Liu Congjian (Chinese: 劉從諫) (803–843[1]), formally the Duke of Pei (沛公), was a Chinese military general and politician of the Tang dynasty who is most known for his term as the military governor (jiedushi) of Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi, Shanxi), during which he was viewed as a warlord who maintained a tight hold on the circuit but also as someone who served as a counterbalance to the eunuchs who controlled the imperial government.
Liu then called a meeting with all of his officers, declaring that he was set to turn against Li Shidao and follow imperial orders.
When Li Ting subsequently arrived, the Weibo soldiers, under the leadership of He Jintao, launched a surprise attack on him, inflicting much casualties and forcing him to flee.
Instead, in early 833, Emperor Wenzong conferred an honorific chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事) on him and allowed him to return to Zhaoyi.
[6] Later in 833, Yang Yuanqing (楊元卿) the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng, Henan) fell ill, and the imperial government was determining a successor for him.
Emperor Wenzong did not find the timing appropriate, and declined the suggestion, instead making the former chancellor Li Cheng the military governor of Xuanwu.
When the eunuchs discovered the plot, Li Xun, Zheng, and many other officials were slaughtered, including the other chancellors Wang Ya, Jia Su, and Shu Yuanyu, and effectively put Emperor Wenzong under house arrest.
He further submitted harshly-worded petitions to the imperial government, openly questioning whether the slaughtered officials committed any crimes at all.
It was said that it was only after Liu's petitions that the powerful eunuchs, led by Qiu Shiliang, became apprehensive and allowed Emperor Wenzong, as well as the new chancellors Zheng Tan and Li Shi, to exercise some of their authorities.
Liu believed that Qiu was the one who persuaded Emperor Wenzong not to accept the tribute and, in anger, killed the horse, and this act drew further suspicions from the imperial government.
After I die, if someone else came to succeed me, our family will not even have smoke remaining from its chimney.Liu thus wanted to have his nephew Liu Zhen (whom he adopted as his son.
He planned with a number of staff members on how to induce the imperial government into allowing the succession, but before the preparations could be complete, Liu Congjian died.