Su Shi has often been often at odds with the political faction headed by Wang Anshi.

He had once written a poem criticizing Wang Anshi's reforms, especially the government monopoly imposed on the salt industry.

The dominance of the reformist faction at court had allowed the New Policy Group greater ability to have Su Shi exiled for political crimes.

The claim was that Su was criticizing the emperor, when in fact Su Shi's poetry was aimed at criticizing Wang's reforms.

It should be said that Wang Anshi played no part in this action against Su, for he had retired from public life in 1076 and established a cordial relationship with Su Shi.

Su Shi's first remote trip of exile (1080–1086) is to Huangzhou, Hubei.

This post carries a nominal title, but no stipend, leaving Su in poverty.

During this period, he begins Buddhist meditation.

With help from a friend, Su builds a small residence on a parcel of land in 1081.

Su Shi lives at a farm called Dongpo ('Eastern Slope'), from which he takes his literary pseudonym.

While banished to Hubei province, he grows fond of the area he lives in; many of the poems considered his best are written in this period.

His most famous piece of calligraphy, Han Shi Tie, is also written here.