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

After successfully expanding logistics channels and promoting the booming business, Chen Jia and Chen Jue heard that the Huanghuai region suffered a severe flood, and the overflowing river water destroyed farmland and houses, leaving many victims homeless. Caring about the people, they resolutely decided to devote themselves to disaster relief and reconstruction work, planning to spend money to hire victims to repair the river, and apply to the prince for work-for-relief, hoping to provide more livelihoods for the victims by increasing related projects, while improving the water conservancy conditions in the Huanghuai region.

That day, Chen Jia and Chen Jue were in the study, looking solemnly at the letter about the Huanghuai disaster. Chen Jia raised her head, her eyes full of worry: "Sir, the Huanghuai flooded and the people suffered. We can't just sit back and watch. I thought, if we can spend money to hire the disaster victims to repair the river, it can solve their urgent needs and provide them with a livelihood; secondly, it can also take the opportunity to regulate the river to prevent the flood from wreaking havoc again."

Chen Jue nodded slightly, his expression serious: "Madam, I agree with you. However, this project is huge and requires a lot of manpower, material resources, and financial resources. It may be difficult for us to support it alone. Perhaps we can apply to the prince for work-for-relief, seek support from the court, expand the scale of the project, and help more victims."

Chen Jia's eyes were firm. "What you said is absolutely right, sir. We need to compile a detailed plan as soon as possible to explain the feasibility and benefits of repairing the river with work instead of relief, and submit it to the prince. The plan should include key contents such as project planning, estimated funds required, and the number of disaster victims that can be absorbed."

Chen Jue thought for a moment and said, "Madam, this plan must also emphasize the long-term benefits of river regulation. It can not only resist floods, but also improve local irrigation conditions and promote agricultural development. This will make it easier to convince the prince to approve it."

In the following days, Chen Jia and Chen Jue worked day and night to collect information, consult water conservancy experts, and carefully formulate a plan. After the plan was completed, Chen Jue personally went to the capital to present it to the prince.

In the Prince's Mansion, Chen Jue respectfully handed over the plan and said, "Your Highness, the Yellow River and the Huai River have flooded, and the victims are suffering. I have discussed with my wife Chen Jia and think that we can use the method of work-for-relief to hire the victims to repair the river. This plan can not only solve the problem of food and clothing for the victims, but also improve water conservancy, which will have long-term benefits for both the country and the people."

The prince carefully read the plan and asked questions from time to time: "Chen Jue, your plan seems feasible, but it requires a lot of funds. How can we ensure that the funds are in place and used reasonably? Also, how can we ensure the quality of this project?"

Chen Jue replied calmly, "Your Highness, regarding funding, my wife and I are willing to donate a portion of our family property as start-up capital, and we will also raise donations from wealthy merchants from all over the country. As for the use of funds, we will set up a special account and make it public regularly. Regarding the quality of the project, we have hired a number of experienced water conservancy experts to supervise and guide the entire process to ensure that the project is sturdy and durable."

The prince nodded slightly and asked, "How many disaster victims can this project absorb? How long will it take?"

Chen Jue quickly responded: "Your Highness, according to the current plan, tens of thousands of disaster victims can be included. The construction period is expected to be one year, and it will be carried out in stages. We will first focus on dredging the main river channel, and then gradually improve the tributaries and embankment reinforcement."

The prince thought for a moment and said, "Chen Jue, you and your wife care about the people, which is indeed a righteous act. I will consider this plan carefully and give you a reply as soon as possible."

Chen Jue returned home and told Chen Jia about his conversation with the prince. Chen Jia said, "My husband, we can only wait for good news from the prince. During this period, we cannot be idle. We can send people to the Huanghuai area to understand the actual situation of the disaster victims and prepare supplies. Once the prince approves, we can quickly take action."

A few days later, the prince sent a message approving their work-for-relief plan and said that the court would provide certain financial support. After Chen Jia and Chen Jue learned about it, they immediately took action.

Chen Jia said to the subordinate in charge of material preparation: "You should quickly purchase food, clothing, tools and other materials and transport them to the Huanghuai area. Make sure that the materials are sufficient and of high quality so that the disaster victims participating in the project can work with peace of mind."

The subordinate received the order and said, "Don't worry, Madam. I will get it done as soon as possible."

Chen Jue told his subordinates who were in charge of recruiting disaster victims: "You should go to Huanghuai immediately and post notices to inform the disaster victims about the work-for-relief program, and explain in detail the work content, remuneration, and benefits. When recruiting, you should register them properly to ensure fairness and justice, and give priority to the families that were severely affected by the disaster."

The subordinate nodded and said, "Don't worry, Duke. I will strictly follow your instructions."

After the two made arrangements, they went to the Huanghuai area together. When they arrived, they saw a vast ocean, and the victims looked haggard and desperate. Chen Jia looked at them with great sadness and said to Chen Jue, "Husband, we have to speed up our actions so that the victims can survive as soon as possible."

Chen Jue nodded firmly.

Soon, the recruitment work started, and many disaster victims came to sign up. An old man in ragged clothes came with his grandson and said to Chen Jue: "Duke, although I am old, I still have some strength. Let me join, just to give the child a bite of food."

Chen Jue quickly helped the old man up and said, "Don't worry, old man. As long as you are willing, you can participate. This is also a contribution to our hometown. When the river is repaired in the future, everyone will benefit."

At the same time, supplies were delivered one after another. Chen Jia personally directed the distribution and said to the victims: "Fellow villagers, these supplies are for emergency use first. When the project starts, you will be paid every day to keep everyone well fed and clothed."

The victims burst into tears of gratitude: "Thank you, Duke and Madam, you are such kind people!"

The project was officially launched. Chen Jia and Chen Jue encouraged the morale on site: "Fellow villagers, let's work together to repair the river and rebuild our homes!"

The victims shouted in unison and were full of enthusiasm. However, the project was not smooth sailing.

One day, the subordinate in charge of the project anxiously found Chen Jue and said, "Duke, it's bad. The soil in some sections of the river is soft and the newly built dam has collapsed."

Chen Jue immediately rushed to the scene and discussed countermeasures with the water conservancy expert. The water conservancy expert said: "My Lord, we need to strengthen the foundation first. We can use piling and then fill it with sand and gravel to enhance the stability of the dam."

Chen Jue nodded and quickly arranged for the workers to carry out the plan.

On the other hand, Chen Jia also encountered problems. Some victims complained that their wages were not paid on time, and Chen Jia quickly comforted them: "Fellow villagers, I am really sorry, it was our negligence. The wages will be paid as soon as possible, so please work with peace of mind."

Chen Jia immediately found out the reason, which turned out to be an error in the account check. She quickly adjusted the staff and optimized the process to ensure that wages were paid on time.

As the project progressed, funds were once again in short supply. Chen Jia and Chen Jue were worried about this. Chen Jia said, "Sir, the court's funds and the donations we have raised are about to run out. What should we do?"

Chen Jue thought for a moment and said, "Madam, let's apply to the court for additional funds, and at the same time send requests for help to local chambers of commerce, explaining the disaster in Huanghuai and the importance of the project, and begging them to lend a hand."

Chen Jia agreed. The two took action immediately. Chen Jue wrote a letter to the court, detailing the funding gap and project progress, while Chen Jia sent letters to chambers of commerce in various places asking for help.

Fortunately, the imperial court quickly approved the application for additional funds, and chambers of commerce in various places also responded generously. The funding problem was solved and the project continued to move forward smoothly.

Finally, with the joint efforts of everyone, the river regulation project was successfully completed. A broad and solid river channel appeared before our eyes, with high embankments and smooth water flow.

Chen Jia and Chen Jue stood beside the repaired river channel, looking at the victims cheering on both sides of the river, their hearts filled with relief. A representative of the victims came forward and said excitedly: "Duke and Madam, thanks to you, we have a way to survive and our hometown has hope."

Chen Jue smiled and said: "Everyone has worked hard. This is our joint achievement. Now that the river has been repaired, I believe that the future will be better and better."

Since then, the Huanghuai region has become more prosperous due to the improvement of water conservancy conditions and agricultural harvests. The good deeds of Chen Jia and Chen Jue not only saved countless victims, but also won the praise and love of the people, becoming a story that will be passed down through the ages.