Chapter 3: Honest Officials
第三章：清官廉吏
Although official corruption was severe, there were also some honest and clean officials. They upheld justice, feared no powerful forces, and strove to do practical things for the common people. Lao Can encountered such officials during his journey.
尽管官场腐败严重，但也有一些清官廉吏。他们坚守正义，不畏强权，努力为百姓做实事。老残在旅途中遇到了这样一些官员。
There was an official named Magistrate Huang who left a deep impression on Lao Can. He was clean, upright, and concerned about the people's suffering, earning an excellent reputation locally. After conversing with him, Lao Can discovered that he was truly a good official who served the people.
有一位名叫黄县令的官员让老残印象深刻。他清廉正直，关心百姓疾苦，在当地赢得了很好的声誉。老残与他交谈后，发现他是一个真正为民服务的好官。
Magistrate Huang told Lao Can that being an official was not easy. He not only had to face pressure from superiors but also had to deal with exclusion from colleagues. However, he always adhered to his principles and refused to collude with corruption.
黄县令告诉老残，做官并不容易。他不仅要面对上级的压力，还要应对同僚的排挤。但他始终坚持自己的原则，不愿与腐败同流合污。
Lao Can expressed admiration for Magistrate Huang. He believed that in such a corrupt era, those who could uphold justice were even more worthy of respect. The existence of Magistrate Huang made Lao Can see a glimmer of hope.
老残对黄县令表示敬佩。他认为，在这样一个腐败的时代，能够坚守正义的人更加值得尊敬。黄县令的存在，让老残看到了一丝希望。
However, Lao Can also realized that honest officials like Magistrate Huang were few. Most officials had been corroded by corruption and become appendages of the powerful. This situation plunged society into deeper darkness.
然而，老残也意识到，像黄县令这样的清官并不多。大多数官员都被腐败侵蚀，成为了权贵的附庸。这种状况让社会陷入了更深的黑暗。