LIU E

born Oct. 18, 1857, Liu-ho , China died Aug. 23, 1909, Tihua, Sinkiang also spelled Liu O, Pinyin Liu E, or Liu O, courtesy name (WadeGiles romanization) T'ieh-yn Chinese government functionary and economic promoter famed for his major literary work, Lao Ts'an yu-chi (190407; The Travels of Lao Ts'an). The son of a provincial official, Liu engaged variously in government work related to flood control, famine relief, and railroad construction until he became disillusioned with Imperial attitudes about reform and turned to the promotion of private economic development. Liu's experience in these projects as well as his contacts with foreigners convinced him of China's need to modernize using Western technology and business methods. His desire to see China develop indirectly shaped much of the novel The Travels of Lao Ts'an, a social satire exposing the limitations of the old elite and officialdom. Written in the traditional mode of vernacular novels, this work stands preeminent among the satirical fiction that dominated the literature of the late Ch'ing dynasty. Despite the popular success of the work, which was serialized in journals and newspapers, Liu was framed on a charge of malfeasance and exiled to Sinkiang, where he died in disgrace the following year.