Bai Minzhong

Bai Minzhong

Bai Minzhong (792-861) was born in Xiaying, Huazhou (now the northeast of Weinan, Shaanxi). His ancestral home is Hancheng, Tongzhou (now the northeast of Weinan, Shaanxi). He is the governor of Taiyuan Yanggu (now the Taigu, Shanxi). He is the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty and the subordinate brother of Bai Juyi, the Minister of the Ministry of punishment.

In his early years, Bai Minzhong was a member of the Li tingshogunate. Later, he successively served as a judge of Dali, a royal censor in the palace, a member of the Ministry of household affairs, a scholar of Hanlin, a scholar of Zhongshu, and a minister of the Ministry of war. After Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty succeeded, Bai Minzhong became prime minister with the title of Shi Lang of the Ministry of war and Zhang Shi of Tongping. Later, he became Shi Lang of Zhongshu and Shang Shu of the Ministry of punishment, and was promoted to youpushe and Shi Lang under the door, and was granted the title of Duke of Taiyuan.

In 851, Bai Minzhong went out of the town as an envoy, and granted him the rank of governor of Yingning, and appeased the Dangxiang rebellion. Later, he successively served as the governor of Xichuan and the governor of Jingnan, worshipped situ and added Prince and master. After Tang Yizong succeeded to the throne, Bai Minzhong returned to the court and was granted the title of servant and Tongping Zhangshi, and was promoted to the rank of servant and Zhongshu.

In the second year of Xiantong (861), Bai Minzhong was appointed as Fengxiang's envoy. He died in July of the same year and died at the age of 70. The posthumous title is ugly.

Life of the characters

Early experience

Bai Minzhong lost his father when he was young. He studied with his brother Bai Juyi and others. Later, he became a Jinshi in the examination. He was appointed secretary of Jiedu by Li tingpi. He successively served in Hedong, Zhenghua and Qining towns, and also tried to be a judge of Dali temple.

Tired of work

In the seventh year of Dahe (833), Bai Minzhong returned to his hometown Xiaying because of his mother's death. In the first year of Huichang (841), Bai Minzhong was restored to be the imperial censor of the palace, and was assigned to the affairs of the eastern capital. Soon he was appointed as the member of the household department, wailang. In the second year of Huichang (842), Emperor Wuzong planned to use Bai Juyi. Prime Minister Li Deyu said: "Bai Juyi is old and ill. I'm afraid he can't bear the heavy responsibilities of the imperial court. He asked from his younger brother Bai Min that he was no lower than him and could be appointed." On the same day, Emperor Wuzong appointed Bai Minzhong as zhizhigao and Hanlin bachelor, and later changed to zhongshushe. In 846, Emperor Xuanzong succeeded to the throne. Bai Minzhong was appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of war, and became the prime minister. After that, Bai Minzhong was promoted to the position of youpushe, Minister of Shangshu, and Minister of Taiyuan. In five years, he went through 13 promotions, from Yuanwai Langguan to prime minister.

Take charge of the town

In 851, Dangxiang entered the army. At that time, Cui Xuan was a servant of Zuo pushe's family. He was determined to hold the prime minister's power alone. He didn't want Bai Minzhong to be above him, so he took the opportunity to send a minister to pacify him. In March, Bai Minzhong was appointed as Sikong, Tongping Zhangshi, and Yingning Jiedu emissary. He also served as an emissary of recruiting Dangxiang, commanding Zhizhi and other military forces, as well as an emissary of supplying troops from the north and the south. He followed the practice of Peidu's expedition to Huaixi and chose the ministers as his subordinates. When Bai Minzhong left Beijing, Tang Xuanzong personally went to Anfu building for a farewell party, rewarded tongtiandai, granted him the right to set up a mansion and set up a scholar, and sent the Shence army to accompany him. In April, Bai min went to ningzhou and got a good report from the generals. He advised the party members to choose a job and live in peace. After the party was pacified, Bai Minzhong was removed from the post of Dutong and appointed full-time governor of Yingning. In the seventh year of Dazhong (853), Bai Minzhong went to beitejin and situ, and became the governor of Xichuan in Chengdu. He managed Xichuan for five years, increased the mule army, repaired the wall, and made outstanding contributions. In the 11th year of Dazhong (857), Bai Minzhong moved to Jiangling as Yin and Jingnan Jiedushi, and still retained the post of Tongping Zhangshi.

Return to Zaifu

In 859, Tang Yizong succeeded to the throne. Bai Minzhong was recalled to the capital and served as a situ, a servant, and a Zhangshi of Tongping. He was once again a assistant, and was soon promoted to a servant. In the first year of Xiantong (860), Bai Minzhong, unfortunately, fell on the steps and hurt his waist when he went to court. He was carried home on his shoulder. After that, Bai Minzhong went up to the emperor three times and asked for his resignation, but he was not approved by Tang Yizong. You buque Wang Pu admonished: "soon after your majesty ascended the throne, it was time for the prime minister to devote himself to the service. Bai Minzhong has been in bed for four months and is not competent as prime minister. Please allow your majesty to resign Bai Minzhong and choose another prime minister. " Tang Yizong was so angry that he demoted Wang Pu as the magistrate of Yangzhai county. In September, Bai min was promoted to Zhongshu Ling.

Feng Xiang died of illness

In the second year of Xiantong (861), the Nanman rebellion. Tang Yizong called Bai Minzhong into the court and ordered people to help him to the palace. Bai Minzhong insisted on resigning and took the post of Zhongshu Ling as Fengxiang's envoy. Soon after, Bai Minzhong went up again and asked to resign and return to his hometown to protect his ancestral tomb. Tang Yizong appointed him to stay in Dongdu, but he refused. Tang Yizong had no choice but to let him retire as a Taifu. In July of the same year, Bai Minzhong died of illness in Fengxiang at the age of 70. At this time, the imperial edict for his retirement had not yet been sent. When Tang Yizong heard of Bai Minzhong's death, he abandoned the imperial court two days ago and made him a Taiwei. Cao ye, a doctor of Taichang, thought that Bai Minzhong was "ill but not resolute. He expelled his admonishment officials, but Huwei acted wantonly", and gave him the posthumous title of ugliness.

Anecdotes and allusions

Live up to your best friend

When Bai Minzhong took part in the imperial examination, Wang Qi, the chief examiner, wanted to take him as the number one scholar, but he hated his good friend he bamao who was taking the examination with him. Wang Qi secretly orders someone to send a message to Bai Minzhong, asking him to break off his friendship with he Bagao, and Bai Minzhong agrees. At this time, he bamao came to visit and was told that Bai Minzhong was going out, so he left. Bai Minzhong ordered people to take him back, told him the truth, and said, "even if he doesn't win the first place, how can he break up with friends for this?" Two people drink and drunk, and sleep at the same table. When Wang Qi learned about it, he sighed, "I just wanted to admit Bai Minzhong, but now I should admit he bamao together."

requite love with hate

When Li Deyu was in power, he recommended Bai Minzhong as the Hanlin bachelor. Later, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty succeeded and Li Deyu lost power. Bai Minzhong took the opportunity to exclude Li Deyu, and ordered Li Xian to expose Li Deyu's crime, which made Li Deyu demoted to an idle official. At that time, public opinion despised Bai Minzhong, and Li Deyu also denounced Bai Minzhong for repaying his virtue with resentment.

Offend Zheng Hao

Bai Minzhong once selected the emperor's son-in-law for Princess Wanshou and Zheng Hao, the number one scholar. At that time, Zheng Hao was married to the Lu family and was going to meet them. Bai Minzhong sent someone to recover them. For this reason, Zheng Hao deeply hated Bai Minzhong and slandered him many times in front of Xuanzong. Later, Bai Minzhong went out of Zhenning and said to Xuanzong, "Zheng Hao didn't want to marry the princess, so he resented his ministers. There is nothing he can do in the court. If I leave town, he will slander me. " Xuanzong said, "I have known for a long time. How did you say that until now?" Then he ordered a Tamarix letter to be handed to Bai Minzhong and said, "it's all written by Zheng Lang who slandered you. If I believe it, how can you be today? " Bai Minzhong was relieved.

Character evaluation

Wang Fuzhi: 1. Li Deyu led Bai Minzhong into the Imperial Academy. As a bachelor, he took advantage of Wu and xuanzheng to change his politics. At the beginning, Li Deyu tried his best to exclude him and oppose his politics, so as to make him demoted to death and make the Tang Dynasty chaotic. ② The rebellion of the Tang Dynasty resulted in the death of the officials, which was the root of the disaster. Since the founding of Dazhong, Bai Minzhong and Linghu have been the first to suffer disaster, followed by Lu Yan and Wei Baoheng. However, they are not evil enough.

personal works

His two poems are included in the whole Tang poetry, i.e. to offer longevity wine to the sun and to celebrate the restoration of the original state of Qin Dynasty. there are five articles in the whole Tang Dynasty: Fu on throwing stones into water, Fu on Lady Xi's not saying anything, a watch for Niu Seng Ru, a posthumous Minister of criminal justice Bai Juyi, a gift to Taiwei, a record of xiuyao temple in Huazhou, and a new floating picture of Mingfu temple in Huazhou.

member of family

Father and ancestor

Bai phosphonium, an official, joined the army in Yangzhou. Bai Jikang, an official of Lishui County. Jingshi, the daughter of jinglingwan, the governor of Suizhou, was granted to Mrs. Zheng Guotai.

wife

Cui, the daughter of Cui Kuan, magistrate of Jiexian county. Wei Shi, the daughter of Wei Tongjing, the secretary general, is the wife of Wei Guo.

Son in law

Bai Zhengfu was an official and a secretary of the provincial government. Bai chongru was an official to the Secretary of the provincial school. Bai Kejiu joined the army at jingzhaofu. Huang Fu Wei, a former guest member, married Bai Minzhong's second daughter. Zhang Wenshi, a former school administrator of Jixian hall, married Bai Minzhong's youngest daughter.

Historical records

Volume 166 of the old book of the Tang Dynasty, volume 116 of the biographies, volume 119 of the new book of the Tang Dynasty, Volume 44 of the biographies, volume 246 of the Zizhitongjian, volume 62 of the Tang Dynasty, volume 248 of the Zizhitongjian, volume 644 of the Tang Dynasty, volume 249 of the Zizhitongjian, Volume 65 of the Tang Dynasty, volume 250 of the Zizhitongjian, Volume 66 of the Tang Dynasty

Memorial of tombs

The tomb of Bai Minzhong is located in the north of Beicheng village, Longbei Township, Linwei District, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province. The epitaph is 93 cm high and 93 cm wide, with 52 lines of inscriptions and 51 characters in each line. It was unearthed in 1959 and now exists in Xi'an stele forest museum.

Chinese PinYin : Bai Min Zhong