there remained but a single one
The Chinese idiom is Shu ò Gu ǒ J ǐ NC ú n, which means the only big fruit left; it refers to the only person or thing left because of the passage of time. It's from Yi Pei.
The origin of Idioms
"Yi · peel": "nine, fruit does not eat."
Idiom usage
Used as an attributive; used of written language. I had to give them the silver coin at hand. (Zou Taofen's experience of being detained again)
there remained but a single one
lose all standing and reputation - shēn fèi míng liè