I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 56 The King's Invitation

What an enviable guy!

Looking at Chen Wenbin's outrageously wealthy face, and then thinking about his own meager savings of less than a thousand pounds, Franklin's hesitation to resign as president of PUIC Europe immediately vanished... He could earn eighty pounds a month!

Such easy money jobs are hard to find!

Next, Chen Wenbin introduced Franklin to Henry Coates, the Scotts, and the Adams brothers.

Upon learning that the elderly man was a Fellow of the Royal Society, they were all filled with awe and respect. The Adams brothers, in particular, treated him like an idol, constantly bombarding him with questions.

After all, when Franklin became famous in North America, the two brothers were a failed town accountant and a little kid.

Chen Wenbin didn't see Franklin as having much of an idol aura, so after exchanging pleasantries, he went straight to the point.

"...Both Oxford and Cambridge Universities hope that you will give lectures on natural sciences and medicine at their universities, and I have already agreed on your behalf!"

Your name is also on the list of new Fellows of the Royal Society this year, and many members in London have decided to vote for you, mainly because of your research on oxidation and electromagnetism.

Franklin finished introducing the less important points first, then cleared his throat, stood up, scanned the crowd, and said in a calm and serious tone:

"...In light of Dr. Robin Chen's discovery of allicin's effectiveness in treating dysentery and whooping cough, and his outstanding contributions to the natural sciences, His Majesty King George III of Great Britain and Ireland cordially invites you to visit St. James's Palace at the near future!"

The King's invitation?

real or fake?

All eyes immediately turned to Chen Wenbin, and everyone held their breath, their hearts pounding, even more excited than Chen Wenbin himself. Diana, in particular, gripped the arm of the man beside her tightly.

Franklin seemed pleased with their reaction. He sat back down on the sofa, smiled at Chen Wenbin, and explained:

"Robin! This is an invitation that former Prime Minister Earl Butt personally conveyed to me more than a month ago. His Majesty the King wants to thank you in person because your allicin cured Prince Frederick!"

You weren't in England at the time, so I had to agree on your behalf... How about that?

Are you ready to be His Majesty's guest?

After a few seconds of silence in the living room, Sean Scott was the first to exclaim, "My God! It's the King's invitation!"

"Congratulations, Robin!"

Henry Courts immediately offered his congratulations: "I think you'll be a knight soon!"

John Adams, moved by the opportunity, exclaimed, "Sir! It is my honor to serve you!"

"Sir! Congratulations!"

As for Diana, she didn't say anything, but gave Chen Wenbin a passionate kiss, her eyes full of adoration.

Compared to the excited crowd, Chen Wenbin was much calmer. He nodded and said, "...I can go to St. James's Palace at any time, but the gift I prepared for the King is still on the ship, so it may take two more days."

Isn't he just a German nobleman who ruled over six or seven million English people?

It's not like God descended to earth; there's no reason for Boss Chen to be so grateful and thank God for his great favor... Ever since he learned that London is a cesspool, he has become even more disillusioned with Britain.

In his view, this country was at most a feudal state that had just entered the capitalist era, which had gained vast overseas territories and industrial advantages by relying on its navy and technology transferred from Europe.

If it weren't for overseas colonies acting as a pressure relief valve for society and population, and the technological advancements brought about by the Industrial Revolution that greatly boosted social productivity, given the current conflict between the British aristocracy and commoners, this country would most likely have imploded like France!

Franklin was unsure of Chen Wenbin's thoughts, so he admired his composure. Hearing that there was also a gift for the King, he asked, "What other gift is there? Is it the painkillers you mentioned before?"

"Besides painkillers, there's also a sewing machine that allows noblewomen to sew their own clothes freely!"

He said with a smile, "This machine can increase the speed of clothing production by at least twenty times. It is also the company's second flagship product in addition to the Jenna spinning machine!"

I'd like to name this sewing machine after the Queen or the Queen Mother. What do you think, Benjamin?

Franklin's expression turned somewhat strange upon hearing this, while Henry Coates hesitated to speak.

"……Honey!"

Diana whispered to him, "There have been rumors that Queen Charlotte and Queen Mother Augusta... seem to have a bad relationship! Why don't you change your name, like Jenna the Sewing Machine?"

This……

Chen Wenbin really didn't expect that there would be conflicts between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in the King's family, and it seems that the British high society already knows about it... Truly worthy of the name Great Britain!

"Fine!" Although it was frustrating, the names of this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law really couldn't be used, otherwise using either one would offend the other!

"Then let's use your name!" Chen Wenbin looked at the girl. "Diana Sewing Machine, that sounds good too!"

……

Franklin stayed at the Courtes residence until noon. After lunch, he went to help Chen Wenbin arrange an audience with the King.

Edward Scott is no longer in a hurry to go to Northampton to preside over the marriage negotiations. Instead, he went to South London with John Adams to acquire land... Chen Wenbin is about to visit St. James's Palace, so he is not worried at all that the Spencer family will not be willing to provide a dowry.

Around 1:30 p.m., Henry Coates' father, Joseph Coates, arrived at the mansion in a carriage with an East India Company employee named Warren Hastings.

The latter was for the results of preventing scurvy, while the former represented a group of "influential London merchants".

Old Joseph was a naval officer by birth, not the kind of person who climbed into high society by inheriting family property and titles. Therefore, he valued efficiency and expressed his intentions after a brief probe.

"...Robin, I can buy your scurvy research on behalf of the company for £500, but some directors of the company and businessmen in London are more interested in your Providence Corporation."

I know you've circumvented the Bubble Act in North America and established a corporation. That's fine; we can create a contractual circumvention law!

Chen Wenbin was not surprised at all. He picked up his teacup and said, "...So, Mr. Courtes, you and your friends are optimistic about my company? Do you know the valuation of the company in the last round of financing?"

"certainly!"

Old Joseph exclaimed in amazement, "150,000 pounds! I have no idea how you convinced those people!"

If you don't obtain the patent rights for the new spinning machine, this company will have no choice but to go bankrupt!

Chen Wenbin sensed the threat in his words and gently shook his head, saying, "I believe London will grant us the patent rights, because it's beneficial to Britain. A country that cannot protect invention and innovation may seem to gain in the short term, but it damages its long-accumulated reputation and innovative capabilities!"

Before the other party could continue speaking, he casually added, "Of course, if, as you say, the British Parliament does not grant us the patent rights for the Jenna spinning machine for various reasons, I also have ways to help the shareholders recoup their investment and even bring them more profits. It's just that it will take a little longer."