褚遂良
In 649, Emperor Taizong became ill and died in Cuiwei Palace () after entrusting Li Zhi to two chancellors, Li Zhi's maternal uncle, Zhangsun Wuji, and Chu Suiliang. Keeping the news of Emperor Taizong's death secret, Zhangsun and Chu accompanied Li Zhi and Emperor Taizong's casket back to Chang'an and, after carrying out a number of official commissions, including commissioning Zhang Xingcheng as "Shizhong" () —the head of the examination bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor—announced Emperor Taizong's death. With Zhang and fellow chancellor Gao Jifu physically assisting him, Li Zhi took the throne (as Emperor Gaozong). He enfeoffed Zhang as the Duke of Beiping and made him one of the officials in charge of editing imperial history.