The times are tough. Next sentence: Keep working hard and make progress. The times were difficult meaning that the situation at that time was still difficult. From "Zhu Xi's Motto on Family Governance": "Half silk and half thread, constant thoughts and material resources are difficult." "Hard" is also written as "harness". It is an ancient Chinese word. Its original meaning is to grind on a whetstone, and it has been extended to mean sharpening, encouragement and other meanings. To forge ahead means to go through trials and forge ahead.