The gifts piling up at home were impossible for Zhao Yan to ignore. As the day of his departure drew nearer, he grew increasingly anxious to find a reliable way to dispose of them.
Ultimately, he did not want to be blinded by wealth. He had earned his title as Zhuangyuan through his own sleepless, tireless study; it had nothing to do with those who brought him gifts. He didn't want to owe favors for these things, as such debts were difficult to repay. On the surface, he was an official living on the imperial salary—a position everyone envied—but in reality, he was merely a high-level corporate laborer. The loss of autonomy applied to him just as much as anyone else. Officialdom was no child’s play; the web of relationships was vast, complex, and tangled. He had to be cautious and circumspect, or a single misstep could cost him his head and bring ruin upon his entire family.
If someone were to hold a grudge and report him for bribery, Zhao Yan felt he wouldn't be able to clear his name even if he jumped into the Yellow River. The authorities might turn a blind eye to gift-giving under normal circumstances, but it would become a fatal blow if trouble ever arose.
Chapter 350