I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 92 Parliamentary Inquiry

Wednesday, November 1764, 2.

The second floor of Robin's mansion.

Chen Wenbin got up very early today.

Instead of wearing his usual tuxedo, he dressed very formally, not only wearing a custom-made expensive gentleman's suit, but also a white wig that he had always been reluctant to wear.

At this moment, in the master bedroom, his fiancée Diana, maid Betty, and Mary were all circling around him.

Diana adjusted his shirt in front of him, Mary fixed his wig behind him, Betty knelt down to smooth out the wrinkles in his white stockings, and his father-in-law Robert sat in the chair opposite him, explaining the parliamentary questioning process and precautions to him.

"...You are not the Prime Minister or a cabinet minister, so the members of parliament will not make things too difficult for you. You only need to state the facts and do not need any answers with emotions or subjective evaluations."

Granting patent rights is just one of the proposals that Parliament needs to deal with today, so you may only have 20 minutes to present and 10 minutes to answer.

It's nothing. You're already a renowned scientist, inventor, and doctor, and you've signed a patent licensing agreement with a London textile company, so today is just a formality.

However, this is your first appearance in parliament. Even if you don't perform exceptionally well, you absolutely must not panic or be rude...

Chen Wenbin stood there listening absentmindedly, then looked down at the white stockings on his calves and felt a wave of disgust.

Although it was normal for European nobles to wear white silk at that time, and it was a fashion that had been popular since the time of Louis XIV, he really couldn't accept it.

Fortunately, this thing is only needed to be worn on formal occasions...

He looked away and turned to his father-in-law, saying:

"...Robert, don't worry, I understand the importance of today. We've practiced several times, haven't we?"

Don't worry, there won't be any problems!

"I hope so!" Robert nodded, said no more, and looked at his daughter.

"Diana, the weather's not good today; it seems even colder than yesterday. Wear more layers before you go out, and you should wear that otter shawl to protect your neck!"

"Okay, Dad!"

Diana answered without turning her head, then took a few steps back, looked at the man in front of her, clapped her hands, and smiled with satisfaction, "Darling, you look fantastic today! A completely different style from before!"

"...So what style am I now?" Chen Wenbin turned to look at himself in the full-length mirror... Good heavens!

The moment he put on the white wig, his aura changed dramatically. Before, he was masculine and handsome, but now he is elegant and handsome. With his perfectly human-like handsome features and tall stature, his aura is far superior to those short and ugly British nobles!

Upon closer inspection, Chen Wenbin felt a little awkward, because a wig is a wig and it can't be perfect... But it doesn't matter, since he doesn't wear a wig every day anyway.

Soon, the group was ready. Chen Wenbin led Diana downstairs, and then, together with Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and others who were waiting in the living room, they took a carriage to the House of Parliament at Westminster Palace.

Like Chen Wenbin, Benjamin Franklin also wore a wig and a formal suit, as he was to testify before Parliament today as a witness in the patent applications for the Jenna spinning machine and the Diana sewing machine.

Inside the carriage, Franklin stared at Chen Wenbin across from him for a long while before scratching his wig and saying enviously, "...Robin! You look more like a nobleman than a real nobleman right now!"

I'm already worried that those old guys will feel ashamed and cause you extra trouble!

Diana, who was holding Chen Wenbin's arm, laughed and said, "Mr. Franklin! You're joking. I believe the councilors will give Robin a fair outcome!"

"Ha! Fairness?"

Franklin seemed to recall his futile efforts in Parliament these past few days, and said sarcastically, "All those people care about is how to save money and how to make money off the people; they have no regard for the future of the country!"

"Fairness? That's just comforting talk for the people... But it's a good thing for Robin. He's a millionaire now, and his inventions are making a lot of money for those people in the council, so he's sure to get what he wants today!"

Chen Wenbin gently patted his fiancée's hand, then smiled at the fat man and said, "Benjamin, is it wrong for me to become a millionaire?"

My wealth does not come from the blood and tears of the people, but from innovation and invention…”

Franklin immediately retorted, "But those people who buy medicine at exorbitant prices in your pharmacy, their money comes from the blood, tears, and taxes of the people!"

"I have no say in how they make their money."

Chen Wenbin spread his hands and said, "But I can decide to expand the enrollment of medical schools and science schools, while recruiting more workers to shipyards and other factories in the New World... Benjamin, accept what we cannot change, and at the same time change what we cannot accept!"

I think only in this way can we maintain inner balance and avoid being blinded by anger and resentment!

Franklin fell silent, then gave Diana an apologetic smile and sighed, "Please forgive me, Diana, I was just thinking about something very upsetting. I wasn't targeting you..."

Diana thought for a moment and asked, "Mr. Franklin, are you worried about the Sugar Tax Act? I heard from my father that Congress is going to strictly levy a sugar tax in North America."

"It's not just about sugar!"

Franklin said with a wry smile, "They still don't recognize our paper money! They demand that we pay taxes in gold, silver, and pounds!"

North America has very little gold and silver. If this policy is implemented, paper money will depreciate rapidly, many colonial merchants will go bankrupt, and the people will quickly experience the pain of rising prices and unemployment due to the commercial recession!

Chen Wenbin had been busy treating patients and hadn't paid much attention to these situations. He frowned and said, "Is the situation that serious? Didn't the Whig Party members try to stop it? They should know that North America will absolutely not accept such a policy... This is putting a fuse on a powder keg!"

"They know!"

Franklin said helplessly, "But they can no longer stop Britain's desire to alleviate its financial pressure!"

£1.4 million!

Where else besides North America can they get the money to fill this hole?

"You might be able to manage with your Jenna spinning and sewing machines, but that would take at least five years, and Britain can't afford to wait that long!"

Chen Wenbin also fell silent. No wonder Colbrook's eager and unscrupulous actions, which crossed all lines, could still garner some support. It seems that the British treasury is indeed on the verge of collapse.

In that case, he needs to speed up his actions, otherwise he'll be in trouble if Britain chooses to further escalate the conflict.