Liu Jingxian

Liu Jingxian (劉景先) (died 689), né Liu Qixian (劉齊賢), was a Chinese politician of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving as chancellor late in the reign of Emperor Gaozong and the subsequent regency of Emperor Gaozong's powerful wife Empress Dowager Wu (later known as Wu Zetian) over their sons Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong. In 684, he offended Empress Dowager Wu by defending fellow chancellor Pei Yan against charges of treason and was arrested and then exiled. He was rearrested in 689 and committed suicide by hanging. Background It is not known when Liu Qixian was born. His family was from what would become Wei Prefecture (魏州, part of modern Handan, Hebei). His grandfather Liu Linfu (劉林甫) served as a mid-level official under Tang dynasty's founder Emperor Gaozu and his son and successor Emperor Taizong, and carried the title of Baron of Leping, a title that Liu Qixian's father Liu Xiangdao inherited. Liu Xiangdao later served as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Taizong's son Emperor Gaozong and was created the Duke of Guangping. He died in 666, and Liu Qixian inherited the title. During Emperor Gaozong's reign Liu Qixian had, at one point, served as an assistant imperial censor, before becoming the military advisor to the prefect of Bing Prefecture (并州, roughly modern Taiyuan, Shanxi). Emperor Gaozong heard of his integrity and respected him. On one occasion, when the general Shi Xingzong (史興宗) attended to Emperor Gaozong during a hunt, Shi stated that Bing Prefecture was known for its hunting eagles and that Emperor Gaozong should have Liu seize some and deliver them to Emperor Gaozong. Emperor Gaozong responded, "Is Liu Qixian someone who should be capturing eagles? Why do you treat him like this?" He declined Shi's suggestion. At one point, to observe naming taboo of the name of Emperor Gaozong's second crown prince Li Xian, Liu Qixian changed his name to Liu Jingxian (different character). As of 682, Liu was serving as Huangmen Shilang (黃門侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng), when he was given the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin (同中書門下三品), making him a chancellor de facto. In late 683, when Emperor Gaozong grew critically ill, he had the crown prince Li Zhe (Li Xian's brother, who replaced Li Xian as crown prince after Li Xian was deposed in 680) take over matters of state, assisted by Liu, Pei Yan, and Guo Zhengyi.