Chapter 42

The meeting with Gao Lishi turned out even more perfect than Wang Xiu had anticipated.

He not only resolved a crisis that could have inflicted massive losses on the Wang Family without bloodshed, but also unexpectedly gained Gao Lishi's favor and protection.

After leaving Gao's residence, Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) immediately had the shop manager select three pieces of glazed ware worth about two hundred strings, yet exquisitely elegant, and respectfully sent them to Gao Lishi's mansion, while returning three hundred strings of cash.

He did it flawlessly, preserving Gao Lishi's 'fair trade' reputation while expressing the Wang Family's gratitude and sensibility.

Gao Lishi was obviously very pleased; although he said nothing more, thereafter in Luoyang City no obtuse aristocrat dared to come to the Wang Family's door for trouble. Everyone knew that this newly inherited second generation of the Wang Family had the most favored person beside the current emperor backing him.

The Wang Family's business Era Name Transition a stable and rapid development period.

And Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) also firmly established his footing in the Secretariat. He kept his father's teaching of 'lying low and concealing talent' in mind, each day simply reporting for duty on time, organizing documents, never participating in any court disputes, nor forming factions with colleagues.

In everyone's eyes, he was a model of maintaining the status quo, a man who relied on his father's lingering influence, loitering in the genteel bureau, a well‑behaved wealthy gentleman.

No one knew that this seemingly ordinary young man, under Wang Xiu's manipulation, was about to play an enormously large game of chess.

In the blink of an eye, several months passed.

In the spring of the eleventh year of the Kaiyuan era, a piece of news exploded like spring thunder among the literati circles of Luoyang.

The great Shu Region poet Li Bai, summoned by imperial decree to the capital, was appointed as a Hanlin Academy Attendant!

"Li Bai has come!"

"Have you heard? It's that Li Taibai who wrote 'The Shu Road is hard, harder than ascending to the blue sky'!"

"His Majesty personally summoned him—what an honor!"

For a time, the entire city of Luoyang was discussing this poet full of legendary color.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) sat in the Secretariat office, listening to his colleagues' discussion; his exterior remained calm, but his inner self had already been tumultuous.

He has come! That brightest star of the Tang Dynasty, the man who would soon illuminate the entire prosperous age with poetry, finally stepped onto the center of history's stage.

And I, I shall be fortunate to become a witness to all this, even a participant.

The opportunity came soon.

One day, Wang Hui was organizing the previous dynasty's daily records in the office when a Little Yellow Gate eunuch suddenly came to deliver a message, saying that His Majesty had heard that the late Lord Wen Zhen liked poetry and prose in his lifetime, and now that Li Bai had arrived, he ordered him to go, which would also fulfill an old regret of the retired senior official, and spreading it would be no harm. Therefore, please have him go to the Agarwood Pavilion in Xingqing Palace.

Wang Hui's heart stirred; he realized this must be Gao Lishi making a move, and he hadn't expected that the excuse his father used to conceal his talent would actually help him once.

He dared not delay, immediately setting aside his task and following the Little Yellow Gate eunuch to Xingqing Palace.

At that moment, Xingqing Palace was ablaze with peonies, spring in full vigor. From afar, Wang Hui saw in the Agarwood Pavilion the present Tang emperor Li Longji leaning on the rail gazing into the distance; beside him stood several palace ladies, among whom a plump, exquisitely beautiful woman was undoubtedly the recently supremely favored Yang Yuhuan, Noble Consort Yang.

And on the emperor's other side, a man in white robes, his bearing ethereal, his spirit unrestrained and free, was speaking eloquently, his vigor radiant—it was Li Bai. Gao Lishi, like a shadow, stood respectfully behind the emperor.

Wang Hui dared not approach, merely stopping his steps in the distance and waiting quietly.

He saw Li Longji and Noble Consort Yang delighted by Li Bai's words, their faces lit with joy, laughter unceasing.

"Excellent! Excellent line: 'Clear water yields the hibiscus, naturally free of carving!'" Li Longji clapped and laughed loudly, pointing to the peonies before the pavilion and saying to Li Bai, "Master Taibai, today I and my beloved consort admire flowers here; such a fine time and beautiful scene—how could there be no poem? Please compose a few new lyrics for me and my consort."

Li Bai, already somewhat intoxicated, burst into laughter at the words, saying without modesty, 'Your Majesty has commanded; how dare I not obey! Bring the brush and ink!'

The eunuch immediately presented the Four Treasures of the Study.

Li Bai held the brush, but instead of writing right away, he furrowed his brow, shook his foot, and muttered, 'These official boots are really uncomfortable; they restrict my poetic feeling!'

Upon hearing this, the surrounding palace ladies and eunuchs changed expression. To behave so wantonly before the emperor—was Li Bai mad?

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) watched from afar, his heart leaping to his throat. He knew the famous scene was about to unfold!

Indeed, Li Longji not only did not get angry, but found Li Bai's spontaneity highly amusing, bursting into laughter and pointing at Li Bai to those nearby, saying, 'Look, this is the true bearing of an immortal!'

He turned his head toward Gao Lishi behind him and casually said, 'Gao Lishi, you, go take off Master Taibai's boots.'

The moment these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

Everyone was stunned, eyes wide open.

Who is Gao Lishi? Senior General of the Elite Cavalry! The emperor's most intimate servant, his power overwhelming—even princes and princesses must show him three parts of respect.

Now the emperor actually orders him to take off the boots of a poet who has just entered the capital?

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) saw Gao Lishi's body stiffen noticeably at that instant. Though he kept his head lowered, Wang Hui could imagine what a remarkable expression would appear on his usually calm face.

Humiliation? Or anger?

No.

Wang Xiu clearly saw Gao Lishi merely pause for a moment, then his face broke into an exceedingly obedient smile, without the slightest hesitation replying, 'Yes, this servant obeys the command.'

He quickly walked up to Li Bai, and in everyone's astonished gaze, bent his waist, knelt on the ground, personally untied Li Bai's shoelaces and removed those boots that he found 'uncomfortable.'

Throughout the process, his movements flowed like clouds and water, his face even bearing a hint of a fortunate smile, as if he were not removing a servant's boots but fulfilling an exceedingly sacred mission.

Li Bai also seemed to stagger for a moment; perhaps he was arrogant, but he had not expected the emperor to pull such a stunt. He lowered his gaze to Gao Lishi kneeling at his feet, a flicker of complex emotion crossing his eyes, yet in the end he allowed him to remove his boots.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) watched from afar, his heart shaken violently.

What he saw was not a poet's abandon, nor an emperor's favor.

What he saw was the terror of a top‑rank power broker!

Such forbearance, such depth of scheming, such ability to perfectly conceal all emotions beneath a mask of obedience—it simply makes one's blood run cold. Wang Xiu told himself inwardly, such a person can only be befriended, never made an enemy! Today he could take off Li Bai's boots; tomorrow he could just as readily step on Li Bai without hesitation.

Li Bai, freed from his restraints, indeed had his literary inspiration gush forth. With a single flourish, three 'Pure Peace Tunes' sprang into existence.

"Clouds think of robes, flowers of beauty; the spring breeze brushes the rail, dew's glow thick."

"A single crimson blossom, dew condensing fragrance; the clouds and rain of Mount Wu vainly break the heart."

"Famed flowers that topple states, both rejoice; often the monarch brings a smile to watch."

As the verses left his lips, the entire assembly gasped.

Li Longji clapped his hands in praise, and Noble Consort Yang listened with brows relaxed and eyes smiling, her gaze toward Li Bai full of admiration.

The emperor's face lit with great joy, and on the spot he bestowed upon Li Bai countless gold, silver, and silks.

A feast of ruler and minister enjoying themselves to the full lasted until evening before dispersing.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) waited until everyone had left, then slowly walked toward the Agarwood Pavilion. He saw Li Bai standing alone in the pavilion; although he had received immense rewards and honor, his brow bore a trace of melancholy and discomfort.

He was like an eagle accustomed to soaring over mountains and wilderness, suddenly confined in a gilded cage. Here, wealth and favor, for him, might also be a kind of bondage.

He stepped forward and bowed deeply to Li Bai.

"Junior learner Wang Hui pays his respects to Master Taibai."

Li Bai turned his head, eyes slightly drunk, and sized him up: "You are... that Wang Hui from the Secretariat?"

Evidently, he had some impression of this young man who was present today but had remained silent.

"Indeed, I am the junior." Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) said respectfully, "My late father Wang Jin greatly admired your poetic talent in life, often calling you an exiled immortal and lamenting that he could not share a drink with you. To see your heavenly countenance today is a fortune of three lifetimes for me."

Upon hearing the name Wang Jin, Li Bai's eyes lit up: "Oh? You are the son of Lord Wenzheng? Alas, alas, when I came to the capital, Lord Wenzheng had already passed away, so we never had the chance to meet."

Wang Jin's posthumous name was "Wenzheng," and Li Bai addressed him as "Lord Wenzheng," clearly a sign of great respect.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) felt a surge of joy, knowing he had guessed correctly.

"Sir," he sincerely extended the invitation, "court banquets, though the dishes are fine, always lack some of the joy of the martial world. I have a manor by the Yi River outside the city where I have brewed several jars of light wine. I wonder if you would honor me with your presence, come to the manor, let me fulfill my duty as host, and also fulfill my father's wish?"

He mentioned neither money nor influence, only "the joy of the martial world" and "light wine."

This exactly suited Li Bai's taste.

Li Bai looked at the young man before him, whose attitude was humble yet whose eyes were clear and sincere, and burst into loud laughter.

"Good! The imperial wine in the palace always leaves me unsatisfied! Then, Bai, I will impose!"