While serving there, his superior Lu Chengye (盧承業) the secretary general of Yang Prefecture (揚州, roughly modern Yangzhou), was greatly impressed by him, and stated, "You are material to be an emperor's assistant.
In 693, Lou Shide was referred to as the minister of defense (夏官尚書, Xiaguan Shangshu), when she gave him the designation Tong Fengge Luantai Pingzhangshi (同鳳閣鸞臺平章事), making him a chancellor de facto.
Around that time, his younger brother was made the prefect of Dai Prefecture (代州, in modern Xinzhou, Shanxi).
(This response, however, drew heavy criticism from the modern Chinese historian Bo Yang, who opined that Lou's comment showed a lack of self-respect and willingness to stand for what was right, for the purpose of protecting his position.
[2]) In 694, while still a chancellor, Lou was made the commander of several bases, including Heyuan, but was later recalled being the minister of justice (秋官尚書, Qiuguan Shangshu) and was created the Baron of Yuanwu.
15 days later, he was made the imperial censor reviewing central government affairs (左肅政大夫, Zuo Suzheng Daifu), and he continued to serve as chancellor with the Tong Fengge Luantai PIngzhangshi designation.
Two months later, he and Wang were defeated by a Tufan army commanded by Trinring and Lun Zanpo at Mount Suluohan (素羅汗山, in modern Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu).
It was said that when the paperwork of the demotion was given to Lou to sign, he was initially surprised and stated, "Do not have a single office left?"
Sun's army, however, collapsed when the Eastern Tujue khan Ashina Mochuo attacked his home base and captured it.
Later in 697, Lou was made acting Nayan (納言), the head of the examination bureau (鸞臺, Luantai) and a post considered one for a chancellor.
In 698, while still serving as chancellor, Lou was made the commander of the forces in the Longyou (隴右) region (i.e., modern southern Gansu).
He died in 699, while still serving in that role, at Hui Prefecture (會州, roughly modern Baiyin, Gansu).