Chapter 374 - 19: The Shock in West Germany

Chapter 374: Chapter 19: The Shock in West Germany

"Of course." Werner opened a drawer and took out a thick business summary report. "This is the list of Koko’s business activities that I’ve compiled. It contains detailed records of all transactions, both legal and... questionable. I’m willing to submit this report to the investigation team and cooperate with your work."

Gligel took the report, flipped through a few pages, and his brow furrowed.

"This report... is very detailed."

"Because I’ve been keeping records," Werner said. "As deputy director, it’s my duty to oversee Koko’s business. While I didn’t have the authority to stop some of Gunter’s decisions, I could at least document them for future verification."

This was a lie. The report had been carefully curated by Werner; all the truly incriminating material had been deleted or altered. But Gligel didn’t know that. He only saw a "responsible deputy director" cooperating with the investigation.

"Comrade Betelich, your attitude is impressive." Gligel closed the report. "I’ll take this back and submit it to the head of the investigation team. If there are any further questions, we’ll contact you again."

"Anytime." Werner stood up and saw them to the door. "Also, if the new government needs me, I can remain at Koko to help handle any outstanding issues."

Gligel glanced at him. "You don’t plan on going to West Germany?"

"No." Werner shook his head. "I’m an East German. My home is here. No matter how the political situation changes, I will stay and serve the new government."

After Gligel and Mueller left, Werner returned to his office, closed the door, and leaned against it, taking a deep breath.

He had left the investigation team with the impression of being "responsible," "cooperative," and "loyal to his duty."

’Next, I need to continue reinforcing this image.’

**************

「Same day. West Berlin. The Federal Government’s Berlin Office.」

The conference room was full. Officials from the Federal Government, representatives from the West Berlin city government, the chief of police, the head of the social welfare department—everyone’s face was etched with exhaustion.

"As of two o’clock this afternoon, more than half a million East Germans have entered West Berlin," an official with glasses read from a report. "The total amount of ’welcome money’ distributed by the banking system has already exceeded fifty million West German Marks, and it’s still growing."

"How are the stores?" another official asked.

"Out of control." The representative from the West Berlin city government said with a bitter smile, "All the supermarkets and shopping malls are completely packed. Bananas, chocolate, coffee—things like that are almost sold out. Many stores have had to implement purchase limits, but it’s still not enough to stop them."

"And traffic?"

"Even worse," said the chief of police. "All the checkpoints leading to East Berlin are gridlocked from morning till night. Some people drive their Trabants over, wait in line for eight hours, just to take a spin around West Berlin and then get back in line to go home."

"On the housing front," said the head of the social welfare department, "about twenty thousand East Germans have now indicated they want to stay in West Berlin and not go back. Our shelters are already full. School gymnasiums, church basements—any usable space is filled with people."

A silence fell over the conference room.

"Everyone." A high-ranking official from the Federal Government stood up. "I received a call from Bonn this morning. The Chancellor requires us to make long-term preparations. The collapse of East Germany is now irreversible. In the coming weeks, or even months, we may have to face millions of East German refugees."

"Millions?" someone exclaimed.

"Yes." The official nodded. "According to intelligence assessments, the East German regime can hold on for another three to six months at most. Once it officially dissolves, at least two million East Germans will flood into West Germany. We must prepare sufficient housing, jobs, and social welfare in advance."

"But... how is that possible?"

"Nothing is impossible," the official said gravely. "The Berlin Wall has fallen. This is a historic moment. But at the same time, it’s an unprecedented challenge. We must be ready to receive our East German compatriots and help them integrate into West German society. This is our duty, and also our opportunity."

After the meeting, the officials filed out.

In the hallway, two BND intelligence officers were talking in low voices.

"Betelich’s prediction was right again," one of them said. "He told us last week that East Germany wouldn’t make it through the winter."

"What’s he doing now?"

"Still in East Berlin, still working at Koko," the other said. "According to our informant, he met with the East German provisional government’s investigation team yesterday and proactively submitted a business report."

"He’s whitewashing himself."

"Right. And doing it smartly." The intelligence officer smiled. "He isn’t running, not destroying evidence. Instead, he’s actively cooperating with the investigation, demonstrating loyalty. This way, the new government will see him as a reliable person."

"So should we stay in contact with him?"

"Of course," the intelligence officer said. "Betelich is our most valuable intelligence source in East Germany. And with the collapse of East Germany, his value will only increase. We need to protect him and ensure he gets through this period safely."

"Understood."

*************

「November 15, Wednesday. 3:00 PM.」

Werner received a phone call summoning him to the provisional government’s offices.

The provisional government was housed in the former SED Central Committee Building, a gray, monolithic structure that had once been heavily guarded. But now, the guards at the entrance had been replaced by the provisional government’s people, and their vigilance was noticeably lower.

Werner showed his identification, entered the building without issue, and took the elevator to the fifth floor.

The hallway was crowded with people, mostly officials from various departments, their faces etched with anxiety. Some were talking in low voices, some were smoking, and others were leaning against the wall, staring blankly into space.

"Comrade Betelich?"

Werner turned to see a young man in his thirties walking toward him.

"I’m Thomas Borg, a member of the provisional government’s economic reform team." The young man extended his hand. "I’m the one who called you."

"Hello." Werner shook his hand.

"Follow me." Borg led Werner into a small conference room and closed the door. "Please, have a seat."

Werner sat down, studying Borg. Young, full of energy, with a gleam of idealism in his eyes. ’People like him were outliers in the old regime, but they’re the backbone of the new one.’

"Comrade Betelich, I’ll be direct." Borg got straight to the point. "I read the Koko business report you submitted, and I was very impressed. Your understanding of the East German foreign trade system is deeper than anyone we’ve met."

"Thank you," Werner said.

"So I’d like to ask you some questions." Borg took out a notebook. "Regarding the direction of East Germany’s economic reforms, do you have any suggestions?"

Werner thought for a moment, then said, "Frankly, I don’t think the East German economy can be reformed anymore."

Borg was taken aback for a second. "What do you mean?"