I was the Founding Father of the United States

Chapter 126 The Sephardic Jewish Family of London

Chapter 126 The Sephardic Jewish Family of London

"Sir! You're finally back!"

As soon as Chen Wenbin's carriage stopped at the gate of the mansion, Anthony, who was in charge of guarding the mansion, rushed up to him with a look of delight. He turned to the guards behind him and instructed, "Henry! Go quickly and tell Madam and Mr. Robert! The Master is back!"

Chen Wenbin, who had just gotten off the carriage, stopped in his tracks when he heard that his father-in-law was at home. He turned around and glanced at Catherine, who was being helped down from the carriage by Tina, and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

However, Robert would find out about this sooner or later, and given Mary's precedent, hiding it would only be self-deception; it would be better to be more open.

As he stepped into the living room, he saw Diana, wearing a loose white floral dress, coming down the stairs. Upon seeing him, she hurried over, exclaiming with delight, "Darling! I've missed you so much!"

"Be careful!"

Chen Wenbin rushed over, embraced his wife, kissed her several times, then stroked her belly and laughed, "I saw in your letter that the baby can already kick?"

Diana nodded with a smile, "Yes! He's as energetic as you! I bet he's a boy, or a very active girl!"

It's either a boy or a girl —

Chen Wenbin was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and shook his head. "————Okay! Darling, let's sit down first!"

He led Diana to the sofa, then greeted Robert and another man in his sixties, asking, "Dear Robert, Mr. Da Costa—what are you talking about?"

Benjamin Mendes da Costa, with his gray hair and hooked nose, smiled kindly and rose to his feet, saying, "Sir Robin, I've come to invite Mr. Robert and Lady Diana to my granddaughter Judith's wedding—I didn't expect you to be back today!"

Chen Wenbin laughed heartily and said politely to the old man, "Please sit down! Mr. Da Costa, you are a friend of old Joseph and Robert, and also His Majesty's trusted financial steward. Of course, we are friends too. Just call me Robin!"

When is Judith's wedding? If it's convenient for Diana, we'll definitely be there!

Seeing Chen Wenbin's acquiescence, the old man's smile became more genuine. He said with a smile, "Two weeks from now, on Friday! Robin, on behalf of the Da Costa and Mendes families, I welcome you to the children's wedding!"

"Then it's a deal!"

Chen Wenbin nodded and said, "I guarantee I'll give Judith a wedding gift she'll be happy with—by the way, who's the groom? Is he from the Mendes family?"

Robert, the father-in-law sitting opposite him, rolled his eyes at him and said directly, "It's David from the Franco family. Their estate is located south of the estate you bought in Hackney!"

Chen Wenbin suddenly realized, "Oh! It's the Franco family! That's right, only a few Jewish families in all of England are qualified to marry Mr. Da Costa's granddaughter. David of the Franco family—they are indeed a perfect match!"

The Mendes, Da Costa, and Franco families are all Iberian Sephardic Jewish families that migrated from the Netherlands to England.

The old man in front of Chen Wenbin, Benjamin Mendes da Costa, is a key figure in the London Jewish community and a founding member of the British Jewish Council.

More importantly, he was a shareholder of the Bank of England and the East India Company, and managed the finances of the British Royal Family, making him a powerful figure in the City of London.

However, due to the British political suppression policy, these very wealthy Jewish financial families now behave very harmlessly and humbly, and like to try their best to curry favor with British politicians and dignitaries.

Even Chen Wenbin, the newly emerging baron-to-be, received their overtures.

For example, when Chen Wenbin established the Pacific Trading Company, he needed to negotiate with the East India Company. Mr. Benjamin da Costa, who had known Robert for a long time, took the initiative to act as a go-between and helped the Pacific Trading Company obtain the East India Company's license and employment contract.

You can't hit someone who's smiling. Even if Chen Wenbin was wary of Jews, he couldn't shut them out, otherwise his reputation would be ruined.

After the three finished discussing the marriage of old da Costa's granddaughter, the latter took the initiative to steer the conversation towards Chen Wenbin's recent trip to France. With a worried expression, he tentatively asked, "—Robin, I've heard some rumors that the cabinet seems somewhat dissatisfied with some of your actions in Paris. Is that true?"

Chen Wenbin, of course, couldn't admit it, shaking his head and saying, "Is that so? Who told you that?"

Seeing that he was pretending to be stupid, old da Costa shook his head and simply asked bluntly, "Didn't Lord Halifax send anyone to Paris?"

Robin, the Lord is very unhappy with your attempt to reintroduce the French into North America!

If you weren't just appointed a baron by His Majesty, the cabinet would probably be considering charging you with treason!

Treason?

How terrifying!

Chen Wenbin sneered inwardly. He wasn't easily intimidated. What was the old man's purpose in using this intimidation tactic?

He sat up straight and asked, feigning nervousness, "Oh? Who's going to charge me with treason? Lord Halifax, or the Prime Minister? It can't be the Duke of York, can it?"

Diana was also startled and instinctively grabbed her husband's arm, but when she noticed that her father opposite her was not moving and had a calm expression, she realized something and calmed down to wait for old da Costa to continue.

"—Of course it couldn't be the Duke of York! He never participates in cabinet discussions."

Seeing that Chen Wenbin was not intimidated, old da Costa glanced at Robert, who was silently sipping his tea, and said in a perfectly measured tone of concern, "I heard that Lord Halifax is dissatisfied with you, and some rumors have been circulating, so I wanted to remind you."

"I see!"

Chen Wenbin nodded, then smiled confidently and said, "Dear Mr. Da Costa, you don't need to worry. I cannot commit treason, and of course, I cannot be tried!"

As for those rumors—they're just rumors and they don't affect anything, but thank you for reminding me anyway.

As he spoke, he stared into the old man's eyes, and the latter met his gaze for two seconds, both understanding each other's meaning.

Old da Costa smiled slightly, relaxed, and turned to Robert, who had been silent all along, and said with emotion, "Robert, I really envy you!"

If David had half of Robin's abilities, I wouldn't have to worry about Judith's future!

"That was Diana's perspective, not my choice."

As Robert spoke, he glanced at the very pretty new maid Tina not far away, and at Catherine, whose complexion was noticeably better than two months ago. He sighed and said helplessly, "I do wish Robin wasn't so 'outstanding' —"