"The Red Dust" describes how "I" lacked food and clothing when I was young; I was repeatedly criticized for love in my prime; I had extramarital affairs when I reached middle age; in short, I had a troubled official career for half my life, including one dereliction of duty, right and wrong, love and hatred, honor and disgrace, success and failure. In this anthology
Most of the stories written here are the author's own real experiences.