After a brief glance at the contents of the letter, Wang Chao'an was rendered speechless.
"That's right, this is the letter Bai Shilang wrote to Lord Wu Chu back then. I wonder if this letter can help Chancellor Wang?"
Although the name Wu Chu was not prominent, having followed Wang Fu for so many years, Wang Chao'an naturally understood what this name represented.
This fellow was the original accuser in the Zhang Huaisu case!
When he first filed the accusation, many dignitaries had written to him, asking him to withdraw his complaint.
Bai Shizhong was one of them. However, the case later escalated, and it was eventually classified as rebellion.
All the letters fell into Yu Shen's hands. To prevent the case from being further expanded, Yu Shen quietly hid some of the letters and burned the rest.
And as it turned out, his judgment was indeed exceptionally sharp.
Bai Shizhong was just an unknown Jinshi at the time, but now he was one of the strong contenders for the position of Chancellor.
Of course, Wang Chao'an, a mere steward, wouldn't care about such matters.
What he cared about was the authenticity of this letter!
"But weren't all these things burned back then? How is this possible?"
Wang Chao'an's eyes widened, full of disbelief.
But looking at the letter in his hand, whether it was the paper, the handwriting, or the signature style, everything told him that this was genuine!
"They were indeed burned back then, and a large portion of them. However, some were kept aside, and I only obtained this letter by chance!"
Yuan Xingchi was very satisfied with the shocked expression on his face.
"You're really giving this to me?"
After taking a deep breath, Wang Chao'an looked at Yuan Xingchi with disbelief.
If this letter was real, it was worth more than its weight in gold.
After all, at this moment, Bai Shizhong was already a scholar of the Bao Wen Ge and held the position of Vice Minister of Personnel!
This was not an honorary title, but the actual Vice Minister of Personnel!
It should be known that before this, the position of Minister of Personnel had always been held by Cai Jing's confidant. It was only after his resignation that the position became vacant.
After Yu Shen took office, this position fell into his hands.
But on the one hand, he was already in a semi-retired state, and on the other hand, even if he hadn't retired, he wouldn't have had the energy to manage the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel. Bai Shizhong, as the Vice Minister of Personnel, was the de facto controller of the Ministry.
Even if Yu Shen retired from the position of Chancellor, it would be difficult for Wang Fu to secure the position of Minister of Personnel.
More likely, Bai Shizhong would be promoted to Minister of Personnel, and as the Minister of Personnel, he would naturally be promoted to Grand Scholar of Xuan He Hall, thus gaining the qualification to contend for the position of Chancellor.
However, if this letter were to be exposed at this crucial moment, the situation would be completely different!
Let alone the position of Chancellor, it was uncertain whether he could even keep his position as Vice Minister of Personnel.
"Of course, didn't I say so earlier?" Yuan Xingchi said with a smile.
"Brother Yuan, are you really giving this to me?"
Happiness came too quickly. Wang Chao'an looked at Yuan Xingchi with completely different eyes.
His affectionate gaze made Yuan Xingchi's scalp tingle.
"Of course, keeping this in my hands is just a letter. If it can help Brother Wang, why wouldn't I?" Yuan Xingchi said with a smile.
"My parents gave me birth, and Brother Yuan knows me best! Since that's the case, I won't be polite!"
Wang Chao'an swallowed hard and then directly put the letter into his pocket.
"It was originally meant for Brother Wang, please don't be so polite!"
"Does Brother Yuan need me to do anything?"
After receiving the letter, Wang Chao'an asked again.
Seeing this fellow so sensible, even Yuan Xingchi revealed a smile.
"Along with this letter, there are some miscellaneous supporting documents. I'll give this letter to Brother Wang, but the rest of the items cost quite a bit of money to acquire..."
Hearing him say this, Wang Chao'an's eyes immediately lit up.
It seemed that this fellow wanted to sell these things to him at a high price.
However, in the face of the position of Chancellor, a mere sum of money was nothing.
"Brother, please name your price. Although Chancellor Wang is not as rich as a nation, a mere sum of money is not something that concerns the Chancellor!"
Since it wasn't his own money, Wang Chao'an was very generous at the moment.
"This item cost 50,000 taels of silver when it was acquired. At current prices, it would be about 80,000 guan..." Yuan Xingchi said with a smile, not stating his price directly.
"Then when I go back, I'll tell Chancellor that it's 10,000 taels of gold?"
Considering the current ratio of gold to silver, 10,000 taels of gold would be equivalent to 100,000 taels of silver, which, converted into current copper coins, would be worth at least 130,000 guan.
This price was already double the acquisition price Yuan Xingchi had stated.
"Then, as Brother Wang wishes!"
Yuan Xingchi had originally quoted this price to allow them to bargain, but he did not expect this fellow to not only not bargain but also to double it.
It was at this moment that he realized that he had perhaps underestimated the dignitaries in Bianliang city.
Compared to the wealthy merchants in Fuzhou, the households of these dignitaries were astonishingly affluent.
"Then, if that's the case, how about..."
Having received the benefits, Wang Chao'an instinctively wanted to leave.
"I will send someone to escort Brother Wang out!" Yuan Xingchi said, waving to his attendant.
"Brother Yuan, aren't you afraid that I'll take your letter and never return?" Wang Chao'an asked suddenly at the doorway.
"Brother Wang is joking. If I could invite you here once, I can certainly invite you here a second time. Moreover, in the face of the position of Chancellor, what is a mere bit of gold?"
Looking at the smile on Yuan Xingchi's face, Wang Chao'an felt a moment of awkwardness.
Indeed, if this fellow had any connection with Liang Shicheng, he would be found even if he hid in the imperial palace.
"Then after the matter is settled, where can I find you?"
"Two days later, at noon, someone will be waiting for you at Taiping Bridge! Remember, I only trust Brother Wang. If anyone else comes, this deal is off!"
"I remember!"