Chapter 215 The past fate

　　Gu Xiran's work efficiency was very high. When he was preparing to get married with Shu Huan yesterday, he had already written several pages of disaster relief arrangements and precautions about when to do what and how to deal with particular situations. Even the doc.u.ments that needed to be reported every other day, he had already planned in detail for the prefectural magistrate. This way the prefectural magistrate would have the confidence, even if the officer to relief the disaster which the imperial court had sent over, asked about the disaster relief, the prefectural magistrate would be able to answer without revealing any recklessness.

　　Because of this, the prefectural magistrate was willing to let Gu Xiran leave. Even when they (GXR& SH) got on the carriage, he personally brought a small box of gold leaves, saying that they should use it during the journey. He also told them to return to Jingtian City as soon as possible and that he still needed personnel.

　　Personnel! He could say so, but there was actually a large population in Jingtian City. If the prefectural magistrate needed to employ people, Gu Xiran wasn’t the only one. It was just that there were very few people like him who was quick-witted, detailed and often had a different way of handling things. He never stuck to old-fas.h.i.+oned ways or pretend to be inscrutable. He could already get to the point with one simple sentence, making people come to an understanding in a flas.h.!.+

　　In fact, the above reasons alone could let the prefectural magistrate regard Gu Xiran highly but it wasn’t enough to make the prefectural magistrate preside over the wedding, personally gifted them money and sent them (GXR&SH) off. It was such generous treatment. In this world, Gu Xiran wasn’t the only smart and talented person. Even if not as good as him, three bad cobblers might be worth a Zhuge Liang.

• Zhuge Liang (181-234): he was someone of great wisdom and resourcefulness. He served as the chancellor and regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.

　　However, smart and talented people often acted in undue confidence of one's own ability and looked down upon others. They considered everyone else beneath them. Also, when one used bad cobblers too much, with so many people, secrets couldn’t be kept. Therefore, the prefectural magistrate treated Gu Xiran generous. What he (magistrate) liked about him (GXR) the most was that he was tight-lipped and didn’t seek fame. He (GXR) often came up with ideas for the prefectural magistrate but to the outside world, he said that he (GXR) was just obeying orders. He gave that prestigious reputation of having a smart brain and good at planning strategies all to the prefectural magistrate.

• To consider everyone else beneath one: so arrogant that no-one else matters.

　　Shu Huan had also asked him curiously about this, "Is it really that you don’t want to seek fame or is it just a disguise to flatter the prefectural magistrate?"

　　When Gu Xiran answered this question, he stroked his nose several times and finally smiled bitterly and said, "Both! The shot hits the bird that pokes its head out. I'm not like those old advisors from the prefecture office. They all have a network of people with great background in Jingtian City. If I, who had come out of nowhere, steal their limelight and their incompetence comes out in comparison, even if they don’t plot against me, as soon as I put on airs and do a few poor jobs, I will be in serious trouble. Moreover, what's the use of fame? You can't even eat or wear it. Naturally, it's best to say that what needed to be done comes from the prefectural magistrate's orders. As a result, they dare not fail to do their utmost best."