I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 142 Liars and Traitors

Chapter 142 Liars and Traitors

With Governor Chen acting as the salesman, Governor Thomas Hutchinson and Colonel John Quincy were very accommodating.

They all indicated they could help promote the Southern Development Corporation's immigration policies in towns and cities in Boston and Massachusetts, and were also willing to spend 30 pounds to purchase 120 acres of western land.

In addition, some of their relatives and friends also want to participate in the development of the west.

Governor Chen understood that they wanted someone to hold the land on their behalf, and readily agreed to give each of them twenty immigration places, and also gave them a 20% discount on the land price—meaning that in the time it took to have afternoon tea, Governor Chen made another thousand pounds!

That's why the ancients always talked about getting promoted and making a fortune; it's just so awesome!

Before he was nobody, he had to personally go on stage to give speeches and sell his new spinning machines, talking until his throat was dry before he could get orders for a few thousand pounds. Now, he only needs to have tea with governors and colonels to get a thousand pounds. It seems that in the future, you still have to make money from the rich. There's really not much to squeeze out of the poor.

After finishing their business, the three chatted while eating snacks.

Chen Wenbin knew that his top henchman John Adams' fiancée, Abigail Smith, was Colonel Quincy's granddaughter, so he helped him find out more.

"—Their wedding date will certainly not change!"

The old colonel made the final decision: "An engagement is a sacred promise! Besides, John is an exceptionally talented young man, and he's also Robin's assistant. I have high hopes for him!"

Is this something you can just approve of and do?

Chen Wenbin thought to himself that if Abigail really fell in love with someone else, breaking off the engagement would be a good thing for both of them.

Governor Hutchinson, perhaps sensing Chen Wenbin's thoughts, smiled and said, "Robin, I think you'd better not interfere in this matter. After all, it's a marriage alliance between their two families—let's talk about Robin Castle, which you mentioned earlier!"

Are you really going to build your own city in Pittburgh?

That was a very chaotic frontline region. Colonel Henry Boquet had just ended the Pontiac War two months ago. It was surrounded not only by Iroquois and Shawnees, but also by many criminal adventure groups and illegal immigrants.

And right now Pennsylvania and Virginia are arguing over who owns it, and both sides have sent militias there—you might as well stay in Philadelphia and work there!

"It's not too late to take office once things have stabilized."

Chen Wenbin shook his head and said, "No, Thomas, I am the governor of the western territories. I must work within my own territory. Although Pittburgh is chaotic, I am not alone. There are British troops stationed there, and I also have my own mercenaries and armed immigrants, which is enough to maintain local order!"

The Fort Pitt they were referring to was actually Pittsburgh, which was the first and most crucial step in Chen Wenbin's conquest of the West.

Pittsburgh has vast underground reserves of high-quality anthracite and bituminous coal, and can also transport high-grade iron ore directly from Lake Superior by waterway, making it an extremely suitable place for developing the steel industry!

Later, Andrew Carnegie, the American steel magnate, relied on Pittsburgh's resources and location advantages to produce half of the steel in the United States!

It is no exaggeration to say that Pittsburgh was the industrial capital of America during the Gilded Age!

Chen Wenbin had to keep this crucial location firmly under his control. As long as he could produce steel continuously in Pittsburgh, there would be no shortage of raw materials for various guns, steam engines, and railways. His army and influence could also extend from Pittsburgh to the east and west.

As for steelmaking technology, it was simply a matter of learning from Andrew Carnegie's use of the Bethesmayer converter process. After all, the iron ore in Lake Superior was high-quality, low-phosphorus iron ore with a grade of up to 60%, so qualified rails and steel cannons could be mass-produced without the need for alkaline furnace linings.

In addition, high-quality coal is the foundation of the coal chemical industry. He still vividly remembers the discovery process of aniline purple and sulfonamides, and both dyes and drugs can provide him with a steady stream of cash.

The next morning, after having breakfast at the Thompson Hotel, the group waited in the lobby for Coleman's hired carriage to return, as they were heading back to Providence from Boston along the highway.

But before the carriage arrived, a group of uninvited guests appeared. Eight well-dressed gentlemen barged into the hotel lobby. The leader was John Hancock, whom Chen Wenbin had not seen for over a year. Chen Wenbin also recognized four of the men beside him, all of whom were former shareholders of PUIC.

They are John Lowe, a large landowner at the Boston docks; William Molyneux, who deals in rum and imports and exports; Henry Lloyd Jr., son of Aaron Lopez's friend; and George of the Boyleston family.

Seeing their hostile expressions, Shelby and his twelve armed guards immediately stood up. John Adams rushed forward, blocking John Hancock's path, and shouted, "Hey! Calm down! John, are you here to see the Governor?"

John Adams and John Hancock were both Bostonians and even childhood friends, so the latter's expression softened slightly as he coldly said, "Adams, this is none of your business! I'm here to see that liar, Robin Chen!"

fraud?

Chen Wenbin was taken aback, and then realized that this guy was talking about him—no one dared to talk to him like that anymore. As expected of North America's top rich second-generation, he really spoke with confidence!

He wasn't angry; he simply waved for Shelby and the others to sit down, then looked directly into John Hancock's eyes and said calmly, "Mr. Hancock, what's your reasoning for calling me a liar?"

Before Hancock could speak, William Molyneux, to his right, stepped forward, glared at Chen Wenbin, and shouted, "You Oriental swindler, you betrayed our interests, using the Londoners and the King to secure the governorship for yourself—you are a traitor to North America!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in Thompson's lobby turned their attention to Chen Wenbin—the traitor from North America!

This is a very serious accusation!

Governor Chen's expression also turned serious. He slowly stood up, gestured for the guards to make way, walked up to William Molyneux, and stared down at his freckled, ugly face. His tall figure was incredibly imposing.

Molineux instinctively avoided his gaze and shouted, "—What do you want? I'm not afraid of you!"

Governor Chen chuckled, then slowly shook his head and said, "I really shouldn't have let someone like you become a shareholder of PUIC!"

Your existence tarnishes this great company!

Molineux was taken aback, then his face flushed red as he said, "—What do you mean? Are you insulting me? I challenge you to a duel!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Wenbin agreed without hesitation: "Alright! I accept your duel request!"

But before the duel, I must respond to your previous accusations.

How did I betray your interests?

Should I negotiate better terms for the sale of shares to our shareholders, or should I promise to buy your shares at a 10% premium?

Ok?

Mr. Molyneux, who wants to duel with me, haven't you received my letter?

If all of this can make me a traitor to North America, then what are you doing now?

"To be a greedy clown?"

"Damn it—"

Molineux was enraged and wanted to retort. He wasn't usually this easily angered, but the person humiliating him was Chen Wenbin, a man whose wealth was more than ten times his own, and there were many other people with even greater net worth watching him.

"Alright, William, be quiet!"

John Hancock finally spoke. Ignoring the venomous look in Molyneux's eyes, he looked at Chen Wenbin and said calmly, "Mr. Robin Chen, we need an explanation."

You told us that investing in your company would yield at least several times the return, but you didn't deliver on that promise!

London is pressuring us to sell our shares to local businessmen—can you say this has nothing to do with you?