[1] Early in the Tiancheng era (926-930) of Later Liang's successor state Later Tang's emperor Li Siyuan, Li Tao passed the imperial examinations in the Jinshi (進士) class, and thereafter became an assistant to the prefect of Jin Prefecture (晉州, in modern Linfen, Shanxi), and later successively served as an imperial censor with the title of Jiancha Yushi (監察御史), and then You Bujue (右補闕), a consultant at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng).
[1] In 936, Later Tang was destroyed and succeeded by Later Jin, with Li Siyuan's son-in-law Shi Jingtang becoming emperor.
[4] In this new administration, Li Tao received the titles of Kaogong Yuanwailang (考功員外郎, a low-level official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Libu)) and editor of imperial history (史館修撰, Shiguan Xiuzhuan).
A number of officials, including Li, complained bitterly, going as far as to prostrate themselves in front of the palace to plead that Zhang receive the death penalty.
Li initially did not withdraw and continued arguing, causing Shi to respond, "I already promised to Zhang Yanze that he would not die."
Li responded, "Your Imperial Majesty does not want to turn against your words promising life to Zhang Yanze.
The most prominent of the rebels was Liu Zhiyuan, who declared himself emperor of a new state later known as Later Han at his base at Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan, Shanxi).
Once Liu entered Daliang, he made Li an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi).
Liu thereafter named both Li and Dou Zhengu chancellors with the title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), with Li receiving additional titles of minister of census (戶部尚書, Hubu Shangshu) and Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎, deputy head of the legislative bureau).
Given that there are troubles west of the pass [(i.e., in the Guanzhong region, where the general Wang Jingchong was fostering a rebellion)], how can we, your subjects and ignore the affairs of the state?
He thereafter had Yang, Shi Hongzhao the commander of the imperial guards, and Wang Zhang the director of the financial agencies executed.
Guo entered Daliang and, after persuading Empress Dowager Li that he would continue to treat her as a mother, she ordered that the throne be yielded to him.
[1] In 952, Li Tao's brother Li Huan, having befriended Liao's military governor of Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing), Xiao Haizhen (蕭海真, a brother-in-law to Emperor Jingzong), persuaded Xiao to consider submitting to Later Zhou.
However, Guo, despite acknowledging Zhang Zhao's arguments, refused, because he considered Li Tao's disposition to be frivolous and lacking in propriety.
[14] Upon Guo Rong's death later that year, Li was made the deputy director of the emperor's funereal matters.
[15] In the new administration, Li Tao received the title of minister of defense (兵部尚書, Bingbu Shangshu).
He fell ill in 961,[1] when there was an incident that the army commander Yin Xun (尹勳), who was assigned to Xu Prefecture (許州, in modern Xuchang, Henan), was commanding a project to sift the Wuzhang Canal (五丈渠); the conscripted man had a night terror event, and, in the aftermaths, Yin executed more than 10 crew leaders, and captured more than 70 men who fled and cut off their left ears.
When a complaint was made to the emperor that this was undue cruel punishment, Li, despite his illness, got up and wrote a petition urging for Yin to be executed to avenge the people.
When Li's family members pointed out that he was ill and should rest, he responded, "Death happens to everyone, and I cannot be spared of it.
When the emperor received Li's report, he was appreciative of it, but on account of Yin's bravery and past accomplishments, only rebuked him.