To be utterly exhausted, both mentally and physically; to be completely worn out; to be dead tired.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty, Prime Minister Li Gang was profoundly loyal to his country. He consistently advocated resisting the Jurchen invaders and firmly opposed any peace treaties that involved ceding territory.
Despite his patriotic stance, he was demoted after serving only seventy days as prime minister.
However, when the Jurchen army later besieged the capital, he personally took charge of the defense and commanded the military operations.
His poem 'Sick Ox' reflected his deep sense of duty and self-sacrifice, lamenting: 'Plowing a thousand acres to yield a thousand granaries, my strength is spent and muscles weary, but who would pity such exhaustion? As long as all beings can eat their fill, I would not mind lying frail and ill beneath the setting sun.'