Zheng Zhu
Meanwhile, there were rumors at Chang'an that Zheng Zhu was using alchemy to make pills intended to give Emperor Wenzong immortality—and that such pills required the use of infants' hearts and livers. This caused much panic in the public, and Zheng, who had long disliked Yang Yuqing, accused his family members of spreading the rumors. Yang was arrested, and LI Zongmin tried unsuccessfully to intercede for Yang, causing Emperor Wenzong to be so angry that he loudly ordered Li Zongmin to leave his presence. Zheng, who had also by this point resented Li Zongmin for Li Zongmin's refusal to allow him to take a title as an official of either the legislative or examination bureau, also attacked Li Zongmin. Emperor Wenzong exiled Li Zongmin to serve as the prefect of Ming Prefecture (明州, in modern Ningbo, Zhejiang). Zheng further revealed that Li Zongmin had flattered the eunuch Yang Chenghe (楊承和) and the female official Song Ruoxian (宋若憲) in order to become chancellor, Li Zongmin was further exiled to be the census official of Chao Prefecture (潮州, in modern Chaozhou, Guangdong). Li Zhongyan (whose name had been changed to Li Xun by this point) and Zheng subsequently had Li Zongmin's associates ejected from the imperial government. Further, they also accused any official that they disliked of being an associate of the "two Lis" (Li Deyu and Li Zongmin), and had them ejected from the imperial government as well—effectively leaving both Niu and Li Parties out in the cold, with Zheng Zhu and Li Xun in control of the government.