chēng​wěi

toils of a gentleman

赪尾 赬尾 chēng​wěi
toils of a gentleman
Metaphor for the exhaustion and hard work of a scholar-official or gentleman in service to the ruler, based on the 诗经 shī​jīng imagery of a fish with a reddened tail from overexertion
suffering of the people
Metaphor for the hardships and exhaustion of common people living under oppressive or cruel governance