Liu Zongyuan

Liu Zongyuan joined the Yongzhen Reform, a short-lived reform movement under Emperor Shunzong aimed at reducing eunuch power and corruption. The reform failed after a few months, and Liu was exiled to Yongzhou (modern Hunan).

Liu Zongyuan was exiled to Yongzhou as a result of the Yongzhen Reform's failure. He spent ten years in remote southern posts, where he wrote many of his most famous essays and poems, including 'Eight Records of Yongzhou'.

Liu Zongyuan wrote the essay 'The Snake Catcher' (Bu She Zhe Shuo), a critique of oppressive taxation and government corruption. The work used a parable to expose the suffering of common people under Tang rule, becoming a classic of social criticism.

Liu Zongyuan was transferred to an even more remote post in Liuzhou (modern Guangxi). He served as prefect there until his death, implementing local reforms and writing extensively about the region's customs and landscapes.