It is not known when Liu Hongchang was born, and it is not known who his mother was. However, it is known that he was Liu Yan's fifth son. In 932, Liu Yan created 19 of his sons, including Liu Hongchang, imperial princes, with Liu Hongchang receiving the title of Prince of Yue. Liu Hongchang was described to be filially pious, careful, and knowledgeable, and therefore was much favored by Liu Yan. As his two oldest brothers, Liu Yaoshu the Prince of Yong and Liu Guitu the Prince of Kang both died early, it was assumed that his third oldest brother, Liu Hongdu the Prince of Qin would be the heir to the throne. However, Liu Yan considered both Liu Hongdu and his fourth son, Liu Hongxi the Prince of Jin to be arrogant and inappropriate in their behavior, and therefore, when he fell ill in 942, discussed with the official Wang Linthe idea of sending Liu Hongdu and Liu Hongxi out of the capital Xingwang to defend Yong and Rong Prefectures respectively, while diverting the succession to Liu Hongchang. However, another official, Xiao Yi, argued that bypassing older sons would create disturbances, and Liu Yan ultimately decided against the idea. When Liu Yan died shortly after, Liu Hongdu succeeded to the throne .
During Liu Bin's reign
Liu Bin was said to be arrogant and licentious as emperor, and many of his attendants were killed despite innocence. Liu Hongchang often tried to speak with him to change his ways, to no effect. Later in 942, a group of agrarians, believed that a god had foreordained that Zhang Yuxian, a lowly county administrator at Bolo County, was to be their ruler, rose against Southern Han rule. Liu Bin sent Liu Hongchang to command the army against Zhang, with a younger brother, Liu Honggao the Prince of Xun, serving as his deputy. However, Liu Hongchang and Liu Honggao were defeated and surrounded by Zhang's agrarian army. They escaped capture only due to the efforts of the officer Chen Daoxiang. Much of the eastern part of the Southern Han realm was captured by Zhang's army. Despite this, Liu Bin remained arrogant and licentious, and ignored advice from Liu Hongchang and the eunuch Wu Huai'en, both of whom tried to change his behavior. Liu Hongxi was plotting to take over the state, and therefore encouraged Liu Bin's behavior. As Liu Bin favored arm wrestling, Liu Hongdu had Chen train five arm wrestlers to wrestle with Liu Bin. In 943, one night, when Liu Bin was drunk, Chen and the arm wrestlers, at Liu Hongxi's order, killed Liu Bin and his attendants. The next morning, the princes and the officials, realizing that Liu Bin had been killed, were initially not daring to enter the palace. Liu Hongchang led his younger brothers in welcoming Liu Hongxi to the palace and offering the throne to him. Liu Hongxi then took the throne .
During Liu Sheng's reign
Liu Sheng made Liu Hongchang a chancellor, giving him the titles of Taiwei, Zhongshu Ling, and generalissimo of the armies of all circuits. Liu Honggao was also made a chancellor and deputy generalissimo. After Liu Sheng took the throne, however, there were continuous rumors throughout the realm about how Liu Bin died. Liu Honggao suggested to Liu Sheng that he kill the arm wrestlers involved in the assassinations to quell the discontent. Liu Sheng did not agree, and the arm wrestlers, who were well-rewarded by Liu Sheng for assassinating Liu Bin, heard of Liu Honggao's suggestion, and in turn falsely accused him of treason. Liu Sheng sent two of the arm wrestlers, Liu Sichao and Tan Lingyin, to lead soldiers against Liu Honggao. Liu Sichao and Tan headed to Liu Honggao's mansion and killed him as he was holding a feast. It was said that after this incident, Liu Sheng considered killing all of his brothers, and was particularly apprehensive of Liu Hongchang because of his virtues and popularity. In spring 944, Liu Sheng sent Liu Hongchang to pay respect to the tomb of their uncle Liu Yin. While Liu Hongchang was on the way, Liu Sheng sent soldiers, disguised at bandits, to ambush him, and they successfully killed Liu Hongchang.
