After meeting Gai Gong, he explained to Cao Can that "the key to governance lies in tranquility and non-interference, allowing the people to naturally stabilize themselves." He elaborated on this principle extensively. Cao Can then vacated his main hall and invited Gai Gong to reside there. His governance primarily employed the philosophy of Huang-Lao, so during the nine years he served as prime minister of Qi, Qi was peaceful and prosperous, earning him great acclaim as an excellent prime minister.
Cao Can succeeded Xiao He as the Chancellor of the Han dynasty. He made no changes to established policies and fully adhered to the regulations set by Xiao He. He selected officials from the commanderies and states who were straightforward and inept at rhetoric but were considered wise and steady, appointing them as clerks under the Chancellor.
Cao Can said: "Emperor Gaozu and Xiao He stabilized the empire, and the laws were already clear. Now Your Majesty can rule with ease, while we remain diligent in our duties, following the laws without deviation. Is this not sufficient?"
As the Chancellor of the Han dynasty, Cao Can advocated for a policy of quietude and extreme adherence to Daoist principles. However, after the people had suffered under the harsh laws of the Qin dynasty, Cao Can implemented a policy of rest and non-interference, leading the whole country to praise his virtue.
(Excerpt from "The Grand Historian's Records: The House of Chancellor Cao")
Translation:
After meeting Gai Gong, Gai Gong told Cao Can that governing the country is valuable when it is calm and inactive, and the people will naturally be at peace. Extending this idea, he explained all related principles. Cao Can then vacated his main hall and invited Gai Gong to stay there. He also genuinely used the Huang-Lao doctrine as the guiding ideology for governing the country. Therefore, during the nine years he served as the prime minister of Qi, Qi was stable and peaceful, and people greatly praised him as a wise prime minister.
Cao Can succeeded Xiao He as the Chancellor of the Han dynasty. There were no changes in the way things were done, and everything followed the rules established by Xiao He. Cao Can selected some simple and unskilled rhetoricians from various counties and feudal states, immediately summoning them to serve as clerks under the Chancellor.
Cao Can said: "Emperor Gaozu and Xiao He pacified the world, and the laws have already been clarified. Now, Your Majesty can govern effortlessly, while we guard our respective responsibilities, follow the existing laws, and do not make arbitrary changes. Isn't this enough?"
As the Chancellor of the Han dynasty, Cao Can advocated for quietude and non-action, which perfectly aligned with the teachings of Daoism. After the people suffered from the harsh policies of the Qin dynasty, Cao Can allowed them to recuperate and rest, so the whole country praised his virtues.