杜如晦
In 629, Du, along with Fang, became "Puye" (), a head of the important executive bureau of the government (尚書省, "Shangshu Sheng") and a post considered one for a chancellor. It was said that at this time that the Fang and Du became known as the model for chancellors. During this time, remembering Gao Xiaoji's kindness toward him, he commissioned a stone tablet monument for Gao. Around the new year of 630, however, Du resigned due to illness. By spring 630, he was near death. Emperor Taizong initially sent his crown prince Li Chengqian to visit Du, and then did so himself as well. Du soon died. For a long time, whenever Emperor Taizong received precious items, he would think of Du, and he would send messengers to deliver some of the items to Du's family. He also often wept while talking with Fang, stating, "Both you and Du Ruhui assisted me. Now I only see you, and not him." For reasons unclear, he changed Du's title posthumously to Duke of Lai, with the posthumous name Cheng (成, "successful"). He gave his daughter Princess Chengyang to Du's son Du He () in marriage and created Du He the Duke of Xiangyang. (Du Ruhui's oldest son Du Gou () inherited the title of Duke of Lai.) In 643, when Emperor Taizong commissioned the Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion to commemorate the 24 great contributors to Tang rule, Du's was one of the portraits commissioned.