novelSusiti Chapter 147 Governor Chen's Troops
Chapter 147 Governor Chen's Troops
Chapter 147 Governor Chen's Troops
"Is that Jewish goldsmith a local from New England, or from Europe?" Chen Wenbin asked Walter with a serious expression.
"—I heard he came from London." Walter, unsure of his boss's attitude, tentatively asked, "What's wrong, sir? Should we kick him out?"
Jews were not very welcome in New England and the rest of England at the time. The Puritan communities in North America were even more anti-Jewish than those in England because they were not only heretics who killed Jesus, but also moneylenders and speculators, and were keen on the slave trade, which was incompatible with Puritan values.
Chen Wenbin didn't speak, but slowly shook his head and began to think carefully.
Jewish merchants—they always seem to be able to sniff out money first.
He thought of Benjamin Mendes da Costa, the leader of the London Jewish community.
In early June, the old man, along with several British Jewish financial families and tycoons from London's financial district, acquired a total of 12 percent of the shares of American Bank, second only to Chen Wenbin's own 45 percent and the British royal family's 20 percent.
Two months later, the Jewish goldsmith traveled from London to North America and specifically chose to settle in Robintown—was this a pure coincidence, or a test by those British Jewish financial families?
Chen Wenbin certainly believed the latter!
If he drives the Jewish goldsmith out of Robin, it will prove that he doesn't really want to cooperate with the Jewish financial families for the long term, or at least he doesn't like them.
Conversely, if he were to accept the Jewish goldsmith, the Jewish financial families in London would likely increase their investments, and might even use him as a starting point to expand their influence in North America.
As expected of a people who have survived thousands of years of wandering, their caution and prudence are truly admirable!
Chen Wenbin sat there thinking, while the other three dared not continue eating, quietly waiting for him to speak.
When he came to his senses and saw the three people's reactions, he waved his hand and laughed, "Never mind that Jewish goldsmith!"
A week from now, the American Bank will open a branch in Robin City. Some Jewish bank managers and employees will also settle here, but we need to keep an eye on them and prevent them from engaging in any speculation or manipulation—Robin City is mine, and it's yours too, not someone else's farm!
The three men understood their boss's meaning: restricting the use of [something] against Jews. They exchanged glances, and David Jones spoke first: "—Sir, what exactly should we do? Just send people to keep an eye on them?"
Chen Wenbin stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment, then said, "————Let's push for the establishment of a Financial and Market Oversight Committee in the Rhodes Island Council!"
From now on, this committee will oversee the operation of the financial industry and market speculation. The salaries and subsidies of the committee members will be provided by the American Bank and Robin Trading Company—and a few politicians and businessmen will be recruited to serve as committee members and formulate rules for the financial industry.
His solution was to establish his own China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and China Securities Regulatory Commission. It would certainly pass without any problem in the Rhode Island Colony Congress, but it would be very difficult to do the same in other colonies!
However, with Rhode Island as an example, there will always be opportunities to promote it throughout North America in the future.
After the three finished their report as usual, they took their leave and left Robin Manor. Chen Wenbin finally felt full after eating a large bowl of beef and seven steamed buns.
He returned to his study and spent an hour and a half reviewing reports.
At eight o'clock, his bodyguard captain Shelby, the two Hessian infantry company commanders Lieutenant Henry Reinhardt and Lieutenant John Tripp, and Robintown sheriff and militia captain Henry Stry arrived on time.
Today is Saturday. Since returning to North America, he has been attending training sessions for mercenaries and militias every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. At the same time, he summarizes and promotes new tactics based on changes in weapons, preparing for future Western wars.
The western part of North America is not New England, much less London. There is little civilized order there, and the competition is more brutal and direct. Therefore, it must have a strong and loyal military force!
Two companies of 250 Hessian mercenaries, more than 300 North American militiamen, and over 2,000 armed immigrants equipped with muskets were his capital to become governor and lord in the West.
In order to keep these mercenaries and militiamen firmly under his control, he made promises to everyone, including the armed immigrants.
Once a person has served eight years, they can receive 30 acres of farmland and ranchland in the West for free, and as long as there are men in the family serving, they can enjoy a 50% land tax subsidy on the allocated land of up to 120 acres.
If the British government and the colonies do not recognize it, Governor Chen will personally pay for it to make up for it!
In addition to land, he also provided all militiamen and mercenaries with a minimum monthly salary of £1.10, all expenses covered, as well as death and injury compensation of up to £80 and educational guarantees for their minor children.
As for medical expenses, needless to say, Governor Chen is the best doctor in the world and has also established two top medical schools. How could he possibly skimp on the soldiers' treatment costs? All medical expenses for soldiers and their immediate family members are reimbursed by the Western Soldiers Foundation.
All of this, of course, bought Governor Chen enough loyalty!
Human life was worthless in this era; you could buy an Irish indentured slave at a British port for 10 pounds.
According to information provided by Major Charles House, even a Royal Navy sailor who should theoretically be among the best paid only earns 19 shillings per month. After deductions for medical funds, pensions, clergy expenses, and clothing costs, the actual take-home pay is only about 12.
14 shillings, and even then, six months' wages would be withheld to prevent the sailors from deserting midway.
In reality, what supports the Royal Navy's fighting power are these miserable sailors who are exploited to the limit and can only earn money through battle merits and captures.
British army soldiers fared even worse. Theoretically, their daily wage was 8 pence, which was £1 a month. However, after deductions, they were lucky to receive 2 pence a day. Soldiers mainly relied on combat allowances for their livelihood.
Now Governor Chen not only gave the soldiers land, but also treated them as human beings, giving them a real salary of £10 shillings a month, plus wartime allowances. Naturally, the soldiers' loyalty has skyrocketed.
Today is the first day of the month, which happens to be the day when last month's salary is paid. Chen Wenbin and his group, carrying three boxes of gold and silver coins, along with five American bank employees, rode to the military camp in the north of Robin Manor.
Two hundred and fifty Black Forest mercenaries and more than three hundred Robin City militiamen were already lined up on the parade ground, forming five square formations. Each soldier looked at Governor Chen on horseback with anticipation in their eyes.
Today is the day that Governor Chen personally distributes money to them!