Chapter 11: Families of Power and Wealth
Scholars - Bab 11
Zhou Jin and Fan Jin met many people from families of power and wealth in their work. These people came from prominent backgrounds, their families had been officials for generations, and they controlled immense power and wealth.
Keluarga Kekuasaan dan Kekayaan
The families of power and wealth often helped each other, forming a tight interest group. They consolidated their positions through intermarriage, mutual recommendations, and other means, excluding outsiders.
Zhou Jin dan Fan Jin bertemu banyak orang dari keluarga kekuasaan dan kekayaan dalam pekerjaan mereka. Orang-orang ini berasal dari latar belakang terkemuka, keluarga mereka telah menjadi pejabat selama beberapa generasi, dan mereka mengendalikan kekuasaan dan kekayaan yang sangat besar.
Zhou Jin realized that as an official from a poor background, it was difficult for him to gain true recognition in this interest group. He felt an invisible pressure, feeling that he was always an outsider.
Keluarga kekuasaan dan kekayaan sering saling membantu, membentuk kelompok kepentingan yang erat. Mereka mengkonsolidasikan posisi mereka melalui pernikahan, rekomendasi timbal balik, dan cara lain, mengecualikan orang luar.
Fan Jin faced the same dilemma. In his work at the Ministry of Revenue, he found that many important positions were occupied by people from families of power and wealth, making it difficult for him to have opportunities to display his talents.
Zhou Jin menyadari bahwa sebagai pejabat dari latar belakang miskin, sulit baginya untuk mendapatkan pengakuan sejati dalam kelompok kepentingan ini. Dia merasakan tekanan yang tak terlihat, merasa bahwa dia selalu menjadi orang luar.
However, Zhou Jin and Fan Jin were not discouraged by this. They believed that as long as they worked hard and achieved results, one day they would receive fair evaluation. They decided to let their abilities speak for themselves, rather than relying on connections.
Fan Jin menghadapi dilema yang sama. Dalam pekerjaannya di Kementerian Pendapatan, dia menemukan bahwa banyak posisi penting diduduki oleh orang-orang dari keluarga kekuasaan dan kekayaan, sehingga sulit baginya untuk memiliki kesempatan menampilkan bakatnya.
In officialdom, Zhou Jin and Fan Jin maintained a clean and honest style. They refused to accept bribes and insisted on following the rules. Although this style seemed untimely in the eyes of the powerful, it won the respect of the people.
Namun, Zhou Jin dan Fan Jin tidak putus asa dengan ini. Mereka percaya bahwa selama mereka bekerja keras dan mencapai hasil, suatu hari mereka akan menerima evaluasi yang adil. Mereka memutuskan untuk membiarkan kemampuan mereka berbicara sendiri, daripada mengandalkan koneksi.
Dalam birokrasi, Zhou Jin dan Fan Jin mempertahankan gaya yang bersih dan jujur. Mereka menolak menerima suap dan bersikeras mengikuti aturan. Meskipun gaya ini tampak tidak tepat waktu di mata orang-orang berkuasa, itu memenangkan rasa hormat rakyat.