He, like his father, passed the Mingjing examinations, and was thereafter made a staff member of the prefect of Liao Prefecture (遼州, in modern Jinzhong, Shanxi).
[4] After Liu was subsequently able to take over the Central Plains, Su Yugui received the additional title of minister of justice (刑部尚書, Xingbu Shangshu).
However, Yang Bin, as chief of staff (Shumishi), oversaw the government overall,[7] and when the chancellors, led by Su Fengji, wanted to promote officials and fill unfilled positions, Yang saw the requests as wasteful and often rejected them, causing the chancellors to be displeased In spring 948, Li Tao submitted a petition to Liu Chengyou suggesting that Yang and Guo Wei (who was then deputy chief of staff) be given military commands outside the capital and that key matters be decided by Su Fengji and Su Yugui.
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?
Part of the friction came from how his close associates and relatives of the empress dowager were trying to gain power, but were being thwarted by Yang and Shi.
Further, Hou Kuangzan (後匡贊) the director of imperial stables, Guo Yunming (郭允明) the director of tea and wine, and Nie Wenjin (聶文進) the liaison officer at the office of the chiefs of staff, were all favored by Liu Chengyou, but had long not been promoted, causing them to be resentful.
When Consort Geng died, Yang opposed Liu Chengyou's wishes to have her buried with the ceremonies due an empress.
[7] Liu Chengyou, thereafter, plotted with Li Ye, Nie, Hou, and Guo Yunming to kill Yang and the others.
When Empress Dowager Li tried to speak again, Liu Chengyou responded angrily, "The matters of state cannot be decided in the halls of a woman!
"[7] On December 24, 950,[7][2] as the officials were arriving at the palace for the imperial gathering, a number of soldiers appeared and killed Yang, Shi, and Wang Zhang.
Subsequently, Liu Chengyou declared that they had committed treason, and stated to the chancellors and the other officials, "Yang Bin and the others viewed us as a young child.
Li Ye wanted to empty out of the imperial treasury to award the imperial army with money (to try to ensure their faithfulness), and when Su Yugui initially opposed, Li Ye bowed down to him, stating, "Lord Chancellor, for the sake of the Son of Heaven, please do not be concerned about the treasury!"
While Liu Yun was on the way from Wuning's capital Xu Prefecture (徐州) to Daliang, however, there were reports of a major Liao incursion.
Empress Dowager Li sent Guo to resist it, leaving affairs of the government to Dou, Su, and Wang Jun, and military matters to Wang Yin (王殷), although Su was subsequently sent to Song Prefecture (宋州, in modern Shangqiu, Henan) to welcome Liu Yun.