Love and choices across time and space

In his in-depth exploration of Tang Dynasty culture, Li Yifeng gradually shifted his focus to Tang Dynasty poetry. He knew that poetry was a treasure of Tang Dynasty culture, carrying the rich emotions and profound thoughts of the people at that time.

Li Yifeng began collecting various versions of Tang Dynasty poetry, from ancient thread-bound volumes to modern annotated collections. His study was filled with books related to Tang Dynasty poetry. He would spend a lot of time every day immersed in these poems, carefully savoring every word and every line.

He first studied Li Bai's poetry. His bold and unrestrained style stirred his heart. His confidence, "I was born with talents that will surely be useful, and even if I lose all my wealth, I will regain it," and his aspirations, "There will always be a time to ride the wind and waves, and set sail to cross the vast ocean," deeply moved him. Through these verses, Li Yifeng attempted to understand Li Bai's inner world and imagine the heroic spirit he felt when he was composing.

He then delved into the poetry of Du Fu. Du Fu's poems are filled with concern for social realities and sympathy for the suffering of the people. His poems, expressing the grief and indignation of "the rich feast in their houses, while the frozen corpses on the streets," and his yearning for "I wish I had thousands of mansions to shelter the poorest of the world," gave Li Yifeng a deep understanding of the complexity of Tang Dynasty society and the poet's compassion.

Li Yifeng also admired Wang Wei's landscape and pastoral poetry. The tranquility of "the bright moon shines among the pines, the clear spring flows over the rocks" and the leisurely feeling of "walking to the end of the water, sitting and watching the clouds rise" made him feel the Tang Dynasty literati's love for nature and pursuit of inner peace.

Li Yifeng not only studied the works of these famous poets, but also explored the poems of lesser-known poets. He found that each poet had his or her own unique style and emotional expression, which together constituted the splendor of Tang Dynasty poetry.

To gain a deeper understanding of these poems, Li Yifeng began studying the history and cultural background of the Tang Dynasty. He learned about the political system, social customs, and religious beliefs of the Tang Dynasty, attempting to interpret the meaning of the poems from a broader perspective.

He participated in various poetry seminars, exchanging insights with fellow poetry enthusiasts and experts. The seminars allowed everyone to express their own opinions and deepen their understanding of Tang Dynasty poetry. Li Yifeng learned many new perspectives and research methods, which provided him with more insights for his own research.

Li Yifeng also personally visited the places where Tang Dynasty poets once lived and wrote. He climbed the Yellow Crane Tower and experienced the artistic conception of Cui Hao's poem, "The yellow crane has departed, never to return; the white clouds drift through the sky for a thousand years." He strolled through the water towns of Jiangnan and experienced the beauty of Bai Juyi's poem, "At sunrise, the river flowers are redder than fire; in spring, the river water is green as blue."

During his research, Li Yifeng also experimented with writing his own Tang Dynasty-style poetry. He imitated the writing style and rhythm of Tang poets, expressing his own insights into life and his love for Tang culture. While his work remains somewhat immature, it is imbued with genuine emotion.

Through his study of Tang Dynasty poetry, Li Yifeng seemed to have traveled through time and space, engaging in a spiritual dialogue with the poets of the Tang Dynasty. He felt their joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness, and understood their thoughts on life and their views on the world.

However, studying Tang Dynasty poetry was not always smooth sailing. For some obscure verses, Li Yifeng needed to consult extensive materials and consult multiple experts to grasp their deeper meaning. Sometimes, different scholars would offer different interpretations of the same poem, leaving him confused and lost.

But Li Yifeng didn't give up. He continued to ponder and explore, striving to find the closest interpretation to the poet's original meaning. He believed that every poem was a treasure trove, and as long as one carefully excavated it, one would always find its pearls.

By chance, Li Yifeng discovered a long-lost collection of Tang Dynasty poetry. This collection contained some never-before-seen poems, providing new material for the study of Tang Dynasty poetry. Overjoyed, he devoted considerable time and energy to compiling and researching these poems.

As his research deepened, Li Yifeng discovered that Tang Dynasty poetry had a profound influence on the development of later literature. Many modern poets have borrowed elements and techniques from Tang Dynasty poetry in their works, and the charm of Tang Dynasty poetry continues to shine through the ages.

Li Yifeng decided to share his research with more people. He held lectures on Tang Dynasty poetry to educate the public about its beauty and appeal. His lively and engaging lectures attracted a large audience, leading even more people to fall in love with Tang Dynasty poetry.

In the days ahead, Li Yifeng will continue his research on Tang Dynasty poetry, hoping to unearth more unknown treasures and let the light of Tang Dynasty poetry shine forever in the history of Chinese literature.