Chapter 15: The Shattering of Ideals
第十五章：理想的破灭
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.
周进和范进在官场中的经历，让他们对朝廷的理想逐渐破灭。他们曾经相信，通过科举考试的官员都应该为国家和人民服务，但现实却让他们清醒。
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.
他们发现，朝廷内部充满了权力斗争和利益交换。官员们更多关心自己的升迁和财富，而不是国家的利益和百姓的福祉。这种情况让周进和范进感到失望。
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.
周进曾经怀着治理国家的理想进入官场，但现在他发现，自己的理想在现实中碰壁。无论他如何努力，都无法改变官场的现状。
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.
范进也感到困惑和迷茫。他不知道自己应该坚持理想，还是顺应现实。这两种选择都让他感到痛苦。
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.
周进和范进开始怀念过去读书的日子。那时的他们虽然贫穷，但内心充满了理想和希望。现在他们虽然功成名就，却失去了初心。
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.
他们开始思考人生的意义。如果当官不能为国家做出贡献，不能为百姓谋福，那么这样的官当得有什么意义呢？这个问题让他们陷入了深深的反思。