Tao Yuanming: The Poet Who Embraced Poverty for Principle. AI-Generated.
In the annals of Chinese literature, Tao Yuanming stands as an iconic figure—a man revered as the father of pastoral poetry, an idol to the great Su Dongpo, and a muse for Li Bai. His declaration, "I will not bend my back for five dou of rice," became a rallying cry for scholars seeking integrity. However, behind the idyllic verses lies a life filled with contradictions, financial woes, and personal struggles. This is the story of a man who chose to "lie flat" centuries before the term existed, only to face the harsh realities of poverty and regret.
