I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 83 The Foundations of Britain

Early the next morning.

After having a hearty breakfast with his wife and father-in-law, Mr. Chen returned to his study to read and digest his food.

After Samuel Adams finished reporting on the talent recruitment work in Southampton, he summoned Samuel, Anthony, and three armed guards, and they traveled to South London in two carriages.

The London trade association's meeting and banquet started at 3 p.m., so he had some free time this morning, which was exactly what he wanted to do to personally investigate the business environment and the living conditions of the lower classes in Britain.

He knew that if he stayed in the office all day listening to his subordinates' reports, the information and data he obtained would inevitably be distorted. Only by conducting on-site field investigations and obtaining first-hand information could he accurately judge the situation and make the right decisions.

He never believed in nonsense like "strategizing within the tent and winning battles a thousand miles away." Even a powerful prime minister like Zhuge Liang had to personally handle everything to ensure the achievement of his goals, let alone anyone else.

Just after nine o'clock, two carriages stopped at the entrance of an alley on South Huaxaku Street.

Upon seeing this, a middle-aged man at the alley entrance immediately pulled a flustered woman and two children over to greet them.

The man was wearing a coarse cloth shirt that had been clearly starched and wool breeches, and a worn-out felt hat on his head.

The woman with red hair was wearing a patched cotton dress with an apron tied in front of her, and she was pulling two lively boys of about seven or eight years old with both hands.

Upon seeing Chen Wenbin, dressed in a typical gentleman's attire—a black tailcoat, white riding breeches, a black top hat, and tall leather boots—get off the carriage, he immediately removed his hat, bowed, and respectfully said:

"...God bless you! Mr. Robin! You really came! I thought Mr. Maurice was playing a joke on me yesterday..."

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn. Thank you for inviting me to your home!"

Chen Wenbin greeted the couple with a smile, then bent down and ruffled the hair of one of the little boys, asking, "What are the names of these two little ones?"

Frank Glenn quickly replied, "...Sir! These are my sons, Mike and Chris. I originally intended to bring them to work in your factory, but Mr. Morris said that your factory doesn't accept child laborers and that they need to go to school..."

As he spoke, he blinked and pleaded, "You are a kind gentleman, but if Mike and Chris don't work in the factory, our family's life will be even harder. But Mary doesn't want to send them to other factories; those bosses don't have a conscience like you!"

Chen Wenbin didn't say anything about how children only have a future if they study knowledge. Instead, he nodded noncommittally and smiled at Frank, saying, "Mr. Glenn, let's talk in your house! It's a bit cold outside. Look, the children are all getting runny noses from the cold."

Frank, afraid he might offend the big boss, nodded repeatedly and said, "...Okay, okay! Mr. Robin! Please come with me!"

At this moment, Anthony walked over, glanced at Frank, and said, "Sir, there are too many poor people watching you here; it might not be safe... Perhaps we could talk somewhere else?"

Chen Wenbin looked around and, sure enough, the passersby were staring at their smart clothes and luxurious four-wheeled carriage... This was very rare in the slums.

As for danger, he wasn't worried at all, because the gang members and thugs who had survived in the slums were hardly fools; they knew what that carriage worth hundreds or thousands of pounds meant.

If anyone is foolish enough to try anything with him, the entire neighborhood will be plowed up afterwards!

Secondly, Chen Wenbin and the other three men, including Anthony, were all carrying flintlock muskets, giving them sufficient means of self-defense.

So he shook his head and said, "...There shouldn't be any danger here, and the short muskets you have aren't just for show. Let's go!"

Let's go see what the foundations of Great Britain are like!

Upon hearing this, Samuel Adams, who was rubbing his hands to warm them, had a flash of insight and immediately followed.

The Glenn family lived in a courtyard less than fifty meters from the alley entrance. When everyone stepped through the sewage-strewn road and entered the gate, they were all stunned by what they saw inside.

Because there's practically no place to put your feet in this yard!

The space, spanning a hundred square feet (about ten square meters), was piled high with all kinds of garbage, reaching half a person's height. There were only three narrow passageways for passage, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of coal smoke, the stench of feces and urine, and the unpleasant odor of fermenting garbage.

Seeing this, Chen Wenbin didn't really want to go in either, but since he was already there, he couldn't just turn back. So he asked Frank Green, "...Mr. Glenn, which room are you staying in?"

"The house on the left..."

Frank Green pointed to the left aisle and said helplessly, "Sir, there's nothing in there... That gentleman is right, a gentleman like you is not suited to stay here."

Chen Wenbin shook his head slightly and said earnestly, "Mr. Glenn, you are my employee. I need to take a look at your current living conditions so that I can build you a more comfortable house in the future!"

After saying this, without waiting for Glenn's astonished reply, he stepped to the door of the house, opened the wooden door, and went inside.

In the room, which was less than ten square meters, there was only a bed and a few pieces of wooden furniture, as well as some kettles and tableware such as plates around the fireplace.

A four- or five-year-old girl with messy hair was squatting in front of the fireplace, her hands gripping a hammer and forcefully pounding coal. Her little face and dress were covered in coal dust, making her look filthy.

When Glenn's wife Mary saw this, she quickly went over and picked up the little girl, wiping the soot off her face and dress with her hands, but the more she wiped, the more soot appeared.

She had no choice but to look up at Chen Wenbin and explain, "Sir... she is my youngest daughter, Annie. She's probably cold, so she wanted to add coal to the fireplace..."

What could Chen Wenbin possibly say at this moment?

Silently, he took a small white cloth bundle from his pocket, took out a few sugar cubes, knelt down and gave them to the little girl, then stood up and instructed Anthony, "...Anthony, go to the carriage and open the box I brought. There are some food and clothes inside. Remember, take them in front of everyone else!"

"...Yes, sir!" Anthony didn't quite understand, but chose to carry it out.

After he left, Chen Wenbin turned to Glenn, who seemed hesitant to speak, pointed to the stools in front of the fireplace, and said with a smile, "Mr. Glenn, I think we can sit there, warm ourselves, and have a good chat."