Biography
Gao Shi, also known as Li Bai, was a famous Chinese poet during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). He was born in Central Asia and later lived in various parts of China, where he composed many poems that are considered to be masterpieces of Chinese literature.
Gao Shi had a love for nature and travel, and his poems often reflect these passions. He was known for his lyrical and imaginative style, as well as his vivid descriptions of landscapes, rivers, and mountains. He was also famous for his poems about wine, which often contain philosophical musings and reflections on life.
Gao Shi’s influence on Chinese poetry was immense, and he remains one of the most beloved poets in China to this day. His works were widely read and imitated by later poets, and many of his poems are still memorized and recited by people all over the world.
Despite his popularity, Gao Shi led a wandering life and lived in poverty for much of his life. Nevertheless, he never lost his love for poetry and continued to write until his death.
Today, Gao Shi’s poems are studied by scholars and appreciated by people all over the world. They serve as a testament to the beauty and enduring power of Chinese literature, and as a reminder of the incredible talent and passion of this great poet.
Gao Shi was poor in his early years. He lived in Liang and Song in his prime years. He was friends with Li Bai, Du Fu and others. When he was nearly 50 years old, he was recommended by Zhang Jiugao to enter the official career and served as the lieutenant of Fengqiu County. He resigned soon after. Later, he was appreciated by Geshu Han and entered the Hexi Shogunate as the chief secretary.
After the An-Shi Rebellion, Gao Shi was appointed Zuo Shiyi (left-handed picker of relics) and later transferred to the Supervisory Censor. After the fall of Tongguan, he volunteered to guard Chang’an, but failed. After Emperor Xuanzong fled west, he was chased by a secret path and was promoted to Imperial Censor. In the first year of Zhide, Emperor Xuanzong appointed various kings to rule the world. Gao Shi strongly advised against it and was promoted to Imperial Censor. Later, Emperor Suzong summoned him to analyze the situation in Jiangdong. Emperor Suzong was surprised and appointed him Imperial Censor and Huainan Jiedushi, and Yangzhou Grand Commandery Chief Clerk to quell the Yongwang Rebellion. As an official, Gao Shi “dared to speak out in anger, and the powerful and close looked askance”. The powerful eunuch Li Fuguo was jealous of his talent and slandered him several times, so he was demoted to the Prince’s Junior Secretary. Later, he served as the Governor of Pengzhou, the Governor of Shuzhou, and the Jiedushi of Jiannan Xichuan. Finally, he was appointed as the Palace Attendant, and was given the title of Silver and Green Guanglu Dafu, and was granted the title of Marquis of Bohai. His posthumous title was “Zhong”.
Movie Image
| Year | Film and TV Type | Title | Story |
| 2023 | Animated Films | 《长安三万里》（”30,000 Miles from Chang’an”） | It tells the story of several years after the Anshi Rebellion broke out, when the Tibetan army attacked the southwest. Gao Shi, the governor of the Tang Dynasty, was at a disadvantage in the battle and Chang’an was in danger. Gao Shi, who was trapped in the isolated city, recalled his life experience with Li Bai to the eunuch supervising the army. |
Main Impact
politics
Gao Shi performed his duties conscientiously as a counselor. Prime Minister Fang Guan suggested that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang divide the country among the kings, but Gao Shi strongly advised against it, because this would most likely lead to the kings holding their own troops and ruling separately, which would not only be detrimental to the suppression of the An-Shi Rebellion, but would also lead to internal strife among the kings and the division of the country. The foolish Emperor Xuanzong of Tang actually believed Fang Guan’s plan. Soon, in the first year of Emperor Suzong of Tang’s Zhide reign (756), Li Lin, the Prince of Yong, who held four armies and a territory of thousands of miles, rebelled in Nanjing, just as Gao Shi had expected. Emperor Suzong of Tang appointed Gao Shi as the governor of Huainan. When he led troops to participate in the suppression of the rebellion, Gao Shi adopted a splitting tactic against the rebels. He sent troops in December of that year, and the rebellion was suppressed in February of the following year (757).
In the second year of Qianyuan (759), there was unrest in Shuzhong, and Gao Shi was successively transferred to the post of governor of Shuzhou and Pengzhou. Gao Shi discovered that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had previously divided Jiannan into two military governors, one in East Sichuan and the other in West Sichuan, which made the people tired of dispatching and uneven labor service. This was “a small area that trapped the peaceful people of Shu”. The An-Shi Rebellion had not been quelled, and “the people of Shu were disturbing again, which would cause worries to the court”. Gao Shi tried to correct it, but Emperor Suzong of Tang did not listen. In the second year of Shangyuan (761), Duan Zizhang, the deputy envoy of Zizhou, rebelled. Gao Shi led the soldiers of Pengzhou and followed Cui Guangyuan, the governor of West Sichuan, to kill him. However, Hua Jingding, a general under Cui Guangyuan, took the opportunity to attack East Shu. Emperor Suzong of Tang was furious and dismissed Cui Guangyuan from his post as governor, and appointed Gao Shi as the governor of Chengdu and the governor of Jiannan West Sichuan. In the first year of Baoying (762) of Emperor Daizong of Tang, Xu Zhidao, the military commander of Jiannan, rebelled again. Gao Shi defeated him and pacified Jiannan. The Tubo, which bordered Jiannan, took advantage of the An-Shi Rebellion of the Tang Dynasty and invaded continuously, not only conquering Longyou but also harassing the capital. Gao Shi trained his troops in Shu and led them to press on the southern border of Tubo in an attempt to contain it, but in the end, due to the disparity in strength, his efforts were unsuccessful.
literature
Poetry
Gao Shi’s poems cover a wide range of topics, are rich in content, and are highly realistic. They are mainly divided into the following categories:
1.Frontier Poems
Gao Shi Poem: Song of the Northern Frontier – 高適《燕歌行》
2.Political poems
3.Historical Poems
4.pastoral poetry
Gao Shi Poem: Farewell to Wei, a Military Officer – 高适《别韦参军》
5.Reply Poem
Gao Shi Poem: Written on New Year’s Eve – 高适《除夜作》
Gao Shi Poem: Farewell to a Lutist – 高适《别董大》
