During Liu Zhiyuan's reign In 947, Later Jin was destroyed by its northern neighbor
Liao (
Khitan), and Liao's
Emperor Taizong claimed to be the emperor of China as well. Liu Zhiyuan initially postured as if he were going to submit to Liao, but soon declared himself emperor (of an initially unnamed state, but later known as
Later Han). He made Su Yugui and another assistant,
Su Fengji,
chancellors, both with the titles of
Zhongshu Shilang () and
Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (). It was said that Su Fengji and Su Yugui were deeply trusted by the emperor, such that no one could alienate him from them; he entrusted them with all governmental matters, while entrusting all military matters to
Yang Bin and
Guo Wei. At Su Fengji's recommendations, Liu made
Li Tao, as well as
Dou Zhengu, chancellors as well, joining the Sus, in fall 947, as he was set to join the generals
Gao Xingzhou and
Murong Yanchao (Liu's half-brother) against the rebellious general
Du Chongwei. At that time, Su Yugui received the title of
You Pushe ().
During Liu Chengyou's reign Liu Zhiyuan died in spring 948, and was succeeded by his young son
Liu Chengyou, whom he entrusted to Su Fengji, Yang Bin,
Shi Hongzhao, and Guo Wei. 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. When Yang and Guo heard of this, they went to see Liu Chengyou's mother (Liu Zhiyuan's wife)
Empress Dowager Li, stating to her, "Your subjects have followed the deceased emperor ever since difficult times. Now, the Son of Heaven is accepting other people's word and wants to send us out. 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? If we are not to remain, we hope to at least remain until the deceased emperor's burial." Empress Dowager Li was angered, and she went to Liu Chengyou, stating to him, "These are the old and accomplished subjects of the state. Why are you listening to others and expelling them?" When Liu Chengyou blamed the matter on the chancellors in general, Li Tao took the blame by himself, and was relieved of his chancellor position. Subsequently, Yang was given an additional chancellor position, while Guo was made co-chief of staff, such that Yang became the main decision-maker, with the two Su chancellors (along with the other chancellor
Dou Zhengu) no longer having real chancellor authority. == During Later Zhou ==