RPAGF Chapter 151 Blackrock Valley Club
Chapter 151 Blackrock Valley Club
Chapter 151 Blackrock Valley Club (4,000 words)
In the first few days of December, representatives of wealthy families in New England began arriving at Robin Sanatorium in Black Rock Valley, Pawtucket.
A year later, this upscale nursing home, which belongs to Robin Hospital, has already admitted 119 New England families as VIP members.
Because of Dr. Chen's endorsement and his advanced nursing and recuperation model, many wealthy elderly men suffering from various illnesses and nearing the end of their lives have made this place a good place for them to spend their final days.
Chen Wenbin wanted to convene a meeting with the original shareholders of PUIC, and the most suitable place was of course this new sanatorium.
It must be said that the climate conditions of the Rhodes Island colony were indeed excellent.
It's neither as humid and hot as the southern North America, nor does it face the southward-moving cold air like New York, Maine, and Massachusetts. The climate and scenery are both pleasant, and from a 21st-century perspective, it can be considered a resort destination.
Black Rock Valley, where Robin Sanatorium is located, is an even more picturesque place.
On the twenty-five acres of land carved out from the east bank of the Blackstone River, running from north to south, there are fifty small villa estates and more than sixty villa estates under construction. Not far to the southwest is the bay and the dock, while to the east and north are logging camps and virgin forests.
In terms of personnel, the sanatorium has four groups of 48 armed security guards who patrol the perimeter and interior of the sanatorium day and night.
As for the doctors, nurses, and the butlers and family members brought by the patients, there are more than 500 people. Once the villas under construction are completed and other patients are transferred from the sanatorium in Robin City, it will likely reach the minimum standard of 1200 permanent residents for the newly built town, adding another seat to the Rhodes Island Council.
By then, this new town, which arose because of the sanatorium, will probably be named Blackrock Valley.
At noon on December 5th, the weather was overcast.
Chen Wenbin, dressed in a black woolen overcoat, arrived at Blackrock Valley on horseback with David Jones, Shelby, and a squad of guards.
Instead of going to his villa No. 8 within the sanatorium, he went directly to the gate of villa No. 3.
Upon seeing their boss arrive, one of the two security guards in the heated room at the entrance hurriedly opened the large iron gate, while the other bowed to Chen Wenbin on horseback and said, "Your Excellency, Congressman Adam Winthrop from Massachusetts, Mr. Cabot, Mr. Otis, and the two Mr. Adams have all arrived—Mr. Brown requests that you proceed directly to the conference room on the second floor of the library!"
Chen Wenbin nodded and rode his horse into the courtyard of Villa No. 3.
This compound contains more than just a solitary villa main building; it also includes three community buildings open to the public, such as a sanatorium library, a sanatorium club, an indoor swimming pool, and a Turkish bath. This villa compound number 3 also has another name—Black Rock Valley Brown Estate.
It was obvious that it belonged to the prestigious Brown family of Rhode Island, and the Mr. Brown mentioned by the security guard was Nicholas Brown, an old friend and Baptist of Chen Wenbin.
"—Sir, it seems the Bostonians are really eager to divest their shares in the London Textile Company; even someone like Adam Winthrop has come!"
David Jones suggested, "Should we reconsider having them invest in the Southern Development Company with cash, instead of exchanging their shares in the London Textile Company?"
As Chen Wenbin rode his horse, he glanced up at the two-story library on his right and shook his head, saying, "The Winthrop family isn't in a hurry to sell their shares. They're moderate pro-British, and London won't force them to hand over their shares in the London Textile Company—what they really care about is the western land! I guess it was John and Samuel, or Governor Hutchinson, who persuaded them."
David Jones pondered, "—Is it the principle of not putting all your eggs in one basket to be pro-British while simultaneously supporting your Southern Development Company?"
Chen Wenbin glanced at him, nodded, and said calmly, "That's how nobles are—they use marriage alliances, hedging their bets, or betting on multiple fronts, to always put themselves on the side of the winner!"
Upon hearing this, David Jones suddenly wondered if the big boss had the same idea when he left Lady Diana in England.
Before he could think further, the group rode their horses to the library.
An elderly butler wearing a white wig stood at the door. He stepped forward apologetically and said, "Your Excellency, the master said he had to accompany some elderly gentlemen, so he couldn't greet you downstairs—"
Chen Wenbin knew that the Boston nobles were all in poor health and couldn't stand the cold. He figured Nicholas Brown wouldn't dare to deliberately neglect him, so he dismounted and ordered, "David, Shelby, come with me. The rest of you go and rest!"
"yes!"
As the group entered the library's first-floor lobby, a wave of heat hit them.
All the buildings at Black Rock Valley Sanatorium are equipped with geothermal water pipes and triple-glazed windows, so the rooms are very warm, which is a major feature of the sanatorium.
After going up the stairs to the second floor and pushing open the door to the south conference room, I saw more than twenty gentlemen and noblemen sitting on the sofa in the large conference room.
Chen Wenbin knew most of these people. Among them were the three brothers Nicholas Brown, Joseph Brown, and John Brown, who were local bigwigs in Rhode Island; Metcalf Bowler, the former richest man in Rhode Island; Samuel Ward, the former governor; Joseph Vanton, the Quaker landowner; and Thomas Cranston, the former judge.
The rest were mostly prominent figures in Massachusetts, including Massachusetts Bay Colony Representative Adam Winthrop, Colony Attorney James Otis, John Quincy Jr. of the Quincy family, George Cabot of the Cabot family, Joseph Dudley of the Dudley family, and Nathaniel Salston of the Salston family.
Besides these, Chen Wenbin knew Mark Wentworth of the Wentworth family in New Hampshire, William Pitkin IV of Connecticut, and Jeremiah of the Wadsworth family.
"Ah! Our Governor has arrived!"
When the villa's owner, Nicholas Brown, saw Chen Wenbin, dressed in a black overcoat, enter, he immediately laughed and went forward to welcome him.
"My dear Robin!"
"—Governor!"
"Dr. Robin, sir!"
"Your Excellency the Governor!"
The others also greeted Governor Chen, and most of them, except for a few old men, stood up to show their respect.
Lord Robin Chen is a legitimate Governor of the Royal Territory and a Baron Britannia. Even if these people present are local tyrants in their own territories, their status is not as high as Governor Chen's.
Chen Wenbin wasn't there to put on airs. He simply smiled and nodded at everyone, took off his coat to reveal a vest underneath, casually sat down on the sofa in the middle, and asked, "Everyone, what were you talking about just now? Did I miss any important information?"
Of the Brown brothers, the youngest, John, was closest to Chen Wenbin. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Dear Robin! We've been discussing how to make your nursing home club more effective, and you'd be perfect to give us your feedback!"
"Oh? How can it play a greater role?" Chen Wenbin asked curiously.
John Adams quickly explained to his boss, "Actually, we want the nursing home's club to be our own private little circle. Sir, didn't you say that nothing beats building a platform?"
We can transform the Black Rock Valley sanatorium into a platform that brings together the entire New England elite family, providing them with internal services such as medical care, information, business collaborations, and lending.
This platform only accepts true North American elites, and club membership can only be passed down through generations. New members must undergo strict review by the council.
Only those with a certain level of wealth, status, and influence, and who are approved by a club vote, can become our members. Members coordinate with each other economically and cooperate with each other politically to jointly safeguard our interests.
The more Chen Wenbin listened, the stranger his expression became. Was this how the platform operated?
Isn't this just like the Brotherhood and the Stonemasons' Guild? Maybe even a bit like a monopolistic conglomerate organization—
"Great idea! I think it's excellent!"
The speaker was former Governor Samuel Ward, who was sitting next to Chen Wenbin. He was the oldest person present. He turned around and pointed to the shy young man standing behind him, saying to Chen Wenbin with emotion, "Robin, this is my grandson Charlie. He just returned from England. I hope he can inherit my membership in the club. He lost his father at a young age and needs the help of his friends—"
Chen Wenbin immediately understood what the old man meant: he was worried that his grandson wouldn't be able to keep the family business and wanted to buy insurance from him!
Of course, we have to agree to this. If the Black Rock Valley Club platform can really be established, it will definitely strengthen the cohesion of these New England tyrants, and they can also bring in a few more wavering allies when they rebel.
He immediately nodded and said, "Mr. Ward, you can pass on your membership to Charlie. I guarantee that the Ward family will forever be members of Robin Blackrock Valley Sanatorium!"
"That's good!"
Old Ward smiled with satisfaction. He then looked at the middle-aged man dressed as a British aristocrat opposite him and asked with a smile, "Congressman Winthrop, Robin has agreed. What do you think?"
Adam Winthrop glanced at Chen Wenbin, thought for a moment, and then shook his head, saying, "Sir Ward, I need to go back and discuss this with John and the others—"
After saying that, he tentatively asked Chen Wenbin, "Your Excellency, I've come here for the shares of the London Textile Company and to purchase land in the west—if we don't join the Black Rock Valley Club, will we not be able to get your help?"
He asked very directly, and everyone else who came from outside Rhode Island stared at Chen Wenbin, waiting for his answer.
Chen Wenbin keenly realized the problem and immediately denied it, saying, "Of course not!"
Then he pointed to John Brown, "John told me about this; I didn't have the idea of upgrading the nursing home club before."
Regarding the London Textile Company and the Western Lands, I've made it clear in my previous letters to everyone: those willing to accept the Southern Development Company's shares can exchange them for shares based on the valuation; if not, I can repurchase the shares at a 10% premium. In short, I can't let my friends who trust me suffer losses!
As he spoke, he glanced at John Adams, whose eyes were darting away, and scoffed inwardly before continuing, "—"
As for upgrading the club, establishing a council, and turning it into a platform similar to a chamber of commerce, I also agree, but there's no rush.
Adam Winthrop glanced at John Adams, understanding dawned on him, and nodded with a smile, "I see! Robin, the Winthrop family is willing to exchange half of its shares in the London Textile Company for shares in the Western Development Company. We'll have the lawyers discuss the details!"
"...
""
John Adams was unwilling to give up and wanted to say something more, but Samuel Adams next to him reached out and pulled him back, then shook his head seriously.
Chen Wenbin noticed their subtle interaction but made no comment. He simply sighed and remarked to Adam Winthrop, "I didn't expect London to value PUIC so much. I originally thought I could make several times the money with the shareholders—but it doesn't matter, the potential of the Southern Development Company is no less than that of the London Textile Company!"
It is the only Royal Chartered company in western North America, legally able to bring in 3,000 immigrants each year, with each immigrant entitled to a maximum of 120 acres of land—I don’t think there’s a more profitable investment project right now.
Therefore, I strongly recommend that the original shareholders of PUIC exchange their shares for shares of Southern Development Company—of course, investment should not be forced, and I can accept either a share exchange or a buyback at a premium.
Seeing Chen Wenbin's calm attitude, most of the people present became even more determined to exchange their shares.
Their arrival at Blackrock Valley two days early was proof of their interest in the Southern Development Corporation—although the Royal Charter's concession was somewhat questionable, it did offer a legitimate way to invest in western lands.
Legality can sometimes be priceless!
At the end of last month, reliable news came from London that the London Parliament had passed a proposal to station 10,000 troops along the main Appalachian mountain passes, in order to strictly limit the crossing of people from the eastern colonies to the west.
Regardless of whether the ban on London can be strictly enforced by these troops, the value of the Southern Development Company has increased significantly, and the prestige of Chen Wenbin as Governor of the Western Territory has also greatly increased.
With the help of London, Chen Wenbin successfully negotiated a basic agreement with these wealthy families in New England for a share swap.
The Southern Development Corporation was valued at £200,000, which correspondingly reduced the families' shares by a quarter (based on a PUIC valuation of £150,000), but these individuals did not seem to care much about the valuation.
After all, they initially invested only a few hundred or a thousand pounds, which wasn't a small amount, but it wasn't a huge sum either.
The Hancock family is the largest investor in PUIC in New England, with a whopping £7500. However, the Hancock family completed a share swap with Chen Wenbin half a month ago, and John Hancock himself did not come today.
These people are more concerned about the western lands they can legally hold through immigration. As long as they have the land, a few hundred or a thousand pounds is nothing.