Hongzhi spent four years (149 1), and was promoted to be a son, a part-time lecturer, and even to Shao Qing of Taichang Temple. In the eighth year of Hongzhi, he joined the Wen Yuan Pavilion and participated in maintenance. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Minister of Rites and University of Wenyuange. At that time, there were records of Liu Jian and Xie Qian working in the Cabinet. Li Dongyang, together with them, conscientiously assisted the emperor and tried his best to remonstrate against political mismanagement. Because Li Dongyang is good at poetry and calligraphy, he drafted all kinds of imperial edicts of the Cabinet. After the imperial edict came out, the whole world was reading it because it was catchy.
After Wu Zong succeeded to the throne, Liu Jin became the eunuch of Jian and soon became arrogant. Li Dongyang, Liu Jian and Xie Qian repeatedly remonstrated with Wu Zongjin, but none of them were adopted. In protest against Liu Jin's misconduct, the three men submitted their resignations to Wu Zong on the same day. At Liu Jin's behest, Wu Zong agreed that Liu Jian and Xie Qian should leave, leaving only Li Dongyang. Li Dongyang was deeply humiliated and begged again, but he was still not allowed. Why did Liu Jin go easy on Li Dongyang? This is because Liu Jian and Xie Qian insisted that Liu Jin should be killed by Wu Zong, and their words were fierce, only Li Dongyang's words were slightly soothing. After getting rid of Liu Jian and others, Liu Jin became more domineering and promoted his good friend Jiao Fang to the cabinet. The old ministers and loyal ministers in the former cabinet were expelled. Li Dongyang was depressed in the cabinet. In order to protect his life, he had to deal with the authorities. Because Liu Jin is authoritarian and good at politics, the government is chaotic and the people are in trouble. During his tenure, Li Dongyang tried his best to remedy and protect some honest officials in North Korea. In the seventh year of Hongzhi, earthquakes occurred in Li Dongyang in succession in Shanxi, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Fujian and other places. However, since Wu Zong refused to listen to state affairs for a long time, he didn't speak at banquets, indulged in the harem all day, or wandered excessively, so he put forward a remonstrance, pointing out that the emperor was condemned by heaven for not repairing it, and asked him to change his ways and be diligent and concerned about people's livelihood. However, Wu Zong remained the same. Soon after, Li Dongyang had a relapse and begged for rest. After repeated pleading, he was finally approved. Four years later, at the age of 70, he died and was given Taizi Taishi Street.