Chapter 14: The Suffering of the People
第十四章：民间的疾苦
In their work, Zhou Jin and Fan Jin had the opportunity to encounter the real situation of the common people. They found that many people lived in poverty and suffering, yet the officials of the imperial court turned a blind eye to this.
周进和范进在工作中有机会接触到民间的真实情况。他们发现，许多百姓生活在贫困和苦难中，而朝廷的官员却对此视而不见。
Natural disasters occurred frequently, harvests failed, and people were hungry and cold. However, the court's relief policies were poorly executed, and many relief supplies were embezzled through layers of transfer.
自然灾害频繁发生，粮食歉收，百姓饥寒交迫。然而，朝廷的救济政策执行不力，许多救济物资在层层转手中被贪污。
Taxes were heavy, and the people were overwhelmed. Many farmers were forced to sell their children and even sell themselves into slavery to survive. This situation shocked and angered Zhou Jin and Fan Jin.
赋税沉重，百姓不堪重负。许多农民被迫卖儿卖女，甚至卖身为奴，以维持生存。这种情况让周进和范进感到震惊和愤怒。
The extravagant lives of officials formed a sharp contrast with the suffering of the people. They built luxurious mansions, held grand banquets, and lived lavish lives. Meanwhile, the people struggled on the line between life and death.
官员们的奢靡生活与百姓的苦难形成鲜明对比。他们修建豪华的府邸，举办盛大的宴会，过着奢侈的生活。而百姓却在生死线上挣扎。
Zhou Jin and Fan Jin decided to speak up for the people. They wrote memorials to reflect the suffering of the people to the emperor and requested the court to reduce taxes and improve the people's lives.
周进和范进决定为民请命。他们写奏折向皇帝反映民间的疾苦，请求朝廷减轻赋税，改善百姓的生活。
However, their memorials were often intercepted by powerful people and could not reach the emperor. Even when they reached the emperor, the emperor could not truly solve the problems for various reasons. This made Zhou Jin and Fan Jin feel powerless and frustrated.
然而，他们的奏折往往被权贵们扣压，无法到达皇帝手中。即使到达皇帝手中，皇帝也因为各种原因无法真正解决问题。这让周进和范进感到无力和沮丧。