The Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, yet it cannot compare to the depth of Wang Lun's farewell to me.

During Li Bai's travels in Jing County (modern-day Jing County, Anhui Province), he befriended the local hermit Wang Lun. Wang Lun greatly admired Li Bai's poetry and repeatedly invited him to his home. Li Bai received warm hospitality at Wang Lun's residence, where they drank wine, composed poetry, and discussed life. When Li Bai prepared to depart, Wang Lun organized a grand farewell ceremony, not only preparing fine wine and delicacies but also personally escorting him to the Peach Blossom Pool. Faced with Wang Lun's sincere friendship, Li Bai was deeply moved and composed this timeless masterpiece on the spot.

This line expresses the poet's infinite gratitude and appreciation for his friend's profound friendship by comparing the depth of Peach Blossom Pool with the depth of Wang Lun's affection. "A thousand feet deep" is an exaggeration emphasizing the pool's depth, yet even this cannot compare to the profoundness of Wang Lun's farewell sentiments. This method of using natural scenery as metaphor is both vivid and emotionally sincere, embodying the artistic characteristic of "fusion of scene and emotion" in classical Chinese poetry. By using the pool's depth as a reference, the poet highlights the priceless and precious nature of friendship, expressing the profound meaning of "affection as deep as the sea."

According to records in "Tang Poetry Chronicles" and other historical sources, Wang Lun was a hermit in Jing County from a wealthy family who loved poetry and greatly admired Li Bai's talent. When he heard Li Bai would be traveling to Jing County, he sent a letter inviting him: "Does the master enjoy traveling? Here we have ten miles of peach blossoms; does the master enjoy drinking? Here we have ten thousand taverns." Li Bai accepted the invitation and arrived, discovering that the so-called "ten miles of peach blossoms" referred to Peach Blossom Pool ten miles away, and "ten thousand taverns" referred to a tavern run by a family named Wan. Li Bai was touched by Wang Lun's wit and enthusiasm and gladly stayed. During their time together, Wang Lun entertained him daily with fine wine and delicacies, discussing poetry and literature, and their friendship deepened daily. At parting, Wang Lun not only provided generous travel funds but also organized a grand farewell procession that escorted Li Bai all the way to Peach Blossom Pool. Seeing this scene, Li Bai was inspired and composed this eternal masterpiece on the spot. This true historical story demonstrates the sincerity and wisdom in ancient Chinese social interactions.

After its publication, this poem immediately caused a sensation in the Tang Dynasty literary world and became a classic among farewell poems. The Song Dynasty literary giant Su Shi praised it as "words are brief but emotions are long, recited for a thousand years." During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was selected into various poetry anthologies and became important content in elementary education. Qing Dynasty scholar Wang Shizhen listed it as one of the "eternal masterpieces" in "Selected Tang Poems of Ten Thousand Quatrains." This poem influenced countless later literati and became a model for expressing friendship. Among the populace, "Peach Blossom Pool" became synonymous with scenic spots, and the Peach Blossom Pool in Jing County, Anhui gained great fame, attracting literati and refined scholars throughout the ages to visit and pay homage. In modern times, this poem has been included in primary and secondary school Chinese textbooks, becoming a classic that every Chinese person must memorize. Its influence continues to this day, serving as an important vehicle for friendship concepts in Chinese culture.

To apply the wisdom of this line to practical life, we can approach it from several aspects: First, when making friends, learn from Wang Lun's sincerity and enthusiasm by taking the initiative to care for others rather than waiting for others to give first. Second, when friends encounter difficulties, provide help within your means like Wang Lun's hospitality to Li Bai, without expecting returns. Third, at farewell or parting occasions, quote this line to express deep friendship, letting others feel your sincerity. Fourth, in daily life, regularly organize friend gatherings to create opportunities for deep communication like Li Bai and Wang Lun, enhancing mutual understanding. Fifth, in workplace relationships, apply this concept of profound friendship to establish sincere friendships with colleagues that transcend work relationships. Sixth, for distant friends, maintain contact through letters, phone calls, and other means to prevent friendship from fading due to distance. Finally, learn to be grateful and promptly express appreciation to those who offer sincere care in our lives, keeping the tree of friendship evergreen.