I was a mineral prospector in Chengdu, who transmigrated into the body of a mortal sword immortal.

Alarm bells rang in Li Bai's mind, but his drunkenness only deepened. He swayed as he stood up, returning the greeting with a casual bow, his sleeve knocking over a wine bowl on the table, spilling the remaining wine everywhere. "So it's Prime Minister Li, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner." His words were slurred, his speech indistinct. "Prime Minister, you are so busy with affairs of state, how could you have time to come to this tavern to find a drunkard like me?" As he spoke, he squinted at the smiling, powerful prime minister before him, as if he were truly too drunk to see clearly. The surrounding patrons held their breath, even the waiters froze in place.

Li Linfu's smile remained unchanged, as if he did not see the mess on the table. He said in a gentle voice, "Brother Taibai is famous in Chang'an for his elegant poetry and swordsmanship. I admire him very much and have come here to ask for a drink. Would you do me the honor?" As he spoke, his gaze swept over the ordinary longsword at Li Bai's waist and then fell back on Li Bai's face. There was a very subtle scrutiny in the depths of his eyes.

"You flatter me, Prime Minister." Li Bai hiccuped, roughly wiping the wine stains on the table. "What romance could a country bumpkin like me have? I'm just drowning my sorrows in wine." He gestured to the empty seat opposite him. "If you don't mind the mess, please sit down."

Li Linfu nodded with a smile, lifted the hem of his brocade robe, and sat down opposite Li Bai. He sat down with a steady posture, his back straight, his hands naturally placed on his knees, every movement exuding the composure of someone accustomed to being in a superior position. His four attendants silently retreated three steps behind him, standing in a fan shape, their eyes lowered, yet they kept a close watch on every angle around them.

"Hey buddy!" Li Bai called out, raising his voice, "Another jar of Drunken Immortal Wine! The best of the best!"

The waiter seemed to snap out of a daze, responding quickly and deftly clearing away the remaining wine bowls on the table. He then swiftly brought over an unopened jar of wine, broke the clay seal, and filled each of them with a bowl. The aroma of the wine immediately filled the air, even more mellow than what Li Bai had drunk before, carrying the lingering fragrance unique to aged wine.

Li Linfu picked up the wine bowl, but did not drink it immediately. Instead, he brought it to his nose and sniffed it lightly, praising, "Good wine. Only the Drunken Immortal Brew from the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, aged for more than ten years, has such an aroma." He looked up at Li Bai, "Brother Taibai, you have been enjoying poetry and wine in Chang'an these past few days, producing many excellent works. Even His Majesty has heard about it."

Li Bai's heart stirred, but he merely chuckled, picked up his wine bowl, and drank it all in one gulp, letting the wine trickle down his chin and soak his clothes. "What masterpiece? It's nothing but drunken ramblings." He wiped his mouth. "It's truly an honor that the Prime Minister, with his myriad affairs of state, would still pay attention to the ramblings of a drunkard like me."

"Brother Taibai, you are too modest." Li Linfu took a sip of wine, put down the bowl, and gently stroked the rim with his fingers. "The heroic spirit of 'Heaven has endowed me with talents, which will surely be put to use; though a thousand pieces of gold are spent, they will return again' in 'Bring in the Wine'; the majestic power of 'The Road to Shu is Hard'—'The Jianmen Pass is lofty and precipitous; one man can hold the pass against ten thousand'; the elegance of 'Questions and Answers in the Mountains'; the satire of 'Ancient Style'... every single one of them is a masterpiece." He paused, his voice becoming even gentler. "Although I am not talented, I have read some books and know that such talent is rare, perhaps only seen once in a hundred years."

These words, if spoken by anyone else, might have been mere flattery. But coming from Li Linfu, coupled with his ever-present smile, sent a chill down Li Bai's spine. This powerful minister was known in court as "a man of honeyed words and a dagger in his heart," outwardly gentle but inwardly ruthless and with a mind as deep as an abyss. His personal visit today was certainly not merely to praise a few poems.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency." Li Bai poured himself another bowl of wine, tapping his fingers lightly on the rim of the bowl, making a crisp tinkling sound. "Poetry is but a minor art, written for amusement. It is Your Excellency who assists His Majesty in governing the world; that is the true path."

Li Linfu smiled, not taking up the subject, but instead changing the subject: "Speaking of which, Brother Taibai had some misunderstandings back in Chang'an. But those are all things of the past." He raised his wine bowl and gestured to Li Bai, "His Majesty is a wise ruler who cherishes talent the most. In recent years, he has often mentioned Brother Taibai's poetic talent, and his words are full of regret."

Li Bai sneered inwardly. Back then, because he refused to curry favor with powerful figures and offended Gao Lishi and others, Emperor Xuanzong "granted him gold and released him," which appeared to be a dignified departure, but in reality, he was being ostracized from the center of power. Now, Li Linfu casually dismissed it as a "misunderstanding" and even invoked Emperor Xuanzong's name; his intentions were self-evident.

"Your Majesty is benevolent," Li Bai mumbled, then downed another bowl of wine. The strong liquor burned his throat, but it also made his mind clearer. The drunkenness was a facade, but he was really drinking—he needed this tipsy state to mask the sharpness in his eyes.

"Indeed." Li Linfu put down his wine bowl, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice, but it was enough for Li Bai to hear clearly. "Brother Taibai, if you are interested, I am willing to recommend you to His Majesty. With your talent, you could obtain a prestigious official position, such as a Hanlin Academician or a scholar of the Jixian Academy, specializing in poetry and prose. This would not only be a good use of your talent but also allow you to stay by the emperor's side. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

This was an extremely eloquent statement, offering both a way out and a tempting promise. The positions of Hanlin Academician and Jixian Academy Scholar were nominally prestigious and exclusive, established specifically for talented scholars, offering both high status and proximity to the center of power. For any scholar eager to realize their ambitions, this was an irresistible temptation.

Li Bai felt utterly cold inside.

He knew Li Linfu all too well. This powerful minister was best at winning over talented people for his own use, and if he couldn't win them over, he would find ways to eliminate them. Today, by taking the initiative to befriend him and extending an olive branch, he appeared to be appreciating talent, but in reality, he was testing him—testing Li Bai's true intentions for returning to Chang'an, testing whether he still had the same sharp edges as before, and testing whether he could be incorporated into Li Linfu's network of influence.

If they refuse, it would be a blatant disrespect to this powerful minister, and there would inevitably be trouble afterward.

To accept this would be tantamount to binding himself to Li Linfu's chariot and becoming a pawn in his hands. Li Linfu, along with Yang Guozhong and others, controlled the government and suppressed dissent, which was one of the root causes of the Tang Dynasty's decline from its peak. To associate with such people was not Li Bai's wish.

More importantly, Li Bai's return to Chang'an was not for the purpose of seeking an official position.

His mind raced, but his face remained blank. He shook his head and poured himself another bowl of wine. "Official position?" he scoffed. "You jest, Prime Minister. Li Bai is a free spirit, accustomed to the wild, and cannot bear the constraints of those rules. In the imperial court, one is always impeccably dressed and restrained in speech and behavior. How can that compare to the unbridled joy of drinking and writing poetry in this Drunken Immortal Pavilion?"

He picked up the wine bowl, but didn't drink. He just stared at the swirling liquid in the bowl, his voice tinged with self-mockery: "I have three loves in my life: wine, poetry, and swordsmanship. As for fame and fortune..." He shook his head, "I've taken it all in stride."

Li Linfu's smile remained unchanged, as if he had expected him to say that. He nodded slightly to show his understanding, then picked up his wine bowl and took a sip, his movements elegant and composed.

"Everyone has their own ambitions, Lin Fu understands." He put down his wine bowl and tapped his fingers lightly on the table, as if he were thinking about something. After a moment, he seemed to suddenly remember something and said casually, "Speaking of which, a few days ago when I entered the palace, I happened to meet Princess Shou. The princess has recently become quite fond of poetry, literature, and music, and even asked about Brother Li Bai's new works."

Li Bai's fingers tightened slightly as he held the wine bowl.

The wine rippled slightly in the bowl.

Li Linfu seemed oblivious to this detail, continuing in his casual tone, "The Princess said that Brother Taibai's poems are as unrestrained as the Yangtze River in their bold strokes, and as delicate as a spring breeze in their subtle ones; they are truly moving. She has collected many of his older works in the palace and often recites them." He looked up at Li Bai, his eyes gentle, "If Brother Taibai has any new works, Linfu may present them to the Princess to amuse her. This would be a refined affair."

As soon as he finished speaking, it seemed as if the air in the lobby of Zuixianlou had frozen.

Although the patrons at the surrounding tables couldn't hear the specific conversation, they could feel the invisible pressure. They all lowered their heads and even held their breath. The waiter hid behind the counter, only half of his head showing, his eyes wide open.

A storm raged in Li Bai's heart.

Princess Consort of Prince Shou – Yang Yuhuan.

Li Linfu mentioned the name casually, seemingly without thinking, but in reality, every word he uttered was a carefully designed trap.

The first layer: testing whether Li Bai still harbored feelings for Yang Guifei. When Li Bai and Yang Guifei met in Chengdu, although nothing inappropriate happened, their mutual understanding and budding affection were no secret among the city's elite. Li Linfu, as the powerful prime minister, naturally possessed this information. Bringing it up now was to observe Li Bai's reaction.

The second layer: demonstrating his power. His ability to "accidentally" meet Princess Shou and to relay her poems signifies his considerable influence within the court and his access to the most influential figures. This is his way of telling Li Bai: I know your past, your weaknesses; I can help you convey your feelings, and I can also ensure you never see her again.

The third layer: laying the groundwork. If Li Bai really asked him to deliver the poem to Yang Yuhuan, it would be tantamount to handing over a handle to Li Linfu. Having an affair with a princess (even on a spiritual level) was a serious crime in the Tang Dynasty, enough to ruin Li Bai forever.

What a hypocrite!

Li Bai took a deep breath, and the effects of the wine seemed to surge up instantly. He burst into laughter, his loud voice breaking the surrounding silence.

"Princess Consort Shou?" He shook his head, his eyes unfocused. "Oh, I remember now, it's that...that daughter of the Yang family, isn't it? I did see her a few times back in Chengdu, and we even listened to music together." He tapped the table, his tone as casual as if he were discussing roadside flowers and plants. "The Princess Consort likes my poetry? That's my honor. But..."

He picked up the wine bowl, drank it all in one gulp, and slammed the empty bowl heavily on the table.

"I write poetry entirely on a whim. When the mood strikes, nothing can stop me; when it's gone, nothing can force me to write." He let out a burp, waved his hand, and said, "There's no need to present it to me. If the Princess truly likes it, she can have the palace musicians compose music and sing some of my older works. As for new ones... when I feel like it someday, I'll write them and then take them to the streets for everyone to sing. Wouldn't that be much more enjoyable?"

These words acknowledged his acquaintance with Yang Yuhuan (a fact, denying it would be suspicious), while downplaying their relationship as a casual acquaintance who had "met a few times" and "listened to music together." At the same time, he politely declined the suggestion to present the poems, citing "it's all up to his mood," thus avoiding giving Li Linfu any grounds for criticism without appearing too deliberate.

Li Linfu listened quietly, his smile remaining gentle, but his eyes had deepened.

He picked up the wine bowl, slowly drank it all, his movements unhurried and deliberate. When he put the bowl down, the bottom of the bowl made a soft "tap" sound as it touched the table.

"Brother Taibai is indeed a man of true character," he laughed. "Very well, poetry is a matter of spontaneity, and cannot be forced." He stood up, the hem of his brocade robe hanging down without moving an inch. "I have disturbed Brother Taibai's refined enjoyment today, so I, Lin Fu, will take my leave."

Li Bai also stood up unsteadily, cupped his hands and said, "Please take care, Prime Minister."

Li Linfu nodded, turned to leave, but then, as if remembering something, he turned back to look at Li Bai, his smile deepening: "Brother Taibai, if you change your mind, whether you wish to seek a prestigious official position or have a new work you wish to present, you may come to me at any time." He paused, then added, "Linfu's residence is always open to you, brother."

These words were spoken politely, yet they carried an air of undeniable authority.

"There's plenty of time in the future," Li Linfu said, then turned and walked towards the door with his four attendants. His steps were steady, his back straight, and wherever he passed, the patrons lowered their heads and made way, none daring to look him in the eye.

The atmosphere in the lobby only eased abruptly after the group disappeared outside the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Whispers rose like a tide.

"Prime Minister Li actually came to see Li Bai in person..."

"Why are you being so polite!"

"Did you hear that? Prime Minister Li said he'd help Li Bai get an official position!"

"Not only that! They even mentioned Princess Shou..."

"Shh! Keep your voice down! How dare you talk about something like this!"

Amidst the murmurs, Li Bai sat down again, opened a new jar of wine, poured himself a bowl, and gulped it down. The wine trickled down his chin, soaking the front of his blue robe. His eyes were glazed, a drunken smile on his face, as if he were truly immersed in the world of wine.

But if someone looks closely, they will notice that the knuckles of his fingers holding the wine bowl are slightly white.

The wine in the bowl reflected his clear eyes—there was no trace of drunkenness there, only a cold sharpness, like the edge of a drawn sword.

Li Linfu is gone.

But Li Bai knew that this confrontation had only just begun.

The venomous snake had already bared its fangs, and although it had temporarily retreated, it would not give up so easily. Today's probing was just the beginning. Recruiting was a pretense; the real purpose was to ascertain its strengths and find its weaknesses. Li Linfu's final words, "There's plenty of time," were a blatant warning: You're in my sights now; you can't escape.

What alarmed Li Bai even more was Li Linfu's attitude when he mentioned Yang Yuhuan.

So casual, so natural, as if discussing an insignificant plaything. This precisely illustrates that in the eyes of the powerful and wealthy, Yang Yuhuan—even now, as the Princess of Shou—was nothing more than a political bargaining chip to be used and traded. If Li Linfu could "accidentally" meet her and forward her poems, what about the others? Gao Lishi? Emperor Xuanzong?

The wheels of history are slowly rolling forward with their inherent inertia.

Consort Wu Hui was seriously ill, Emperor Xuanzong was depressed, and the palace began searching for a new "confidante"... Li Bai had already heard these rumors through various channels. Li Linfu's probing today undoubtedly confirmed the worst suspicions: Yang Yuhuan had been targeted by certain people and had become one of the potential candidates.

A storm is brewing.

Li Bai picked up his wine bowl and drank the last drop. The strong liquor burned his throat, but it also made his mind clearer.

He can't rush things.

An opponent of Li Linfu's caliber must be dealt with with utmost caution. One wrong step could lead to total defeat. Today's feigned compliance is merely a temporary measure; what he needs next is a more meticulous plan and more covert operations.

They needed to maintain their high-profile image as "masters of both poetry and swordsmanship" to attract attention from all sides and pave the way for future actions; at the same time, they needed to secretly build their own information network under the noses of powerful figures like Li Linfu, looking for an opportunity to break the deadlock.

We must also find that glimmer of opportunity to change our destiny amidst the torrent of history.

difficult.

But it has to be done.

Li Bai put down his empty bowl, stood up unsteadily, took out a silver ingot from his pocket and threw it on the table, grabbed the long sword leaning against the table leg, and staggered towards the door. His steps were unsteady, and his body swayed as if he might fall at any moment, attracting the attention of the surrounding drinkers.

"Young Master Li, please take care!" The waiter quickly stepped forward to help him up.

Li Bai waved his hand, pushed the waiter aside, and walked out of Zuixianlou alone.

The autumn sunset cast a long shadow over him. The streets remained bustling with traffic and people, as if the undercurrents of confrontation had never occurred.

But Li Bai knew that everything was different now.

He has been drawn into the very center of the power struggle in Chang'an.

The road ahead is fraught with peril.