I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 155 Successful Trial Voyage

Chapter 155 Successful Trial Voyage

John Campbell did not answer immediately, but thought carefully before saying, "Sir, if possible, I would certainly like to Christianize all the Indians in the western interior, but that is not realistic!"

He shook his head and said, "In the last war, most Indians sided with the French. Only the Iroquois Confederation chose our side in the later stages of the war. The subsequent Pontiac War revealed the true attitude of the inland Indian tribes towards the British!"

The Native Americans only welcomed the French, who didn't compete for their land and were willing to give them gifts, but disliked the large influx of British immigrants into the west!

Chen Wenbin nodded. He knew that Britain's ban on immigration to the east after the war was actually in order to learn from the French and alleviate this conflict, so as to avoid getting bogged down in a long war with the Native Americans.

He then asked, "What do you think of the 1763 land proclamation?"

Do you think banning immigration from the east to the west would ease our relations with Native Americans?

John Campbell paused for a few seconds, then looked at Chen Wenbin and slowly shook his head, saying, "—This can ease tensions in the short term, but in the long run, conflict between us and the Native Americans is unavoidable!"

Because immigrants from the east crave land, there may be 20,000 to 30,000 illegal border crossers this year alone, and London cannot maintain the ban indefinitely—we have no choice but to seize the Native American land by force!

Chen Wenbin and Governor Hopkins exchanged glances, then Chen stood up, smiled, and extended his right hand to him, saying, "You are very honest, John. I like honest people, and I think our cooperation will be very pleasant!"

"—It is my honor, Sir!"

John Campbell quickly stood up and shook hands with Governor Chen, finally feeling relieved.

Although he had the King's letter of appointment, if Governor Chen did not welcome him, he would most likely have to continue to sit on the sidelines in Quebec. After all, Governor Chen was a prominent figure in London and a baron of Britain, while he was just an ordinary colonial official.

After he left, Chen Wenbin did not attend the PUIC shareholders' meeting, but instead kept Governor Hopkins behind and personally poured him a cup of coffee.

"Dear Stephen, I need your help with something!"

"————What is it?"

The governor didn't take the coffee and said directly, "If you want me to help you contact William Johnson, I can help write a letter, but I can't guarantee it will be effective. I'm not familiar with New Yorkers."

"That's not it!"

Chen Wenbin shook his head and said seriously, "I will be taking the immigrants to the West next spring and will not be returning to Rhode Island in the short term. Pastor Jason will also be going with me."

So I'd like to ask you to serve as a director of Robin Company and the chairman of the New England Development Foundation, to help oversee the operations of my factories and foundation in the East—these two jobs combined will cost £750 a year, how does that sound?"

£750!

This was a considerable sum of money for Governor Hopkins, and both jobs clearly didn't require much effort.

"—Is that all?"

He looked at Chen Wenbin, and after receiving an affirmative answer, he roughly understood the other party's thoughts. He nodded and smiled, "Okay, I will take good care of Robin City and those factories for you."

"Then it's a pleasure to cooperate." Chen Wenbin raised his coffee cup and smiled.

"Haha! It's a pleasure doing business with you!"

Governor Hopkins also picked up his coffee cup and clinked it with his; the two exchanged a knowing smile, everything understood without a word.

Having finalized the deal, they got up and returned to the main conference room.

After learning that everyone was willing to exchange some or all of their shares, Chen Wenbin went on stage and expressed his gratitude to everyone. He then announced that everyone would be given three days of free recuperation at the sanatorium's club, which drew cheers from the young people present.

The afternoon was spent soaking in the warm bath, enjoying a buffet, and connecting with friends. Chen Wenbin specially invited John Campbell to soak in the bath with him.

The latter was a typical British Protestant who was somewhat averse to this kind of Roman-style enjoyment, but faced with his superior's enthusiasm, he couldn't refuse and could only agree.

However, after the initial nervousness, he quickly adapted. He not only accepted the bath and scrubbing, but also experienced the foot massage service with Chen Wenbin. The two quickly became closer, and Chen Wenbin learned a lot about the situation in the northern and western interior of North America from him.

For example, the tendencies of several tribal alliances in the Great Lakes, details of the Northwest fur trade, the locations and strength of British troops, and even the distribution of some mineral resources.

He wasn't sure if the information was true or false, but it served as a reference.

April 12st morning.

Thousands of people gathered outside the dock at Robin Shipyard to witness the ceremony.

Today marks the completion of the sea trials for the fast armed merchant ship Clipper, officially joining Providence Shipping Company.

Because news of Governor Robin Chen's attendance at the ceremony had spread in advance, all the senior executives of Robin Company's subsidiaries rushed to attend, which in turn attracted even more citizens from Robin City and Providence to come and watch the ceremony.

It is no exaggeration to say that Dr. Robin Chen has now become the representative and pride of Providence and even the entire Rhode Island colony!

When people in North America mention Rhode Island or Providence, the first thing that comes to mind is that it produced a royal governor, a legendary healer, and the richest man in North America.

In addition, the widely circulated news that Dr. Robin Chen was going to donate most of his estate further enhanced his reputation.

Therefore, when Chen Wenbin arrived at the shipyard on horseback with a troop of guards, he was greeted by a crowd that automatically parted to make way for him, bowing and removing their hats in respect.

Facing these "hometown folks" who loved him, he readily took off his tricorn hat and waved it at the crowd on both sides, responding to their enthusiasm and eliciting cheers.

At that moment, on a distant hilltop, three wealthy young men happened to be watching this scene through binoculars. The shorter one on the left exclaimed enviously, "My God! That gentleman really looks like a king!"

"No! He is a king!"

The tall, thin young man on the right scoffed, "In his town, people believe he is a prophet sent by God to save them."

Because he gave his workers 10-hour workdays, generous wages, and pension and medical insurance—this is actually fostering laziness in the poor!

The brown-haired young man in his early twenties, standing between the two, smiled at the tall, thin man and said, "Ricardo, I bet it's because Robin's iron tools are stealing your business that you're saying this?"

"Of course not!"

The tall, thin man argued, "Timothy, you must have read 'The Republic' at Harvard. Don't you know that this is how tyrants seize power by pandering to the people?"

This Dr. Robin Chen is clearly not a true saint, otherwise why doesn't he donate most of his wealth now?

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