 He made Du "Zhongshu Sheren" (), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau of government () and soon made him the deputy minister of defense (武部侍郎, "Wubu Shilang").In 757, Emperor Suzong made Du Hongjian the military governor of Hexi Circuit (河西, headquartered in modern Wuwei, Gansu).Later in the year, after joint Tang and Huige forces recaptured Chang'an and the eastern capital Luoyang, Emperor Suzong made Du the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (荊南, headquartered in modern Jingzhou, Hubei).