"Haha, try? How do you want me to try?"
Cai Tao burst into laughter.
"Actually, this matter is very simple. Scholar, you don't need to pay anything. I know about the spice trade between the Cai and Pu families. Settlements are made twice a year, in June and at the end of October!"
"What do you mean by that?"
Hearing Yuan Xingchi's words, Cai Tao was stunned. Such information was only known to the high-ranking members of the Cai and Pu families; outsiders had no way of knowing it.
The reason for choosing these two months was that the Cai family invested this money into the Qingmiao loan program in various regions every year.
Using other people's money to generate profit for themselves!
Although the Pu family knew what the Cai family meant and their clandestine dealings, they could only endure it due to Cai Jing's influence.
However, fortunately, the Cai family was quite reliable in this matter.
Essentially, they never delayed payments to the Pu family when the due date arrived, which is why the two families had cooperated peacefully for so many years.
In this matter, all the people involved were essentially servants dispatched by the Cai family. They also received a share of the profits, so they naturally kept quiet.
Even Cai Tao himself hadn't expected that such a secret matter would be revealed by Yuan Xingchi today!
"Scholar, rest assured. As I said before, I am merely a broker. I am not interested in other matters! Furthermore, I am not a gossip. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here right now; I would be at Prime Minister Wang's or Prince Yun's residence!"
Seeing the murderous intent flashing in Cai Tao's eyes, Yuan Xingchi smiled nonchalantly.
"Scholar, you are indeed extraordinary. I am starting to believe you truly have talent!"
After staring at Yuan Xingchi for a long time, Cai Tao finally exhaled a long breath.
"Scholar, you flatter me!"
Yuan Xingchi smiled and cupped his hands towards Cai Tao again.
"Let's return to our previous topic. What do you need my father to do?"
Merely for Yuan Xingchi's ability to uncover this matter, Cai Tao had to admit that Yuan Xingchi was somewhat formidable.
"Such a small matter, how dare I trouble Prime Minister? You only need to write a letter home and withhold the settlement payment for the Cai and Pu families' spices for three months. I guarantee that within three months, Prime Minister will be able to ascend to the premiership for the fourth time!"
"It's that simple?"
Hearing Yuan Xingchi's words, Cai Tao's eyes were filled with disbelief.
"It's that simple! As long as the Cai family stands by and watches, my influential patrons behind me will have the means to have Prime Minister regain his position within three months!"
"What if you cannot do it? Then wouldn't the trust between the Cai and Pu families over so many years be completely destroyed?"
Although Yuan Xingchi's terms were indeed tempting, Cai Tao ultimately resisted the temptation.
After all, times were different. While the Cai family was far from lacking money, even mountains of gold and silver were accumulated one coin at a time. Even though the Cai family was now immensely wealthy, each and every member of the family, young and old, was not someone to be trifled with.
For the current Cai family, this spice trade was one of their most significant sources of revenue.
Once this income was completely cut off, they would truly be living off their inherited wealth.
"Scholar, you jest. Are these things important compared to the premiership?"
Yuan Xingchi smiled and said casually.
"You mean, I should discard an annual revenue of tens of millions of guan based on your word alone?"
Cai Tao sneered and looked at Yuan Xingchi again without revealing his thoughts.
"That, Scholar, depends on your own decision. If you are not interested, I believe many others would be interested in this position! At the very least, Prime Minister Wang must be eager right now!"
Hearing Yuan Xingchi's words, Cai Tao's face turned ashen.
"Are you threatening me?"
Slamming the table heavily, Cai Tao stood up directly.
"Do you truly believe that you, a mere broker, can threaten my Cai family by spouting nonsense here? Even if my father has left office, my Cai family is not to be trifled with!"
As Cai Tao spoke, his stern expression caused the temperature in the study to drop several degrees.
"Scholar Cai, please refrain from such empty threats. You are an intelligent and respectable person. I believe we should not make things too unpleasant between us!"
Despite Cai Tao's intimidating demeanor, Yuan Xingchi remained nonchalant.
"Hahaha, empty threats? Do you believe I can have you beaten to death right here with a single word?"
Even Cai Tao was surprised that Yuan Xingchi could still smile after reaching this point.
"Then do you believe that if I don't leave here tonight, someone will submit a memorial tomorrow morning to thoroughly investigate why only one golden dragon out of the twelve pure gold divine beasts presented as tribute by Champa entered the imperial palace? Where did the remaining eleven divine beasts go?"
Looking at Cai Tao's stern expression, Yuan Xingchi lightly placed down his teacup and said slowly.
"You, you..."
Indeed, as soon as these words left his mouth, Cai Tao's expression changed drastically, and his voice began to tremble.
They had carried out this matter with extreme secrecy. Besides the brothers, all the other people involved were already dead.
They had thought the deed was done flawlessly, but now, Yuan Xingchi had exposed it. The shock in his heart at this moment was beyond words.
"Scholar, rest assured, I bear no ill will towards the Cai family. If I had other intentions, the constables from the Ministry of Justice would have been here by now!"
Yuan Xingchi was quite pleased with the expression on Cai Tao's face.
"I have said what I needed to say. Scholar, you have three days to consider. If you find it truly difficult, then consider me as if I never came today! If Prime Minister does not want this heaven-sent opportunity, then I can only offer it to Prime Minister Wang!"
After speaking, Yuan Xingchi, without any lingering, drained the remaining tea in his cup and turned to leave.
"Wait!"