"The dispatch arrived today!"
"In that case, we should go and pay a visit to this Vice Minister Bai! Let's have our Vice Minister Bai quickly use his special privileges while he's still in that position!"
Compared to Wang Chao'an's fate, Yuan Xingchi was more concerned at this moment about how to quickly convert Zhong Shidao's military status into that of a civil official.
As the de facto controller of the Ministry of Personnel, Bai Shizhong's position was truly crucial.
Of course, no matter how important his position as Vice Minister of Personnel was, the final step still had to be taken with the Prime Minister.
To complete the last step, they would have to see if they could place their bets correctly this time.
"Do we need to bring all of these?"
The coachman spoke while pointing to the more than a dozen scrolls laid out on the table.
"Take that 'Court Ladies Adorned in Hairpins.' The rest aren't needed for now! It would be a real shame to give all these to Vice Minister Bai..."
Yuan Xingchi spoke after stroking his chin.
"Keep that 'The Heavenly King Sends His Offspring.' That's a truly good item. My lord and his lady were just recently married, so keeping this for my lord would be a good omen!"
Although Yuan Xingchi was well-traveled, this was the first time he had spent ten thousand taels of gold in an instant.
Just as Wang Chao'an was being beaten to within an inch of his life and howling in pain, Mr. Yuan, dressed in blue, arrived at Vice Minister Bai's residence by carriage again.
"Is Vice Minister Bai at home?"
As the coachman spoke, he casually took out a gold leaf from his sleeve and placed it in the doorkeeper's hand.
Money makes the world go round, this has always been true.
Feeling the weight of the gold leaf in his hand, the Bai family's doorkeeper's mouth stretched all the way to the back of his head.
"Today is a rest day. Master is at home. May I know if you have an appointment card, sir?"
"I don't have an appointment card, but my master has come specifically to visit Vice Minister Bai today. Could you please oblige me? This is a gift from my master to your lord. Please deliver this gift. After this is done, I will offer you further thanks!"
As the coachman spoke, he quickly untied the long cloth bag he was carrying on his back.
"This is no problem at all. Please wait a moment, sir!"
That gold leaf weighed nearly two taels. Converted to copper coins, according to the current gold-to-copper ratio, it was almost equivalent to twenty strings of copper coins. Coupled with the promise of further thanks, the doorkeeper spoke very politely.
"Pah! What kind of nonsense!"
Only after the doorkeeper walked away did the coachman cannot help but spit.
"Alright, the world is becoming corrupt, and such things are unavoidable. Why are you so persistent?"
Compared to his cynicism, Yuan Xingchi was clearly more accustomed to it.
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"My lord, someone has brought you a package and said it must be delivered to you personally."
"Didn't I tell you? I'm not seeing guests today!"
Bai Shizhong spoke as he stretched.
Last night, the newly acquired concubine in the mansion had been too boisterous, and he still felt a faint ache in his lower back.
As a result, Lord Bai's temper was exceptionally bad after getting up.
"Then shall I have someone return this to him?"
The doorkeeper asked with an embarrassed expression.
"Forget it. Since it's already here, let's open it and see what it is!"
Hearing the doorkeeper's words, Bai Shizhong's eyes fell on the package again. Judging by its slender shape, it was likely something like calligraphy or paintings.
After all, this was his own home, and the item was already in front of him. Even if he didn't accept it, he could still keep it to appreciate, which was a good choice.
Among all the scholars in the world, once they became high officials, they all had a fondness for calligraphy and paintings.
After all, compared to the vulgar items of gold and silver, these calligraphies and paintings were not only more valuable but also clearly distinguished themselves from merchants who were tainted with the smell of money.
After all, not everyone had the same enthusiasm as Wang Fu, who even made his own house resplendent with gold and jade.
"Yes!"
Hearing Bai Shizhong's words, the doorkeeper quickly placed the package on the desk in front of him.
After carefully opening the package, it indeed contained a scroll.
The moment Bai Shizhong opened the scroll and took a look, his eyes were immediately captivated.
"This, this is... 'Court Ladies Adorned in Hairpins'!"
Where there is preference from above, there will be imitation from below.
With Emperor Huizong of Song, a scholar-emperor, as an example, the ministers below naturally had great research into calligraphy and paintings.
Bai Shizhong, however, favored Tang dynasty paintings.
And this 'Court Ladies Adorned in Hairpins' perfectly hit his sweet spot!
He had also sent people to search for this item before. However, after centuries, the item had changed hands several times and had long since disappeared from the public. In the end, he could only give up.
But he never expected that just as he was about to give up, the item would actually come to him?
"Where is the person who delivered this?"
After carefully examining the brushwork, the mounting craftsmanship, and the signature and seal on the side of the painting, Bai Shizhong finally remembered the person who delivered it.
"The person is waiting outside the door. Do you want to see him, my lord?"
Seeing Bai Shizhong so excited, the doorkeeper quickly asked.
"Please invite him here!"
Bai Shizhong spoke as he picked up the 'Court Ladies Adorned in Hairpins' again.
"Yes!"
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"Sir, what if this old geezer takes your painting and refuses to even see you?"
Outside the Bai mansion, the coachman chatted quietly with Yuan Xingchi.
"Don't worry, our Lord Bai also values appearances. He wouldn't do something like that!"
Although the waiting time was indeed a bit long, Yuan Xingchi was still full of confidence.
When giving gifts, it's important to cater to their preferences. Before coming here, they had already inquired about this fellow's likes and dislikes, so he didn't believe this fellow could resist the temptation of 'Court Ladies Adorned in Hairpins.'
As for taking the item without seeing the person, there was even less to worry about.
People are always greedy. Seeing one will make them want the next. Even someone as high-ranking as Bai Shizhong would not be an exception.
After all, legendary paintings are rare opportunities, and often, it depends not only on your financial resources but also on your luck.
"This sir, my master requests your presence!"