I served as Li Bai's page.

As Li Bai and his companions walked out of the alley with Lord Li, Lord Wang, along with his son and several other officials from the Governor's Office, were already waiting at Hejiang Pavilion. Upon seeing Lord Li, they quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Greetings, Lord Li."

Lord Li pulled Li Bai aside: "Come, let me introduce a talented young man to everyone, Li Bai from Qinglian Town, Mianzhou. His writing is quite good, very skillful."

Li Bai hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "This humble student is unworthy, but I greet you esteemed gentlemen."

Seeing that Lord Li highly praised Li Bai, everyone refrained from saying anything and greeted Li Bai respectfully. Lord Wang, however, with a forced smile, hurriedly pushed his son in front of Lord Li: "Yu'er, quickly greet your uncle."

Wang Yu cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Wang Yu greets Your Excellency, my esteemed uncle." The official then introduced him, "This is my son, Wang Yu. He has just returned from studying in Chang'an. I hope you gentlemen will provide him with much guidance and support in the future."

Lord Li patted Wang Yu on the shoulder: "Young man, the future belongs to you."

After exchanging greetings, everyone walked towards the Prince's residence under the guidance of Lord Wang.

Many prominent figures from Chengdu had already gathered in the hall. Upon seeing Lord Li arrive, they all rose and bowed. Lord Wang led Lord Li to the main seat. Li Bai and his three companions, not wanting to follow, found a table not far from the entrance and sat down.

I didn't go into the hall; instead, I stood outside the hall door.

"Distinguished guests, welcome to the Prince's Mansion. Your presence brings great honor to this humble abode..." Lord Wang stepped onto the main stage and delivered a welcoming speech to all the guests. "Our gathering today is intended to strengthen our bonds and to encourage mutual support in our future careers, serving the court with utmost loyalty. Lord Li Ting, the Chief Secretary of the Yizhou Governor's Office, is also present. Please welcome him with a few words." The hall erupted in thunderous applause.

Lord Li stood up and bowed to the entire audience: "Distinguished officials, students, you have all worked hard. Whether you are on the path to officialdom, on the path to learning, or on the path to making a living, it is not easy. Just now, I read a good article, and I would like to share it with you all." Then, Lord Li took out "Ode to the Great Roc" and read it aloud.

As soon as Lord Li finished reading, the entire room erupted in an uproar.

"Is this poem well written?" Lord Li asked.

"Okay!" everyone said in unison.

"The author of this poem is among us. Now, let's invite him to come up and meet everyone."

Lord Li pointed to Li Bai: "Please welcome Li Bai, the Qinglian Hermit."

A buzz of discussion immediately arose among the crowd: "I've heard of him. His poetry and writings are quite famous locally, his family is quite wealthy, and I've heard he's related to royalty."

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, Li Bai walked towards Lord Li, and all eyes turned to him.

Lord Wang forced a smile, stepped forward, and took Li Bai's hand, saying, "Your writing is excellent. Please visit the Wang residence often and exchange ideas with my son. Wang Yu, come and get to know Li Bai."

Wang Yu walked over, cupped his hands in greeting to Li Bai, and said, "Greetings, Brother Li Bai. I look forward to your guidance in the future."

"I dare not accept such praise, Brother Wang is too modest," Li Bai said.

Wang Yu and Li Bai stood before Lord Li at the same time. Lord Li said, "You are both talented young men, so there's no need for formalities. Li Taibai, please say a few words to everyone!"

Li Bai turned around and bowed shyly to everyone: "I am deeply grateful for your kind words, but I am unworthy of such praise. These are merely a few articles, not worth mentioning. I believe that each of you here should have the ambition of a great roc, soaring high, its right wing covering the westernmost point and its left wing obscuring the eastern wilderness. We should not be like sparrows, merely laughing at from behind fences. This is the attitude that every passionate man should have…" As soon as Li Bai finished speaking, Lord Li led the applause.

"Li Bai is right," said Lord Li with fervor, "our country needs such talents. Now is the time for the court to recruit capable individuals. His Majesty has opened the channels for advice, allowing all local officials to recommend talented people. I will submit a memorial to the court recommending you promising individuals." Lord Li spoke with great passion, then turned to Lord Wang:

"Lord Wang, may I borrow your writing materials today? I wish to write a memorial recommending talented individuals from Western Shu and submit it to the court, so that these young people can realize their ideals of serving their country."

"That's wonderful! I thank you on behalf of these students. I'll go prepare it for you right away." After saying this, Lord Wang instructed Wang Yu, "Go to the study and bring the brush and ink to Lord Li."

Lord Li laid out paper and pen, and in one stroke, he wrote a lengthy memorial entitled "Recommendation of Talented Individuals from Western Shu." In the memorial, Lord Li highly praised Li Bai, saying: "His talent is brilliant and his writing flows endlessly. If he were to broaden his learning, he could rival Sima Xiangru." He strongly recommended Zhao Rui's divination skills and Li Bai's literary works. However, he only briefly mentioned Wang Yu and others.

After reading it, Lord Wang felt dissatisfied, but dared not utter a word because of Lord Li's status. On the surface, he praised it highly, but inwardly he was seething with hatred.

After finishing writing, Lord Li proposed, "Gentlemen present, please leave your names on this memorial. This is our small contribution to the court."

The officials replied, "Yes, yes," and wrote their names on the memorial in turn.

After signing his name, Lord Wang said, "Gentlemen, today's gathering at my residence is not only to discover talent, but I will also treat you to a delicious meal. Lord Li, I will keep this memorial safe for you, and I will submit it to you tomorrow. Is that alright?"

"Of course, then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Wang." Lord Li readily agreed.

Li Bai saw through Lord Wang's intentions and, at the banquet at the Prince's residence, tried his best to restrain himself and not get drunk. When the gathering ended, Li Bai and the others accompanied Lord Wang out of the residence. Lord Wang took Li Bai's hand and said to everyone, "I will do my best to recommend you to the court, so that you will have the opportunity to serve the country. Yizhou lacks passionate young people like you; you should all work even harder."

"Thank you for your guidance, sir. We will follow your example, dedicate ourselves to serving the people, and live up to your expectations," everyone replied enthusiastically.

After saying his farewells, Lord Li got into his sedan chair and returned to his residence.

Li Bai and his companions walked from the Prince's Mansion to Hejiang Pavilion, where the newly acquainted friends agreed to meet at Fuchun Winery for drinks the following noon.

As a result of attending this gathering, Li Bai made a large group of new friends. Lord Li's praise and encouragement further strengthened his determination to "take up his sword and leave his country, bidding farewell to his family for a distant journey."