摘要
《老殘遊記》中有相當的分量是著重在揭發官吏的惡行。劉鶚為在小說中提到：「歷來小說皆揭贓官之惡，有揭清官之惡者，自老殘遊記始。」劉鶚在小說中不只刻畫『清官酷吏』殘酷的一面，他更深入一層的去挖掘背後的原因，對於玉賢的能力，劉鶚給予肯定，但也因玉賢有才又急於追求權力，以致造成殘酷的性格。剛弼則是自傲於為官從沒送過一個錢，這是他奉行的準則之一，而這也造成他性格上的殘缺，變成剛愎自用，不知變通。所以清官酷吏為害不容忽視，這也是劉鶚要專力於揭「清官」之惡的原因。同時期的諷刺小說，對官場的黑暗面及官員的腐敗都有所揭露，不外貪、巧、昏、庸之輩，但劉鶚在《老殘遊記》中揭人所未揭，以清廉的表象和殘酷的內在形成強烈的對比效果，這在眾諷刺小說中亦是很突出的一點。
並列摘要
A significant part of Lau Can Yiou Ji emphasizes on the wickedness of government officials. Liou E mentioned in this novel. 'All novels heretofore expose the ickedness of corrupt officials. LauCan Yiou Ji is the first to expose the wickedness of honest officials.＂Liou E not only described the cruelty of ＂honest officials,＂ but also investigated the cause in behind. Liou E's comments on Yu Shyan's capability is positive, but Yu Shyan's capability and eagerness for power results in his cruel character. Being proud of never bribe, a discipline he always keep, he becomes defective in character, becomes stubborn and obstinate. The harm caused by honest officials is therefore not negligible, and that is why Liou E devoted in exposing their wickedness. Satirical novels in the same period uncover the dark side of bureaucracy and bureaucrats' corruption, and they all describe greedy, insinuating, muddle-headed, and incompetent officials. Liou E's Lau Can Yiou Ji, however, exposes what other novelists never expose, and creates a sharp contrast between the external incorruptibility, honesty and the internal cruelty. This is a prominent point among all satirical novels.