Liu Mei

Liu Mei (c. 962 – c. 1021, courtesy name Shiji), born Gong Mei, was a Song dynasty official and general. Originally a silversmith, he rose to power after his protégé (possibly even wife) Lady Liu, whom he sold in poverty, became an empress. Because Empress Liu had no non-marital relatives, she claimed him as her brother. Liu Mei rose as high as Inspector in Chief of the Metropolitan Cavalry Command, and married a granddaughter of the Wuyue king Qian Chu.

Liu Mei
Traditional Chinese	劉美
Simplified Chinese	刘美
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Liú Měi
Gong Mei
Traditional Chinese	龔美
Simplified Chinese	龚美
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Gōng Měi
Liu Shiji
Traditional Chinese	劉世濟
Simplified Chinese	刘世济
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Liú Shìjì

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Liu (originally Gong).

For the rower, see Liu Mei Ling.

References

• Toqto'a; et al. (1345). Song Shi [Song History] (in Chinese).
• Chaffee, John (2001). "The Rise and Regency of Empress Liu (969–1033)". Journal of Song-Yuan Studies (31): 1–25.