I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 72 Southern Development Company

You, a great doctor and scientist, went to grow cotton in the southern North America.

King George III's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Chen Wenbin to plan to open cotton plantations in southern North America and produce cotton himself... Why not just leave this to someone else? Using whips to drive slaves to grow cotton is just too undignified!

"Robin...wouldn't you like to reconsider?"

He kindly reminded you, "Slavery is inhumane! If you insist on using enslaved people to run your plantations, it will certainly damage your reputation in Europe!"

His reaction puzzled Chen Wenbin.

No way... you, the King of England, actually opposed slavery?!

Weren't the British the ones who were most diligent in hauling slaves from the African slave coast to North America?

The two men stared at each other with strange expressions, remaining silent for several seconds before Chen Wenbin spoke first: "William...you also oppose slavery?!"

Upon hearing this, George III rolled his eyes in annoyance and said in a slightly agitated tone, "My God! What do you take me for? The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire?"

I've also read Montesquieu's *The Spirit of the Laws*! How could I possibly support barbaric slavery?

"...But I saw many slave ships and slave traders in North America!" Chen Wenbin said, puzzled. "I thought Britain supported these activities."

Upon hearing this, the young king's lips moved slightly, then he looked into the distance and sighed, "...Robin, as I said, I am not the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, and there are many things in England that I cannot decide."

For example, after I became king, I wanted to end the war as soon as possible, so I appointed the Earl as prime minister. However, after he signed the peace treaty, he was soon besieged by the Whigs and had to resign. Fortunately, the war ended smoothly, and this generation of British people was able to enjoy a long period of peace!

As for slavery... that's probably not something our generation can solve!

Chen Wenbin watched him closely from the side, and judging from his subtle expressions, he shouldn't be lying... It's really unbelievable!

It's quite darkly humorous that the King of Great Britain opposed slavery!

However, considering the current situation in Britain, it is understandable. The Hanoverian family were legitimate Electors of the Holy Roman Empire, and Hanover was close to the Netherlands. It was quite normal for George III to be influenced by Enlightenment ideas.

The true masters of Great Britain, namely William III's loyalists and the emerging merchant class, never had high moral standards.

Thinking of this, he immediately said sincerely:

"William, I think you've misunderstood. I don't intend to set up slave plantations in the southern part of North America. I myself believe that slavery is immoral!"

In fact, I designed a new type of clipper cargo ship that can increase the average speed with the wind to about 12 knots!

Using this method, we can transport indentured immigrants from Europe and even Asia to North America to perform labor on plantations. Once their contracts expire, these new immigrants will be free.

In this way, we won't be burdened by moral pressure, and we might even be able to free the slaves in North America and send them back to Africa in the future!

"A new type of clipper boat? You designed it?"

King George III looked at Chen Wenbin with envy and shook his head, saying, "Robin, tell me, is there anything you can't do?"

Chen Wenbin counted on his fingers with a serious expression, "I can do many things: healing the sick, designing machinery, cooking, painting, writing poetry, scientific research, horseback riding, shooting, wrestling, sailing, biology... but there's at least one thing I definitely can't do!"

"What is it?" George III asked curiously.

Chen Wenbin's expression was serious. He pointed to his fiancée and Queen Sophie, who were waving at him from a distance, and said, "I'm sure I can't have children like them!"

"……puff!"

George couldn't hold back any longer. "Haha! Robin! You're such a funny guy!"

……

For the entire morning, Chen Wenbin and Diana accompanied King George and Queen George on horseback, chatting and enjoying each other's company.

His insight, which was 260 years ahead of his time, his clear and sharp mind, and his relaxed attitude of looking at people on equal terms quickly made him a friend of the young king.

George originally wanted to invite other friends over to introduce to Chen Wenbin, but Chen refused... The King's friendship sounds glorious, but it's really just sycophants around the King.

Chen Wenbin has no interest in competing with others for this niche.

After finalizing the royal family's investment in Providence Company, Robin Pharmacy, and Southern Development Company, Chen Wenbin, Diana, and Franklin took their leave after lunch at the palace.

Although George III was somewhat disappointed, he knew that Chen Wenbin had many things to do, so he didn't try to persuade him to stay. He simply said that Chen Wenbin and Diana were welcome to visit Buckingham Palace anytime, as that was their true home.

On the way back, Franklin finally sat in a carriage with the two men this time... George III only accepted two carriages, leaving the remaining one for Chen Wenbin to use.

"...Robin, it seems you and His Majesty had a good chat in the park? How did it go? Did he support your crazy Pacific Plan?"

He didn't go to the park that morning, but stayed at St. James's Palace... mainly because he had a bit of a cold and it wasn't suitable for him to be out in the cold wind in the park.

"...I didn't tell him about this!"

Chen Wenbin shook his head and said, "What truly determines whether Patagonia and the Pacific Company can become a reality is not the king, but the big merchants of London."

The project hasn't even started yet, and the first clipper ship hasn't been launched either—you probably don't even want to believe it… so there's no rush.

Franklin pressed further: "What about the cotton plantations in the South? Are you really going to build plantations in Georgia, Florida, and along the Mississippi River?"

"Can your clipper ships, which are still just on the drawing board, really transport a large number of workers from Europe and Asia?"

Chen Wenbin smiled smugly: "So we need to set up a new Southern Development Company to raise funds!"

If you don't believe me, don't you believe the King? He and the Queen have already invested ten thousand pounds!

Franklin wiped his nose with a handkerchief and said with a sneer, "Of that ten thousand pounds, eight thousand were invested in Providence Company and your pharmacy. The remaining two thousand pounds were probably used to buy the carriage you gave him and other gifts, as well as to thank you for your allicin saving Prince Frederick!"

"That's not important!"

Chen Wenbin waved his hand and smiled confidently, "The important thing is that Southern Development Company is now a royal enterprise, which will reduce a lot of trouble when we go to North America!"

He continued to paint a rosy picture for the fat man, "Benjamin, we're good friends. I'll give you another chance. Now take out your savings and invest in the Southern Development Company!"

This time you're an original shareholder!