Liu Chengyou
By winter 950, the imperial government was considered well-run under Yang's leadership, and Shi's oversight of the capital made it safe for the public. However, Liu Chengyou was tired of the control his senior officials had over his government, partly because he was unable to offer powerful positions to his close associates and relatives of the empress dowager. At the time, Empress Dowager Li's younger brother Li Ye () was serving as the director of miscellaneous affairs (武德使, "Wudeshi") inside the palace, but wanted to be promoted to the higher position of director of palace affairs. Both Liu Chengyou and Empress Dowager Li were supportive of this, but Yang and Shi considered the promotion inappropriate as he lacked seniority. Yang and Shi also frustrated Liu's desires in other ways. His friends Hou Kuangzan, Guo Yunming, and Nie Wenjin (), the liaison officer at the office of the chiefs of staff, were resentful that they had not been promoted. When Liu Chengyou wanted to make his favorite concubine, Consort Geng, Empress, Yang opposed it, considering this move to come too soon after his mourning period for Liu Zhiyuan. Consort Geng then died, and Yang opposed Liu Chengyou's wishes to have her buried with the ceremonies due to an empress. Yang and Shi also embarrassed Liu by telling him to "be quiet" during a discussion of matters of state. Liu therefore became resentful toward them, and his close associates falsely accused Yang and the other senior officials of plotting against him. As Su resented Shi, he also incited Li Ye and the others to complain of him to Liu.