于秦時為刀筆吏，錄錄未有奇節。及漢興，依日月之末光，何謹守管鑰，因民之疾奉秦法，順流與之更始。淮陰、黥布等皆以誅滅，而何之勛爛焉。位冠髃臣，聲施後世，與閎夭、散宜生等爭烈矣。」；《太史公自序》：「楚人圍我滎陽，相守三年；蕭何填撫山西，推計踵兵，給糧食不絕，使百姓愛漢，不樂為楚。」

• 班固：「蕭何、曹參皆起秦刀筆吏，當時錄錄未有奇節。漢興，依日月之末光，何以信謹守管龠，參與韓信俱征伐。天下既定，因民之疾秦法，順流與之更始，二人同心，遂安海內。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，慶流苗裔，盛矣哉！」

• 曹操：「蕭何、曹參，縣吏也，韓信、陳平負污辱之名，有見笑之恥，卒能成就王業，聲著千載。」

• 司馬昭：「昔蕭何、張良、霍光，咸有匡佐之功。」

• 荀勖：「昔蕭曹相漢，載其清靜，致畫一之歌，此清心之本也。」

• 陸機：「堂堂蕭公，王跡是因。綢繆睿後，無競維人。外濟六師，內撫三秦。拔奇夷難，邁德振民。體國垂制，上穆下親。名蓋群後，是謂宗臣。」

• 葛洪：「鄧禹馬援田間諸生，而善於用兵；蕭何曹參不涉經誥，而優於宰輔，爾則知人果未易也。」

• 應詹：「昔高祖使蕭何鎮關中，光武令寇恂守河內，魏武委鐘繇以西事，故能使八表夷蕩，區內輯寧。」

• 朱敬則：「蕭何之鎮靜關中，寇恂之安輯河內，葛亮相蜀，張昭輔吳，茂宏之經理琅琊，景略之弼諧永固，劉穆之眾務必舉，揚遵彥百度惟貞，蘇綽共濟艱難，高熲同經草昧，雖功有大小，運或長短，咸推股肱之林。悉為忠烈之士。」

• 司馬貞：「蕭何為吏，文而無害。及佐興王，舉宗從沛。關中既守，轉輸是賴。漢軍屢疲，秦兵必會。約法可久，收圖可大。指獸發蹤，其功實最。政稱畫一，居乃非泰。繼絕寵勤，式旌礪帶。」

• 獨孤及：「漢興，蕭何、張良、霍去病、霍光以文武大略，佐漢致太平，一名不盡其善，乃有文終、文成、景桓、宣成之謚。」

• 薛稷：「恪居爾位，勤不告勞，則蕭公堂堂，吳漢糾糾，馮豹伏於閣下，黃公宿於台上：憂國奉公，可以不謂忠乎？」

• 呂蒙正：」張良原是布衣，蕭何曾為縣吏；韓信未遇之時，無一日之餐，及至遇行，腰懸三齊玉印。「

• 洪邁：「蕭、曹、丙、魏、房、杜、姚、宋為漢、唐名相，不待誦說。然前六君子皆終于位，而姚、宋相明皇，皆不過三年。……蕭何且死，所推賢唯曹參；魏、丙同心輔政；房喬每議事，必曰非如晦莫能籌之；姚崇避位，薦宋公自代。唯賢知賢，宜後人之莫及也。」

• 陳亮：「漢高帝所籍以取天下者，故非一人之力，而蕭何、韓信、張良蓋傑然于其間。天下既定，而不免于疑。于是張良以神仙自托；蕭何以謹畏自保；韓信以蓋世之功，進退無以自明。蕭何能知之于未用之先，而卒不能保其非叛，方且借信以為自保矣。」

• 徐鈞：「相國人誇佐沛公，收圖運餉守關中。不知用蜀為根本，此是興王第一功。」

• 張閏：「漢祖肇炎圖，三傑咸輔翼。功成及酬賞，相國獨第一。發蹤指示語，誰曰匪其實。焉知英主心，方謹操縱術。勛高疑益深，固異亭長日。守關忠弗念，置衛防百出。堂堂明且審，自計亦無失。護軍給餉饋，入秦收圖籍。用智既有餘，保身豈難必。遜封散宏財，非真召平力。污名起田宅，猶愈受斧鑕。終加恭謹辭，賢哉史臣筆。」

• 曾國藩：「古人稱立德、立功、立言為三不朽。立德最難，自周漢以後，罕見德傳者。立功如蕭、曹、房、杜、郭、李、韓、岳，立言如馬、班、韓、歐、李、杜、蘇、黃，古今曾有幾人？」

• 周恩來：「劉邦百戰百敗，卻屢敗屢起，靠的就是蕭何為他當宰相，經營關中作他的根據地，要人有人，要錢有錢，要糧有糧。項羽百戰百勝，卻經不起一敗；一敗塗地，一敗就亡，原因之一是沒有蕭何這樣的宰相。」

影視形象

• 香港電視劇《楚河漢界》（1985年）：由劉江飾演。

• 香港電影《西楚霸王》（1994年）：由杜少津飾演。

• 中國大陸電視劇《漢劉邦》（1998年）：由程文寬飾演。

• 香港電視劇《楚漢驕雄》（2004年）：由魯振順飾演。

• 中國大陸電視劇《楚漢風雲》（2005年）：由陽光飾演。

• 中國大陸電視劇《玫瑰江湖》（2009年）：由宋洋飾演。

• 中國大陸電視劇《大風歌》（2010年）：由林達信飾演。

• 中國大陸與香港合拍電影《鴻門宴傳奇》（2011年）：由修慶飾演。

• 中國大陸電視劇《楚漢爭雄》（2011年）：由陳銳飾演。

• 中國大陸電視劇《楚漢傳奇》（2012年）：由楊立新飾演。

• 中國大陸電影《王的盛宴》（2012年）：由沙溢飾演。

相關條目

• 漢初三傑

• 蕭規曹隨

• 酇侯列表

Early life

Xiao He was born in Fengyi County, Sishui Commandery (present-day Feng County, Jiangsu). In his early days, he served as a gongcao (功曹; magistrate's secretary) in the administrative office of Pei County. He was studious, tactful and amiable. He was well versed in law and had a wide network of friends and acquaintances, among whom include Liu Bang, Cao Shen, Fan Kuai, Xiahou Ying and Zhou Bo.

Insurrection against the Qin dynasty

Once, Liu Bang released some prisoners he was escorting to Mount Li to be labourers, and became a fugitive. He hid in an outlaw stronghold on Mount Mangdang (in present-day Yongcheng, Henan) and maintained secret contact with Xiao He and Cao Shen. In 209 BC, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang started the Dazexiang Uprising to overthrow the Qin dynasty, and was followed by numerous other rebellions throughout China. The magistrate of Pei County considered rebelling as well, so he heeded Xiao He and Cao Shen's advice to invite Liu Bang back to support him. However, he changed his mind later and denied Liu Bang's party entry into the city. As he was afraid that Xiao He and Cao Shen might open the gates for Liu Bang, he intended to have them executed, but Xiao and Cao escaped and joined Liu. As suggested by Xiao He, Liu Bang had letters sent to the townsfolk, fired into the city on arrows, urging them to join him. The people responded to Liu Bang's call and killed the magistrate and welcomed him back into the city.

After returning to Pei County, the townsfolk wanted Liu Bang to lead them to overthrow the Qin dynasty. However, Liu Bang expressed reluctance in taking up the leadership position and the people agreed to decide their leader by luck. Xiao He was in charge of the process and he had the names of ten respectable men in town, including Liu Bang, written on separate pieces of paper and shuffled. Xiao He then asked Liu Bang to pick any piece from the pile, without seeing the name on it, and Liu picked his own name by chance. Liu Bang looked at Xiao He and wanted to decline again. Xiao He immediately grabbed the remaining pieces of paper, put them into his mouth and chewed them to shreds, after which he proclaimed Liu Bang as their leader. Liu Bang became known as the "Duke of Pei" and built his rebel army in Pei County, with Xiao He and his friends supporting him. Liu Bang learnt from Xiao He later that actually all the ten pieces of paper contained his name, and Xiao had deliberately tampered with the system to help him.

In 206 BC, the Qin dynasty collapsed after the last Qin ruler, Ziying, surrendered to Liu Bang. Liu Bang's army occupied the Qin capital Xianyang. Upon entering the Epang Palace, Liu Bang and most of his men seized treasures and women for themselves, while Xiao He rushed to the chancellor's office and ordered it to be heavily guarded. Xiao He then brought a few men with him to collect all official documents in the office and bring them out safely. Xiao He later explained that the documents were more valuable than riches and women, because they contained crucial information about the Qin Empire and would be useful in intelligence.

Chu–Han Contention

Recommending Han Xin

Liu Bang was forced to retreat from Xianyang later as Xiang Yu's army arrived and occupied the city. After plundering Xianyang and destroying the palace, Xiang Yu divided the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms. Liu Bang received the title of "King of Han" and was relocated to the remote Bashu region (in present-day Sichuan), with Xiao He and his followers accompanying him. Liu Bang was unhappy and wanted to attack Xiang Yu because the land of Guanzhong rightfully belonged to him, according to an earlier promise by Emperor Yi of Chu, but was granted by Xiang to three surrendered Qin generals instead. However, Xiao He and others managed to persuade Liu Bang to temporarily remain in Bashu and build up his forces in preparation for a battle for supremacy with Xiang Yu later. Xiao He was appointed by Liu Bang as the chancellor of the Han kingdom.

During that time, Xiao He met Han Xin, who had recently joined Liu Bang's army and was serving as a low-ranking soldier, and recognised Han Xin's brilliance in military strategy. Not long later, many of Liu Bang's men deserted as they were unable to cope with living in remote Bashu, and Han Xin also left as he was disappointed because he felt his talent would go to waste in Liu Bang's camp. When Xiao He learnt that Han Xin had left, he immediately rushed to find Han and bring him back, without managing to inform Liu Bang in time. Xiao He caught up with Han Xin after trailing him for a few days, even at night, and succeeded in persuading Han to return. Meanwhile, Liu Bang thought that Xiao He had also deserted him and was shocked, but was relieved when he saw Xiao returning with Han Xin days later. Liu Bang asked Xiao He, "Of all those who deserted, why did you choose to bring back Han Xin only?" Xiao He then strongly recommended Han Xin to Liu Bang, saying that Han's talent was unmatched. Liu Bang heeded Xiao He's suggestion and appointed Han Xin as a general.

Conquest of the Three Qin

In 206 BC, Liu Bang conquered the Three Qins and left Xiao He in charge of Guanzhong and Bashu, while he led his army eastward to attack Xiang Yu's Western Chu kingdom. Xiao He governed those territories effectively and provided support to Liu Bang's army at the warfront in the form of supplies, provisions and reinforcements. While in Guanzhong, Xiao He restored peace and order by implementing a new system of governance and reconstructing destroyed buildings. Under the new system, taxes were readjusted to reduce the burden on the poor; land that used to belong to the Qin aristocracy was redistributed to peasants, in order to increase agricultural output; capable and respectable men were selected from among commoners to assist government officials in administration.

Battle of Gaixia

Liu Bang eventually defeated Xiang Yu at the Battle of Gaixia in 202 BC and unified China under his rule. He was proclaimed "Emperor" and became historically known as "Emperor Gaozu of Han". The following year, when Gaozu rewarded his subjects according to their contributions, Xiao He received the title of "Marquis of Zan" (酇侯) in addition to his appointment as chancellor. Besides, Gaozu also granted Xiao He a rare special privilege: Xiao was allowed to enter the imperial court carrying a sword and with his shoes on, and not required to walk in briskly while others had to.

In service during the Western Han dynasty

In 201 BC, Emperor Gaozu wanted to build his capital in Luoyang but Zhang Liang suggested Xianyang instead, because it was surrounded by natural defences such as mountain passes, and had fertile land for agriculture. Gaozu put Xiao He in charge of the constructions in Xianyang. Two years later, the project was completed and Xiao He took Gaozu on a tour of Xianyang. The new palace was called Weiyang Palace and served as the central imperial palace throughout the Western Han dynasty and Xin dynasty. Gaozu also renamed Xianyang to "Chang'an", which meant "long-lasting peace".

Role in Han Xins downfall

In 196 BC, while Gaozu was away on a military campaign to suppress a rebellion by Chen Xi, one of Han Xin's servants reported to Empress Lü Zhi that his master was involved in a conspiracy with Chen Xi and was planning a coup in Chang'an. Empress Lü approached Xiao He for help and they formulated a plan to lure Han Xin into a trap. Xiao He had an imperial edict sent to Han Xin, announcing news of Gaozu's victory over Chen Xi, asking Han to meet the emperor and offer his congratulations. As soon as Han Xin arrived in Changle Palace, he was arrested and executed in a torturous manner for alleged treason.

Later life and death

In 195 BC, Xiao He saw that Chang'an was becoming more congested and the imperial garden was full of uncultivated land, hence he suggested to Gaozu to carve out parts of the garden and grant them to peasants as farmland. Gaozu was unhappy and accused Xiao He of accepting bribes and dishonouring imperial authority. Xiao He was arrested and imprisoned, but was released later after Gaozu was convinced that Xiao He had the people's interests at heart. Gaozu summoned Xiao He to see him and he said with jest and embarrassment, "The chancellor was asking for the fields in the imperial garden out of interest for the people, but I did not approve. This showed that I'm only like Jie and Zhou (Emperors of the Xia and Shang dynasties), and that you're the most understanding chancellor. Therefore, I intentionally imprisoned you to show the people that I'm a tyrant."

After the death of Gaozu, Xiao He continued serving Gaozu's successor Emperor Hui as chancellor until he died in 193 BC. Before his death, Xiao He recommended Cao Shen to succeed him. Cao Shen inherited the system of governance left behind by Xiao He and maintained it well but did not implement any new changes.

Descendants

Xiao He's great-grandson, Xiao Biao (蕭彪), moved to Lanling (near present-day Zaozhuang, Shandong) and led a reclusive life there.

Two of his descendants would later found imperial dynasties during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period. Xiao Daocheng would found the Southern Qi, while his distant cousin Xiao Yan would found the subsequent Liang dynasty.

Legacy

Some Chinese idioms and sayings originated from the events in Xiao He's life and are listed as follows:

• Xiao He chases Han Xin under the moonlight: Originated from the event where Xiao trailed Han Xin for a few days, even at night, in order to catch up with the latter and bring him back to Liu Bang. It is used to describe an urgent situation in which action has to be taken immediately without notification.

• Success is due to Xiao He, downfall is also due to Xiao He (成也蕭何 敗也蕭何 Hangul: 성야소하 폐야소하): Xiao He helped Han Xin become a general, which enabled Han to put his talent to good use. However, Xiao also played an important role in Han's death. It is used to describe a situation where one's success and failure are both due to the same factor.

• Cao following Xiao's rules (萧规曹随): Cao Shen, Xiao He's successor as chancellor, inherited the system of governance left behind by Xiao and maintained it well but did not implement any new changes. It is used to describe the continuation of the work of one's predecessor.

Modern references

Xiao He is one of the 32 historical figures who appear as special characters in the video game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI by Koei. He also appears as a non-playable character in the action RPG Prince of Qin.