I served as Li Bai's page.

After hearing the general's words, everyone knew they wouldn't see the emperor today, and they dispersed.

The three of us led our horses to an inn outside Shanglin Garden and stayed there. Li Bai locked himself in his room and didn't even come out for dinner.

Yuan Yan asked me, "What's wrong with your young master?"

"Young Master Yuan, my master was writing the 'Ode to the Great Hunt' to present to the Emperor. He came out on his own after he finished writing it," I replied.

"You don't have to mistreat yourself when you're writing an article. They won't let us in, and they won't feed us. It's incomprehensible."

"He doesn't want us to disrupt his train of thought. Let's just eat."

After dinner, Yuan Yan and I took a stroll around the gate of Shanglin Garden. The garden was brightly lit at night, and music could be heard from time to time.

"Young Master Yuan, what do you think the Emperor is doing right now?" I asked.

"What can he do but enjoy the song and dance with his concubine? Our emperor is no longer the emperor he once was," Yuan Yan sighed.

"Young Master Yuan, you are truly a wise man; your understanding of matters is far more profound than my young master's."

"Your young master is stubborn and won't turn back until he hits a brick wall. When he finally realizes his mistake, he'll regret how his obstinacy wasted his time seeking immortality."

"I don't approve of his obsession with seeking officialdom, nor do I approve of his obsession with becoming a Taoist priest. He should just be himself, drinking wine, writing poetry, and living an ordinary life," I said.

"Once someone has a strong conviction in their heart, no one can interfere with it. Let nature take its course," Yuan Yan said.

I bought some pastries and Yuan Yan on the street and returned to the inn. Li Bai's room was still closed. I went to the door and tried to push it gently, but I still couldn't open it.

"Young Master Yuan, you should go back to your room and rest. I'm going back to my room to sleep too," I said to Yuan Yan.

"Okay, let's leave him be." Yuan Yan said, walking into his room. I hesitated outside the door for a moment, then went back into my own room.

"Yuehua, open the door." I was half asleep when I was startled awake by a knock on the door. I got up and opened the door, and saw Li Bai standing outside with a sleepy-eyed Yuan Yan.

"Come to my room, read my 'Great Hunting Ode,' and give me your feedback," Li Bai said.

Yuan Yan and I entered Li Bai's room. Several large sheets of paper covered with writing were laid out on the table. Yuan Yan picked up the first page and began to read: "Bai believes: Fu (a type of classical Chinese poetry) should be magnificent in its language and profound in its meaning. Otherwise, how can it praise the beauty of nature and move heaven and earth?"

The *Shanglin* states: "To the left is Cangwu, to the right is the Western Extremity." However, in reality, the land's circumference is only a few hundred *ju*. ... But if a ruler considers the four seas his home and all people his children, then how can the mountains, forests, birds, and beasts of the world be different from the common people?

However, I believe that if one cannot use the great principles to guide the ruler, demonstrate broad knowledge, and elevate the narrow scope of literary discourse, I humbly deem it unacceptable. ... Therefore, I have composed this eulogy, aiming to moderate its beauty. Its words are as follows:

The Yue dynasty, like the Tang dynasty, was in harmony with Heaven and Earth, inheriting the essence of the primordial Qi, its five branches flourishing brilliantly. Only in the Kaiyuan era did it expand the vast universe and govern the Dipper, encompassing the brilliance of the six sages. It gave birth to the pure essence of metal virtue, nourished by the radiant dew of jade. Its literature was as magnificent as the seven luminaries, its creations as harmonious as the two polarities, encompassing all wonders as its teacher. Its light illuminated no darkness, its benevolence extended to every distant place…

After reading it, Yuan Yan exclaimed in amazement, "Brother Taibai, your poem is rich in allusions and sincere in its language; it will surely move the Emperor."

I picked up the article and began to read it carefully. Li Bai watched me finish and asked, "Yuehua, what do you think?"

"The article is good, but it's too long. Does His Majesty have time to read it?" I asked.

"How could a wise ruler not have time to read all the good articles in the world? You have no doubt that the emperor will definitely read them," Li Bai said with great confidence.

"How are we supposed to present this to the Emperor? We can't even get through the gate," I said.

Yuan Yan thought for a moment and said, "There'll always be a way tomorrow. Let's just go to sleep tonight."

"But I haven't eaten yet, Yuehua, go cook some food," Li Bai said.

I went back to my room, took out the pastries I had bought, and brought them to Li Bai's room, saying, "I prepared these for you a while ago. There's nowhere to cook right now, so please make do with this."

"Do you have any wine?" Li Bai asked.

"No, let's drink it tomorrow," I said.

The next day, after breakfast, Li Bai, Yuan Yan, and I arrived at the gate of Shanglin Garden. At that moment, I truly hoped for a miracle, that Li Bai would successfully present his poem. We waited outside for a long time, but no one came out. I tried to approach the guards, but after taking only two steps forward, I was immediately stopped; archers were ready to fire at any moment. I returned to Li Bai and said:

"Young master, what should we do? No matter how good the article is, it's all for nothing if it doesn't reach the Emperor."

Just then, two horses galloped from the street outside Shanglin Garden, carrying two armored generals wielding long spears. They rushed towards Shanglin Garden, and when they reached me, I knelt in the middle of the road and shouted, "My lord, please wait! Li Bai of Western Shu wishes to see the Emperor. Please inform him!"

The two horses stopped, and one of them shouted, "You audacious commoner! How dare you stop Lord Zhang, the Commandant of the Guards, on his horse!"

I shouted again, "Li Bai of Western Shu wishes to see the Emperor. Please inform him, sir."

Lord Zhang, known as the Commandant of the Guards, dismounted and walked up to me. Li Bai, thinking Lord Zhang intended to harm me, quickly ran over, pulled me up, and shielded me behind him, saying:

"I was ignorant and offended you, sir. Please forgive me."

Lord Zhang asked, "What did he just shout?"

I poked my head out from behind Li Bai and said, "Li Bai of Western Shu wishes to request an audience with the Emperor."

"Who is Li Bai?" Lord Zhang asked.

"That is me, sir. I apologize for disturbing you," Li Bai said, bowing to Lord Zhang.

Lord Zhang looked Li Bai up and down and said, "Are you really the talented writer Li Bai? Lord Cui Chengfu has mentioned you, but it's a pity that your 'Mingtang Fu' was taken away by Eunuch Gao, and the Emperor didn't see it."

"So that's how it is. I also have a 'Great Hunting Ode' written here. Please, Lord Zhang, present it to the Emperor on my behalf." After Li Bai finished speaking, he asked me to take out the "Great Hunting Ode" and respectfully handed it to Lord Zhang.

Lord Zhang took the article, placed it against his chest, and introduced himself to Li Bai: "I am Zhang Qing, the Commandant of the Guards. I will certainly present the article to the Emperor, but I cannot see him now. The Emperor is hunting in the Shanglin Garden and will not see you. Where do you live? I will inform you if there is any news."

"We'll stay at that inn over there." I pointed, and Lord Zhang turned around to look.

"I understand. Go back and wait for news."

"Thank you very much, sir. Li Bai is extremely grateful." Li Bai bowed to Lord Zhang again.

Lord Zhang rode his horse and entered the Shanglin Garden with his guards.

After seeing Lord Zhang off, Li Bai pulled me back to the inn without saying a word.

"Do you know how dangerous your actions were? What if they hadn't stopped?" Li Bai scolded me loudly with a dark face.

"I only dare to do this because I'm confident," I said.

"Still daring to argue? You really don't know what's good for you. You're not allowed to eat lunch today. Go and recite the Tao Te Ching." Li Bai became angrier as he spoke.

Yuan Yan said, "The behavior was a bit dangerous, but the result was good. Brother Taibai, please don't be angry. Yuehua, don't do such dangerous things again."

"Yes, I understand," I quickly replied.