Liu Gongquan was a famous calligrapher in ancient China and a poet of the Tang Dynasty. He was originally from Jingzhaohua, with the courtesy name Chengxuan. He was born in 778 AD and died in 865 AD. Liu Gongquan was famous for his regular script and was one of the four masters of regular script in ancient China. At that time, he was as famous as Yan Zhenqing, another master of regular script. He was known as "Yan Liu" and had the reputation of "Yan Jing Liu Gu".
Liu Gongquan was born in a family of officials. His grandfather Liu Zhengli served as a scholar in Fenzhou and joined the army. His father Liu Ziwen was the governor of Danzhou. His elder brother Liu Gongchuo was a famous official in the Tang Dynasty and was granted the title of Duke of Hedong County. Born into such a family, Liu Gongquan received a good education since childhood. Liu Gongquan himself also liked learning very much and was very smart. He could write poems and poems at the age of twelve.
In the third year of Yuanhe, Liu Gongquan became a Jinshi in high school, became an official as secretary of the provincial school, and later became secretary of Xiazhou.
In the fifteenth year of Yuanhe, Tang Xianzong died, and Tang Muzong Li Heng succeeded to the throne. After the new emperor ascended the throne, Liu Gongquan went to Beijing to report political affairs and was summoned by Emperor Mu Zong of the Tang Dynasty. Liu Gongquan was well known to later generations because of his good calligraphy. Later, he was reused by Emperor Muzong of Tang Dynasty, also because of his good calligraphy.
When Tang Muzong summoned him, he said that he had seen Liu Gongquan's handwriting in a Buddhist temple and had long wanted to see him. So Liu Gongquan was transferred back to the capital, and was first appointed as Youshiyi, then as a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, and then promoted to Youbuque and Si Feng Yuanwailang.
Liu Gongquan did not have high achievements in his official career throughout his life, but he was deeply favored by the emperor. He was the official secretary of the Three Dynasties, and was appointed by the emperor in the three dynasties of Tang Muzong, Tang Jingzong, and Tang Wenzong. The funniest thing is that he has not always been a clerk. He had already held other positions, but the emperor missed him, so he became a clerk again.
Liu Gongquan’s elder brother Liu Gongchuo was a famous official in the Tang Dynasty and had high achievements in his official career. Seeing that his younger brother has been sitting in the position of serving as a bookkeeper, he couldn't stand it any longer. When Liu Gongchuo was in office in Taiyuan, he wrote to Li Zongmin, hoping to change Liu Gongquan's position. Of course, Liu Gongchuo didn't want Liu Gongquan to take over the power. He just felt that the position of the clerk was similar to that of a divination clerk. It didn't take much to change it to an idle position.
With the help of his brother, Liu Gongquan was finally promoted to the position of Doctor Yousi, and then transferred to the title of Doctor of Si Feng, Doctor of the Ministry of War, and Bachelor of Hongwenkan. But not long after, Tang Wenzong transferred him to serve as a minister because he missed him.
Liu Gongquan was later promoted to the position of admonishing doctor, and was changed to Zhongshu Sheren, where he served as Hanlin scholar of edicts. It is said that once Wenzong summoned six bachelors, he accidentally mentioned the frugality of Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty, so he raised his sleeves to show that the clothes had been washed three times. In fact, he just wanted to highlight his frugality. All the bachelors present praised Wenzong's virtues, but only Liu Gongquan remained silent.
After several bachelors left, Liu Gongquan was left behind by Wenzong, who then asked him why he didn't speak just now. The disguised meaning is why Liu Gongquan didn't praise him just now. Liu Gongquan said that the virtue of a monarch should be to be close to virtuous ministers and stay away from villains, and to distinguish rewards and punishments. Wearing washed clothes is just a small detail and really insignificant.
Tang Wenzong said: "I know very well that you, an official who sacrifices others, should not be demoted to admonishment, but because you have the demeanor of an admonishment minister, I will make you an admonition official." So the next day He was appointed as an admonishing official and also knew how to make imperial edicts. His title of bachelor remained and he was in charge of writing imperial edicts. Personally, I think Tang Wenzong was somewhat unhappy at the time.
Five years after Kaicheng, Tang Wenzong died and Tang Wuzong Li Yan succeeded to the throne. After Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty succeeded to the throne, Liu Gongquan was appointed as a regular servant of Yousanqi. Later, Liu Gongquan was recommended by Prime Minister Cui Gong to be a bachelor of Jixian Palace and a judge of the court. Tang Wuzong originally liked Liu Gongquan, but after Liu Gongquan was recommended, he didn't like him that much. Later, instead of being promoted, Duke Liu was demoted to Prince Zhan Shi. After several promotions, he was appointed as the official of Jinziguanglu, Shangzhuguo, the founding Duke of Hedong County, and the minister of the Ministry of Industry.
In the early years of Dazhong, he served as a young master. In the twelfth year of Dazhong, Liu Gongquan was eighty years old. When he was congratulated by the ministers, he was originally honored as "Emperor Shengjing Wensi and Wu Guangxiao" by Xuanzong because of his age and fatigue. Liu Gongquan mistakenly called him "Guangwu Hexiao", so he was impeached.
In this way, Liu Gongquan never retired.
In the early years of Xiantong, Liu Gongquan entered the official position as the crown prince and Taibao. He died in the sixth year of Xiantong at the age of eighty-eight, and was posthumously awarded the title of Taishi to the crown prince. ?