He was invited by the Jingtai Emperor to the court for testing and requested his presence twice for his own interpretation on Shangshu and was delighted by his response.

In 1464, Li Dongyang ranked second in the court exam and entered the Hanlin Academy afterwards.

From 1465 to 1467, he was included in the project of compiling Veritable Records of the Jingtai Reign (Yingzong shilu).

[1][2] In 1505, Li Dongyang, Liu Jian and Xie Qian were entrusted to lead a transitional cabinet and support the crowned prince, by the testate emperor.

He also wrote poetry and was commissioned to compile the Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty.