宋璟
In 711, as part of a governmental reorganization that evolved out of a power struggle between Li Longji and Princess Taiping—as Zhang Shuo and Song Jing had tried to remove Princess Taiping's influence from government but failed—Zhang and Song were demoted, and Liu was also removed from being a chancellor, becoming the minister of census (戶部尚書, "Hubu Shangshu") instead. Later in the year, when he was referred to as the minister of civil service affairs (吏部尚書, "Libu Shangshu"), another major governmental reorganization saw him made "Shizhong" (), the head of the examination bureau (門下省, "Menxia Sheng"), a post considered one for a chancellor. Further, Emperor Ruizong issued an edict that stated that Liu would be pardoned from death 10 times.