Liu Jingting, originally called Cao Yongchang, was a greatShuoshu(storytelling) master in the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty (mid 17thcentury) and was born in Taixian of East China's Shandong Province. He began to learnShuoshuat the age of 18 and later studied under the guidance of Mo Houguang, who did a lot of researches on arts ofShuoshu. After a period of diligent study, he got big improvement in hisShuoshuskills and began to make a living as a performer ofShuoshuin Yangzhou and Suzhou cities of Jiangsu Province. Due to his excellent performance, he was warmly welcomed from the audiences in different places. Later, he got to know many celebrities due to his goodShuoshuskills and ever went to barracks to inspire morale throughShuoshu. In his late years, he became very poor, died in 1677 and was buried in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.
Liu Jingting'sShuoshuskills were appreciated by literators in the late years of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and early years of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and many noted scholars and literators asked him to write biographies or indite for them. His representative works includeOutlaws of the Marsh, Sui and Tang Dynasties, Three KingdomsandLoyal and Devoted Yue Feiand so on. His art achievements are closely connected with his vagabondage, familiarity to the social life and drift homelessly from place to place.
In his late years, Liu Jingting wrote a book calledLiu Xia Shushuoin Chinese. The book has 8 volumes and 100 articles, providing valuable materials for people in later generations to studyShuoshuarts of that period.
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