Step into his “luxury”

The changes of history are like the mighty river flowing eastward, washing away all the superficiality. Countless poets have been hidden in the tumultuous waves, but he alone remains unyielding, looking down on the stormy seas with a heart filled with passion and courage. — Preface

Liu Yuxi was a great poet who, despite being exiled several times, never lost his faith and lived a carefree life. His name is deeply etched in the annals of history.
He soared to new heights at the beginning of his official career, a time of great triumph for him. Unlike many other poets who faced repeated setbacks in the imperial examinations, Liu Yuxi succeeded effortlessly, passing three rounds in a row and forming a partnership with Wang Shuwen, thus entering the political arena. Perhaps because he did not encounter many hardships, he was full of enthusiasm at that time. Witnessing the corruption of the court and the power of eunuchs, he was eager to bring about reform. Under Wang Shuwen’s leadership, the “Yongzhen Reform” was launched with great momentum.
“The forest flowers have withered; spring has passed in such haste…”
Perhaps Liu Yuxi was a great poet, but not necessarily an adept politician. Throughout history, innovation has always been a risky endeavor. Shang Yang seized the right opportunity and helped establish the Qin dynasty’s dominance; Wang Anshi, however, failed halfway due to the changing political circumstances. With the reform movement lacking a solid foundation and the emperor wielding little power, how far could the Yongzhen Reform really go?
Under the combined opposition of conservative forces, Emperor Shunzong was forced to abdicate, Wang Shuwen was executed, and both Liu Yuxi and Liu Zongyuan were banished.
Unafraid of authority, his passion never diminished. Twenty-three years spent wandering between the mountains and rivers of Sichuan and Hubei wore away his youthful vigor, yet even after ten years of hard work, he managed to forge an iron rod into a needle—indicating his perseverance. But did Liu Yuxi ever succumb to the wishes of the powerful? He too felt lonely at times—”When I enter the courtyard in the morning, I am the first to hear the birds’ songs”—but he quickly regained his composure, writing, “Since ancient times, autumn has always brought a sense of desolation; I believe autumn is even better than the vibrant mornings of spring.” His open-mindedness led him to declare, “What’s so wrong with a humble abode?” He had the chance to return to the capital, but his disdain for the corrupt officials—”The thousand peach trees in Xuan Du Temple were all planted after Liu Lang left”—once again ruined his chances of a successful career.
In his later years, reaching sixty, Liu Yuxi embarked on his journey back to the capital, reflecting with the verse, “Where does the Taoist priest who planted the peaches go? Here comes Liu Lang once more.” Even then, he still longed to make a mark in politics—”Do not say old age has come; the sky is still filled with brilliant colors”—expressing his aspirations and unwillingness to give up.
Looking back on Liu Yuxi’s life, he never feared hardship, singing songs of freedom and elegance; he braved decline, composing poems of bold spirit; he refused to accept aging, singing praises of youthful vigor. The only regret perhaps was that he never got to see the country in its full splendor…