Subsequently, he was also made Libu Langzhong (禮部郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of rites, as well as an editor of imperial history.
Thereafter, he was put in charge of drafting edicts, and was also made Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau.
After Emperor Xizong was able to return to Chang'an after Huang's defeat, Du was made the minister of rites (禮部尚書, Libu Shangshu), given the honorary title of Yinqing Guanglu Daifu (銀青光祿大夫), and created the Viscount of Jianping.
Subsequently, he was made the minister of defense (兵部尚書, Bingbu Shangshu) and chief imperial scholar (翰林學士承旨, Hanlin Xueshi Chengzhi).
Subsequently, Emperor Xizong made both him and another official who followed to Xingyuan, Kong Wei, chancellors, with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事).
With Tian Lingzi realizing that the people of the empire were largely against him and having left Emperor Xizong's presence (to join his brother Chen Jingxuan the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu)) and another eunuch, Yang Fugong having succeeded Tian as the commander of the Shence Armies (神策軍), Du pointed out that Yang Fugong's brother Yang Fuguang had worked closely with Wang Chongrong and Li Keyong in defeating Huang and recapturing Chang'an.
[5] Thereafter, Emperor Xizong made Du Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎, the deputy head of the legislative bureau) and minister of defense, with the honorary title of Tejin (特進), and created him the Duke of Xiangyang.
[1] It was said that at that time, Emperor Xizong initially ordered that all officials who accepted offices from Li Yun be put to death, but Du, intervening for them, were able to get some 70-80% spared.
[5] Subsequently, when Emperor Xizong went to Fengxiang on the path back to Chang'an, the imperial guards and Li Changfu's forces got into a conflict and openly battled each other.
[1] In 890, when Kong and another chancellor, Zhang Jun advocated a campaign against Li Keyong, Du and another chancellor, Liu Chongwang opposed, but Emperor Zhaozong declared the campaign over their opposition, putting Zhang in overall command of the operations, which ended in utter failure in 891, at great losses to the imperial government, which was forced to pardon Li Keyong.
[7] In 892, with Yang Fugong, who had a falling out with Emperor Zhaozong, having started a rebellion against the imperial government at Shannan West with his adoptive nephew Yang Shouliang (Yang Fuguang's adoptive son), Li Maozhen, Wang Xingyu, Han Jian the military governor of Zhenguo Circuit (鎮國, headquartered in modern Weinan, Shaanxi), Wang Xingyu's brother Wang Xingyue (王行約) the military governor of Kuangguo Circuit (匡國, headquartered in modern Weinan as well), and Li Maozhen's brother Li Maozhuang (李茂莊) the military governor of Tianxiong Circuit (天雄, headquartered in modern Tianshui, Gansu) all petitioned Emperor Xizong to declare a general campaign against the Yangs and put Li Maozhen in charge of the overall operations.
Li Maozhen further wrote arrogant letters to Du and Ximen Junsui (西門君遂) the new commander of the Shence Armies.
[8] In the aftermaths of LI Maozhen's victory over the Yangs, however, as Emperor Zhaozong feared, he became even more arrogant in his communications with the imperial government.