I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 100 The Worst Plan

What's wrong with this guy?

Chen Wenbin looked at him in surprise. It wouldn't be out of place at all if this kind of topic about the future of humanity came from the mouth of Samuel Adams, that middle-aged angry young man.

Although John Adams was young, he was always very cautious and wouldn't easily express his opinions...

Seemingly anticipating Chen Wenbin's thoughts, he chuckled and said, "Sir, you don't think I'm the type to care about this kind of thing, do you?"

Mr. Chen nodded and said, "John, is there anything you want to say to me?"

"I do have some ideas... to be precise, I was inspired by you, sir!"

John Adams paused for a moment, looked at Chen Wenbin, and said earnestly, "Sir, I have a question I would like you to answer truthfully!"

Chen Wenbin waved his hand, "What's the problem? Tell me! We're friends, I'll tell you anything I know!"

John Adams paused for a few seconds, then asked tentatively, "Sir, do you believe that humanity can establish a republic without kings, without nobles, and solely governed by the people themselves?"

Republic?

Chen Wenbin pondered for a moment, having roughly guessed the other party's thoughts, and then cautiously replied: "Humans are rational animals. I think as long as people are rational enough and can recognize that people are equal and that everyone is born with inherent rights, then such a republic without kings and nobles, where people govern themselves, is certainly possible!"

But the problem is…

He helplessly spread his hands and said, "But the problem is that in addition to the rational side, humans also have an animalistic side, and it is impossible to completely eliminate it through ideological and moral education!"

Christianity believes that humans have seven deadly sins.

Xunzi, a Chinese philosopher who lived at the same time as Aristotle, also said that human nature is inherently evil!

Therefore, the ideal state does not exist, because humanity itself is imperfect. At most, humanity can only build an advanced society that maximizes human rationality and suppresses human animalistic instincts to the greatest extent possible…

Adams continued, "Then, sir, do you think it's possible for European countries today to become such advanced societies?"

"It's very difficult in the short term!" Chen Wenbin answered truthfully. "It might take two hundred years to achieve!"

"Two hundred years!"

John Adams slowly shook his head, then sneered: "As long as the nature of the rulers remains unchanged, how can the world possibly be any better two hundred years from now?"

On the contrary, due to technological advancements, rulers will become increasingly powerful, while the people will become increasingly powerless to resist!

I think people back then would be in a much worse situation than they are now... if we do nothing now!

After he finished speaking, before Chen Wenbin could speak, he gritted his teeth and said, "Sir, you, Samuel, and Mr. Franklin all said that after the war, Britain would definitely strengthen its control over North America and increase taxes!"

This prophecy has now come true; they want to impose heavy taxes and tyrannical rule on us!

Mr. Franklin's response was to deliver a long speech in protest at Westminster Palace. I've heard he also hoped the King would intervene, but to no avail, is that right?

"...That's true!"

Chen Wenbin sighed, "Old Benjamin really did his best, but he simply couldn't stop the Sugar Tax Act from passing in Parliament... because Britain needed new sources of revenue to alleviate its enormous debt burden."

"That's right! Debt pressure!"

Adams nodded slowly. "The British want to plunder the pockets of us North Americans to make up for their war debts, so Mr. Franklin's peace protest is bound to fail!"

If we do not want to end up like the miserable poor in the slums of London, with nothing left, we must fight back using non-peaceful means!

I think many gentlemen in North America have already realized this, and Mr. Franklin has now also realized this…”

He looked at Chen Wenbin, whose expression had become serious, and a confident smile appeared on his face.

"I think you, sir, are probably the first person to have this awareness and to prepare for the worst possible future!"

Those artisans, those immigrant ships, those equipment and steel sent back to Providence, those German mercenaries and immigrants… You’re preparing for a war, aren’t you?”

What else can Chen Wenbin say in the face of this question?

John Adams, as one of his personal lawyers and key assistants, had handled so many things that it would be strange if he couldn't guess what Chen Wenbin was up to.

"...I always prepare for the worst, John!" He sighed and laid his cards on the table: "Unless things get so bad that war breaks out, all my preparations will only be for the Spanish and hostile Indian tribes!"

But once our property and freedom are threatened, we are forced to take up arms and fight back!

Although I have been granted the title of baron, I am not a British nobleman. I will always be a North American, and my future children will be North Americans... because the Old World of Europe is filled with decay and the shackles of freedom; only the New World holds a bright future!

Hearing Chen Wenbin's clear statement, John Adams breathed a sigh of relief. If Chen Wenbin hadn't just reiterated the validity of the "North American land option" to the sailors on deck, he wouldn't have been sure whether Lord Chen had changed his mind.

After all, Sir Chen's current status and achievements in Britain have reached the limit for ordinary people!

A baron, a guest of the royal family, a London landowner and tycoon, a beautiful noblewoman as his wife... It would be a perfectly normal choice for him to abandon everything in North America!

Putting yourself in his shoes, if he were Lord Chen, he might not have been able to have such a firm resolve.

"Sir, I knew you hadn't changed!" he chuckled easily. "Mr. Franklin was mistaken; he thought you'd stay in England and become a nobleman!"

"What did you say?"

Chen Wenbin looked surprised, then angrily said, "That fat bastard! No wonder he's been avoiding me these past few days... Damn it!"

I thought he was busy having fun with his mistress! He can forget about getting double pay anymore!

Seeing his boss get angry, John Adams shrank back and didn't dare to say a word... because he himself was also receiving double pay.

One salary was Chen Wenbin's private lawyer's salary, £20 a month, and the other was the vice president's salary at Robin Company (including Robin Metal Company, Robin Real Estate Firm, Robin Pharmacy, and several other companies), £30 a month... He would be heartbroken if he lost a salary because of saying the wrong thing!