Han Dynasty Prime Minister
The man who managed an empire while Liu Bang won battles — and saved the Shiji by memorizing it before burning palaces could destroy it.
Xiao He served as Liu Bang's chief administrator throughout the wars against Xiang Yu. While Liu Bang fought battles and Han Xin won campaigns, Xiao He held the rear together — collecting taxes, enrolling soldiers, maintaining supplies. When Liu Bang conquered Xianyang, everyone looted — Liu Bang took maps and archives, Xiao He took official documents. Those documents would become the foundation of Han governance. Xiao He is also famous for chasing Han Xin through the night and convincing him not to flee, then presenting him to Liu Bang. After the Han dynasty was established, Xiao He became Prime Minister. He reformed laws, established the capital at Chang'an, and built the institutions of the new empire. Liu Bang wanted to build a grand palace; Xiao He convinced him to govern modestly. 'A capital without law is a palace without walls.'