Chapter 16: Returning to One's True Self
After long periods of struggle and reflection, Zhou Jin and Fan Jin decided to return to their true selves. They realized that no matter how dark the bureaucracy was, they could not abandon their inner conscience and principles.
Zhou Jin decided to be an honest official in the Hanlin Academy, adhering to his moral standards. He did not participate in power struggles, did not accept bribes, and handled everything fairly. Although this style seemed out of place in the bureaucracy, it won the respect of colleagues.
Fan Jin decided to conscientiously fulfill his responsibilities at the Ministry of Revenue and make contributions to the country's finances. He worked hard to clear accounts, reduce corruption, and make the country's finances more transparent and fair.
Zhou Jin and Fan Jin also began to pay attention to the suffering of the people and helped them with all their abilities. They used their influence to fight for the interests of the people and improve their lives.
Although they could not change the entire system, they believed that as long as everyone could do their own jobs well, society would gradually improve. This belief allowed them to rediscover the meaning of life.
Zhou Jin and Fan Jin's decisions made them outliers in the bureaucracy. But they did not care about others' views and insisted on walking their own path. They believed that only in this way could they have a clear conscience.