The thought had barely formed before he immediately dismissed it.
While it was true that the Great Song Dynasty had always held literature in higher regard than the military, and had done so consistently since its founding.
In the current officialdom of the Great Song, as long as the civil officials were a bit more assertive, even if their superiors were a rank or two higher, the military generals had no choice but to obediently bow their heads and follow orders.
Moreover, even if this resulted in missed opportunities or the eventual failure of an entire campaign.
The punishment for civil officials would at most be reassignment or demotion.
However, it was completely different for military generals. If any military general dared to do such a thing, even if the battle was ultimately won, the civil officials in the court would attack him in unison.
Under such circumstances, any military general with even a modicum of literary talent would naturally wish to switch to being a civil official.
But was it really that simple?
For a civil official to rise from being a commoner, even obtaining a simple official position required ten years of arduous study, and even then, passing the imperial examination was not guaranteed.
Even after passing the imperial examination, without any special opportunities, one would have to slowly advance step by step through the ranks.
How could they possibly be willing to watch those military generals complete a journey that took them tens of years, or even a lifetime, through mere years of fighting on the battlefield?
After all, no scholar was willing to see a lowly military general, who had only read one or two books, be their equal!
Therefore, under this concept, the procedures for military generals to transfer to civil officialdom in the Great Song Dynasty each year were exceptionally strict.
Of course, if it were the other way around, the situation would be much simpler.
After all, a scholar abandoning their brush to take up arms was considered a virtuous tale!
Thus, even when Zhong Shidao offended Cai Jing back then, he was still able to directly transfer from a civil official to a military general without being obstructed by Cai Jing.
Naturally, every system has its exceptions.
As it had developed to the Huizong era, even this transfer system, known for its strictness, had long since collapsed.
This was a golden opportunity to make a fortune, how could Prime Minister Cai let it pass?
As it had developed, it had essentially become a matter of explicit pricing.
The higher the rank after the transfer, the higher the fee.
Refuse to pay?
If payment was refused, one could only be tormented to death by the endless stream of obscure and strange questions during the numerous examinations.
But with payment, the situation became much simpler.
Take Zhong Shidao's case, who was about to retire and wanted to regain his civil official status to provide patronage for his descendants in the future. As long as the money was in place, no examination was needed.
After all, it was said that a person's mouth could move two ways, and they could twist words to make their point.
Regardless, this system of civil-military opposition was originally created by the emperor.
If someone wanted to sow discord among the emperor's ranks, and the emperor refused to give face, even the emperor could do nothing.
"That's all?"
Bai Shizhong looked at Yuan Xingchi with disbelief.
"Although the matter is not significant, Old Commander Zhong's birthday is approaching, and I wish to..."
Yuan Xingchi blurted out a casual excuse.
"Birthday? How long until then?"
Bai Shizhong was going mad. How was he supposed to know when the man's birthday was? Couldn't this brat just finish his sentence?
"Another month!"
Damn it!
Bai Shizhong felt like cursing. Did he think this was a children's game?
The entire process, under normal circumstances, would take at least a year!
Even during the reign of Emperor Renzong, when Han Qi transferred back from a military position to a civil one, it took nearly three months.
One month, how was that possible?
"Sir, you are also an intelligent person. If it is only a month, then there is no need to discuss this further. Just getting through the Ministry of Personnel alone would take at least half a month! Not to mention the Privy Council and the Council of State. Even if you settled everything, it would still take at least two months!"
Bai Shizhong said without thinking.
"In that case, then it shall be as you say, my lord! I will have the expenses for the arrangements delivered to you tomorrow!"
As soon as Yuan Xingchi finished speaking, Bai Shizhong realized.
Damn it!
He had been led into a trap by this kid!
These two months were the result of his personal intervention, but by agreeing, wouldn't he have to incur many favors?
Now he understood. After all this talk, this kid had been waiting for him here!
However, with the conversation having reached this point, it seemed he had no choice but to agree...
"My lord, are you alright?"
Seeing Bai Shizhong trembling, Yuan Xingchi asked with concern.
"This official is fine!"
After taking a few deep breaths, Bai Shizhong finally regained his composure.
"This official agrees to this matter, but who exactly has that thing in their possession?"
Regardless, if he could truly get rid of this long-standing nightmare, even if it cost him some favors, Bai Shizhong was willing to accept it now.
"My lord, please look!"
As Yuan Xingchi spoke, he dipped a finger into the leftover tea in his cup and wrote the character "Wang" on the table.
"It really is him!"
Who else could it be besides Wang Fu who would dare to scheme against him with this?
"My lord, he probably doesn't know that Your Excellency already knows about this. How to proceed from here depends on your methods!"
Yuan Xingchi smiled and cupped his hands in greeting towards Bai Shizhong.
"Send the necessary documents over tomorrow morning. Once this matter is settled, we will be even."
Having learned what he wanted to know, Bai Shizhong had no intention of wasting more time haggling with Yuan Xingchi and directly issued the order to leave.
"My lord, please rest assured, I understand. I have a few scrolls of Tang paintings at home. I will have someone deliver them to your manor tomorrow morning for your appraisal!"
"Tang paintings?"
Hearing these two words, Bai Shizhong's heart indeed fluttered.
"That's right, but the origin of these paintings is unclear, and I'm not sure if they are genuine or not. I would be troubled if you could do me this small favor!"
Yuan Xingchi spoke with a faint smile on his face.
"Since you've said so, this official will reluctantly help you this time. However, after I've looked at them, you must send someone to take them back. Otherwise, people who don't know might think this official has pocketed your paintings!"
Bai Shizhong gave a dry cough and his gaze towards Yuan Xingchi softened again.
"My lord, please rest assured, everyone in Bianliang City knows that you, my lord, are as pure as water and as clear as a mirror!"
After cupping his hands in greeting to Bai Shizhong once more, Yuan Xingchi then turned and walked out of the Bai residence...