Sima Qian
The historian Sima Qian commented in "Records of the Grand Historian" that he felt that among all of Liu Bang's subjects, Cao Shen's contributions in battle was second only to Han Xin. Commenting on Cao Shen's role as chancellor, Sima Qian mentioned that Cao had done well in preserving Xiao He's system of governance and achieved the peace and stability desired by the people.