Zhang Changzong
In 705, Wu Zetian was overthrown in a coup, in which Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong were killed. Wu Zetian's son Li Xian the Crown Prince, formerly emperor, was restored to the throne (as Emperor Zhongzong). Li Jiao was accused of having flattered Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong and was demoted out of the capital, to serve as the prefect of Yu Prefecture (豫州, roughly modern Zhumadian, Henan), but before he departed for Yu Prefecture was made the prefect of Tong Prefecture (通州, in modern Beijing). Several months later, he was recalled to serve as deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, "Libu Shilang"), and was soon promoted to be the minister of civil service affairs (吏部尚書, "Libu Shangshu"). It was said that when he was minister of civil service affairs, he, hoping to become chancellor again, expanded the roll of reserve officials and made many relatives and friends of powerful individuals reserve officials, in order to placate them.