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Liu Yuxi, a poet, philosopher and essayist active during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), was born in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, in 772.

Liu won the title of jinshi (a successful candidate in the imperial exams). One of the other successful candidates that year was another great poet, Liu Zongyuan. 

After being promoted to jianchayushi (investigating censor), he participated in the Yongzhen Reform (named after the Emperor Shunzong's reign title), which eventually failed leading to him being demoted.

In his late career, Liu took up a nominal post in the household of the heir apparent in Luoyang, Henan province. In 841, he also became the jianjiao libu shangshu (director of the board of rites). 

Liu was also a famous poet. One of his most famous works is Loushi Ming (The Scholar's Humble Dwelling), a prose poem describing living in a simple dwelling, following a life that is refined in culture and learning.

Liu Yuxi [Photo/IC]