I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 66 Count Butt

When Richard returned from his work, he saw Hailey in the kitchen, learning to make steamed buns from Mary. He frowned, thought for a moment, then walked to the sofa in the living room and whispered a reminder to Chen Wenbin, who was flipping through a thesis:

"...Sir, are you planning to take that woman in? She doesn't seem as simple as she appears..."

"I know."

Chen Wenbin didn't even look up, and said calmly, "You don't need to worry. No matter who sent her, I don't think anyone in London would want to do anything to me right now."

Richard breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Before leaving, old Joseph had instructed him to take good care of Chen Wenbin, including his safety.

"...Yes, Your Excellency, I understand!"

He nodded, turned and left, preparing to instruct the other servants and maids to keep an eye on the woman named Hailey.

"...Richard!"

Chen Wenbin stopped him, put down his paper, looked up, and asked, "Did you find the person I asked you to find?"

"...Two suitable candidates have been found."

The old butler, wearing a white wig, bowed slightly and reported, "They have expressed their willingness to work for you. One of them is named James Holly, who used to be a plainclothes detective in London, but was fired for some reason. Now he mainly makes a living by collecting and selling the private information of nobles and wealthy London merchants."

The other man was originally a captain for the East India Company, mainly traveling between Bengal and the mainland, named Vincent Robinson…”

"...Robinson? Robinson?" Chen Wenbin interrupted with a strange look in his eyes.

"Yes! It's just a coincidence." The old butler said without changing his expression, "You know, Robin is a common surname in England."

"All right!"

Chen Wenbin waved his hand, "You can continue!"

He just picked his own English name randomly; it's perfectly normal to have the same name as someone else.

"...After leaving the East India Company, Vincent Robinson tried to resume his adventures in the East, but due to the East India Company's monopoly, he could only work for the navy and transport supplies to Prussia on the Baltic coast."

After the war ended last year, he stayed in London and lived off his savings… He is very interested in your plans for colonizing Patagonia and the Pacific!

"Okay, could you arrange a time for me to meet these two people?"

Chen Wenbin nodded, quite satisfied with Richard's efficiency. He had only given the order yesterday, and today two suitable candidates had already been found... Although Old Joseph's endorsement was certainly involved, the old butler was definitely a top-notch headhunter.

He then asked, "What about the Chinese in Britain and the British who understand China? No news?"

Richard replied helplessly, "...Your Excellency! There are no more than a hundred Chinese people in all of Europe! The vast majority of them are in the Papal States and France, where their Jesuits have direct contact with the Chinese court."

Although there were a few Chinese translators and escorts employed by the East India Company in London, they absolutely refused to have much contact with the British and even kept an eye on each other… It seemed that the Chinese trading companies behind them, which monopolized foreign trade, were holding their families captive.

China Commercial Bank?

Chen Wenbin thought for a moment, then suddenly realized, the monopoly on Chinese trade... must be the Thirteen Factories of Guangzhou!

The Qing Dynasty was implementing a single-port trade policy, meaning that among the coastal cities, only Guangzhou was authorized to conduct foreign trade. Within Guangzhou, only the Thirteen Factories were authorized to trade with foreign merchants, and behind the Thirteen Factories were the Qing Dynasty's Imperial Household Department and the Eight Banners nobility...

Given the strict anti-Han measures of the Manchu Qing dynasty, how could they possibly allow Han people to go abroad to gather information? Not even a servant of a servant or a shop assistant from the Thirteen Factories!

Chen Wenbin sighed inwardly, abandoning the idea of ​​sending someone to contact those Thirteen Factories employees.

The Thirteen Factories hold their weakness in their hands. If I, a descendant of a Ming dynasty noble family overseas, were to make contact with them, they would surely report me upon their return, creating trouble for my future immigration, unless I forcibly detain them.

But could the East India Company really help transport immigrants to North America?

The Qing Dynasty would certainly not allow the British to send their slaves out, and the British are not standing up for themselves right now... If the East India Company manages to fool some Annamese or Japanese, it will be another messy situation!

Chen Wenbin's face grew darker and darker as he thought about it. Richard, seeing this, dared not speak... He knew that Chen Wenbin was a nobleman in exile from the Ming Dynasty of China, and he must be thinking of something sad.

"...Tell me about the scholars who study the East!" Chen Wenbin exhaled and continued, "Are there any suitable candidates?"

Richard nodded: "The most renowned Oriental scholar in Britain is Sir William Chambers, who designed the Chinese-style architecture of Kew Gardens. I have already sent you an invitation. In addition, several students at Oxford University are researching the materials Sir Chambers brought back from China. You can write to invite them to London for an exchange..."

"Give me the students' information, and I'll write to them!"

Chen Wenbin thought for a moment, then added, "Also, send someone to tell old Joseph that I want to talk to him!"

……

In the evening, Franklin returned to the mansion, accompanied by an elderly nobleman in his fifties with a haggard face. He was none other than John Stewart, the 3rd Earl of Butt, the tutor and most trusted advisor of George III and former Prime Minister!

Although he has completely withdrawn from the cabinet and resigned last year with the unsavory reputation of "selling out British interests for peace," the Earl remains a pivotal figure in Britain, and George III's trust in him has not diminished.

So not only Chen Wenbin, but even Diana, who was resting upstairs, insisted on coming downstairs to welcome the Earl.

After the necessary formalities, the old count, wearing a silver-white wig, a monocle, and a tailcoat, sat on the living room sofa, carefully examined Chen Wenbin for a moment, and then revealed a noble and reserved smile.

"...Dr. Robin, I must say, your appearance is even more handsome than those descriptions suggest, and your demeanor is far more noble! I am now certain that you are of noble blood!"

Sure enough, this world is a giant game of deception!

Having good looks makes people look at you differently. Chen Wenbin smiled and shook his head, saying, "My lord, my ancestors lost their country, and I don't have any noble titles."

"No!"

The count chuckled and said, "You will soon have your own title!"

In fact, His Majesty wished to invite you to St. James's Palace yesterday to thank you after learning of your arrival in London, since your garlic saved Prince Frederick and many other Englishmen.

He was just worried you hadn't rested enough, so he set the time for tomorrow morning... Do you have time to visit St. James's tomorrow, Robin?

"certainly!"

Chen Wenbin feigned excitement, stood up, and declared, "I am a member of the Rhode Island Colony Council and a subject of Great Britain. It is a great honor to receive His Majesty's invitation!"

Earl Butt nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Diana, who was equally excited beside Chen Wenbin, and said with a gentle smile, "Miss Spencer, I heard that the Spencer family is discussing your marriage with Robin's representative."

If possible, the King would like you to accompany him to St. James's Palace; Queen Charlotte would also be very pleased to have you there!

"Lord!"

Diana rose gracefully and curtsied, saying, "I would be delighted to go to St. James's Palace to meet His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen!"