Abstract: Liu Fen, who was famous and admired for his masterpiece Dui xianliang fangzheng zhiyan jijian ce (《对贤良方正直言极谏策》), occupied on important place in the literary circle during the Tang dynasty. However, he was once relegated to Liuzhou as a petty official titled sihu canjun (司户参军). When it comes to the exact time of his relegation, opinions differ in academic circles: some believe that it was between the Kaicheng (开成) and Huichang (会昌) years; some argue that it was after March of the first year of Huichang, and some other hold that it was in the spring of the second year of Dazhong (大中) or during the ninth year of Dazhong. As for the reason for his relegation, eunuchs’ plotting is to blamed according to the Liu Fen’s Autobiography in Xintangshu(《新唐书》), thus making people today believe that it is related to Yang Sifu and Pei Yizhi’s disagreement on Wuzong’s ascending to throne. However, according to the relevant historical facts and explorations, these views actually can’t maintain their validity. Liu Fen was respected and admired by Niu Sengru, and the time of Liu Fen’s relegation should be the time after Niu Sengru’s relegation in October of the fourth year of Huichang (会昌). Besides, the unwarranted accusations against him are probably related to Niu Sengru’s false accusation imposed by the same eunuchs. The eunuchs accused Liu Fen of associating with a rebel town, sympathizing with Liu Zhen, the rebel leader once punished by court.

Key words: Liu Fen, relegation to Liuzhou, time, reason