In the turbulent years following the devastating An-Shi Rebellion, the Tang Dynasty faced yet another crisis as the Tibetan army launched a fierce invasion in the southwest. Gao Shi, a once-renowned general and poet, found himself struggling on the battlefield, unable to hold back the relentless assault. With Chang’an on the brink of collapse, the isolated city became a symbol of both military desperation and personal reflection. As he faced impending doom, Gao Shi was forced to recount his past to the ever-watchful eunuch overseeing the army. His memories took him back to his days alongside the legendary poet Li Bai, a time filled with camaraderie, ambition, and the pursuit of artistic and martial greatness.
As the shadows of war closed in, Gao Shi’s reflections painted a vivid picture of an era long gone—one where poetry and valor intertwined, where friendships were tested by fate, and where the ideals of the Tang Dynasty once shone brightly. His bond with Li Bai was not just one of admiration but of shared struggles, contrasting destinies, and the bittersweet passage of time. With the echoes of Li Bai’s verses still lingering in his heart, Gao Shi stood at a crossroads—could he find the strength to protect the empire he once glorified, or was this the tragic end of an era?
