保定陸軍軍官学校
Liu graduated from the Baoding Military Academy and served as a regimental and brigade commander under the warlords Li Jinglin, Chu Yupu, and Zhang Zongchang. After the defeat of Zhang Zongchang, Liu switched sides his forces were absorbed by the Kuomintang. He captured and killed his former patron Chu Yupu on 4 September 1929. Subsequently, Liu was appointed commander of the 21st Division in 1930.