 Early in the "Zhide" era (756–758) of Emperor Suzong, Deng Jingshan () the military governor ("Jiedushi") of Qingqi Circuit (青齊, headquartered in modern Weifang, Shandong) invited Han Huang to be his secretary and the military commander of the militia of Qingqi's capital Beihai Commandery.However, with the realm engulfed in warfare at the time, Han was not able to report to Qingqi, and he fled to Shannan Circuit (山南, headquartered in modern Hanzhong, Shaanxi).The surveyor of Shannan, Li Chengzhao (), had Han serve as his secretary.