这样的机关里的劣绅，简直是乡里王。

The evil gentry who ran these organs were virtual monarchs of the countryside.

有一个乡农会很巧妙，捉了一个 劣绅来，声言今天要给他戴高帽子。

One ingenious township peasant association arrested an obnoxious member of the gentry and announced that he was to be crowned that very day.

把土豪劣绅戴上一顶纸扎的高帽子，在那帽子上面写上土豪某某或劣绅某某字样。

A tall paper-hat is stuck on the head of one of the local tyrants or evil gentry, bearing the words "local tyrant so-and-so" or "so-and-so of the evil gentry".