Why did Bai Juyi write poetry in clear and simple language?

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Scene from Romance of the Three Kingdoms — Chinese literature *Zhang Fei on the Long Sloped Bridge Turning Away One Million Wei Troops with a Powerful Stare*, woodblock colour print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, 1884. It depicts a scene from the novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*.

Bai Juyi utilized clear and simple language in his poetry primarily to serve a didactic function, as he believed that every literary work should convey a clear moral and a well-defined social purpose.1

As the informal leader of a group of poets who rejected the prevailing courtly style, Bai sought to use his writing to protest social evils, such as corruption and militarism. By adopting a simple, accessible style—often modeled after old folk ballads—he aimed to highlight the sufferings of the poor and criticize the decadent lifestyles of corrupt officials. His commitment to this straightforward approach was deeply rooted in his concern for the social problems of the Tang dynasty, ensuring his work remained impactful and relevant to the public.1