In 779, Emperor Daizong died and was succeeded by his son Emperor Dezong. Emperor Dezong, wanting to reform government, was willing to promote people in exceptional manners, and in fall 779, based on the recommendation of the chancellor Cui Youfu, Emperor Dezong promoted Yang from exile to be the "Menxia Shilang" (), the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, "Menxia Sheng") and gave him the designation "Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi" (), making him a chancellor "de facto", serving alongside Cui and Qiao Lin.