Pei Yan
As of 682, Liu was serving as "Huangmen Shilang" (黃門侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, "Menxia Sheng"), when he was given the designation "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin" (同中書門下三品), making him a chancellor "de facto". In late 683, when Emperor Gaozong grew critically ill, he had the crown prince Li Zhe (Li Xian's brother, who replaced Li Xian as crown prince after Li Xian was deposed in 680) take over matters of state, assisted by Liu, Pei Yan, and Guo Zhengyi. He died soon thereafter, and Li Zhe took the throne (as Emperor Zhongzong), although his mother (Emperor Gaozong's wife) Empress Dowager Wu took most of the actual powers as regent.