Song Di's career began when he passed his jinshi in the same year as his brother Dao,[when?]
The career as governmental officials of the three Song brothers, Di, Dao, and their older brother Xuan was in part shaped through their friendship with Sima Guang; and also, through the friendship of Su Shi with the Song family.
[2] During Emperor Renzong of Song's final regnal era (Jiayou, 1056–1063) Song Di held the posts of assistant for transport commission and vice director of administration in Changsha,[3] an important commercial and administrative city located on along the lower reaches of the Xiang River.
[4] Song Di's career came to an abrupt end after he was blamed for a fire in a government building.
Song Di's major influence was in creating the original set of Eight Views of Xiaoxiang.