Liu Yan (劉晏) | 24 Histories

Overview

Liu Yan was a Tang Fiscal Statesman and Transport Commissioner.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Courtesy name	Shi'an	士安	Shi'an

Life and dates

Death

AD 780 是月庚午
Execution · At Zhongzhou 忠州 · Age Years 66 · Cause False charge of rebellion
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 104
AD 766 to AD 780 劉晏理財用事之世
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 253

Age

7
Reckoning Sui · Context nominated as child prodigy and appointed Regular Scribe
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 2
AD 780 是月庚午
Age Years 66 · Reckoning Sui
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 104

Attested activity

AD 777 十二年三月
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 64-71
AD 769 大歷四年六月
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 61-62
AD 773 八年
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 63
AD 758 to AD 777 before 大歷十二年
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 153, passages 51, 53
AD 760 to AD 780 Tang fiscal career recalled in Xu Luqing comparison
Strongly inferred · History of Song 410, passage 261
AD 766 to AD 780 劉晏理財用事之世
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 248, 251, 253, 255-257

Show 16 more source-backed claims

AD 760 to AD 780 劉晏領使時
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 52, passage 197
AD 766 to AD 772 大曆前至大曆七年前
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 54, passages 206-208
AD 766 to AD 779 大曆故事，如劉晏、韓滉所分
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 191
AD 766 to AD 779 大歷中
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 229
AD 766 to AD 779 大歷中
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 161, passage 124
AD 763 寶應二年
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 10
AD 763 尋授御史大夫
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 12, 15
AD 761 to AD 763 時史朝義盜據東都
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 4-5
AD 776 李靈曜之亂
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 76-77
AD 766 永泰二年
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 51, passages 157-158
AD 766 to AD 779 當大歷時
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 90
AD 762 經紀其家
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 141, passage 65
AD 762 to AD 780 肅宗末年至楊炎為相
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 53, passages 56, 71
AD 755 to AD 779 自兵起
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 54, passage 16
AD 756 to AD 758 至德初
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 58
AD 766 to AD 777 轉運使 directing Liu Nai in Jiangxi and Zhejiang
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 157, passages 79, 81

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Zhijing (執經)
son 子
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 106
Parent of Zongjing (宗經)
youngest son 少子
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 107

Banished beyond the Ling passes
Kinship Role household dependents · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 105
trained them well; all had learning and arts
Kinship Role sons · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 87

Key source chapters

Career and standing

chief of finance 計相
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 30
state fiscal administrator 國計
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 248, 255
Chancellor of the Directorate of Education 國子祭酒
Added
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 9
concurrent Vice Censor-in-Chief 兼御史中丞
Added
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 6
Vice Minister of Revenue 戶部侍郎
Added
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 6
Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs 尚書左僕射
AD 778 十三年十二月 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 72

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controller of the three selection boards 知三銓選事
AD 773 八年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 63, 75
Grand Councilor 平章事
AD 763 寶應二年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 10
Mentor to the Heir Apparent 太子賓客
AD 763 寶應二年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 11
Minister of Personnel 吏部尚書
AD 763 寶應二年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 10
Censor-in-Chief 御史大夫
AD 763 尋授御史大夫 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 12
magistrate of Xia County 夏縣令
Appointed
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 3
Metropolitan Governor of Jingzhao 京兆尹
Appointed
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 6
Regular Scribe of the Secretariat 秘書省正字
Appointed
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 2
prefect of Tongzhou 通州刺史
Demoted
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 7
prefect of Zhongzhou 忠州刺史
Demoted · At Zhongzhou 忠州
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 101
Grand Councilor 平章事
AD 763 寶應二年 · Dismissed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 11
transport and related commissioner posts 轉運等使
AD 779 德宗嗣位 · Dismissed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 101
Vice Director 僕射
AD 766 to AD 779 大歷中 · Held
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 229
Commissioner for Revenue, Salt, Iron, Transport, and the Corvée Tax 度支鹽鐵轉運租庸使
AD 763 寶應二年 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 10
Transport Commissioner 轉運使
AD 766 永泰二年 · Held
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 51, passage 158
Salt and Iron Commissioner 鹽鐵使
Held · From Source Date: Text: 自兵起 · Western Interval: Start: AD 755 · End: AD 779 · Until Source Date: Text: 明年而晏罷 · Western Year: AD 780
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passages 16, 25, 27
Attendant Censor in the Palace 殿中侍御史
Held
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 4
Circuit Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner 諸道鹽鐵轉運使
Held
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 206
in charge of the revenue bureau 判度支
Held
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 6, 8
prefect of Hang, Long, and Hua 杭隴華三州刺史
Held
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 4
salt-iron commissioner 鹽鐵使
Held
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 52, passage 197
Transport Commissioner 轉運使
Held
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 153, passage 51; Old Book of Tang 157, passage 79
posthumous prefect of Zhengzhou 鄭州刺史
AD 789 貞元五年 · Posthumously granted
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 108
Minister of Personnel 吏部尚書
Promoted
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 61, 92
Vice Director of the Bureau of Revenue 度支郎中
Promoted
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 4
Metropolitan Governor of Jingzhao 京兆尹
Restored
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 8
Vice Minister of Revenue 戶部侍郎
Restored
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 8
Transport, zu-yong, salt, and iron commissioner for the Eastern Capital, Henan, Jianghuai, and Shannan circuits 東都、河南、江淮、山南等道轉運租庸鹽鐵使
AD 763 尋授御史大夫 · Retained
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 12
successor in the salt monopoly 代其任
AD 756 to AD 758 至德初 · Succeeded · With Di Wuqi (第五琦)
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 58
Intendant of Henan 河南尹
AD 761 to AD 763 時史朝義盜據東都 · Transferred
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 4-5
posthumous appointment as prefect of Zhengzhou 追贈鄭州刺史
AD 789 貞元五年 · Bestowed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 108
Entered
Convicted
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 150, passage 140
Removed from office
AD 780 明年而晏罷 · Dismissed
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 27
Power rivaling a chancellor · Duration more than ten years
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 88
framed on charges 所構
Accused · Authority Jing Yu (敬羽)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 7
life specially spared by imperial mercy 特賜生全
Pardoned · Mode self-report Speaker Liu Yan (劉晏)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 52
punished for associating with Cheng Yuanzhen 坐與中官程元振交通
AD 763 寶應二年 · Punished
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 11
Suffered
AD 780 是月庚午 · Executed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 104
conviction 得罪
Suffered
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 150, passage 140
Associates implicated · Quantity 数十
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 105

Places and affiliations

Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Active in
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 144, passage 152
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 10, 229, 248; History of Song 410, passage 261
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 58, 90; Old Book of Tang 153, passage 51; Old Book of Tang 157, passage 79; New Book of Tang 51, passage 158; New Book of Tang 54, passages 16, 206; New Book of Tang 150, passage 140
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Served
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 53, passage 56
At Nanhua in Caozhou 曹州南華
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 1
AD 763 尋授御史大夫
At Jianghuai 江淮 · Relation Traveled to
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 15

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AD 761 to AD 763 時史朝義盜據東都
At Changshui 長水 · Relation Posted to
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 5
At Hailing granaries 海陵之倉 · Relation Drew supplies from · Mode self-report Speaker Liu Yan (劉晏)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 34
At Hang 杭 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 4
At Hua 華 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 4
At Jiang and Ling prefectures 江、嶺諸州 · Relation Administered
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 206
At Long 隴 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 4
At Tongzhou 通州 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 7
At Xia County 夏縣 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 3
At Zhongzhou 忠州 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 101, 104

Learning and skills

Nominated
Credential child prodigy 神童
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 2
AD 766 to AD 779 大歷中
Skill state monopoly administration 榷筦之法 · Level mastered
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 229

Works and attributed material

letter to Yuan Zai on grain transport 遺元載書
Relation Author
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 15-56
Speech · Speaker · Addressee Person Ids Li Han (李涵), Xiao Xin (蕭昕), Yuan Kan (袁傪), Chang Gun (常袞), Du Ya (杜亞) · Direct quotation · Extent Unit Ids s0067, s0068
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 67-68
AD 763 尋授御史大夫
Letter · Author · With Yuan Zai (元載) · Direct quotation
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 16-56
Dialogue · Subject · Paraphrased
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 249-252
Memorial · Author · Paraphrased
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passages 17, 24
Policy argument · Speaker · Paraphrased
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 16

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Policy · Author · Paraphrased
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passages 17-22
Secret memorial · Author · With Consort Dugu (獨孤妃) · Mode rumor
Uncertain · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 95
Speech · Subject · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Wang Bo (王播)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 52, passage 197

Events and relationships

Administered from Changshui
AD 761 to AD 763 時史朝義盜據東都 · Administration · Provisional governor · At Changshui 長水 · With Shi Chaoyi (史朝義)
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 5
Analyzed transport costs
Fiscal · Administrator
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 206
Appointed capable juniors
Personnel · Patron
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 79, 81
Assumed duties at ministry
AD 769 大歷四年六月 · Ritual · Honoree · With Pei Zunqing (裴遵慶) · At Ministry of Personnel 本曹
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 62
Bought off slanderers to hold power
Political · Victim · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 258-260
Built price intelligence courier network
Administrative · Organizer
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 78

Show 52 more source-backed claims

Cleared bottlenecks employed talent enriched state without burdening people
Administrative · Minister
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 248, 255
Dali era division of finance
AD 766 to AD 779 大曆故事 · Administrative · Precedent · With Han Huang (韓滉)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 191
Demoted
Legal · Accused · With Jing Yu (敬羽)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 7
Established salt fields supervisory posts and patrol offices
Administrative · Organizer
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passages 20-22
Established salt law with silk commutation surcharge
Administrative · Reformer
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 30
Former clerks managed finance over twenty years after death
Administrative · Former chief
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 253
Funded military and state without audit
AD 766 to AD 779 當大歷時 · Fiscal · Financier
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 90
Increased annual salt revenue
Administrative · Commissioner · From Source Date: Text: 晏之始至也 · Western Year: c. AD 760 · Until Source Date: Text: 至大曆末 · Western Year: AD 779
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 25
Inspected Yuwen Kai weir
Inspection · Inspector · At Heyin, Gong, and Luo 河陰、鞏、洛 · With Yuwen Kai (宇文愷)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 19
Investigated transport profit and harm
AD 763 尋授御史大夫 · Administration · Commissioner
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 12, 14
Issued seasonal production orders and sent instructors
Administrative · Organizer
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 19
Kept at home then dispatched
Personal · Subject · Mode self-report Speaker Liu Yan (劉晏)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 53
Led eastern circuits
AD 766 永泰二年 · Fiscal · Commissioner
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 51, passage 158
Lightened punishment
Legal · Advocate · With Wang Jin (王縉)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 256
Maintained ever normal salt in Yangzi and Ling
Administrative · Organizer
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 18
Married off Jingshan orphaned daughter
Personal · Patron · With Orphaned daughter of Deng Jingshan
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 141, passage 65
Noted Li Jie embankment
Inspection · Inspector · With Li Jie (李傑)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 20
Offset shortfalls without raising levies
AD 776 李靈曜之亂 · Fiscal · Administrator
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 76-77
Ordered inspection
Administrative · Commissioner · At Jiangxi 江西 · With Liu Nai (劉迺)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 157, passage 79
Personally audited zu and yong to know prefectural fiscal conditions
Administrative · Commissioner
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 52, passage 197
Petitioned to abolish local levies and dam extortion
Administrative · Commissioner
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 24
Proposed and implemented salt policy
Administrative · Reformer
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passages 17-18
Publicly rejoiced at Yang Yan demotion
AD 777 十二年三月 · Political · Gloating observer · With Yang Yan (楊炎)
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 93
Raced Jianghuai tea and oranges to court
Tribute · Presenter · At Jianghuai 江淮
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 84-85
Recommended talent
Personnel · Recommender · With Yan Zhenqing (顏真卿)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 256
Refined salt monopoly
AD 756 to AD 758 至德初 · Administrative · Reformer
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 58-60
Reorganized transport, salt, iron, minting, and grain convoys for the capital
Administrative · Official
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 53, passages 56, 71
Secured commutation for Wang Jin
AD 777 十二年三月 · Legal · Advocate · With Wang Jin (王縉)
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 70-71
Sent to tour Jiangxi
Administrative · Commissioner · With Nai (迺)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 153, passage 51
Stockpiled traded metals expanded minting
Fiscal · Administrator · At Jiang-Huai 江淮 · Outcome Over 100000 strings yearly; coin increased
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 207
Submitted memorial in tears
Administration · Author · Mode self-report Speaker Liu Yan (劉晏)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 56
Tried Yuan Zai
AD 777 十二年三月 · Legal · Interrogator · With Yuan Zai (元載)
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 64-66
Viewed Sanmen canal remains
Inspection · Inspector · At Shaan suburbs 陜郊
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 18
Yearly grain shipments to Guanzhong
Administration · Commissioner · Quantity several hundred thousand piculs
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 57
Relation Patron of · Person Pei Tian (裴腆)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 82
Relation Recommender of · Person Yan Zhenqing (顏真卿)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 9
Relation Patron of · Person Lu Zheng (盧征)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 82
Relation Patron of · Person Han Hui (韓洄)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 82
Relation Delegated routine work to · Person Du Ya (杜亞)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 6
Relation Rival of · Person Yang Yan (楊炎)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 92
Relation Wronged by · Person Yang Yan (楊炎)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 257
Relation Enemy of · Person Yuan Zai (元載)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 94
Relation Successor of · Person Di Wuqi (第五琦)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 58
Relation Friend of · Person Cui Zao (崔造)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 150, passage 140
Relation Patron of · Person Li Heng (李衡)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 82
Relation Envied by · Person Chang Gun (常袞)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 257
Relation Patron of · Person Bao Ji (包佶)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 82
Relation Associated with · Person Cheng Yuanzhen (程元振)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 11
Relation Patron of · Person Yuan Xiu (元琇)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 82
Relation Patron of · Person Liu Nai (劉迺)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 157, passages 79, 81
Relation Enemy of · Person Yu Zhun (庾準)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 102
Relation Delegated routine work to · Person Zhang Qun (張群)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 6

Assessments and attributes

Assessment able fiscal administrator · Mode named-source-report Source Work commentators 議者
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 77
Assessment alone truly mastered the monopoly system, yielding abundant revenue · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 229
Assessment enriched the state without overburdening the people; household frugal; clerks near and far did not cheat because he employed the right men; former clerks managed finance more than twenty years after his death · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passages 248, 251-253, 255
Assessment enriching the treasury through loyal service—his way stands foremost · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 266
Assessment frugal in household yet generous to famous scholars · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 86
Assessment known for administrative ability · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 3

Show 8 more source-backed claims

Assessment outstanding timber broken by wind; Chang Gun envied earlier, Yang Yan brought wrongful death later · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 257
Assessment paragon of managing revenue in Xu Luqings comparison of Yingling · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Xu Luqing (徐鹿卿)
Directly stated · History of Song 410, passage 261
Assessment policy judgments judged competent and fitting the post · Mode named-source-report Source Work contemporary discussion 議論
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 6
Assessment recommending Yan Zhenqing was loyalty; reducing Wang Jin's punishment was integrity · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 256
Assessment relied greatly on Nai · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 153, passage 53
Assessment salt-profits-half-of-national-revenue-under-his-system · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 54, passage 26
Assessment swift and talented but reliant on stratagem, powerful patrons, and bribes · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 89
Assessment wrongfully executed; the realm deemed it an injustice · Mode public-opinion
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 127, passage 104