Chapter 6: Li Bai's Hundred Poems of Wine (Second Update Seeking Recommendations)

  I'm so hurt, ended last week at No. 6 in the new book rankings, now dropped to No. 9, friends, please help me out, boost it up, thank you!

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  Exciting!

  Incomparable excitement!

  Li Changguo was so excited that he seemed to have been struck by lightning, his body stiffened, and his brain stopped thinking. Time and space no longer existed.

  Li Bai's talent was as high as eight Dou, his great name has been passed down for thousands of years, and he is a monument in Chinese history, making people look up to him!

  Li Bai has countless fans, from historical giants to street vendors, all of whom are his fans.

  It can be said that all Chinese people are fans of Li Bai!

  Li Changguo is mentally mature and has a very stable temperament, he won't get excited easily, let alone be so agitated.

  He has been in the Tang Dynasty for some time, and has seen many heroes and great men. Gao Xianzhi, Feng Changqing, Li Sili, Duan Xiushi, Ge Shuhan... are all outstanding figures of their generation, unparalleled heroes and great men.

  Li Changguo had been with them, either as peers or in a superior-subordinate relationship, but he had never been so excited before. Now he was so excited that he couldn't calm down, this was the first time for Li Changguo in his two lifetimes.

  Who made him meet with Poet Li Bai?

  Li Bai's fame has been passed down for thousands of years, and there are too many wonderful stories about him. "Iron pestle grinding into a needle", "Drunk grass scaring barbarian books", "Looking down on the nobles", "The emperor calls but doesn't board the boat", "Gao Lishi takes off his boots", "Imperial hand-adjusted ladle"... There are too many to count, and as long as you're Chinese, you can recite a few lines, even if you're an illiterate peasant who knows Li Bai.

  Li Bai's poetry is renowned for centuries, with numerous excellent lines and songs. "Three thousand feet of white hair, bound by sorrow like a long rope" / "Drawing a sword to cut off the flowing water, but the water still flows; raising a cup to dispel worries, but worries only multiply" / "Don't you see the Yellow River's waters coming from heaven? Rushing to the sea, never to return" / "When life is going well, one must make the most of joy; don't let the golden goblet face the moon in vain" / "The flying stream rushes straight down three thousand feet, as if the Silver River had fallen from the nine heavens" / "Raising a cup to invite the bright moon, with my shadow forming the third person" / "The cries of monkeys on both banks do not cease; the light boat has already passed beyond ten thousand mountains" / "The moonlight in front of my bed, I wonder if it's frost on the ground. Raising my head to gaze at the bright moon, lowering my head to think of my hometown" / "Three cups and I'm pledged to be carefree; the Five Peaks are as light as a feather" / "The great roc rises with the wind one day, soaring straight up nine million miles"

  Whether or not you've read Tang poetry, whether or not you can recognize characters, as long as you're Chinese, you can recite Li Bai's poems. Who says Li Bai's poems are a thousand feet long?

  "Are you Li Hanlin?"

  Gao Mei Li was equally excited, her charming eyes flashing with intense light, sizing up Li Bai, her jade-like hands clenched tightly, her hand back turned pale.

  Li Changguo's exclamation awakened Gao Miaoli, who shook her head and looked at Li Bai. She saw that Li Bai was surrounded by an aura of immortality, as if he were a celestial being descended to the mortal world, making people dare not look up at him. Silently, she sighed: "Li Bai is called the Poet Immortal because his poetry exudes an immortal aura. In fact, the immortal aura in his poetry comes from his own immortal temperament."

  Li Bai watched the two people's excited expressions with a calm and collected demeanor, as if he had seen it all before.

  He is only eight feet tall, his name is known all over the world, his poetry is known all over the world, and he has countless "fans". Wherever he goes, there are many who come to admire him. He has seen too much of this kind of fan's excitement, not surprised at all.

  "That was the title of the past." Li Bai had long since given Li Longji "the gift of gold and release", and was no longer a Hanlin, however, people still called him Li Hanlin: "Li Bai dares to ask, what is the great name of the strong warrior?"

  Li Changguo's heart skipped a beat again, and he felt honored to be asked his name by Li Bai himself. He took a deep breath and said: "I am Li Changguo, the Colonel of the Anxi Protectorate, here to report our victory in Chang'an on behalf of Vice-Protector Gao Xianzhi. This is the daughter of Vice-Protector Gao Xianzhi."

  "Turns out he's a brave warrior from the Anxi Protectorate!" Li Bai's eyes sparkled brightly, shining with admiration, as he looked up and down at Li Changguo, scrutinizing him carefully. He nodded in approval, saying: "I've long heard that the Anxi Protectorate is the elite of the Tang Dynasty, fierce and skilled in battle. Today, seeing this brave warrior's demeanor, I realize that these words are not empty."

  At that time, the Anxi Protectorate was the place where the Tang Dynasty's wars were most frequent. The Tang army here was particularly good at fighting and was the elite of the Tang Dynasty, with a reputation for being good at war spreading throughout the world.

  Li Bai's praise made Li Changgui feel like he was on cloud nine, as if one word of praise from him was worth more than all the riches in the world.

  "Alas!" Li Bai's face fell, and he let out a long sigh. His face was filled with desolation as he picked up his wine cup and gulped down the liquor desperately, finishing over ten cups in one breath before finally putting down the cup, his face etched with sorrow.

  Everyone knows that Li Bai is talented, but he is not recognized. He wants to serve the country with all his heart, but there is no way for him to do so, leaving later generations to sigh in regret. Suddenly hearing the news of a great victory at the Anxi Protectorate, it stirred up Li Bai's thoughts and couldn't help but feel a little sad.

  Li Changguo understood his feelings and comforted him, saying: "Li Hanlin, you don't have to worry, you have a poem that says 'Heaven-born talents must be useful, a thousand pieces of gold scattered will come back again', with your great talent, there will definitely be a time when you'll soar to the sky."

  This is just a comfort, Li Changguo was very clear that Li Bai would never have the opportunity to serve his country in this life.

  Suddenly, Li Changguo turned over an idea that even he himself found somewhat inconceivable: "What would be the result if Li Bai were given the opportunity to serve his country?"

  This issue has been expected by countless people, but it has not become a reality. Li Changguo secretly denied: "Li Bai can only be talented and not meet, and there is no chance to serve the country."

  He thought again: "I met Li Bai today, this is fate. If there's a chance, I'll definitely help him get the opportunity to serve the country. If that really happens, will Li Bai really be like what he wrote in his poem 'A great roc rises with the wind, soaring straight up to 90,000 miles, flying into the sky'?"

  If Li Bai could achieve great things, it would be a wonderful story for the ages, making up for his past regrets. Li Changgui himself was eager with anticipation and secretly made up his mind: "If I get the chance, I will definitely help Li Bai!"

  "Clouds think of clothes, flowers think of faces, spring breeze sweeps the railing, dew and mist are thick. If not on the mountain head of jade, I would meet under the moon of the Jade Terrace......" Just as Li Changguo turned his head, he saw Gao Miaoli's pair of charming eyes flashing with unusual colors, sizing up Li Bai, and reciting Li Bai's famous poem: "Li Hanlin, what about the good poem you wrote for the noble concubine?"

  Li Bai was ordered to write a poem for Yang Guifei, which is an ancient legend that has been passed down through the ages. Who doesn't know about it? Which one isn't aware of it?

  Gao Mei Li's meaning couldn't be clearer: Mr. Li Hanlin, can you write a poem for me?

  Li Bai's name spread throughout the land, and to be able to get him to write a poem in praise of her own hand was what an honor? There were countless Tang Dynasty women who had such a wonderful idea.

  Li Bai smiled slightly, as gentle as a spring breeze on one's face, making people feel carefree and joyful. He glanced at Li Changguo and said: "Gao Niang, no matter how good the poem is, it's not worth praising if it doesn't come from someone who understands you."

  Gao Mei's face suddenly turned red, she glanced at Li Changguo and quickly picked up her wine glass to take a sip, using this as an excuse.

  "This Li Bai is really something, speaking like that isn't embarrassing? Li Changguo felt a bit resentful and also somewhat pleased, quickly changing the subject, saying: "I've long heard that Li Han can compose a hundred poems after drinking wine, I wonder if he can compose one poem?"

  What an honor it would be if he could witness Li Bai composing poetry in person! Li Changguo was exceptionally eager.

  Not only did he expect it, but also Gaomi Li couldn't help but forget her shyness, raised her head and stared at Li Bai, wishing he would write a poem immediately.

  Li Bai didn't say a word, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, he picked up the wine cup and started drinking cup after cup. He downed over ten cups in one breath before his intoxication slightly subsided. Putting down the cup, he said: "I've got it!"

  "Li Bai's hundred poems born of wine", the more he drank with abandon, the better his poetry became, indeed it is true!