Liu Ye (劉鄴) (died 24 January 881?, courtesy name Hanfan 漢藩) was a Chinese official of the Tang dynasty who served as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Yizong and his son Emperor Xizong.
Background
Liu’s date of birth is unknown. His family originated from Run Prefecture (潤州, modern Zhenjiang, Jiangsu). His father, Liu Sanfu, was a long‑time staff member of the powerful minister Li Deyu. After Li Deyu became a leading chancellor under Emperor Wuzong, Liu Ye served under Li, eventually attaining the post of deputy minister of justice. Following Li’s exile in 846, Liu Ye lost his patronage and survived as a traveling author in the Yangtze–Qiantang region.
Early career
Liu was later appointed as an assistant to the military prefect Gao Shaoyi of Shanguo Circuit and subsequently served under Gao when the latter was transferred to Zhenguo Circuit. He was later recalled to Chang’an as a copyeditor at the Palace Library.
Service under Emperor Yizong
During the Xiantong era (860–874) of Emperor Yizong, Liu was recommended by Liu Zhan and Gao Qu and appointed Zuo Shiyi (左拾遺), a low‑level advisory official. He submitted a petition that led to the posthumous restoration of Li Deyu’s titles. Liu thereafter held positions including imperial scholar, Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), deputy minister of census, and chief imperial scholar. In 870, he participated in the false accusations against Chancellor Liu Zhan, contributing to Liu Zhan’s exile. In 871 Liu was made director of the salt and iron monopolies and later minister of rites, receiving the de facto chancellorship designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事).
Service under Emperor Xizong
After Emperor Yizong’s death in 873, Liu continued as chancellor under the young Emperor Xizong. In 874 he was sent to serve as military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南). While governing Huainan, he sought imperial assistance against the agrarian rebel Wang Xianzhi and was temporarily replaced by General Gao Pian. He was subsequently recalled to Chang’an, appointed military governor of Fengxiang Circuit and mayor of its capital, and later made Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the legislative bureau.
Death
In 880 the rebel Huang Chao captured Chang’an and established the short‑lived Qi state. Emperor Xizong fled to Chengdu. Liu, along with fellow chancellors Doulu Zhuan and Cui Hang, hid at the residence of the former imperial guard general Zhang Zhifang. They were discovered, captured, and refused offers of official posts from Huang Chao. According to the New Book of Tang, Liu Ye was executed on 24 January 881, the same day as Doulu and Cui, though the exact date remains uncertain.
Historical assessment
Liu Ye is noted for his literary talent, having been recognized for his poetry from a young age, and for his political adaptability, rising from a low‑level official to chancellor. His career reflects the turbulence of the late Tang period, marked by court factionalism and widespread rebellions that ultimately contributed to the dynasty’s decline.