After Emperor Wenzong died in 840 and was succeeded by his brother Emperor Wuzong, Zhou Chi was sent out of Chang'an to serve as the prefect of Hua Prefecture (華州, in modern Weinan, Shaanxi), as well as the defender of Tong Pass. He was later made the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Eyue Circuit (鄂岳, headquartered in modern Wuhan, Hubei), as well as the prefect of Eyue's capital E Prefecture (). In 846, he was made the governor of Jiangxi Circuit (江西, headquartered in modern Nanchang, Jiangxi), as well as the prefect of its capital Hong Prefecture (). While serving there, he carefully supervised the prefects under him, and also stationed troops at Poyang Lake to curtail the banditry that was common there.
