It tells the life trajectory of Ouyang Xiaojun, who transformed from an upright official to a "local emperor" and finally came to an end. When he first arrived in Yufeng County, he had ideals in mind. He rectified the business environment with an iron fist, investigated and punished corrupt elements, and won praise from the people. However, he gradually got lost in the expansion of power, from refusing to accept bribes to accepting tens of millions of stolen money, building luxurious villas, and condoning safety accidents, resulting in the loss of two lives. During his eighteen years in prison, he wrote more than 300 confessions, warning future generations with blood and tears. After he was released from prison, he worked as a community volunteer, took care of the families of the accident, and donated all his savings. Through the three variations of alienation of power, degradation of human nature and self-redemption, the novel reveals the warning motto that "corruption arises from greed, repentance arises from shame".
