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

Outside the palace, there was a constant noise. Those who were dissatisfied with the treatment they received from the crown prince and Chen Jue gathered together, with an aggressive momentum, as if a storm was about to sweep in.

Among the crowd were old ministers who had accompanied the emperor in building his empire. Now, for their own selfish interests, they also joined in the riot.

Chen Jue stood in front of the crowd, his face stern, his eyes revealing determination and majesty.

He glanced at the crowd, feeling angry and helpless. These people knew clearly that their actions were against the law, but they still dared to gather together to cause trouble, hoping to use their numbers to force the court to make concessions.

"Do you think that the law can be passed just because there are so many people?"

Chen Jue rebuked loudly, his voice as resounding as a bell, and at the same time he raised one hand and pointed forcefully at everyone.

"Gathering a crowd to cause trouble will result in severe punishment! Don't make the same mistake over and over again."

Chen Jue's eyes were like sharp swords, piercing everyone's hearts. His hands were clenched tightly into fists, showing his inner anger and determination.

There was an immediate objection from the crowd. A white-haired old official stood up. He had fought with the emperor in many battles and had made great achievements.

Now, his face was filled with anger, and he pointed at Chen Jue with a trembling finger and said, "Chen Jue, don't go too far. We fought for our country and now we just borrowed some money to enjoy our lives, and you treat us like this. You are so ungrateful!"

Chen Jue was not afraid. He looked directly into the old minister's eyes, took a step forward, and said, "You have made great contributions to the country, and no one will forget that. But now you cannot break the law because of your past achievements. When the country is in trouble, we should all share the country's worries instead of just caring about our own enjoyment. Look at your current behavior, borrowing money just to eat, drink and have fun, eating empty salaries, and showing off. This is a betrayal of the country and irresponsible to the people."

Another minister also stood up, his face flushed, and he shouted, "Chen Jue, you are deliberately targeting us. There are so many of us, are we still afraid of you?"

Chen Jue sneered, crossed his arms, and said, "I, Chen Jue, am upright and not afraid of your threats. You only think about your own glory and wealth, but forget the safety of the country and the suffering of the people. Have you ever thought that the people in the disaster area are suffering, while you are fighting for your own selfish interests here?"

"We don't care. We just want our money and official positions back."

"You can't do this to us, we have to live too."

Chen Jue listened to these unreasonable demands, and his anger grew even stronger. He raised his voice, raised his hand again, and said: "You borrowed money just to eat, drink and have fun, and you also took empty salaries and showed off your wealth. This is a betrayal of the country. Now the country is in trouble, not only do you not help, but you are also making trouble here. Do you still have any conscience? Your greed and selfishness have put the country in trouble. If everyone is like you, how will the country survive?"

Chen Jue's voice echoed in the air, shocking those who were causing trouble.

The prince stood aside, listening to the quarrel with a dark face. His heart was filled with anger and helplessness.

These people are so bold and arrogant that they are still fighting for their own selfish interests when the country is in danger.

The prince clenched his fists tightly, wishing he could immediately order all these people to be arrested. But he knew that he could not take tough measures easily, otherwise it might cause greater chaos.

Chen Jue continued to argue with everyone. His eloquence was as sharp as a sword.

"You have relied on your past achievements to be arrogant and extravagant, to seize land, to occupy farmland, to bully the market, and even to rape women! Do you know that such behavior of the rich and powerful is like a stubborn disease that rots the foundation and must be eradicated!"

Chen Jue rebuked loudly, pointing one hand forward forcefully, his voice vibrating in the air.

An old official with a proud face stepped forward, frowned, and said unconvincedly: "Chen Jue, don't exaggerate. We have made great contributions to the country, why can't we live a good life?"

He folded his hands across his chest, his eyes full of arrogance, as if his merits were a pass to do whatever he wanted.

Chen Jue's eyes widened in anger, and he raised his voice and said, "Your merits are merits, and your faults are faults! The country will not forget your contributions, but now your evil deeds are damaging the foundation of the country. You have occupied farmland, leaving the people homeless and hungry; you have bullied the market and disrupted the commercial order; you have forcibly abducted women, which is even more unacceptable! No matter how great your contributions are, you must abide by the law and put the country first!"

As Chen Jue spoke, he paced back and forth excitedly. His steps were firm and powerful, and his eyes swept over the old ministers from time to time.

Another old official blushed and loudly retorted: "Humph, the country is peaceful now, so what if we enjoy ourselves a little? Why are we so aggressive?"

Chen Jue suddenly stopped, stared at him with a sharp gaze, and said, "The country is peaceful? You are so short-sighted! Now Daqing is eyeing us covetously, and the northern territory has not yet been recovered. If we are extravagant and wasteful now, how can we recover the north? How can the country restore its former glory?"

"When we were fighting on the battlefield, you, Chen Jue, were nowhere to be found! And now you come to blame us."

"Because you have fought on the battlefield, you should understand the difficulties the country is facing now. We cannot forget the country's mission because of temporary comfort. As long as the northern territory is not recovered, we cannot relax."

"You say we are arrogant and extravagant, but what have you done for the country?"

An old minister questioned. There was a hint of provocation in his eyes, as if he wanted to embarrass Chen Jue.

"I am working hard to recover the debts owed to the country so that the country will have enough strength to deal with foreign enemies and restore its former glory."

"Chen Jue, don't go too far. We old officials also have a certain influence in the court. If you push too hard, it will not do you any good."

"I, Chen Jue, am not afraid of your threats. I only know that for the sake of the country and the people, I must uphold justice. If you continue to be stubborn, you will be punished by law."

Chen Jue's eyes were full of determination and courage, and his words left those old ministers speechless.

The argument became more intense and the emotions of both sides gradually got out of control.

"You, Chen Jue, are an ignorant fellow who thinks you can blame us at will just because you have some ability." An old minister cursed angrily.

Chen Jue also responded bluntly: "You are the selfish scum who only care about your own glory and wealth, and don't care about the life and death of the country and the people."

"Hmph, who do you think you are? How dare you act so rudely in front of us?" The old ministers accused Chen Jue one after another.

Chen Jue glared at them and said loudly, "I, Chen Jue, am upright and honest, unlike you who do evil and will be punished sooner or later."

The two sides fought back and forth, neither giving in, and the scene was once in chaos.

When Chen Jue was arguing with the old ministers, the emperor sent someone to take the old ministers into the palace. The old ministers glared at Chen Jue fiercely, their eyes full of hatred. They felt that Chen Jue was deliberately making things difficult for them and undermining their status and interests.

An old minister said angrily: "Chen Jue, we will not let this matter go." After that, he led the other old ministers away. Their figures gradually went farther and farther away, but they still exuded an angry atmosphere.

The prince looked at the backs of the old ministers leaving, feeling a little worried. He turned around and looked at Chen Jue, his eyes full of concern.

The prince walked forward, patted Chen Jue's shoulder gently, and comforted him: "Chen Jue, you don't have to care about their attitude. Everything you do is for the country and the people. I believe that what you do is right."

After hearing the prince's words, Chen Jue felt a little warm in his heart.

He nodded slightly and said, "Your Highness, I am just doing my duty. As long as I can benefit the country and the people, I don't care about my personal gains and losses."

Afterwards, Chen Jue followed the prince to the emperor, who sat upright on the dragon throne with a serious look on his face.

He looked at the Crown Prince and Chen Jue, nodded slightly, and said, "You have done a good job. The country is in danger, and we must take decisive measures to rectify the government and recover the debts to solve the country's difficulties."

The prince bowed and said, "Father, Chen Jue is devoted to the country, not afraid of the powerful, and argues with those old ministers. It is rare."

The emperor looked at Chen Jue with admiration in his eyes. "Chen Jue, I am deeply pleased with your courage and justice. Those old ministers, relying on their past merits, indulged in extravagance and violated laws and disciplines. They should indeed be punished."

Then, the emperor said to the old ministers: "You know, the treasury is empty now, and the country is facing a huge crisis. The Huaihe River is flooded, and the people in the disaster area are in urgent need of money and food relief; the northern territory has not yet been recovered, and we need a lot of military funds to resist foreign enemies. If we continue to be extravagant and wasteful, and ignore the safety of the country, then the country will fall into an irreparable situation."

After hearing the emperor's words, the old ministers felt a little guilty. They lowered their heads and dared not look directly into the emperor's eyes.