Pei Du
In 818, Li Yijian was recalled to Chang'an to serve as chief imperial censor (御史大夫, "Yushi Daifu"). Soon thereafter, he was made "Menxia Shilang" (), the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, "Menxia Sheng"), as well as chancellor "de facto" with the title "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi" (). As, at the time, Emperor Xianzong heavily depended on Li's chancellor colleague Pei Du in the campaigns against the warlords and Li considered himself not as capable, he requested to be assigned outside the capital. In fall 818, he was made the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu), carrying the chancellor title as an honorary title.