Liu Yanhao, while serving under Li Congke at Fengxiang, developed a reputation for being kind and tolerant.
Shortly after, he commissioned Liu as the military governor of Tianxiong Circuit (天雄, headquartered in modern Handan, Hebei).
However, with Empress Liu interceding for him, Li Congke only removed him from his posts and ordered him back to his mansion.
However, he did not appear to completely fall out of favor with Li Congke, as later in the year, after the general Zhang Jingda, whom Li Congke had initially sent against Shi, was defeated by the joint forces of Shi and his backer, Emperor Taizong of Later Tang's northern rival Khitan Empire, Liu, along with Zhang Yanlang and Liu Yanlang (劉延朗), were said to be proponents of Li Congke personally leading an army against Shi.
Liu Yanhao, apparently finding it impossible to continue his hiding, committed suicide by hanging several days later.