Zheng Zhu
Later that year, when the Ganlu Incident erupted (as Emperor Wenzong's trusted chancellor Li Xun and close associate Zheng Zhu carried out a failed attempt to massacre the eunuchs and were themselves killed, along with the chancellors Wang Ya, Jia Su, and Shu Yuanyu on accusations of treason) Linghu and his "Pushe" colleague Zheng Tan were called to the palace. They were set to be made chancellors, but when the powerful eunuchs, led by Qiu Shiliang, had Linghu draft an edict to accuse Wang and Jia of treason, Linghu did so — but wrote in empty language that showed that he sympathized with Wang and Jia. This displeased Qiu, and therefore, Li Shi was made chancellor instead. Linghu was subsequently given the additional office as director of salt and iron monopolies and grain supplies. As part of his responsibilities, he oversaw the collection of the tea tax that Zheng Zhu had instituted, which had drawn much resentment from the people. Linghu requested that the tea tax be abolished, and subsequently it was. Also at his suggestion, the customs that whenever military governors were commissioned, that they would take armed guards and pay homage to the minister of defense before departing Chang'an be abolished (as the customs were used as part of Li Xun's and Zheng Zhu's plot). Also at his request, the silk that was set to be used in the repairs of Qujiang Pavilion () were diverted to repairing the office of the chancellors, which lay in ruins after the Ganlu Incident.