I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 169 Criticism of the Harem

Chapter 169 Criticism of the Harem

Before we knew it, it was the end of March.

News that Britain was going to impose a stamp duty in North America had already begun to circulate in small circles in the North American colonies.

The various North American colonies were beginning to stir, and some merchants in Massachusetts even openly declared that the British Stamp Act was a tyranny imposed on the people of North America!

Yes, that businessman is none other than John Hancock, the leader and major financier of the Sons of Liberty who has recently caused quite a stir.

Governor Hutchinson of Massachusetts was powerless against this super-rich second-generation heir. North America is a place where people are used to freedom, and as long as they don't publicly insult the king, no one dares to do anything to the second richest man in North America.

After all, Governor Hutchinson was elected by the Massachusetts legislature, and without London's explicit support, he could not arrest John Hancock, who held numerous jobs and had the support of many members of parliament.

Therefore, he could only have the royalist members of the Massachusetts legislature come forward to argue and verbally attack those members who sympathized with and supported the Sons of Liberty.

The controversy in Massachusetts was not to be outdone, and Virginia in the South was not to be outdone. Radical Congressman Henry Patrick explicitly shouted the slogan "No taxation without representation," which gained the support of many people.

All of this made Chen Wenbin realize that it was time for him to set off.

If he waits until there is clear news in May that the King has approved the Stamp Act, he will no longer be able to use "not knowing the situation but watching closely" as an excuse.

Therefore, on the morning of March 29, Chen Wenbin boarded the clipper ship Alyssa in Newport Harbor.

Accompanying the Elisa were three armed merchant ships registered under the Providence Shipping Company.

Over the past two weeks, more than 800 immigrants and three Western infantry companies have arrived in Philadelphia by boat. This time, the four boats are carrying the last batch of supplies and the three infantry companies.

After the Elisa left the dock, Chen Wenbin did not go into the cabin to rest. Instead, he changed into a gray woolen overcoat and went to the deck with two guards to smoke cigars.

It just so happened that my old friend Pastor Johnson was also taking a stroll on the deck, so the two of them stood in front of the railing on the aft deck and chatted while looking north towards the receding land.

Chen Wenbin had just dealt with a large group of local tyrants who came to see him off at the dock. He'd exchanged too many pleasantries, and his smile was stiff. Seeing that Pastor Jameson was in low spirits, he guessed it was because of his son Robert, so he didn't probe further and asked directly, "—James, I heard Robert has fallen in love with a girl? Is that true?"

Reverend Jason sighed and nodded. "It's Peggy from the Brown family. I don't like that girl—she's beautiful and smart, very smart, but she doesn't love Robert. She loves something else."

So I didn't let Robert stay. He wouldn't be happy if they really got married!

"But Robert now hates you for breaking them up!"

Chen Wenbin had his bodyguard Steve light a cigar, took a puff, and reminded him, "You'd better find an opportunity to talk to him about this, otherwise, over time, even the closest father-son relationship will develop a rift."

Reverend Jason nodded silently, then looked at Governor Chen.

"And what about you, Robin? When are you going to let Diana and William come over for a reunion? William should be able to talk in a few months, right?"

This time, Chen Wenbin fell silent.

Yes!

His eldest son is already eight months old; he'll probably be able to call out "daddy" and "mommy" by now.

There are three other women: Mary, Catherine, and Tina. Mary's baby, Julie, is now over five months old. Catherine has definitely given birth by now, but it's unknown whether it went smoothly or if it's a boy or a girl. And then there's Tina, who is about to give birth.

As a normal person, he naturally wants to see his woman and child.

But can he bring them to North America now?

Theoretically, it's possible, but he knows he can't do it.

Because the next six months to a year is the most critical period of development, he must convince London that his loyalty to Great Britain is beyond doubt.

The fact that he left his wife, children, and mistress's illegitimate child in London is the best evidence of this.

But he couldn't say this publicly, so he remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "—William is still too young. He probably can't withstand the storms of the Atlantic. Let him grow up a year later!"

Seeing the complicated expression on his face, Pastor Jason assumed he was worried that Diana's arrival in North America would cause trouble for his harem. After hesitating for a moment, he couldn't help but advise, "Robin, there's something I've always wanted to tell you—do you really need so many women?"

He looked seriously at the astonished Chen Wenbin and said earnestly, "I heard from Benjamin that you have at least thirteen women in your harem, and you've gotten half of them pregnant."

This matter has been widely circulated.

I want to remind you that you are, after all, a Baptist, and God teaches us to restrain ourselves from pleasure and indulgence—even if God doesn't punish you, can your body handle it?

Chen Wenbin was taken aback by his sudden remark and stood there for a while before feigning grievance and speaking loudly.

"Dear James! Don't you know that I go to the barracks almost every week to wrestle and fight with the soldiers?"

Am I bored? No! It's because I have too much energy!

I'd go crazy without women and fighting! Benjamin's talking nonsense, don't you believe me either?

I'm really sick; I need to release my excess energy, otherwise I can't calm down!

He wasn't lying about that; his physique had been strengthened, and he was now full of energy, so he did need to release it frequently.

Pastor Jensen, hearing his confident arguments, was silenced when he tried to persuade him further.

He stared hesitantly at Chen Wenbin's teacher's face, which showed no signs of excessive indulgence, and couldn't help but begin to have doubts in his heart.

Could he be telling the truth?

Can people really get this strange disease?

"—Alright! Robin, this is your private matter, and I have no right to interfere."

He thought for a while, then shook his head helplessly and said, "But your harem will affect your reputation in the church. Some people think that you have too many lovers and that living with them is not in line with the identity of a Christian."

"—Some people?"

Chen Wenbin's eyes turned cold. He tossed his half-smoked cigar into the sea, stared at Pastor Jason, and asked, "Who exactly are they?"

"—I cannot say their names."

Pastor Jason shook his head. "Davis originally wanted to remove them from the list of western immigrants, but I stopped him—I think you should take the opportunity of a gathering to explain your special circumstances to everyone in person."

Explanation?

Do I, Chen Wenbin, need to explain my actions to them?

Chen Wenbin snorted inwardly. He remembered when Davis came to him at the end of February, saying he wanted to purify the church and that Pastor Jason was too mild-mannered and not suitable to be the head of the Western church. At that time, he thought Davis wanted to oust Jason and take the position himself, so he did not agree.

It seems there are indeed some people in the church who have a problem with me!

Oh shit!

Holly and Martin, those two good-for-nothings, think that because the church isn't their company, they don't need to monitor it, right?

He had already decided in his heart to kick out those who dared to speak ill of him, but on the surface he still smiled gently at Pastor Jensen and said, "—Okay, James, when we get to Philadelphia, I will explain to everyone in public."

"That's good!"

Pastor Jason smiled and said, "I believe everyone can understand your special circumstances; this should be proof that you are blessed by God!"

"I hope so!"

Chen Wenbin nodded slightly. He still respected his old friend Pastor Jensen. The West needed a pastor with a gentle and principled personality as a leader of the church.

But this is on the premise that the church is under one's control.

He had originally planned to reform the church after arriving in the west, but now it seemed that the action had to be brought forward.

He needs to have his own church in the West. If Pastor Jason is unwilling to help him, then he will have to go back to the East to be in charge of charity and education.