Through the Turmoil

If I could start over, I’d choose Li Bai,

Then no one would have to guess whether I did right or wrong all those centuries ago.

But if Li Bai could start over,

would he still become Li Bai?

Would he still make Yang Guozhong hold the inkstone and Gao Lishi remove his boots?

Would he still board the Prince of Yong’s ship?

Li Bai didn’t know. He just wanted a drink.

Just one more cup of warm wine, in Chang’an, in the eighteenth year of Kaiyuan.

[A fictional adaptation based on history, not historical fact! Not historical fact! Not historical fact!]