Liu Tongxun

Liu Tongxun (; 1698–1773) was a politician in the Qing dynasty. He was one of relatively few ethnically Han Grand Secretariat of the Qianlong Emperor's reign. He has served for the Qing government for more than 40 years with integrity, and dares to direct advise the emperor, has made remarkable achievements in official administration, military affairs and river conservancy.

Life Liu Tongxun was born in a scholarly family and got a good education since childhood. His father Liu Jie received Jinshi degree in Kangxi Emperor’s period, served as provincial administrator, then later promoted to lieutenant governor in Sichuan. And his grandfather Liu Bixian also gained Jinshi degree in Shunzhi Emperor's period. Liu Tongxun was studying hard enough, and obtain Jinshi degree in 1724. Sooner, he started his career in Hanlin Academy (Chinese: 翰林院). Later on, he risen through the central administration. He died in 1773 due to overwork, at the age of 76.

In 1753, he was sent to Lower Yangzi valley (Yangtze valley) to investigate river conservancy. During this investigation, he found two officials Gao Bin and Zhang Shizai who in charge of river conservancy in Yangzi, mismanaged the river conservancy and confused the financial accounts. Gao and Zhang lost their positions after verified misconducts.

In 1746, Liu Tongxun served as governor of the transport of water. In 1748, Liu Tongxun and his colleague Gaobin inspected the relief work in Shandong Province and investigated the river courses. At that time, the canal rose quickly and Liu Tongxun asked for permission to divert the canal water out of the sea. After the fall, the height of the two embankments will be raised again, blocking the water and preventing dam breaches and floods. This time, Liu Tongxun was put in jail for a long time. Later, the Qianlong Emperor ordered the release of him and his family, and returned his property.

Other works "Xiyu Tuzhi"(Chinese: "西域图志"), 1756.

"Imperial Collection of Four" ("Siku Quanshu"/ Chinese: "四库全书"), 1773.