Chao Cuo (about 200 BC, 154 BC), a native of Yuzhou City, Henan Province, was a minister, scholar, politician and writer in the Western Han Dynasty. His policy of "Guisu theory" and "entering the border with millet" laid the foundation for the prosperity of the country and the prosperity of the people and the stability of the frontier during the reigns of the Jing and Wu emperors of the Han Dynasty.
When he was a teenager, he studied under Zhang Hui to learn Xi Legalist thought, and learned the art of Shen Bu Harm and Shang Ying's criminal name. In December of the second year of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty (178 years ago), he selected a virtuous and good person, because he was familiar with the allusions of literature, and was too often in charge. At this time, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty wanted to seek the rule of the world "Shangshu" scholars, so he sent Chao Cuo to Jinan to follow Fu Sheng to learn Xi "Shangshu", accept Confucianism, and after returning from study, he was edicted to be the prince and moved to a doctorate.
Later, in "The Prince of Yan Should Know the Technique", Chen said that the prince should know how to govern the country, which was appreciated by Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty and worshiped the prince's family order. Because of Chao Cuo's ability to speak well and analyze problems, he won the love and trust of the prince Liu Qi, and the prince's family was known as a "think tank".
During the period of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, the Xiongnu led the invasion, and Chao Cuo took the opportunity to go on the "Words and Soldiers", and put forward the view of "attacking barbarians with barbarians", strengthening **, refining soldiers, and selecting good generals, Emperor Wen was very appreciative, but did not adopt Chao Cuo's suggestion to take the initiative to attack.
Soon, Chao Cuo went to "Guarding the Border and Persuading the Peasants", suggesting that immigrants should defend the border, resist foreign troubles, and defend the frontier.
In addition to assisting the crown prince, Chao Cuo also pays great attention to national affairs. He wrote to Emperor Wen many times, proposing to cut the princes and change the decree, although Emperor Wen did not adopt his suggestions, but he appreciated his talent. At that time, the crown prince Liu Qi was very much in favor of Chao Cuo's suggestion, while Yuan Ang and other ministers did not like Chao Cuo and opposed it.
After Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty ascended the throne, Chao Cuo was promoted to the internal history, often had secret affairs with Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty, and the official was Jiuqing, and many decrees were made, which caused the resentment of Prime Minister Shen Tujia and others. Shen Tujia framed Chao Cuo for digging the temple wall without authorization, and Chao Cuo received the news in advance, but failed, Shen Tujia failed to succeed, so he had to apologize and retreat, and soon fell ill and died.
In the second year of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty (155 BC), Emperor Jing promoted Chao Cuo to the imperial historian, ranking as the third duke, and his status became more and more noble. He has written many times advocating the strengthening of centralized power, the reduction of princes' fiefdoms, and the emphasis on agriculture and precious millet.
In the third year of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty (154 BC), Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty adopted the "Cutting Domain Policy" written by Chao Cuo, and successively issued an edict to cut the counties of Wu, Chu, Zhao and Jiaoxi, which caused a great shock in the imperial court. In addition, Chao Cuo also amended thirty decrees, and the princes were in an uproar, all of whom strongly opposed and hated Chao Cuo. At this time, Liu Bi, the king of Wu, first rebelled in the capital Guangling, and united with Liu Wei, the king of Jiaoxi, Liu Xiongqu, the king of Jiaodong, Liu Xian, the king of Miao, Liu Piguang, the king of Jinan, Liu Wu, the king of Chu, Liu Sui, the king of Zhao, and other princes and kings of the clan surnamed Liu, in the name of "Qingjun side", attacked Chao Cuo "encroaching on the fiefs of the princes, focusing on impeaching and insulting the princes, and not treating the flesh and blood of the Liu family with the courtesy of the princes", etc., and launched a rebellion, which is the famous "Battle of the Seven Kingdoms of Wu and Chu" in history.
Emperor Jing heard the news and discussed with Chao Cuo about sending troops. Chao Cuo suggested that Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty drive the expedition in person and stay in the capital by himself.
When Dou Ying entered the palace, he asked Emperor Jing to summon Yuan An. Yuan Ang once served as the prime minister of Wu State, so Emperor Jing asked Yuan Ang for advice. Yuan Ang thought that the rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms of Wu and Chu was not enough trouble, and asked Emperor Jing to retreat from others, and offered advice: "The purpose of the rebellion of Wu and Chu is to kill Chao Cuo and restore the original fief;As long as he made a mistake and sent an envoy to announce the pardon of the Seven Kingdoms of Wu and Chu and restore the fiefdoms that had been cut down, the rebellion could be eliminated without bloodshed. Emperor Jing was silent for a long time and agreed to sacrifice Chao Cuo in exchange for the princes to withdraw their troops. So he named Yuan Ang too often, and asked him to secretly rectify his outfit and send an envoy to Wu State.
More than ten days after Yuan Ang's advice, Prime Minister Tao Qing, Lieutenant Chen Jia, and Ting Lieutenant Zhang Ou jointly signed a letter, **Chao Wrong, and proposed to behead Chao Wrong all over the house. Emperor Jing approved this movement, and Chao Cuo did not know about it at this time. So Emperor Jing sent a lieutenant to Chao Cuo's house and issued an edict to deceive Chao Cuo into going to the court to discuss matters. The carriage and horse passed through Chang'an East City, the lieutenant stopped, suddenly took out the edict, read it to Chao Cuo, and cut Chao Cuo, who was still wearing court clothes at that time.
After Chao Cuo's death, Captain Deng Gong returned from the front line to report the military situation, and Emperor Jing inquired about the progress of the negotiations. Deng Gong thought that the princes rebelled, and the Qing monarch was just an excuse, and the killing of Chao Cuo blocked the mouths of the loyal ministers internally, but avenged the princes and kings externally, and the rebellion would not be quelled. Emperor Jing thought so deeply and worshiped him as Lieutenant Chengyang. Later, Emperor Jing sent an edict to attack, and due to the persistence of the Liang State and the attack of the Han army led by the Han general Zhou Yafu, the rebellion was put down within three months.