In 869, then-reigning Emperor Yizong gave Liu Zhan the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), making him a chancellor de facto [REF].
After Emperor Yizong died in 873 and was succeeded by his son Emperor Xizong,[REF] Liu was first promoted to be the prefect of Kang Prefecture, and then the prefect of Guo Prefecture (虢州, in modern Sanmenxia, Henan) [REF].