[3] However, Emperor Shunzong remained seriously ill, and he was often attended to only by the eunuch Li Zhongyan (李忠言) and his concubine Consort Niu.
His associates were also said to be praising each other and comparing each other to such great historical figures as Yi Yin, the Duke of Zhou, Guan Zhong, and Zhuge Liang.
Wang Pi also received the office of Zuo Sanqi Changshi (左散騎常侍), a high-level consultant at the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng).
[3] Traditional historical accounts painted an unflattering picture of Wang Pi—describing him as ugly in appearance, lacking ambitions in accomplishment, and speaking in Wu tongue.
In fall 805, knowing that he and his allies were near defeat, Wang Pi claimed to have suffered a stroke and no longer attended to governmental matters.