active 806-820 Su Liu

Little is firmly known about this author as a person, and even basic details such as birth and death years are unclear. Sources found during this search identify him as a Tang-dynasty writer named Liu Su, active in the early ninth century, and connect him with official service during the Yuanhe era.

He is best known for Da Tang Xinyu (New Tales of the Great Tang), a collection of anecdotal writings arranged around themes such as integrity, remonstrance, good government, and literary talent. The work looks back on notable people of the Tang court and preserves stories that blend history, moral judgment, and lively storytelling.

Because reliable biographical information is scarce, he is usually introduced through this book rather than through a detailed life story. For readers, that scarcity can be part of the appeal: the author remains shadowy, but the world he records feels immediate and full of strong personalities.