Biography of Liu Yuxi

Name: Biography of Liu Yuxi
ISBN: 9787520550628

陈建成China Culture and History Press · ChinaApr 2026

3.0

Word count: 307K words
Chapters: 35
ISBN: 9787520550628

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Summary

Liu Yuxi (772–842), courtesy name Mengde, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. A mid-Tang dynasty statesman, thinker, man of letters, physician, and poet, he was born into a scholarly family and showed uncommon brilliance from childhood. His thinking stood head and shoulders above his contemporaries; his prose was rich and polished, his verse effortlessly inspired, and his medical skill brought healing wherever he practiced. A man of many gifts, he also studied philosophy, classical learning, calligraphy, music, Buddhism, and astronomy. This book belongs to the Illustrated Biographies of Historical and Cultural Figures series. Drawing on reliable historical sources and weaving in Liu Yuxi's own poems, the author vividly reconstructs a life of great talent and relentless vicissitudes, celebrating his concern for country and people and his indomitable spirit through repeated rises and falls.

Editor's review

This book treats the life of Liu Yuxi in the manner of a biographical novel, threading historical sources and poems through the narrative so that this mid-Tang statesman, thinker, and man of letters is no longer merely a name in a textbook. The author concentrates on the resilience that sustained Liu through repeated ups and downs, while bringing out his interests and accomplishments in philosophy, classical learning, medicine, calligraphy, music, and other fields, giving the portrait a rounded, three-dimensional quality. The poems are not decoration but corroborate the turns of his life, allowing readers to trace his circumstances and state of mind through his lines. The storytelling pace is accessible, suited to general readers interested in Tang history and classical poetry who want an easy, enjoyable read. Taken as an introduction to Liu Yuxi and paired with selected readings from his own poetry and prose, it offers a more substantial reward.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in Tang history and the political landscape of the mid-Tang
Lovers of classical literature who want to understand the background of Liu Yuxi's poems through biography
Middle school students and Chinese-language teachers seeking material on historical and cultural figures
Readers who prefer story-driven narratives and want an easy introduction to a biographical figure

Not a good fit for

Specialist researchers requiring rigorous academic verification and detailed annotations
Readers expecting a pure compilation of historical sources or a chronicle-style format
Textual scholars who dislike fictionalized or novelistic episodes

Reading tips

Read representative poems by Liu Yuxi first, then the biography, to appreciate how the lines correspond to the turns of his life.
When reading the sections on exile and restoration, consult background material on mid-Tang politics for deeper understanding.
Jot down the poems quoted in the book as you go, then review them together after finishing.

About the publisher

China Culture and History Press China · Founded in 1980

China Culture and History Press has long devoted itself to modern and contemporary literature and culture-and-history reading matter, with publishing directions centered on classic works, social novels, prose and miscellaneous writings, and Eastern philosophy, alongside culture-and-history periodicals such as Zongheng. Among the more than 1,500 titles in the collection, representative books include Zhang Henshui's Ti Xiao Yin Yuan, Lu Xun's Complete Classic Works (10 volumes) and Wild Grass, and Lao She's Four Generations Under One Roof series and the boxed set of Lao She's Classic Works (10 volumes), while its author resources are concentrated on figures such as Zhang Henshui, Lu Xun, Lao She and Sima Qian. Its publishing character lies in solid editorial work on culture-and-history source texts and in issuing famous authors' works in sets, balancing the readability of individual texts with the systematic presentation of complete collections for focused reading and collecting. Beyond these directions, public information on the press's contemporary original publishing is limited, so it is not elaborated here.

版权信息
前言
楔子
第一章病树前头万木春
第二章私塾熏熏出俊才
第三章蝶采花儿花恋蝶
第四章好事多磨喜相逢
第五章同窗同科难同士
第六章丁忧戏撰陋室铭
第七章仕途不顺遇贵人
第八章军旅生涯崭头角
第九章革新之舟扬风帆
第十章美人引发山雨来
第十一章昙花一现尽凋零
第十二章贬谪之途路漫漫
第十三章桃花源水淌芳香
第十四章天论人生谱义歌
第十五章风雨郎州几多愁
第十六章真金哪怕烈火炼
第十七章坚冰融化会有时
第十八章逆境方见真情在
第十九章秋风卷起诀别忧
第二十章为民解困踏潮头
第二十一章雨后彩虹映夕阳
第二十二章丁忧为友编文集
第二十三章一路饮出多少愁
第二十四章竹枝词唱人间事
第二十五章祈雨救父烈女焚
第二十六章有情莫道梨花薄
第二十七章坎坷风雨几时休
第二十八章激流勇退避党争
第二十九章行善如流断奇案
第三十章啼笑朝廷一块砖
第三十一章收官同州始流芳
第三十二章留守东都度残春

FAQ

Is this a strictly academic biography?

No. The book belongs to the Illustrated Biographies of Historical and Cultural Figures series. Drawing on historical sources, the author narrates Liu Yuxi's life in the form of a biographical novel, combining factual basis with literary technique. Readers seeking rigorous academic verification should consult specialized scholarly works.

Can I understand it without a background in Tang history?

Yes. The book follows the main thread of the subject's life, and the narrative is coherent enough for general readers to follow. If the mid-Tang political situation is entirely unfamiliar, a little background reading on the sections dealing with exile and factional strife will make the reading smoother.

Does the book cover Liu Yuxi's many-sided talents?

Yes. The introduction notes that Liu Yuxi studied philosophy, classical learning, medicine, calligraphy, music, and astronomy. The book presents these aspects alongside his life story, helping readers understand why he is called a man of many gifts.

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About the author

陈建成 Author

Chen Jiancheng is an author about whom limited public information is currently available; only one work by him, Biographies of Liu Yuxi, is included in the collection. The book falls under the general category of biography and centers on the life and writings of Liu Yuxi, a Tang dynasty literary figure and thinker. In terms of subject matter, the author focuses on the life trajectory and literary achievements of a historical figure, seeking to present the subject's experiences and spiritual character against the backdrop of his era. Because no verifiable information beyond the title and category is available, a full picture of his writing style cannot be determined; yet judging from the genre of biography, the work likely combines the arrangement of historical sources with character portrayal and is intended for readers interested in Tang dynasty literature and history. Overall, Chen Jiancheng's writing is currently represented by a single biography, and his personal background, identity, and creative trajectory await further material. Readers may come to understand his choice of subject and narrative approach through Biographies of Liu Yuxi.