The Perilous Task of Enfeoffing Han’s First Marquises

In the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu’s reign (201 BCE), Liu Bang faced one of his most delicate challenges as the newly crowned Han emperor: rewarding his war companions. After years of rebellion against the Qin and the grueling Chu-Han Contention, tensions flared as veteran generals vied for recognition. The emperor’s solution? A historic mass enfeoffment—granting marquisates to ten key figures. Leading this inaugural list was Cao Shen, the Marquis of Pingyang. But who was this man, and why did Liu Bang place him above all others?

Cao Shen: The Pillar of Han’s Military Machine

### From County Clerk to Rebellion Architect
Cao Shen’s bond with Liu Bang ran deep. Hailing from Pei County, he served as a prison official (狱掾)—a position superior to Liu Bang’s lowly泗水亭长 (neighborhood chief). When the Qin collapse loomed, Cao Shen and strategist Xiao He masterminded Pei’s uprising. They convinced the hesitant magistrate to recruit the fugitive Liu Bang, only to defect when the magistrate turned hostile. This trio—Liu Bang, Xiao He, and Cao Shen—became the rebellion’s core.

### The Northern Campaigns with Han Xin
During the Chu-Han war (206–202 BCE), Cao Shen’s brilliance shone as Han Xin’s deputy. While Liu Bang stalemated项羽 at Xingyang, Han Xin and Cao Shen conquered northern China. From the siege of Zhao to the Battle of Wei River, Cao Shen’s tactical acumen secured Han’s dominance. Historian Wang Liqun notes: “Where Han Xin triumphed, Cao Shen’s contributions were inseparable.”

### Governing Qi: The Birth of “Wuwei” Policy
Post-war, Liu Bang entrusted Cao Shen with Qi—the largest vassal kingdom—as chancellor. Facing a war-ravaged populace, Cao Shen convened scholars but found their theories impractical. A胶西 philosopher, Master Ge, offered a radical solution: 清净无为 (governing through non-interference). Cao Shen embraced this Daoist-Flegalist hybrid, allowing Qi to recover autonomously. His success birthed Han’s foundational policy: rest and recuperation.

Xiahou Ying: The Driver Who Saved Dynasties

### The Loyalty That Defied Death
Xiahou Ying, Liu Bang’s charioteer (太仆), exemplified unwavering loyalty. During a youthful brawl, he endured torture rather than implicate Liu Bang in assault. Later, at彭城’s disastrous defeat (205 BCE), he rescued Liu Bang’s children—future Emperor Hui and Princess Yuan—despite Liu Bang repeatedly ordering their abandonment.

### The “F1 Racer” of Ancient China
Xiahou Ying’s driving skills became legendary. During the荥阳 stalemate, he alone escorted Liu Bang on perilous escapes, including a daring dash to Han Xin’s camp to seize military seals. His role as三代太仆 (charioteer for three emperors) underscored unmatched trust.

### An Eye for Talent: Savior of Han Xin and Ji Bu
Beyond loyalty, Xiahou Ying had a gift for spotting talent. He spared the young Han Xin from execution, recognizing his potential, and later persuaded Liu Bang to pardon项羽’s general Ji Bu—actions pivotal to Han’s stability.

Chen Ping: The Controversial Strategist

### The “Three-Job Hopper” Who Delivered Victory
Chen Ping’s journey—from魏咎’s court to项羽’s staff before joining Liu Bang—earned him accusations of opportunism. Yet his brilliance proved indispensable. At critical junctures, he:
– Stopped Liu Bang from alienating Han Xin (203 BCE), securing后者’s aid against项羽.
– Urged breaking the鸿沟 truce (202 BCE), ensuring项羽’s final defeat.

### The Art of Survival: From樊哙’s Reprieve to吕后’s Court
Chen Ping’s political gymnastics dazzled and dismayed. Tasked with executing樊哙 (Liu Bang’s brother-in-law) during the emperor’s final days, he instead imprisoned him, anticipating a posthumous pardon. Under Empress Lü’s reign, he feigned debauchery as chancellor to avoid purges, later orchestrating the吕氏 clan’s downfall.

Legacy: The Foundations of Han’s Golden Age

These three exemplars shaped early Han governance:
– Cao Shen’s Wuwei policies revived China’s economy, influencing centuries of Daoist-statecraft.
– Xiahou Ying’s loyalty became the imperial guard’s archetype, while his patronage of Han Xin altered military history.
– Chen Ping’s realpolitik, though criticized, preserved stability during turbulent successions.

As Wang Liqun observes: “Liu Bang’s enfeoffments weren’t arbitrary—they honored those who turned chaos into order.” From battlefield to bureaucracy, these men engineered a dynasty that would endure four centuries.