Li Po, a name echoing through the annals of Chinese poetry, hailed from a lineage smudged by exile. His family's banishment, shrouded in the veils of mystery, occurred nearly a century before his birth. Emerging into the world in 701, Li Po most likely took his first breaths in the expansive landscapes of central Asia. By the tender age of four, his family had replanted their roots in China, settling in the verdant region of Mien-chou, nestled within the southeastern province of Szechwan.

The tapestry of Li Po's life is woven with sparse threads of documented history. Much of what is known springs from the poet's own pen, leaving the truth to sway in uncertainty. Stories whisper of his early days as a knight errant, a solitary figure of justice hunting down those who transgressed the law. Around 724, he departed the familiar confines of Szechwan, embarking on a journey that spanned the eastern and central realms of China, as well as distant lands. In 727, Li Po found companionship in marriage, anchoring himself in An-lu, Hupei, for nearly a decade. Yet, the passing of his wife propelled him on a new voyage, navigating the winding waters of the Yangtze River for several years.

In the year 742, fate summoned Li Po to the imperial heart of Ch’ang-an. There, under the auspices of Emperor Hsüan-tsung, he was welcomed into the prestigious Hanlin Academy, ascending to the zenith of the literary world. His tenure as a court poet was a whirlwind of sharp intellect and unabashed arrogance, often fueled by an insatiable love for drink. During this period, he crafted masterpieces such as “Drinking Alone Beneath the Moon.” Though the emperor delighted in Li Po’s poetic genius, an undisclosed incident unfurled, culminating in his expulsion from Ch’ang-an in 744.

Later that year, Li Po's path intertwined with that of Tu Fu, a budding poet who would become a towering figure in Chinese literature. Their camaraderie blossomed into a lifelong friendship. The subsequent year saw Li Po embrace the Taoist faith, leading him to retreat into the serene embrace of a mountain monastery near his homeland, where he sought spiritual enlightenment.

Resuming his wanderings, Li Po eventually remarried and attempted to nurture a family in the eastern province of Sha-ch’iu. Yet, the call of the open road proved irresistible, and he soon forsook his domestic life for further adventures. The tumultuous 750s dawned with China embroiled in civil strife. Amidst this chaos, Li Po journeyed southward, offering his talents to Li Lin, Prince of Yung. Disillusionment soon followed as Li Lin's rebellious ambitions became clear, prompting Li Po to abandon the prince's cause. Despite his withdrawal, the central government cast its net of suspicion over him, leading to his arrest and a death sentence. Li Po languished in prison until the charges were dropped, only to face them anew under a fresh regime, precipitating his exile to the remote southwestern frontiers. Yet, even as age and illness threatened his demise in this distant land, he emerged victorious with a pardon, returning home after nearly two years.

Legend spins a poignant finale to Li Po's life, recounting that in 762, while heavily intoxicated, he toppled from a boat in a futile attempt to embrace the moon's shimmering reflection on the water's surface, thus finding eternal rest in the embrace of legends.