I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 47 Naval Seeds and Unexpected Events

Time spent at sea always feels longer than time spent on land.

In addition to teaching the class, Chen Wenbin would also take time to call over four students who were preparing to study navigation in England, and let them learn from the sailors how to operate the sails and use the sextant. He even had Captain Marty teach them how to operate the ship's cannons.

These four boys were all orphans, his adopted sons, and the future naval officers he envisioned.

Although the sailors on the Diana and Providence were also his employees, their loyalty to him was based solely on money, and was far less than that of these children.

That afternoon, Chen Wenbin and his four children, dressed in thick woolen coats, stood on the deck of the Diana.

After measuring the latitude and longitude with a sextant, thirteen-year-old Matt tilted his head back and asked Chen Wenbin somewhat uncertainly:

"...Father, will we really be able to command battleships in the future? I heard from the captain that the largest British battleship, HMS Victory, displaced a full 3600 tons and cost 100,000 pounds!"

The other three boys, Richard, Victor, and Klaus, also looked at Chen Wenbin. They knew that although their adoptive father was one of the richest people in the colony, his net worth certainly did not exceed £100,000.

"It won't cost that much!"

Chen Wenbin reached out and patted Matt's head, then smiled at them and said, "I bet the British shipyards didn't really spend that much money!"

Moreover, technology is constantly advancing. The Victory was a wooden sailing warship, requiring thousands of tall oak logs to build. In the future, we can use steel for the keel and ribs of ships, replacing expensive wood, or even build warships entirely of steel. That would reduce costs!

"That's wonderful!"

Matt immediately exclaimed excitedly, "I'll definitely become the best naval commander!"

He was young and thought Chen Wenbin was omnipotent, but the other three children were already fifteen or sixteen years old and more mature. They understood how difficult it was to achieve this, but they did not want to question Chen Wenbin, so they remained silent.

Chen Wenbin, with his keen senses, naturally noticed the three men's thoughts and looked at them with a smile, "What? Richard, you don't believe that warships can be built with steel?"

The three boys looked at each other, and the oldest, Richard, with black hair, could only nod helplessly and say, "Father! Of course we want to believe in your abilities. You are the greatest inventor in the world!"

But building warships out of steel... is it even possible to achieve that within thirty years? Thirty years from now, we'll be almost fifty years old, and we probably won't have the strength to fight for you at sea!

"We're already very satisfied to have had the opportunity to command a third-tier battleship in our lifetime!"

Chen Wenbin was taken aback, then gently shook his head: "Richard, don't set limits for yourself too easily! If you make commanding a Tier 3 battleship your lifelong goal, you may only ever be able to command armed merchant ships!"

This world is full of changes; a penniless person who falls into the sea may soon become a millionaire, and a battleship built of wood may be rendered obsolete by steel warships overnight!

Richard shook his head and said, "Father! Not everyone can create miracles like you!"

Why is this child so stubborn?

Chen Wenbin frowned slightly, just about to lecture him and instill in him a positive outlook on accepting new things, when the head maid, Mary, rushed over anxiously, saying, "Sir! Miss Diana...Miss Diana has been vomiting! You must go and see her!"

"What?"

Chen Wenbin's heart sank. Vomiting? Was it from eating something bad, or... Oh my god!

Hopefully, this is the time when he gets hit!

However, what he feared most came to pass. When he ran back to the cabin, he found that Diana looked fine and was still full of energy. But after taking her temperature and considering her poor appetite and delayed menstruation that morning, Chen Wenbin came to a conclusion.

She is most likely really pregnant!

This is really bad timing!

The fleet has now been at sea for two weeks and is located roughly in the west-central part of the North Atlantic. If all goes well, it will take another twenty days or so to reach Bristol, England.

Seeing Chen Wenbin's changed expression while lying in bed, Diana immediately sat up and comforted him, "Darling, I just feel a little nauseous, it'll be alright! Betty is just overreacting!"

"No!"

Chen Wenbin held her hand and said with a wry smile, "You're probably... pregnant! Didn't you realize it?"

"……Pregnant!"

The blonde girl was initially confused, then her eyes widened. "I'm pregnant? But you don't always let me eat that..."

"That doesn't necessarily guarantee safety!"

Chen Wenbin had mixed feelings, both the joy of becoming a father and the worry that something might have happened to Diana on the ship.

The blonde woman, stroking her lower abdomen, suddenly exclaimed in horror, "Oh! Darling! If we don't have a wedding, won't our child be an illegitimate child?"

As expected of someone of noble birth, they immediately realized the issue of the child's status.

"It's nothing," Chen Wenbin reassured him. "Reverend Davis is on the ship; he can officiate our wedding. Of course, if you're thinking of England..."

"I want to marry you in England!" Diana declared immediately. "Our marriage must be blessed, because only then will Uncle John help you, and only then will our children have a right of succession to the Spencer family line!"

"……I see!"

Chen Wenbin nodded. He wasn't particularly concerned about Baron Spencer's help. As for the right of succession... Diana would only be able to get it if all the male heirs in the Spencer family died!

No, it's Diana's turn to be Catherine, her sister, and her children!

Only if Catherine and her child are gone will Diana and Chen Wenbin's child have a chance of inheriting Baron Spencer's title, a probability that is no less than a windfall.

After comforting Diana for a while, Chen Wenbin stood up and said, "Alright! Diana, you get some rest. Mary, stay and take care of her. Betty and I will go to the kitchen to prepare some nutritious food for you!"

Since there was nothing that could be done, Chen Wenbin could only try his best to ensure Diana's nutritional intake, as he did not want his child to be malnourished or have any disabilities.

Fortunately, he had Maurice prepare enough plant culture boxes and sealed apples beforehand, and there would definitely be enough lettuce and spinach for Diana to eat, so there was no need to worry about Diana being lacking folic acid.

Because Chen Wenbin did not have anyone deliberately conceal the news, the news of Diana's pregnancy quickly spread throughout the ship.

Chen Wenbin's friends, subordinates, adopted son, and students all came to congratulate him. Even Pastor Davis did not criticize the couple for having a child out of wedlock, but also offered his blessings.

After this incident, Boss Chen keenly noticed that many people seemed to have more confidence in the company's business and were more responsible in their work.

Especially Chris, Anthony, and Shelby, these long-time employees and subordinates, took turns guarding outside Diana's cabin in a tacit manner... Chen Wenbin guessed that they must have known that they had an heir and that their future lives would be more secure, which is why they chose to do this.