I was chased by my sickly junior brother who had two lives

Chen Jue pondered for a moment, then said: "Your Highness, we must not lose heart. Although we are facing difficulties now, as long as we improve our methods, we will definitely be able to complete the task. We can start with those ministers who are easier to persuade, and then slowly conquer those stubborn ministers. At the same time, we can also ask for some support from His Majesty, such as reducing the debts owed by some ministers or giving them some rewards to encourage them to pay back the money as soon as possible."

After hearing what Chen Jue said, the prince felt a little better.

Chen Jue stood in the courtyard of the Dali Temple, frowning slightly, thinking about the next plan for debt collection. He knew that the current method alone was far from enough, and he had to come up with more strategies to deal with those stubborn ministers.

At this time, a subordinate hurried over and said, "Sir Chen, I have found that the sources of wealth of some ministers seem to be problematic."

Chen Jue's eyes were stern, and he said, "Tell me in detail."

The subordinate said: "Several ministers were found to have acquired wealth through corruption, bribery, and embezzlement of public funds. Moreover, they deliberately concealed the facts in an attempt to evade repayment."

At the same time, Chen Jue also decided to encourage the people to participate in the debt collection work. He posted notices in various places, which read: "The country is in trouble. The Huaihe River is flooded and urgently needs money and food for disaster relief. Now we encourage the people to participate in the debt collection work. Anyone who provides valuable clues will be rewarded."

As soon as the notice was issued, the people responded one after another. Some people who had suffered from loan sharking took the initiative to come to the Dali Temple and provide clues to Chen Jue.

One of the common people said, "Sir Chen, I know that a minister has hidden a large amount of wealth in his suburban estate."

Chen Jue said gratefully: "Thank you for providing the clue. If the clue is true, you will be rewarded."

Based on the clues provided by the people, Chen Jue led people to the minister's suburban estate and indeed found a large amount of wealth. He confiscated the wealth and reported it to the emperor.

The emperor was very satisfied with Chen Jue's work and said, "Chen Jue, you have done a great job. Keep up the hard work and make sure you raise enough money and food for the country."

Chen Jue cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my best."

With the denunciation of the people, Chen Jue became more confident. One night, he led his men to quietly surround the pawnshop and gambling house privately run by the ministers. When the ministers saw Chen Jue, they panicked.

"Sir Chen, what are you doing? Why are you arresting us?" a minister asked in panic. His face turned pale in an instant, his eyes were full of fear, and his body trembled slightly involuntarily.

Chen Jue looked at him coldly, "You privately lent money at high interest rates, and privately opened pawnshops and gambling houses, which violated the law of the country. Now that the evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say?"

The ministers looked at each other, refusing to admit it. "Mr. Chen, you are slandering us. We did not do these things." One of the ministers said, rubbing his hands in panic, his eyes wandering around, not daring to look Chen Jue in the eye.

Chen Jue smiled and took out the people's accusation letters and the evidence he had collected. "Do you still want to deny it? These evidences are enough to prove your guilt."

The ministers were speechless after seeing the evidence. One minister said, "Sir Chen, even if we did these things, it was for our livelihood. Now the country is in trouble, and we have no other choice."

Chen Jue responded sternly: "The country is in trouble, but you don't want to share the country's worries, but you are breaking the law. This is absolutely unforgivable. As important officials of the court, you should set an example, but you take the lead in breaking the law."

Another minister said, "Sir Chen, you can't do this to us. We are all important officials in the court. If you do this, it will cause turmoil in the court." The minister puffed out his chest and tried to look majestic, but his slightly trembling legs betrayed his inner fear.

Chen Jue was not afraid at all. "You do not abide by the laws of the country, and you are the culprit that caused the unrest. If you do not pay back the money, you will be punished according to the laws of the country."

The ministers were afraid of Chen Jue's firm attitude, but still unwilling to pay back the money, so they began to think of other ways. One minister rolled his eyes and came up with a plan.

He took a step forward, approached Chen Jue, and said in a low voice: "Master Chen, as long as you let us go this time, we will definitely reward you handsomely. Think about it, in this officialdom, it is better to have more friends than more enemies."

As he spoke, he secretly winked at Chen Jue.

Chen Jue glared at them, "Do you think you can buy me off with money? I, Chen Jue, am an upright official and will never go along with you."

When the ministers saw that soft tactics didn't work, they started to act tough. One minister stamped his foot and said loudly, "Chen Jue, don't push us too far. We are not easy to mess with. If you insist on investigating us, we will not let you off easily."

There was a ferocious expression on his face, as if he was ready to fight Chen Jue to the death.

Chen Jue did not back down. "You broke the law first, yet you dare to be so arrogant. I will definitely bring you to justice."

The two sides were at a stalemate, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense. The ministers pressed forward and began to argue with Chen Jue.

"Chen Jue, you are just a small official, how dare you treat us like this. Aren't you afraid of retaliation?"

"Humph, I, Chen Jue, am upright and not afraid of your revenge. Your crimes are beyond the reach of justice, and I must seek justice for the country and the people."

On that tense night, the confrontation between Chen Jue and the ministers became increasingly intense. Seeing Chen Jue's firm attitude and unwillingness to give in, the ministers' uneasiness gradually turned into anger. They began to press step by step, trying to force Chen Jue to retreat with a tough attitude.

A minister took a step forward, with a fierce expression on his face, like an enraged beast. He pointed at Chen Jue and said loudly: "Chen Jue, don't push your luck! We are important officials of the court, how can you control us at will? You are like an ant who doesn't know the height of the sky and the depth of the earth, and you dare to challenge our authority."

Chen Jue was not moved at all. He straightened his back and looked at the ministers with sharp eyes.

"Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you are high up? You are wrong. Everyone is equal before the law. You are like a termite, corroding the foundation of the country, and you still don't repent."

"Chen Jue, don't think you can do whatever you want just because you have a little evidence. We have been in the court for many years and have a deep foundation. If you dare to touch us, you will suffer the consequences. You are like a moth flying into the fire, not knowing whether to live or die."

"Do you think you can cover up everything? What you have done has violated the law of the country and must be punished. I, Chen Jue, will never back down. Even in the face of numerous difficulties and dangers, I will bring you to justice."

Seeing how tough Chen Jue was, the ministers became even angrier and they began to argue fiercely with him.

"Chen Jue, you are courting death! We will not let you go."

"Humph, you are breaking the law and yet you dare to be so arrogant. I will make you pay the price."

"Do you think you can defeat us? Our influence is everywhere in the government and the country, and you are just a small official."

"The law of the country is supreme, and justice will eventually prevail over evil. Your doomsday is approaching."

The quarrel between the two sides became louder and louder, and the atmosphere became extremely tense. At this moment, the prince arrived in time.

The prince appeared in front of everyone with a team of elite soldiers. His eyes were full of majesty, making people dare not look directly at him.

When the ministers saw the prince, they became even more terrified.

The prince glared at the ministers and said, "How dare you, you daring fellows, defy the law of the land. Come, arrest them all."

The prince's voice was as loud as a bell, full of irresistible power.

The soldiers immediately rushed forward and held the ministers tightly. The ministers struggled, but to no avail. There was a look of despair on their faces, as if the end of the world had come.

The prince looked at Chen Jue and nodded, "Master Chen, well done. These people must be punished."

Chen Jue clasped his hands and said, "Your Highness, the evidence is irrefutable that these ministers have violated the law and discipline. They should be dealt with on the spot, and their property should be confiscated based on the evidence."

The prince nodded slightly, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

So the prince ordered that the ministers be punished on the spot. The soldiers pinned the ministers to the ground and waited for the prince's further orders.

The prince said solemnly: "You are important officials of the court, but you do not think about serving the country and the people, but instead violate the law and discipline. Today, I will punish you by order of the prince. Your property will be confiscated and used for national disaster relief and flood control. Your crimes will also be made public to serve as a warning to others."

The ministers were as pale as death after hearing this. They knew that they had no way out.

Under the prince's order, the soldiers began to ransack the ministers' residences.

They seized a large amount of wealth and evidence, which would serve as irrefutable evidence of their illegal activities.

During the house search, the soldiers found that the ministers' residences were extremely luxurious, like a magnificent palace. Their wealth piled up like a mountain, which was jaw-dropping. These wealth should have been used for national construction and the welfare of the people, but they were selfishly taken by the ministers.

Chen Jue looked at the ministers whose properties had been confiscated and felt deeply moved.