I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 69 St. James's Palace

What qualities should a great company possess?

On the carriage to St. James's Palace, Chen Wenbin looked absentmindedly at the London street scenes along the way, his mind preoccupied with this question.

Yesterday, when he and Sean were discussing whether the company should provide employees with housing benefits, he subconsciously said that he hoped PUIC would be a great company... but honestly, that wasn't really his intention.

He believed that the employee benefits he implemented, such as the 10-hour workday, employee housing, work injury insurance, pension insurance, and children's education, were merely to enhance his influence and control over employees in order to improve his own social status and reputation.

This is a utilitarian approach, and it has absolutely nothing to do with conscience, greatness, or social responsibility!

Of course, he couldn't say that out loud, so he would often use terms like long-termism, innovation, company vision, company values, and social contribution, making most people around him believe that he genuinely thought that way...

After all, he could have done what other workshop owners of this era did: treat workers and employees as talking machines that could be replaced at any time, thus earning even greater profits.

For example, if Pastor Jensen hadn't strongly supported the implementation of employee benefits within PUIC at the shareholders' meeting, those measures would probably have been very difficult to implement in the first place.

Now Chen Wenbin only has 21% of PUIC's shares left. Once the new shareholders in London join, his shareholding will shrink further, probably to 15% or less.

By then, the combined shareholding of him and the church represented by Pastor Jason will be less than 30%. Will he be able to persuade those greedy shareholders to implement those seemingly wasteful employee benefits?

Chen Wenbin wasn't very confident.

That talk of technological innovation and employee vitality might impress a smart man like Joseph, but the majority of the aristocracy are short-sighted, foolish people who only care about money!

Don't assume that human intelligence is distributed according to social class, and that the higher the status, the higher the intelligence... That doesn't conform to biology!

In a society where power and wealth are transferred between generations through bloodline inheritance, it is all too common for fools and mediocre people to hold high positions.

Britain is the most obvious example. Why are all the landed nobles in Britain in financial straits? They have nothing but their noble titles and family castles that they cannot sell. They have to avoid bankruptcy by marrying into wealthy families who have risen from the common people.

It's not that the noble heirs are all fools and mediocre, unable to maintain the family's wealth!

Among the new shareholders of PUIC UK, there are many such traditional nobles. They may be considered elites in the aristocratic group, but as for their abilities and vision... well, old Joseph spoke of them with a face full of disdain and envy.

It seems PUIC no longer needs to be a major focus; acquiring the patent for the Jenna spinning machine and generating sufficient returns for the shareholders is enough...

"...Honey, are you nervous?"

Inside the carriage, Diana, dressed in a blue silk court gown, noticed Chen Wenbin's absent-mindedness. She touched his hand with her right hand, which was covered by a white lace glove, and comforted him with a smile, "I actually met him when the King was still the Prince of Wales. He was a very gentle person who loved botany and gardening..."

Chen Wenbin thought to himself that the Crown Prince should keep a low profile when he is not the emperor... But it seems that it is different in Britain. The monarch's power has been stripped away by Parliament. Even raising taxes requires Parliament's approval.

He shook his head at Diana and said, "Diana, I'm not nervous, I just thought of PUIC."

This is the first company I founded, but my shareholding will soon be reduced to 15%, and I'm worried that it will be difficult to continue implementing those employee benefits... But that's my promise to them!

Upon hearing this, Diana's gaze softened even more as she looked at Chen Wenbin.

She wasn't sure when she fell in love with this man. Perhaps it was when she first saw his dazzlingly handsome face, like Apollo, or when she heard that he treated the poor at low prices, or perhaps it was because of his genuine respect for women, rather than a deliberate display of gentlemanly manners... But clearly, his commitment to his promise touched her once again.

However, she quickly regained her composure and chuckled, "Robin, have you forgotten where we're headed?"

"You mean... involve the king?"

Chen Wenbin thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No, I've already promised Old Joseph that he'll be in charge of allocating the new shareholder slots!"

Diana chuckled, "Darling! Weren't you so quick-witted in Providence? How come you've become so rigid in London... You didn't bring it up with the King, but the King could have brought it up with you!"

Can you still refuse the king?

I think Mr. Courtes will understand you!

...Oh my god!

Chen Wenbin was stunned, staring wide-eyed at the smiling blonde girl. He suddenly realized what it meant to be blinded by one's own involvement. He had indeed been too conservative since arriving in London... After all, this was not his territory, and if he made a wrong move, the consequences would be unpredictable.

Sure enough, the British are better at dealing with other British people, whether they are British men or women!

He gave the blonde girl a big kiss. "Diane! You're truly my invaluable assistant!"

……

Before long, Chen Wenbin and Diana's carriage passed through St. James's Park and arrived near a three-story Tudor-era red brick building, which was St. James's Palace.

This has been a British royal palace since 1536 and is one of the oldest palaces in London. The wedding of the current King George III was held here.

Of course, like all ancient palaces, many people have died here.

However, Chen Wenbin always felt that the palace was small and cramped, with a small area, and looked more like a city hall.

He shared his idea with Diana, who nodded and said, "...Darling, it's pretty much what you guessed. Part of St. James's Palace is indeed the courthouse now...I think if it weren't for the fact that Buckingham Palace is undergoing expansion and renovation, His Majesty would definitely be receiving us there."

Buckingham Palace?

Chen Wenbin smiled. Once he became a court physician, he figured he could go there often.

As the two were talking, the carriage stopped. Chen Wenbin got off the carriage first, then helped Diana down. Behind him, he heard a fat old man complaining.

"Robin! I should have listened to you and ridden in the same carriage with you and Diana; the roads in London are so bumpy!"