I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 68 The Logic of Land

"...Sit down, John!"

Seeing him enter, Chen Wenbin pointed to the high-backed armchair in front of the desk and asked, "Have all the gifts and supplies on the ship been unloaded?"

John Morris immediately replied, "The three spring-loaded four-wheeled carriages and twenty fine sewing machines that you instructed us to send to the Royal Family have all been transported to the special dock warehouse, and Captain Coleman has assigned four armed guards to watch over them in shifts."

Other general cargo, including assemblies for the Jenna spinning machine, ordinary sewing machines, spring-loaded weights and carriage bearings, was not unloaded from the ship.

In addition, five boxes of medicine and precision measuring instruments, as per your request, have been delivered to the residence.

"Send men to equip the carriages with horses now; I will be riding in one of them to St. James's Palace tomorrow morning!"

Chen Wenbin instructed, "Go directly to Richard and tell him to get it done as soon as possible! The horses should be the same color as much as possible!"

"gentlemen……"

John Morris hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"What's wrong, John? What do you want to say?" Chen Wenbin waved his hand and said, "Just say it, like before!"

"teacher!"

Maurice stroked his mustache and advised, "Why don't you reconsider? Those three carriages were a gift for the King, and they were very luxurious... After all, you're not a nobleman yet!"

"Haha! So that's what you're worried about!"

Chen Wenbin shook his head inwardly. This Morris, a free man who had lived in North America for half his life, was actually worried about whether he would overstep his royal authority... That was the carriage I built myself. Last time it docked in Bristol, I was lucky I didn't have to unload it and take it to London. What's there to be afraid of!

"Alright! You don't need to worry about that! Diana and I just rode to the palace in a carriage, and there wasn't any royal insignia on it!"

After saying that, he pressed on, "Didn't you, Henry, and Mr. Scott go to inspect land for factories and hospitals today? Why hasn't Henry returned?"

John Morris replied, "Mr. Courtes has contacted the East India Company shareholders in London for you... He said that matters like the factory land can be handled by Mr. Scott; the most important thing is the PUIC London fundraising!"

Chen Wenbin figured it out after a moment's thought, and snorted, "Old Joseph is in charge of the fundraising meeting! Henry is just too lazy to run around with you guys. That guy isn't an aristocrat, but he's picked up the bad habits of an aristocrat!"

Forget it, let it be!

He's just a shareholder; the company doesn't pay him a salary, so you can't force him to work.

John Morris remained silent. As a salaried member of management, he would never get involved in matters between the boss and the shareholders unless personally asked by the big boss.

Seeing that he remained silent, and not remembering anything to instruct him, Chen Wenbin simply said, "John, you can go out and get back to your work. Call Mr. Scott in!"

However, it was not his uncle Edward Scott who entered the study next, but his son Sean Scott.

Chen Wenbin's cousin-in-law has the same fiery personality as his father. He doesn't seem like a bad person. He has a head of flowing blond hair, and with his well-fitting tailcoat, white tight-fitting riding breeches, and deep blue eyes, he could indeed charm a lot of young noblewomen in London.

Unfortunately, the Scott family's ancestors had only migrated from the Hesse-Kassel Countate in Germany to England and had not yet acquired a noble title. Without Chen Wenbin, Sean Scott would most likely not have been able to marry a woman of noble birth.

Marriage between people of equal social standing and between nobles and commoners was the reality in Europe.

Why is the story of the prince and Cinderella considered a fairy tale? Because only children believe that love can determine marriage.

As soon as his cousin-in-law came in, he excitedly said to Chen Wenbin:

"Haha! Robin! You would never guess how much land Congressman Maviber approved for your spinning machine factory!"

A full twenty acres!

For just £1,000, you can own 20 acres of land in South London near the Thames!

Do you know how much the land for the nearby factories costs?

Chen Wenbin calmly replied, "I'd guess two to three hundred pounds? That can't be any more expensive!"

"Huh... How did you know?!"

Sean Scott asked in surprise, "Did Mr. Morris and Little Adams tell you that?"

"No!"

Chen Wenbin sighed. "This judgment is based on business experience... I'm sure the congressman has other conditions as well?"

"...That's right!"

Sean quickly said, "He hopes the company can sign a contract with the South District Council and not build workers' dormitories themselves. The Maviber family will pay for at least 500 houses to be built around the spinning machine factory for rent and sale to the workers."

I think this is a good thing. It can save land and make it easier for factory workers to live. You know, many large handicraft workshops in the South District are surrounded by leaky slums. If our workers can live in suitable houses, it will definitely improve their work efficiency!

This collaboration is beneficial to both of us!

Chen Wenbin gave him a strange look, thinking to himself, "With a brain like yours, you'd better not inherit the family business, or you'll definitely squander it all!"

This is indeed a win-win situation, but the other party wins twice!

I painstakingly built the factory and paid the workers' wages, only to have the landlord outside the factory steal all the money in the blink of an eye.

No wonder Congressman John Mavebel's eyes lit up when he heard about the wage standards that the North American Jenna Spinning Machine Factory was going to implement. He had already figured out his tricks to fleece people!

First, they attract skilled factory owners to set up factories by offering land at three or four times the market price. Then, they develop nearby real estate projects and finally squeeze all the profits from the factory owners and the wages from the workers through housing prices and rents. This tactic is truly timeless!

If Chen Wenbin were just an ordinary businessman, he would have no choice but to back down now, abandon the maintenance of workers' living conditions, and just focus on making money.

But now he's a renowned physician in East Britain, about to become Lord Chen, how could he let a mere member of parliament bully him?

Therefore, he shook his head at Sean and said, "You don't need to worry about this! Sean, I can't give up providing welfare housing for the company's employees; it's a tradition of our company!"

Also, you should tell MP Mavibear tomorrow that I can buy land in the South End at market price. It doesn't need to be too close to the Tower of London's city center; a more remote location is fine, as long as it's near the river and can be used to build hydraulic machinery.

If he doesn't agree, come back to me... understand?

"But...why?!"

Sean retorted, unconvinced, "Why should we waste that time and energy building employee housing?"

Chen Wenbin snorted, "Because I want to build a great company! This goal can't be achieved by exploiting slaves!"