元載
In 762, both Emperor Xuanzong (then "Taishang Huang" (retired emperor)) and Emperor Suzong died in rapid succession, and Emperor Suzong's son Emperor Daizong took the throne. Du Hongjian was put in charge of the burials of Emperors Xuanzong and Suzong. After the two emperors were buried, he was given the honorific title of "Guanglu Daifu" () and created the Duke of Wei. In 764, Emperor Daizong made him the deputy minister of defense again (now with the title "Bingbu Shilang" () and gave him the designation "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi" (), making him a chancellor "de facto". He was soon also made "Zhongshu Shilang" (), the deputy head of the legislative bureau. In 765, when Emperor Daizong entered into a peace treaty with Tufan, he had Du and fellow chancellor Yuan Zai sign the treaty with the Tufan emissary.