I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 163 Letter to Washington

Chapter 163 Letter to Washington

It seems this kid is still not mature enough!

After listening to Andrew's words, Chen Wenbin couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

You can ask me about this privately; there's absolutely no need to ask it publicly—this kind of self-exposing behavior is probably something only a young person like Andrew would do.

Instead of giving a direct answer, he glanced at the others in the audience and asked, "—What do you think is the best course of action? Just say it directly, no need to raise your hand or stand up."

"I think those three female workers who stole should have been fired from the start!"

Stephen Glock, manager of Robin Construction, immediately shouted, "Theft is a crime, and it is an act that can never be easily forgiven!"

If any of my construction workers dare to steal from the construction site, I will not only make them pay ten times the amount in compensation, but their construction foreman will also be fired!

Rules are rules. If the rules on the construction site aren't strictly enforced, they might dare to steal bricks and nails today, and tomorrow they might dare to cut corners on construction—the quality of the houses is the lifeblood of Robin Construction!

"That's right!"

James Merlin, the steel mill manager, nodded in agreement: "Theft is theft, and we can't let it go just because it's of low value!"

If thieves are not punished, they are encouraging others to follow suit.

"right!"

"We must not encourage greed!"

"Andrew is too kind—"

Almost everyone agreed that the thief should be punished. Chen Wenbin glanced around and noticed George Craig, a lawyer from the legal department, sitting on the edge of the north window, seemingly hesitant to speak. He pointed at him and asked, "George, do you have anything to add?"

George Craig was filling in for his boss, David Jones, at class today. He hadn't expected the big boss to call his name, and after a moment's surprise, he quickly stood up, looked at the somewhat embarrassed Andrew, and asked, "Sir, I'd like to ask Manager Andrew, when the factory initially established its rules, were there any limits on the amount of theft that would result in punishment?"

Andrew nodded immediately, "Yes! The sir said that anyone who steals or intentionally damages more than ten shillings of factory property will have their wages deducted depending on the circumstances. A second time, regardless of the value of the stolen goods, they will be fired!"

"Did those two who were fired meet that standard?" George Craig pressed.

"No, not at all."

Andrew dared not lie to Chen Wenbin and told the truth: "The cotton they stole was worth about three or four shillings, while the others only stole one or two shillings."

But because they were relatives of Mr. Grumman, the town councilor of Pottack, and their attitude was very bad, I fired them on the spot.

As he said this, a flash of anger crossed his face, clearly indicating that he was quite upset at the time.

Upon hearing this, Chen Wenbin on the stage raised an eyebrow. He naturally knew Grumman, the councilor from Pottackit Town, who was a VIP at Robin Sanatorium because of his diabetes!

When he bought the land in Blackrock Valley, it was this councilor and big landowner who helped introduce him to the business—it turns out those two female workers were his associates, no wonder they dared to challenge Andrew!

"—Since they didn't meet the standards, they shouldn't be fired!"

George Craig shook his head and said, "Once the rules are set, they are meant to bind everyone. Manager Andrew, you've already lost credibility in the eyes of the other workers by not following the rules to fire someone. From now on, every word you say will be less credible."

Unless you bring those two female workers back and admit your mistake—

"I----"

Andrew glared angrily at George Craig. How could the thief be innocent, while Craig was the one in the wrong?

He then looked at Governor Chen on the stage with a wronged expression. The latter sighed and gestured for him to sit down. "—Andrew, George, please sit down!"

Seeing that the two had both sat down, he pointed to George Craig and said seriously, "I agree with George's point of view. The 10 shilling standard I set at the time may have been too lenient. But no matter what the situation is, since there is no trigger for dismissal, our management should put maintaining the company's reputation first. The most basic requirement is to abide by the rules we set ourselves."

If we change our policies frequently and selectively implement punishments or rewards, it will only leave employees confused and distrustful of the rules, ultimately harming the long-term interests of all of us.

In my management theory, I call it providing certain expectations.

He casually wrote a string of words on the blackboard and continued to explain: "The reputation of individuals and businesses, as well as the long-term credit of a nation, are essentially about providing different degrees of certainty to the outside world."

Excellent credit, stable expectations, and a good reputation can minimize internal friction and external financing costs—our company is committed to long-term business, so we must keep our promises not only to our business partners but also to our employees.

If our employees don't trust the company's credibility, it only means that our management has failed utterly!

I would also like to make a request of you all: whether in life or at work, you must do your best to keep the promises you make to others.

If you truly cannot do it, provide an explanation and alternative solution promptly. Even if the recipient is a young child, you must keep your promise to them and make keeping your word a habit.

Half an hour later, the management course personally taught by Governor Chen twice a week came to an end.

He kept Andrew and George Craig behind and called them into his office.

"—George."

He sat behind his desk, looking at the old pastor's illegitimate son in front of him, recalling his excellent performance over the past two months, and said directly, "I want you to be the head of the investigation and audit office, specifically responsible for investigating and auditing the accounts of various companies and projects, with an annual salary of £400. What do you think?"

George Craig was currently a lawyer in the legal department responsible for important company documents and files, earning an annual salary of £240. A promotion and raise would certainly be good news for him—but he didn't immediately agree. Instead, he hesitated and said, "Sir, can the audit and investigation department really audit all company and department projects? What if they find something they shouldn't have—"

He didn't elaborate, but his meaning was clear: if you want me to investigate the accounts and people, you have to give me the authority!

"There's nothing that shouldn't have been found out!"

Chen Wenbin waved his hand and laughed, "Go ahead and investigate. I'll give you a five-person team first. Lead them to audit the accounts of each company before the split and let me see what you're capable of!"

How long do you think this will take?

"—I'm not sure."

George Craig shook his head and said, "I need to see the original ledgers before I can make a judgment."

Chen Wenbin nodded, "Okay! I'll give you half a month. The budget will be 50 pounds per month, excluding staff salaries. If it's not enough, we'll add more."

Go and make your preparations! Report to me at the manor study tomorrow.

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

George Craig agreed, knowing that the other party still had things to say to Andrew, and then took his leave.

After he left, Chen Wenbin looked at Andrew, who looked uneasy, pointed to the sofa, and smiled, "Sit down! I didn't come to question you!"

Andrew breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and then sat down.

Chen Wenbin also stood up from behind his desk, plopped down on the sofa, and said, "Andrew, I looked at the textile company's financial statements yesterday. Although the company stopped manufacturing Jenna spinning machines half a year ago and now only makes money by selling cotton cloth and cotton yarn, there is an urgent need for cotton yarn in London, and the price offered is not low."

So I'd like you and Attorney Jenkins to go south and, on behalf of Robin Trading Company, sign exclusive purchase agreements with cotton plantation owners in the South—would you be willing?

Upon hearing the task, Andrew immediately replied, "Sir, if you wish me to go, then I will go!"

Chen Wenbin nodded in satisfaction. "I will send a squad of militiamen to protect you. As for the specific purchase price of cotton, you can let Jenkins discuss it. It would be best to buy raw cotton with seeds at a low price. I have invented a cotton gin that can quickly separate cotton seeds, so buying raw cotton with seeds can save more costs."

Your main task is to go to Fairfax, Virginia, find the plantation owner George Washington there, deliver my handwritten letter to him, tell him that I am very interested in the Ohio lands he illegally owns, and then bring his reply back to me.

How's it going? Can you finish it?

"—George Washington?"

Andrew thought for a moment and asked, "Was it Colonel George Washington, who conquered Fort Duken and recaptured Fort Pitt?"

"That's right!"

Chen Wenbin nodded and said with emotion, "I've long wanted to be friends with Mr. Washington!"