Li Bai's life amidst wind and rain, and the beautiful woman

     Li Bai, a disgraceful descendant who left Sichuan and never returned; Li Bai, a mid-Tang poet who poured his heart and soul into his writing; Li Bai, a court poet who wrote, "How can I bow to the powerful and wealthy, and not be happy?"; Li Bai, a wanderer who wrote, "I will not hesitate to travel far to seek immortals in the Five Sacred Mountains, and I love to roam famous mountains all my life"; Li Bai, a down-on-his-luck man who wavered between serving and remaining in officialdom throughout his life; Li Bai, a proud and arrogant man who wrote, "Even Confucius feared the younger generation, how can a man belittle the young?"; Li Bai, a drinker who wrote, "The emperor summons me, but I will not go to the palace, I call myself a wine immortal"; Li Bai, a Zen practitioner who wrote, "Why are the chrysanthemums so bitter, suffering two Double Ninth Festivals?"; Li Bai, a melancholy man who wrote, "I entrust my sorrowful heart to the bright moon, to follow you all the way to Yelang in the west"; Li Bai, a martyr who "rescued the moon from its reflection in the water." This multifaceted individual has enjoyed literary renown for thousands of years, like his sword, his wine, and his poems.

    Looking at Li Bai's life, I am reminded of Ji Kang, one of the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove." After the Cao Wei regime was replaced by the Jin Dynasty established by the Sima clan, the rule was dark and the political situation was turbulent. Many literati of that era, in order to protect themselves, began to pursue "metaphysics," a branch of Lao-Zhuang thought, as a way to passively escape the world. Ji Kang was a very influential figure among the literati and officials of the time. The Sima clan repeatedly invited him to serve as an official, but as he had ties to the Cao Wei regime, he was unwilling to serve a dynasty that had seized power through usurpation. Thus, after being repeatedly refused invitations, the Sima clan imprisoned him on trumped-up charges. However, three thousand scholars from the Imperial Academy and other literati petitioned on his behalf, willing to serve alongside him in prison. But this very petition became the reason for the Sima clan's ruthless execution, because Ji Kang's influence was too great. Before his execution, Ji Kang picked up his beloved zither and played the "Guangling San," a piece he thought would be lost forever. Its timeless beauty and captivating sound resonated throughout the world.
    Li Bai, however, became an innocent bystander after Prince Yong's defeat in his power struggle with Emperor Suzong, solely because of his poem "Yongwang Xun Ge," which, like many of his other works, caused a sensation. Convicted, imprisoned, exiled, and later pardoned, he returned to Xunyang (present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi). Years later, he wrote "Lin Si Ge" (Deathbed Song), ending his life with a romantic notion of "rescuing the moon from its reflection in the water." These two men, born in different eras, left behind something similar in their final moments: a romantic composure born of solitary self-admiration.
    Li Bai, a poet from Shu (Sichuan) during the mid-Tang Dynasty, claimed descent from the Western Han Dynasty's Flying General Li Guang, citing a family heirloom, the Longquan sword, as proof. In his youth, guided by the motto "Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles, learn from ten thousand teachers," he traversed the Shu Road, descended the Three Gorges, and explored countless mountains and rivers.
    Years later, through the introduction of his friend Yuan Yin, he married Xu Shu, the granddaughter of the prime minister of Emperor Gaozong of Tang. During this time, his poems were widely praised and recited, even by Emperor Xuanzong, who was then the emperor himself. Emperor Xuanzong issued three imperial edicts inviting him to serve in the court, which perfectly aligned with his youthful ambition to "help the people and secure the nation." He aspired to achieve great things, like Huo Qubing of the Western Han Dynasty and Zhuge Liang of the Three Kingdoms period, serving as prime minister and general, fulfilling both his ambition as a man and his desire to return home in glory.
    Upon arriving in Chang'an, he became a court poet but was not given important positions. This was due to the emperor's pursuit of fame and fortune, and also to the control of the court by treacherous officials. This was all because of Cui Jingchang, a county magistrate he had a childhood grudge against; Gao Lishi, the Grand Eunuch, Yang Guozhong, the Minister of Rites and the emperor's brother-in-law, whom he had offended in middle age; Zhang, the imperial son-in-law; and the hypocritical prime minister Li Linfu, who claimed there were no worthy men left in the countryside.
    Later, Gao Lishi, Yang Guozhong, and others, seeking revenge for the time they had humiliated Li Bai by removing his boots and grinding ink for him in the palace, conspired to frame him. They misinterpreted the poem "Qing Ping Diao," a song praising Yang Guifei, as a satire alluding to the emperor's immoral behavior towards the concubine, and the concubine's relationship with An Lushan (the father abandoning his son, Prince Shou, to take his daughter-in-law for himself, and the immoral and ambiguous relationship between the concubine and her adopted son, An Lushan).
    The emperor was furious, but merely kept him by his side as a court poet, neither promoted nor demoted. This was perhaps the emperor's greatest leniency, for he was, after all, a ruler who had once led a prosperous Tang dynasty. Yet, so easily manipulated by these villains, despite his past feats of recognizing barbarian languages ​​and frightening off the disrespect of the Bohai vassal state in the palace, he was completely erased from history with a single, casual investigation by the emperor. With his proud spirit, he refused to associate with petty people. Devoted to serving his country, he no longer wished to serve such a ruler (a once incredibly wise ruler who was now only indulging in sensual pleasures and neglecting his duties). This was because the ruler was now surrounded by incompetent and sycophantic individuals, and talented people were not given important positions. To gain recognition, one had to bypass the aloof ruler and flatter these sycophants, relying on their favor and promotion. Li Bai was not one to compromise; he was the Li Bai who famously declared, "How can I bow and scrape before the powerful and wealthy?" Although such people later produced figures like Feng Dao (from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period), who also performed many beneficial deeds for the country and its people during the short-lived dynasty, Li Bai submitted his "Memorial of Resignation," which the emperor granted, leading to his being "granted gold and released."
    Perhaps this ending was the best possible conclusion for Li Bai, for it cemented his status as a poetic genius; it enabled him to utter the famous line, "Laughing loudly, I stride out the door; how can I, a man of such talent, be a mere commoner?"; it inspired the passionate declaration, "When life is good, enjoy it to the fullest; don't let the golden goblet face the moon empty"; it fostered his chivalrous generosity, as expressed in "Heaven has endowed me with talent, which will surely be put to use; though a thousand pieces of gold are spent, they will return"; it earned him the reputation of a wine immortal, as stated in "As long as the host can get drunk, where in the world is my hometown?"; and it allowed him to live a carefree life, as expressed in "There will be times when the wind and waves will be broken, and I will set sail to cross the vast ocean." Perhaps the poet felt a sense of being mocked, or perhaps his departure was merely a pretense to make the emperor re-evaluate him, but it was a true return. Whatever the ending, there was one. Whether you wanted it or not, all you could do was face it. Perhaps Lu Xun's words offer a good interpretation: a true warrior dares to face the harsh realities of life. Although his fate was that of a commoner, he surpassed that of Jia Yi and Sima Qian of the Western Han Dynasty, as well as Su Shi of later generations. In an era without a wise ruler, it's difficult for the rebellious and talented to associate with petty people.
    Because of his poetic status, he had countless admirers and many who wanted to be his friend. Despite the emperor's injustice and his status as a commoner, a legend circulated that the emperor had bestowed upon him a golden plaque inscribed with "Drink at any shop, withdraw money from the treasury at any store." While this was entirely fictitious, it resonated with the sentiments of those who stood up for him. These kind and righteous people used their righteous indignation to protest against the high and mighty emperor, upholding the glimmer of justice in their hearts. Perhaps for the vulnerable masses, facing injustice and helpless suffering, that last glimmer of hope is what sustains them through life. This is like Sun Wukong punishing evil and upholding justice for the people—a truly gratifying act. Although no one had ever seen ghosts or gods, these people had a sense of justice and self-comfort that belonged to a public society.
    After the An Lushan Rebellion broke out, this eight-year-long uprising shook the foundations of the Tang Dynasty, allowing poets and wandering people to witness this catastrophe together. During the chaos, the Yang siblings were either killed or forced to commit suicide by mutinous soldiers, and Emperor Xuanzong fled in panic to Nanjing (present-day Chengdu). Meanwhile, the crown prince from Lingwu, Ningxia, declared himself emperor, becoming Emperor Suzong. Prince Yong, Li Lin, was dissatisfied and recruited soldiers in his fiefdom of Jiangling, ostensibly to cooperate with the court in suppressing the rebellion, but in reality to vie for the throne with Emperor Suzong. At that time, Li Bai was in Xunyang (present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi), within Prince Yong's sphere of influence. Prince Yong, like his father, sought fame and fortune, and like his father, sent envoys three times to invite Li Bai to serve in the court, all for the sake of seizing power. The still-sharp-witted Li Bai was willing to contribute his wisdom and strength to this long-turbulent court, realizing his ideal of "saving the people and securing the country." Yet it was this recklessness, this deception, that led to his unjust imprisonment in his later years. In the defeat of Prince Yong in his struggle against Emperor Suzong, he became a casualty of the power struggle between the two Li brothers, simply because he had written a poem, "Song of Prince Yong's Eastern Expedition," during Prince Yong's feigned northern expedition against An Lushan. During his imprisonment, his former poet friend Gao Shi revealed the cold-heartedness and disdain typical of scholars. Only Guo Ziyi, who had rescued him in his youth, fought valiantly for him when Emperor Suzong returned to Chang'an to establish his court, saving his life—perhaps a reciprocal act of kindness. Although he survived, exile to Yelang was inevitable. Thus, this nearly sixty-year-old man, wearing these shackles, traveled west along the Yangtze River. The path he had taken downstream in his youth became, in his later years, a path of no return against the current. Thus, the line, "I entrust my sorrowful heart to the bright moon, to follow you all the way to Yelang in the west," was born. About a year later, a severe drought struck the land. To bring peace, Emperor Suzong granted amnesty to exiled criminals like Li Bai. Li Bai, who was about to reach Yelang, was overjoyed upon hearing this news—a fact unknown to us today. However, his poem "Departing from Baidi City at Dawn" should still resonate with many, as it was written upon learning of the emperor's amnesty and his journey down the Three Gorges. From the lines, "Departing from Baidi City amidst colorful clouds at dawn, I return to Jiangling a thousand miles away in a single day. The cries of monkeys on both banks cannot be silenced, yet my light boat has already passed countless mountains," we can easily sense a joyful heart, a longing to return to Xunyang.
    Li Bai spent the vast majority of his life savoring life and literature amidst the scenic landscapes far from home. A sword, a pot of wine—behold his timeless poems, such as "The Road to Shu is Hard," "Looking at the Waterfall at Mount Lu," "Drinking Alone Under the Moon," "A Farewell to Mount Tianmu in a Dream," "A Gift to Wang Lun," "Thoughts on a Quiet Night," and "Departing from Baidi City at Dawn," which have been recited by people of that era and those who came after. These famous poems all originated from mountains and rivers.
    Li Bai experienced three women in his life. One was Xu Shu (Li Bai's first wife, who bore him a son and a daughter; she fell ill shortly after being granted gold and released from prison). The other was Hua Zhengfang (they met shortly after Li Bai left Sichuan, became acquainted after being granted gold and released from prison, and died for Li Bai on the eve of the An Lushan Rebellion). The third was Zong Yun (also the granddaughter of a prime minister during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian; she was implicated in the Wei Empress Rebellion, and her family fell into decline. She devoted herself to caring for Li Bai's daughter and son, and tenderly nurtured him in his later years). Zong Yun came together with Li Bai after the death of his first wife, Xu Shu, through the matchmaking of their poet friend Gao Shi, and accompanied him through the rest of his life. Xu Shu supported her husband's pursuit of officialdom, while Zong Yun hoped he would also enter officialdom, because they both understood that their husbands were flamboyant and talented men. Perhaps because the two women were at different stages of Li Bai's life, their views on life also differed. One hoped her husband would achieve great things, while the other hoped he would live a quiet life in seclusion in the mountains. Although both were well-bred ladies who devoted themselves to their husbands and children, and both were knowledgeable and reasonable people. Hua Zhengfang, a woman who had lived a life of performing arts since childhood but not selling her body, was a devoted woman who admired and loved Li Bai. She waited patiently for him as he struggled to save the people and stabilize the nation. Later, she was captured by An Lushan and forced into becoming a favored princess. When Li Bai traveled north to Youzhou, she helped him steal the "Imperial Seal," the symbol of rebellion for the pseudo-Great Yan Kingdom, hoping that her beloved, who had no other way to serve his country, could realize his ideal of "saving the people and stabilizing the nation." Later, Li Bai
    's drunkenness led to his downfall, capture, and execution by An Lushan. Throughout his life, Li Bai encountered many literary figures, poets, and commoners, such as He Zhizhang, Du Fu, Yuan Yin, Guo Ziyi, Wang Lun, and even the prison guard A'gen. They admired the poet, recommended him, supported him, helped him, and rescued him. "Li Bai could write a hundred poems after drinking a jug of wine, and sleep in a tavern in Chang'an. He wouldn't even summon the emperor, proclaiming himself a wine immortal." This is the poet-sage's evaluation of the immortal poet.
    Li Bai had one son and one daughter. His daughter was Pingyang, and his son was Boqin. These two children, separated from their father more often than not, lived with their birth mother Xu Shu, relied on their aunt (Xu Shu's maid) for support, and enjoyed a harmonious life with their stepmother Zong Yun. Later, Pingyang married, and Boqin became a farmer. Both were ordinary people, both enjoying family life.
    Li Bai dedicated his life to being a poet, and was a genius unparalleled in history. But he wasn't a good son (this is my immature opinion), because he was young... The life motto of "Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles, and learn from ten thousand teachers" led him to leave Sichuan, and indeed, "Once I set out on the Jade Gate Pass, I was gone forever." This departure became a final farewell to his parents, for he never returned to Sichuan. Perhaps this was because he remained a commoner and a poet throughout his life, not a triumphant general returning home. He felt ashamed to face his elders in Jiangdong, perhaps the greatest mistake of this great romantic poet, driven by vanity.
    So he chose to escape, choosing to live as a sojourner in a foreign land. Perhaps deep down, he never forgot his dream of becoming a flying general. Li Guang's descendant, perhaps deep down, still yearned to continue the legacy of the Flying General Li Guang. Despite the emperor's alienation and the ostracism of petty officials, while displaying his exceptional talent and disdain for the powerful, he waited for a wise ruler, like the one built by the King of Yan to attract talented individuals from across the land, to whom he could achieve great things. Despite his advanced age, despite Prince Yong, Li Lin, outwardly waving the banner of suppressing rebellion while vying for power with Emperor Suzong, and despite knowing only how to punish the rebels but not how to contend for the throne, he still devoted himself to restraining the court that had never favored him. Even after being pardoned in Yelang, he still went north to join the army to save the country. Then... He was unable to fulfill his wish due to illness, but this poet, so concerned for his country and its people, this elderly man suffering from "corrosive rib disease" (i.e., chronic alcoholism), still used his wisdom and body to serve his country. When all the conflicts in the world began to subside, the former youth had become an elderly man in his sixties, and where were his parents, who had left Sichuan in their youth, now?
    This great poet, in a romantic way, used his life, dipped in the cold waters of the Yangtze River, to write his final chapter on the moon reflected in the water, at the age of 62. The poet Bai Juyi wrote: "But poets often have tragic fates, and none are more unfortunate than you." There is also an anonymous poem that says: "Unrivaled in poetry, a celestial being in wine, his talent openly eclipsed his generation. He removed his boots in the palace, draped himself in brocade by the river, his wild fame aiming to last a thousand years." "
    After Li Bai's death, the An Lushan Rebellion was quelled. An Lushan, once invincible and unstoppable, was killed by his son (who seized power), then killed by Shi Siming (who seized power), and then killed by his son (who seized power) again, thus vanishing like smoke. A rebellious force that might have changed dynasties was strangled by encirclement from others and internal strife. Li Bai didn't live to see any of this. Years later, Emperor Daizong (son of Emperor Suzong), unaware of Li Bai's death, posthumously granted him the title of 'Left Remonstrance Official.' Sadly, this belated imperial edict was used as a memorial to the deceased.
    Li Yangbing (Li Bai's cousin), entrusted by Li Bai, compiled all of Li Bai's poems into the *Caotang Ji* after Li Bai's death, thus ensuring their preservation to this day.
    Finally, let us revisit the poet's poem 'Sitting Alone on Jingting Mountain' to reflect on that history and examine his eventful life:
    'All the birds have flown high and far, a lone cloud drifts leisurely by.'"
    We gaze at each other, never tiring of the sight; only Mount Jingting and I remain.