Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Biographies, Volume 7, Page 5

Dou Yi and his four brothers—Yan, Kan, Cheng, and Xi—all successfully earned the degree of Jinshi The "Presented Scholar" degree, the highest achievement in the imperial examination system. Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty admired Dou Yi’s personal conduct and wished to employ him in a high capacity, but he was obstructed by the official Zhao Pu.

The Emperor’s favor toward Dou Yi solidified when the scholar demonstrated his superior historical knowledge. Dou Yi was able to point out that the Emperor's chosen era name, Qiande original: "乾德"; used by the Song from 963–968 CE, had previously been used by the "Pseudo-Shu" Referring to the state of Later Shu, which the Song had recently conquered. This revelation led the Emperor to conclude that a Grand Councilor must be a man of extensive reading and learning. Dou Yi’s younger brothers all held esteemed official positions, including the roles of Court Diarist, Imperial Remonstrator, and Rectifier of Omissions.