I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 178 The Indian Tribes Eradicated

three days later.

At noon on November 7th.

The 1,600-strong western immigrant group finally arrived in Lancaster, an important town in central Pennsylvania.

This small town, with a population of only two thousand, is located about sixty-two miles west of Philadelphia.

Before the Land Notice of 1763 prohibited immigration, this was the true starting point for westward migration from New England.

Even now, London's laws can't stop the land-loving North Americans. Since the main roads are blocked by British checkpoints, they take all sorts of side roads to the west—life always finds its own way!

During these three days, Governor Chen's western immigrant group encountered seven small immigrant groups of varying sizes on the road. They were all pioneers who were preparing to travel along steep mountain roads and cross the Appalachian Mountains to the west.

Upon hearing that Governor Chen could legally lead people through Carlyle's British checkpoint, all eighty-six men expressed their willingness to join the immigrant group, even if it meant taking on an "immigrant loan" from the Bank of America.

How could Governor Chen bear to refuse such a labor force that came to him with its own provisions?

Anyway, he wasn't really going to abide by the quota of three thousand immigrants. It was just a formality to give London an explanation. In reality, who would bother Governor Chen just because there were a few hundred or a thousand more immigrants in the west?

Are you kidding me?

If the British bureaucracy were this efficient, Governor Chen wouldn't need to bother with the Western Territories; he could just strive to become the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Inside the lounge on the second floor of Lancaster City Hall.

Chen Wenbin had just gotten rid of the fat mayor who was trying so hard to curry favor with him, and was about to ask Sophia to come over and massage his legs so he could take a good nap.

No sooner had he lain down on the sofa than David Jones and Reinhardt started banging on the door from outside.

Hearing the knock on the door, Chen Wenbin, while buttoning his shirt, instructed the head maid, whose eyes were filled with resentment: "————

"Sophia, stop! Go open the door first."

Seeing his pretty maid, who had been with him for over a year, staring straight at him without saying a word, he looked helpless. He could only grab her restless hand and gently soothe her, saying, "My dear Sophia, our matter isn't urgent—go check on Katarina and Idney, those other pregnant women who are about to give birth, and make sure nothing goes wrong!"

'

Seeing this, Sophia knew her good deed was off today, so she angrily jumped off the sofa and started tidying up.

She adjusted her crisscross-strap maid dress, rinsed her mouth with water, and looked at herself in the mirror by the door. After confirming there were no flaws, she coldly opened the door to the lounge.

"Well----"

Seeing her displeased expression, David Jones assumed his boss was already taking a nap and instinctively asked, "Miss Sophia, is he resting?"

Sofia was so angry that she didn't want to talk to him. She glared at the two of them and left.

David Jones and Reinhardt looked at each other, feeling completely bewildered. But when they went inside and saw Governor Chen lounging on the sofa in just a shirt, they instantly understood!

Their boss was good in every way, generous and respectful to his subordinates, except for one thing: he had a lecherous habit. This was no secret in the entire Western immigrant group, since the pregnant women in Governor Chen's tent and carriage hadn't deliberately hidden themselves from people.

Everyone can basically understand this. Governor Chen has so much money, it's no big deal for him to have a few more mistresses, and besides, he's sick, isn't he?

If you're sick, you need to get treatment!

David Jones scratched his head awkwardly. "Sir—have we disturbed you?"

Upon hearing this, Boss Chen pointed to the sofa opposite him and laughed, "Stop talking nonsense! Just say what you want to say!"

David Jones and Reinhardt breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that their boss was still as unpretentious as ever. The former quickly handed Governor Chen a map and a handwritten form.

"—Your Excellency, at the current pace, it may take us four to five weeks to reach Pittburgh, which is ten to fifteen days longer than originally planned."

I suggest purchasing some flour, beef, and mutton in Lancaster to ensure we have sufficient supplies along the way.

Chen Wenbin quickly glanced at the list of supplies, thought for a moment, and looked up to say, "Okay, you've thought it through very well. The administration department can just purchase according to the needs!"

By the way, the food and supplies for those eighty-six immigrants are the same as for everyone else. They all have loan contracts with Bank of America and are our clients; we can't let them go hungry.

"clear!"

Chen Wenbin then looked at Reinhardt, who was sitting to David Jones' left, and asked, "Henry, what do you need me for?"

Reinhardt immediately said, "Sir, Lieutenant Hudson of the Lancaster militia just told me that he wants to follow you westward with twenty-six Irish militiamen to exterminate the Ohio Indians and expand the land."

I didn't know what you were thinking, so I didn't agree to his offer.

"Lieutenant Hudson?"

Chen Wenbin frowned and asked, "Is he really that hostile towards Native Americans?"

David Jones immediately explained to his boss, "Sir, it's not just him who's hostile to Native Americans; the entire western border of Pennsylvania is dissatisfied with London's policy of favoring Native Americans!"

He spread his hands and said, "Actually, I just heard more than one person in the tavern say that they wanted to exterminate or drive away all the Indians in Pennsylvania!"

Just last month, Irish and Scottish militia in Lancaster killed the last twenty boys of the Conestoga tribe without any trial!

This tribe was originally very friendly to the British and wasn't armed at all—but those Irishmen didn't care! They were a bunch of savages, even more barbaric than the Native Americans!

He said this with a look of disgust and disdain, because he was English. Although he didn't sympathize much with the poor Native American boys, it didn't stop him from standing on the moral high ground to condemn the Irish militia's atrocities.

Reinhardt remained silent, simply awaiting Governor Chen's orders. He cared little for Irish or Indians; he was only responsible to Governor Chen and his family.

Chen Wenbin frowned and thought for a while before instructing Reinhardt: "—Henry, go and call that Lieutenant Hudson over now. I need to talk to him in person."

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Reinhardt stood up decisively, straightened his body, touched the heel of his leather boot, and then turned and left the lounge.

After he left, Chen Wenbin pondered for a while before looking at his secretary.

"—David, I have arrived at Pittburgh and will be presiding over the peace negotiations with Pontiac."

What do you think I should do to secure a peace treaty that satisfies the people of London and the West?

David Jones thought for a moment and said, "—Sir, under the attack and blockade of the British army in North America, the Indians can no longer fight, and Pontiac's alliance has basically collapsed."

I think that if you apply appropriate pressure and offer them some trade facilitation, you should be able to persuade some Native American tribes to relinquish their land claims.

"—This is not enough!"

Chen Wenbin shook his head, stood up and walked to the window. Looking at the street scene of the small town outside the window, he sighed and said, "The West is a wild and unruly land without order. Order there can only be forged with iron and blood!"

Since public opinion in the West is currently very dissatisfied with London and the Indians, we cannot directly oppose public opinion—that would only cause us to lose widespread support!

David Jones hesitated, then asked, "Sir, you mean—"

"war."

Chen Wenbin calmly uttered the word, then turned to look at him and said seriously, "Before peace negotiations, I want to start a war!"

David Jones stood up in shock and said, "—But Your Excellency, London has repeatedly emphasized that you are not allowed to provoke another Indian war! This could very well cause you to lose London's trust!"

"—Therefore, we need to be strategic."

Chen Wenbin waved his hand and said, "We only have less than 700 regular troops. Although they are equipped with Robin 1765 breech-loading rifles, this is enough to sweep across the west. But solving the problem directly with force is the least efficient way!"

When I arrive at Fort Pitt, I will convene a meeting on Indian affairs, requesting all chiefs of Ohio and the tribes near the Great Lakes to bring gifts to the meeting.

If they are unwilling to come, or if the gifts they offer are not sincere enough, then I have reason to attack this tribe and confiscate their land!

As for those tribes that showed loyalty, they would be rewarded with Native American women captured by rival tribes, and they would be given supplies at low prices. Some Native Americans who were willing to convert and pledge allegiance could even be incorporated into the western border patrol, so that Native Americans could manage and guard against other Native Americans.

"Will this... work?"

David Jones worriedly asked, "What if the Native American tribes unite again and refuse to attend the meeting?"

Chen Wenbin said coldly, "Then let's find the strongest and most arrogant tribe first, and send troops to wipe them out!"

Those who refuse to face reality are destined for destruction!

When he said these words, he was reminded of the Native American tribe whose last twenty boys were wiped out—Lancaster was actually in the West.

The rules of survival here are much harsher. Without demonstrating absolute strength and ruthless coldness from the very beginning, he wouldn't be able to establish himself in the West, and the West would never truly become his territory.

Those Native American tribes, unwilling to accept defeat, would stir up trouble and provoke conflict from time to time.

Those British officers and soldiers in the west, as well as the immigrants, would look down on him as governor—no one would truly respect a kind-hearted man with a soft heart!

Bullying the weak and fearing the strong, that's just human nature!

Since he can't take action against his own future base, he can only make do with the Native Americans.

At worst, we can incorporate some of the surrendered young Indians into our ranks. They will always be useful when we expand further west.