The Story of Li Mi
 
Li Mi (722 – 789 AD), from the Tang Dynasty, was called the "White Robed Prime Minister." He served four Tang Dynasty Emperors. All four Emperors regarded him highly and considered him a teacher and a friend. Li Mi had lofty aspirations, and enjoyed learning about gods, Buddhas, and Daos. He was filled with compassion and righteousness. When his country was in danger, he became the pillar of the imperial court and developed strategies to subdue the invaders. He retired as soon as peace was reestablished in his homeland. He always maintained a calm and tranquil attitude.
 
When Li Mi was a young boy, he was known for his quick mind and creativity, and was considered a "child prodigy." One time, Prime Minister Zhang Jiuling (678 – 740 AD) wanted to employ an official who was not talented, had a weak personality and moral character, and was very obedient. Although Li Mi was only seven years old, he said to Zhang Jiuling without mincing words, "Prime Minister, you come from a humble background and have the reputation of being fair and unbiased when you handle government affairs. Do you really want to hire someone who is submissive and lacks moral fortitude?" Zhang Jiuling was very astonished after hearing Li Mi's words. He quickly admitted his mistake and began to call him "little friend."
 
One year, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (685 – 762 AD, ruling from 712 – 756 AD) was personally selecting the empire’s scholars. Zhang Jiuling mentioned Li Mi and the emperor immediately summoned Li Mi to the palace. When Li Mi arrived, the emperor and Prime Minister Zhang Yue were playing a round of Go. The emperor ordered Zhang Yue to test Li Mi’s literary skills.
 
Zhang recited a four-line poem using the Go chessboard and pieces as the subject. He asked Li Mi to compose a poem with the same theme. Li Mi opened his mouth and verbalized a four-line poem as well. Emperor Xuanzong was delighted and immediately told Li Mi to head to the Eastern Palace to study with Crown Prince Li Heng.
 
When Li Mi grew up, he submitted a memorial to Emperor Xuanzong with several suggestions concerning national affairs. Emperor Xuanzong read the report, was highly appreciative and wanted to offer him a government position. Li Mi replied that he was still young and did not wish to become an official. Therefore, Xuanzong offered him the title of "subordinate official" to the crown prince and asked him to advise the crown prince. Li Mi said he wished to remain a civilian and would like to become friends with the crown prince. The crown prince liked Li Mi very much and always regarded him as his teacher.
 
Li Mi did not like Yang Guozhong (? – 756 AD, a prime minister late in Emperor Xuanzong’s reign), who was authoritarian. He wrote a sarcastic poem about Yang Guozhong. In response, Yang Guozhong forced Li Mi to leave Chang’an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty. When Li Mi noticed the chaotic political situation and "darkness" covering the government, he moved to Ying Yang and lived a secluded life.
 
During the An Shi Rebellion (755 – 763 AD), people were thrown into a state of intense fear and desperation and were deeply distressed. Emperor Xuanzong fled to Sichuan. Crown prince Li Heng ascended to the thrown in Lingwu, Ningxia Province, and became Emperor Suzong in 756 AD. Half of the country was in the hands of An Lushan, the leader of the rebellion, and less than thirty military and political advisors were with Suzong. That was the time when Suzong remembered his friend Li Mi in Ying Yang. He had Li Mi escored to Lingwu. Li Mi thought the imperial court must be in trouble and immediately came to Lingwu.
 
Emperor Suzong was very happy to see Li Mi and offered him the prime minister position. Li Mi did not accept and said, "Your majesty treats me as your trusted friend, this is a much nobler position than being the prime minister. Why do I need such a title?" Emperor Suzong did not insist.
 
Emperor Suzong trusted Li Mi and sought his advice in every matter, large or small. He even asked Li Mi's opinion regarding the appointment and dismissal of prime ministers, and candidates for the crown prince. During imperial court meetings, Li Mi sat next to Emperor Suzong. The imperial generals and officers often said, "The one in the yellow robe is the Emperor, and the one in the white clothing is the recluse from the mountain." Li Mi wore the same outfit when he lived in seclusion and while in Lingwu.
 
Li Mi, Guo Ziyi (Tang general), and Li Guangbi (Tang general) developed strategic plans that were successful in recapturing Chang’an and Luo Yang. After they ended the An Shi Rebellion, Li Mi said to the emperor, "Your majesty, now that I have repaid you, may I please return home?" Emperor Suzong replied, "You and I spent years together to end this rebellion. I'd like you to enjoy a peaceful and prosperous time with me now, why do you want to leave?" Li Mi sincerely said, "Your majesty and I became good friends when we were young. You entrusted me with great responsibilities and trusted me completely. It is because of these reasons that I have no choice but to leave." Li Mi continuously asked to be sent home. Therefore, Emperor Suzong could not refuse and reluctantly agreed.
 
Afterwards Li Mi built a house on Mount Heng and lived in seclusion.
 
Emperor Daizong of Tang (726 – 779 AD, reigning from 762 – 779 AD) summoned Li Mi during his reign and awarded him the title Supervising Secretary.
 
When Emperor Dezong ruled the Tang Dynasty (779 – 805 AD), there was a rebellion led by the general Zhu Ci. Emperor Dezong rushed to Fengtian and summoned Li Mi to be prime minister. Li Mi saved the country from grave dangers with his superior strategies. Therefore, he was awarded the title of Marquis of Ye.
 
Emperor Dezong told Li Mi, "Fortune tellers say that the rebellion was preordained by heaven, and it had not much to do with human affairs."
 
Li Mi replied seriously, "Following heavenly destiny means that one must abide by the laws of heaven to handle affairs, it does not mean that one can evade responsibility because an affair is preordained by heaven. The emperor and the prime minister have the duty of steering the fate of the country and guiding the civilians to abide by the laws of heaven. Should an emperor disregard his responsibility and use heaven's will as an excuse, then rites, policies and punishments are all unnecessary. Historical tyrannical rulers such as Jie (Xia dynasty) and Zhou (Shang dynasty) claimed that they were following orders from heaven and attempted to escape their responsibility. If your majesty thinks like this, then I'm afraid you are just like Jie and Zhou."
 
Li Mi was honest, exercised self-control and maintained morality. When he served as an official, he acted strictly according to established rules, upheld existing laws and was an honest public servant. After he returned to seclusion, he enlightened to the true meaning of life. He seized the opportunity to walk away from political life and chose another path in life. He was truly able to accomplish his aspirations while taking things lightly and attaining tranquility.
 
不慕权名　功成身退
 
李泌，唐朝人，有白衣丞相之称，身经四朝，四朝皇帝都非常器重他，奉为师友。李泌志存高远，一生爱好神仙佛道，富于同情心和正义感，他于国家危难之时，辅翼朝廷，定策平贼，一旦天下安定，即功成身退，始终保持平静、祥和的心态。
 
李泌幼年时就以才思敏捷著名，被誉为「神童」。有一次，宰相张九龄准备拔用一位德才不高，个性比较软弱，而且肯听话的官员。李泌那时只有七岁，他很率直的对张九龄说：「公起布衣，以直道至宰相，而喜软美者乎！」意思是说：相公您自己也是平民出身，处理国家大事，素来便有正直无私的清誉，难道您也喜欢低声下气而缺乏节操的软性人才吗？张九龄听了他的话，非常惊讶，马上很慎重的认错，改口叫他小友。
 
那一年，正赶上唐玄宗亲自登楼选拔天下文士，张九龄说起了李泌，玄宗立即派人把李泌接到宫中。李泌进宫时，玄宗正和宰相张说下围棋，就命张说出题考考他。
 
张说就对着棋盘说：「方如棋局，圆如棋子，动如棋生，静如棋死。」说了这四句后，让李泌也以「方圆动静」四字为题做诗。他看李泌年小，还特意启发一下说，最好是说棋而不提棋字，这样才更有水平。李泌张口说道：「方如行义，圆如用智，动如逞才，静如遂意。」玄宗大喜，当即叫李泌到东宫陪太子李亨读书。
 
后来李泌长大了，他向玄宗上了奏章，对国家大事提了一些意见。玄宗看了很欣赏，想给他一个官职。他推说自己年轻，不愿做官。玄宗就封他做太子的属吏，要他多指教太子。李泌说他只愿以布衣身份和太子交往，太子也特别喜欢李泌，一直把他当作老师看待。
 
后来，李泌看不惯杨国忠专权，曾经写诗讽刺杨国忠。为此，他被杨国忠排挤出长安。他看到政局混乱，官场黑暗，就到颖阳隐居起来。
 
安史之乱时，太子李亨在宁夏灵武即位，是为唐肃宗，当时情况非常仓皇狼狈。唐玄宗远避四川，半壁江山都在安禄山手里，肃宗身边文武官员不满三十人，这时肃宗想起好朋友李泌，就派人把李泌从颖阳接到灵武来。李泌想到朝廷正遭到困难，就到了灵武。
 
肃宗看见李泌，非常高兴，要封他当宰相，李泌不同意。他说：「陛下待我像知心朋友一样，这就比当宰相的地位还贵了，何必非要我挂个名不可呢？」肃宗只好作罢。
 
肃宗对李泌的信赖非同寻常，朝中事无巨细，全都请教于他，连宰相的任免、太子的人选也要征求他的意见。每当朝中议事时，皇帝和李泌联袂而坐，将士们指点说：「那个穿黄袍的是皇上，穿白褂子的是山里来的隐士。」因李泌在乡间隐居的时候穿的是布衣，到了灵武，还是那件旧的布褂子。
 
当李泌和郭子仪、李光弼等一起运筹帷幄，收复了长安和洛阳，平定了安史之乱后，李泌对肃宗说：「我已经报答了陛下，请让我回家再做个闲人吧！」肃宗说：「我和先生共了几年患难，现在正想跟您一起享受安乐，怎么您倒要走了呢？」李泌恳切的说：「我和陛下结交太早；陛下太重用我，信任我。就是因为这些缘故，我不能不走。」经不住李泌一再请求，肃宗无法勉强，也只好同意。
 
李泌到了衡山，在山上造个屋子，从新过他的隐居生活。
 
唐代宗时，征召李泌授官为秘书监。
 
唐德宗时朱泚作乱，德宗奔往奉天，征召李泌为宰相，李泌运用机谋，挽救时弊，因有功受封邺侯。
 
德宗对李泌说：「建中祸乱是术士占验都中有变，这是天命，并非尽关人事。」
 
李泌严肃的说：「天命是指要遵循天理做事，并非以天命为由而逃脱应尽的责任。国君与宰相有造就国家命运的职责，要引导百姓顺应天道。假若国君不尽职责而妄言天命，那么礼乐政刑，便统统可以不用了。古来暴君例如桀纣，都说自己有命在天，以命数自我开脱，人君恐怕便如同桀纣了。」
 
李泌清廉端正，洁身自爱，为官时秉公执法，两袖清风；归隐后志在山川，感悟人生真谛。他恰当的把握时局，选择自己应该走的路，真正做到了淡泊以明志，宁静而致远。