When it comes to Bai Juyi, it is probably well-known in China. In contrast, the name “Bai Minzhong” is basically unknown to few people. Bai Minzhong is the cousin of Bai Juyi. Unlike Bai Juyi, Bai Minzhong served as an official in the court and could be considered a smooth sailing official. He also served as a prime minister for a period of time. However, people’s evaluation of him is not very good. So, what has this prime minister done that has earned such low praise from people?
When it comes to the Tang Dynasty, people may think of the great poet Bai Juyi, but the name Bai Minzhong feels very unfamiliar. And Bai Minzhong, in fact, is Bai Juyi’s cousin. Although his reputation is not as loud as his cousin’s, he has also held the position of prime minister.
Bai Minzhong was very handsome and talented when he was young. He shares the same interests as his friend He Baqing and once went to Chang’an for exams together. At that time, the chief examiner Wang Qi greatly appreciated Bai Minzhong’s talent and appearance, but he disliked He Baqing very much. At that time, the chief examiner had the right to decide the ranking of the candidates, so Wang Qi sent someone to say to Bai Minzhong: If you cut off contact with that He Baqing, I will choose you as the top scholar.
Bai Minzhong, for the sake of his own future, although unwilling, deliberately avoided He Baocong. One day, He Baqing came to visit Bai Minzhong. Bai Minzhong hid in the inner room and asked his followers to tell He Baqing that he was out. So He Baqing waited here for Bai Minzhong’s return. But waiting on the left and waiting on the right, I didn’t see Minzhong return, and I knew something about it in my heart, so I brushed my sleeves and left.
Bai Minzhong felt very regretful when he saw this, so he quickly retrieved his friend and explained the whole situation, saying: With talent and learning, what can’t be done? How can one sacrifice friends for fame and fortune. After finishing their conversation, the two of them had a hearty drink.
However, people are always subject to change.
Later, Prime Minister Li Deyu recommended Bai Minzhong to Emperor Wu Zong as a Hanlin scholar. Since then, Bai Minzhong has risen rapidly and has been promoted thirteen times in five years. Later, Emperor Xuanzong ascended to the throne, and Li Deyu lost power due to the situation. However, Minzhong repaid his kindness with resentment and exposed his benefactor in various ways, causing him to be demoted. People of that time despised Minzhong.
Shortly thereafter, Bai Min was promoted to prime minister. Bai Minzhong is indeed talented and accomplished, but he still cannot escape the temptation of power. Later, Wang Fuzhi once evaluated Bai Minzhong as: ‘He is a person, my husband’s son.’.
