Chapter 15: The Shattering of Ideals
Scholars - Bab 15
Zhou Jin and Fan Jin's experiences in officialdom caused their ideals about the imperial court to gradually shatter. They once believed that officials who passed the imperial examination should serve the country and people, but reality awakened them.
Hancurnya Cita-cita
They found that the imperial court was filled with power struggles and interest exchanges. Officials cared more about their own promotions and wealth than the country's interests and the people's welfare. This situation made Zhou Jin and Fan Jin disappointed.
Pengalaman Zhou Jin dan Fan Jin dalam birokrasi menyebabkan cita-cita mereka tentang pengadilan kekaisaran berangsur-angsur hancur. Mereka pernah percaya bahwa pejabat yang lulus ujian kekaisaran harus melayani negara dan rakyat, tetapi kenyataan menyadarkan mereka.
Zhou Jin once entered officialdom with the ideal of governing the country, but now he found that his ideal was hitting walls in reality. No matter how hard he tried, he could not change the status quo of officialdom.
Mereka menemukan bahwa pengadilan kekaisaran dipenuhi dengan perebutan kekuasaan dan pertukaran kepentingan. Para pejabat lebih peduli tentang promosi dan kekayaan mereka sendiri daripada kepentingan negara dan kesejahteraan rakyat. Situasi ini membuat Zhou Jin dan Fan Jin kecewa.
Fan Jin also felt confused and lost. He didn't know whether he should persist in his ideals or adapt to reality. Both choices made him feel painful.
Zhou Jin pernah memasuki birokrasi dengan cita-cita memerintah negara, tetapi sekarang dia menemukan bahwa cita-citanya membentur dinding dalam kenyataan. Tidak peduli seberapa keras dia mencoba, dia tidak dapat mengubah status quo birokrasi.
Zhou Jin and Fan Jin began to miss the days when they studied. Although they were poor then, their hearts were filled with ideals and hope. Now, although they had achieved success and fame, they had lost their original intention.
Fan Jin juga merasa bingung dan tersesat. Dia tidak tahu apakah dia harus bertahan dalam cita-citanya atau beradaptasi dengan kenyataan. Kedua pilihan itu membuatnya merasa sakit.
They began to think about the meaning of life. If being an official could not make contributions to the country or bring blessings to the people, then what was the point of being such an official? This question made them fall into deep reflection.
Zhou Jin dan Fan Jin mulai merindukan hari-hari ketika mereka belajar. Meskipun mereka miskin saat itu, hati mereka dipenuhi dengan cita-cita dan harapan. Sekarang, meskipun mereka telah mencapai kesuksesan dan ketenaran, mereka telah kehilangan niat awal mereka.
Mereka mulai berpikir tentang makna hidup. Jika menjadi pejabat tidak dapat memberikan kontribusi kepada negara atau membawa berkah bagi rakyat, lalu apa gunanya menjadi pejabat seperti itu? Pertanyaan ini membuat mereka jatuh ke dalam perenungan yang mendalam.