魏元忠
As of 703, Tang Xiujing was serving as the minister of defense (夏官尚書, "Xiaguan Shangshu") and still in titular command of the armies around Liang Prefecture, when he was given the designation "Tong Fengge Luantai Sanpin" (), making him a chancellor "de facto". At that time, one of Western Tujue's constituent tribal chiefs, Wuzhile () the chief of the Tuqishi () tribe, was having conflicts with other Western Tujue tribes, and as a consequence the communications with the Zhou garrisons in Anxi was cut off. Tang, after discussion with other chancellors, came up with a course of action and predicted what would happen next. When reports from Anxi arrived some 10 days later, they matched what Tang expected, and Wu Zetian stated, "I regret not using you earlier." She further turned to the other chancellors Wei Yuanzhong, Yang Zaisi, Li Jiao, Yao Yuanchong, and Li Jiongxiu, stating, "Tang Xiujing understands the border affairs well, and in this area, 10 of you together cannot match him." She also made him a member of the staff of Li Xian the Crown Prince (the former Emperor Zhongzong, who had been recalled from exile in 698 and made crown prince, further having his name changed).