Chapter 15: The Shattering of Ideals
Capítulo 15: O Colapso dos Ideais
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.
As experiências de Zhou Jin e Fan Jin na burocracia despedaçaram seus ideais sobre a corte imperial. Eles acreditavam que os funcionários que passavam no exame imperial deveriam servir ao país e ao povo, mas a realidade os acordou.
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.
Eles descobriram que a corte imperial estava cheia de lutas pelo poder e trocas de interesses. Os funcionários se preocupavam mais com suas próprias promoções e riqueza do que com os interesses do país e o bem-estar do povo. Essa situação decepcionou Zhou Jin e Fan Jin.
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.
Zhou Jin entrou uma vez na burocracia com o ideal de governar o país, mas agora ele descobriu que seu ideal colidia com muros na realidade. Não importava o quanto ele tentasse, ele não conseguia mudar o status quo da burocracia.
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.
Fan Jin também se sentia confuso e perdido. Ele não sabia se devia persistir em seus ideais ou se adaptar à realidade. Ambas as escolhas o faziam sentir dor.
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.
Zhou Jin e Fan Jin começaram a sentir falta dos dias em que estudavam. Embora fossem pobres na época, seus corações estavam cheios de ideais e esperança. Agora, embora tenham obtido sucesso e fama, eles perderam sua intenção original.
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.
Eles começaram a refletir sobre o sentido da vida. Se ser um funcionário não podia trazer contribuições ao país nem trazer bênçãos ao povo, então qual era o sentido de ser tal funcionário? Essa pergunta os mergulhou em profunda reflexão.