Hearing Chen Nan ask this.
The middle-aged man grinned, "I, Zhao Wu, like talking to smart people like you, young master. You're right, internal slots are indeed not cheap."
"Twenty taels of silver, but it can let you publish your book half a year in advance."
"If your work is captivating, you can easily earn it back."
Chen Nan: "That's fifteen taels of silver more than the normal procedure!"
Fifteen taels of silver seemed not much.
But it was the expenditure for an ordinary family for a year.
Moreover.
He didn't want to spend so much money.
Although Song Ziwei hadn't said how much money she had, he knew it was at most twenty-odd taels.
If he spent twenty taels of silver to buy a publishing slot, what would he do if he encountered other expenses?
Zhao Wu said, "Anyway, this is the market price. If you think it's too expensive, then wait until next year!"
"However, next year's slots also require queuing, according to the order of arrival."
"If that's the case, it might not be your turn yet."
Chen Nan frowned.
This was a form of veiled threat.
As expected.
The proverb from the mortal world was right: it's easy to deal with the king, but hard to deal with the minor officials.
He just wanted to publish his book and earn money.
But he didn't expect to be blocked by a clerk.
"Young man, let me be blunt," Zhao Wu lost his patience. "Although publishing only requires paying five taels of silver to apply for an ISSN, in this market, you can't get one at the official price."
"To get an ISSN, you'll need at least twenty taels of silver."
Chen Nan: "You people are disrupting the normal market prices, isn't this self-enrichment?"
Zhao Wu sneered, "Even if we do this, what can you do to us?"
"Can't even come up with twenty taels of silver, yet you want to publish a book?"
"A pauper with ambitions as high as the heavens, scram, scram, scram, get out!"
Chen Nan sighed, "How about this, let's not do twenty taels of silver. We each take a step back, ten taels of silver and you give me an ISSN, alright?"
Although it was five taels of silver more.
But if this matter could be resolved.
It wasn't impossible.
It was better than going directly to the City Lord's mansion to find Yuan Zun, or Uncle Tian.
Although Uncle Tian had said when he left yesterday that he could find him for anything.
But he always felt that looking for Uncle Tian for such a small matter was like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.
Zhao Wu smiled playfully, "What if I don't take a step back?"
Chen Nan also smiled, "To be honest, I have connections."
*Slap!*
Zhao Wu slammed the table and glared at Chen Nan, "What do you mean? Are you threatening me? If you have connections, why would you come here to apply for an ISSN?"
"Besides, even if you have connections, so what?"
"Do you think we dare to disrupt the market?"
"Do you think the extra fifteen taels of silver all went into my pocket?"
"Scram, scram, scram!"
"If you don't leave now, I'll have people throw you out."
Chen Nan said, "I know the City Lord."
Zhao Wu was amused and burst into laughter, "Idiot, do we have a City Lord in Tongcheng?"
"Alright, let's leave it at that for now," Chen Nan said, "I've said all I needed to say. Don't blame me for not warning you when disaster strikes." He then turned to leave.
He originally didn't intend to use his relationship with Yuan Zun.
But now it seemed.
He had no choice.
If he couldn't get an ISSN, he wouldn't be able to publish.
However.
He had to use his connections with the least cost.
Casually showing up, even if it was to find Uncle Tian.
Would make him seem incompetent.
He needed to subtly make them understand his meaning.
And then have them proactively resolve this matter for him.
As he was strolling on the street.
He suddenly saw a carriage from the City Lord's mansion parked outside a restaurant.
Then Uncle Tian walked out, escorted inside by someone.
Chen Nan's eyes lit up.
He immediately followed.
However.
An important figure like Uncle Tian wouldn't dine on the first floor, but would go to a private room upstairs.
He wasn't in a hurry and casually sat at a seat by the entrance.
He ordered two small dishes.
A pot of wine.
After drinking for almost an hour.
Uncle Tian walked out, his face flushed, escorted by several middle-aged men.
As luck would have it.
He saw Chen Nan sitting by the entrance, drinking alone.
He then said to the people behind him, "Gentlemen, you may leave first."
Those middle-aged men who looked like wealthy merchants didn't say much, exchanged a few pleasantries, and got up to leave.
Uncle Tian, however, cheerfully sat down next to Chen Nan, "Why is Young Master Chen drinking alone here? Looking at your complexion, it seems you've encountered something unpleasant!"
"Oh, Uncle Tian is also dining at this restaurant!" Chen Nan greeted him with a smile and said, "Could it be that Uncle Tian understands physiognomy?"
Uncle Tian also smiled, "In front of Young Master Chen, who would dare to claim mastery of physiognomy?"
Changing the subject, Uncle Tian asked cautiously, "Since I haven't quite finished my meal, how about we go upstairs to chat?"
"Okay," Chen Nan agreed immediately.
From Uncle Tian's words, he could sense that Uncle Tian probably knew he had examined Yuan Zun's face.
His invitation to chat upstairs now was likely because he had something to ask of him.
For him, this was an opportunity.
As long as you ask first, then I can state my business.
This way, neither of us would be indebted to the other.
Uncle Tian had someone prepare a private room, and ordered several signature dishes from the restaurant, as well as a jar of fine wine.
After drinking a few cups.
Uncle Tian got straight to the point, "Young Master Chen is a smart person, so I won't beat around the bush. I've heard that Young Master Chen has great attainments in physiognomy, and I would like you to help me look at my future."
Uncle Tian was the steward of the previous City Lord.
Although the previous City Lord died suddenly.
But one emperor, one court.
Yuan Zun would definitely cultivate his own forces after taking office.
However.
Regarding this matter.
Yuan Zun said nothing, and still entrusted him with important tasks.
This made him feel very insecure, and he couldn't understand what Yuan Zun was thinking at all.
Therefore, he wanted Chen Nan to give him some guidance.
Chen Nan said, "There is a haze over Uncle Tian's fate, but it does not originate from you."
"This haze comes from the Tongcheng Yamen."
"Do you understand what I mean by this?"
Chen Nan disliked this kind of indirect way of speaking.
But as a fortune teller!
He couldn't be too blunt, he needed the other person to figure it out themselves!
Only then would he appear unfathomable!
"As long as this haze is cleared, Uncle Tian will surely prosper." Chen Nan said, picked up his wine glass and took a sip, and then added, "Uncle Tian, it's best to cut ties with Liu the Widow in the East City as soon as possible!"
As soon as these words were spoken.
Uncle Tian's heart trembled violently.
If he had doubted Chen Nan's words before.
Then the matter of Liu the Widow in the East City was a precise strike at his weakness.
Because only he knew about this matter.
Chen Nan's ability to mention this clearly showed he was a true master.
"I will keep Young Master Chen's words in mind," Uncle Tian said earnestly, and then asked, "I saw you drinking alone just now, may I ask if you've encountered any trouble?"
"I wonder if I can be of service to you?"
Chen Nan almost burst out laughing.
I've been waiting for you to say that!