He originally joined Li Keyong along with Kang Junli and Xue Zhiqin (薛志勤).
After many battles, first against the rebel Huang Chao and later against Zhu Wen, he was eventually named commissioner of the Army of Righteous Sons (義兒軍使).
The new Prince of Jin named Li Cunzhang commissioner of armed forces (馬步軍使) in Hedong (河東; roughly modern Shanxi) in charge or reorganizing the unregulated troops.
Li Cunzhang imposed strict law in all military matters and disciplined the troops.
He was promoted defense commissioner (防禦使) and later the military governor of Datong Command (大同軍).