In 1971, Li started his college life in ShiJiaZhuang Finance and Trade College. One year later he started working in government from very bottom level like an office clerk. In February 1976, he was promoted to be the lowest level official in Chinese bureaucratic structure - KeZhang, which is like a Team Leader in most western governments. In 1980s, advanced education was a huge advantage in promotion. In October 1980, Li studied Politics and Education in night school in Hebei Normal University.