《新唐书·列传·卷七十四》
但任要职时间长了，威信相当宰相，高官显职多是他的门生，长江淮河一带的茶叶、柑橘、奇珍、美味，常常和当地分别进贡，抢着想先送到，虽然当地截断交通，禁止在本地进贡前运出。刘晏出高价买到，常抢到各地之前。因此妒忌怨恨的人更多了。
然任职久，势轧宰相，要官华使多出其门。自江淮茗橘珍甘，常与本道分贡，竞欲先至，虽封山断道，以禁前发，晏厚赀致之，常冠诸府，由是媢怨益多。
However, after holding important positions for a long time, his prestige was as high as the Prime Minister's. Many high-ranking officials were his students. The tea, citrus, curiosities, and delicacies in the Yangtze and Huai River regions were often paid tribute separately from the local areas, and they rushed to send them first. Although the local area cut off traffic and prohibited export before local tributes, Liu Yan bought them at a high price and often got them before they reached various places. As a result, there were more people who were jealous and resentful.