Affected by Confucius’s idea of achieving success and building fame, most Tang poets had shown great political ambitions in their early stages of life. They hoped to make a difference and contribute to society by obtaining high positions in the court. As a result, we can always find out they portrayed the water in an impassioned and heroic style as if their political ambitions could rest on the water.

Great Ambition

As one of the greatest romantic poets and inheritors of Daoism, Li Bai left the public the impression that he disdained the official life and cared little about political issues. However, the fact is that, in his early stage of life, he was desperate to receive recognition from the emperor and have a place in the court. Because he was too lofty, Li Bai was sidelined by other officials and not appreciated by the emperor Xuanzong. Also, he was ordered to quit his work in 742 A.D., three years after he got a position in the capital of the Tang Dynasty, Changan. It was indeed a hard hit to Li Bai. Therefore, he wrote down the poem Traveling Is Hard 行路难 to express his complicated emotions during his travel. In the poem, we can detect two layers of emotions. On one hand, Li Bai was furious at the hardship and unfair treatment encountered in his official career. On the other hand, he was certain about his political ambition and optimistic about his capacities. Here, Li Bai relied on the motif of water to imply his inner thoughts:

One day I'll skim the waves, blown by the wind, 长风破浪会有时，

With sails hoisted high, across the vast ocean. 直挂云帆济沧海。

“No matter how many resistances are expected from the waves and the wind, I will never give up my journey! No matter how many obstructions are ahead of me in my official career, I will overcome them and build my success and fame!” The transition of emotions is made pretty obvious through the use of water as a metaphor. As an aspirant young man, Li Bai’s political ambition in his early stage of life defeated his disappointment about the dark politics and court. It was consistent with the historical fact as well since Li Bai kept trying to realize his aspiration several years following this poem.