I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

Chapter 126: Chapter 36: Klein’s Calculations

"What’s the plan?"

"Don’t apply for them one by one," Werner said. "We need to get the officials to willingly relax their stance, to be willing to grant amnesty to political prisoners in batches. We need to make them feel that sending people out is a good thing, not a bad one."

Vogel was taken aback for a moment. "Are you saying we shouldn’t file lawsuits to apply for their exit one by one, but instead try to persuade the government itself?"

"Exactly." Werner walked back to the desk and sat down. "The problem right now is that the officials see political prisoners as criminals. They think letting them go is a sign of weakness. But if we can change that perception—make them feel that sending people out isn’t a weakness, but a benefit—they’ll relent."

"What kind of benefit?"

"Money," Werner said. "We need to make the government realize that keeping these political prisoners locked up costs a lot of money every year. Food, medical care, guards—it’s all overhead. But if we send them to West Germany, we not only save on those costs but can also earn a tidy sum in foreign currency."

Vogel pondered for a moment. "It’s a good idea, but the problem is, something like this... requires a nod from the bigwigs at the top. Releasing political prisoners en masse is not something a section chief can decide."

"I know," Werner said. "But we can use these section chiefs to get an opportunity to contact the people at the top."

Vogel frowned. "You mean, use them as middlemen?"

"Exactly," Werner said. "They might not have the authority to make the final decision, but they know the people who do. More importantly, if this plan succeeds, they stand to gain from it as well. With a vested interest, they’ll be willing to speak on our behalf, to pull some strings for us."

Vogel slowly nodded. "That’s the right approach. But we have to find the right person."

"Who do you know?" Werner asked.

"Klein from the Ministry of Foreign Trade," Vogel said. "He’s a former client of mine. I helped him with some private legal matters. The man is shrewd and greedy. If there’s a profit to be made, he’ll help."

"Klein?" Werner laughed.

"Yes. You know him?"

"More than just know him," Werner said. "We work together often."

Vogel was stunned for a second, then he laughed too. "Well, that makes things even easier. It seems we have a mutual client before we’ve even started working together."

"Then let’s go together," Werner said. "You handle the legal and procedural aspects, and I’ll handle the business and the benefits. With both of us there, the success rate will be higher."

"Good idea," Vogel said. "I’ll make an appointment with him, then. How about tomorrow afternoon?"

"Sounds good," Werner said. "Where are we meeting?"

"At his office," Vogel said. "The Ministry of Foreign Trade building. You know where that is, right?"

"I know." Werner nodded.

Vogel picked up his briefcase and walked toward the door. Just as he reached it, he turned back. "By the way, Werner, do you really think the government will agree?"

Werner leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette. "They will. Because they have no choice. The foreign currency shortage is a massive problem for this country. They’ll consider any method that can earn them foreign currency."

"I hope so," Vogel said, then pushed the door open and left.

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

The next afternoon, Werner and Vogel arrived at the Ministry of Foreign Trade building together.

Two guards in gray-green uniforms stood at the entrance, their expressions cold. Vogel presented his lawyer’s credentials. A guard glanced at it and waved them in.

The hallway was narrow, lined with offices on both sides. Plaques on the doors read: "Quota Department," "Trade Department."

Section Chief Klein’s office was on the third floor. The door was ajar, and the sound of a typewriter could be heard from inside. Vogel knocked.

"Come in."

Klein sat behind his desk, his hair combed meticulously, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his face. When he saw Werner, he was taken aback for a moment, but then a smile spread across his face. "Werner? I didn’t expect to see you."

"Section Chief Klein, long time no see," Werner said.

"Sit, sit." Klein gestured to the chairs. "Lawyer Vogel said on the phone that he wanted to discuss something, but he wasn’t specific. Now it seems it has something to do with you?"

"That’s right," Vogel said. "Mr. Betelich and I have recently started collaborating on a project, and we’d like to hear your opinion on it."

"What project?"

Vogel glanced at Werner, who nodded. Vogel cleared his throat. "It’s about political prisoners."

Klein’s smile froze. "Political prisoners?"

"Don’t be nervous, Section Chief Klein," Werner said. "We’re not planning some underground activity. We want to help the government solve a problem."

"What problem?"

"The problem of the foreign currency shortage," Werner said. "I heard the Ministry of Foreign Trade’s foreign currency quota was cut again this year, and many import plans have been shelved, is that right?"

Klein was silent for a few seconds, then nodded. "Yes. The higher-ups said to prioritize imports of industrial equipment; everything else has to be put on the back burner. Our Quota Department is under a lot of pressure. Many projects we’d already promised can no longer be processed."

"So, if there were a way for the government to earn foreign currency, would you be interested?" Werner asked.

"What way?"

"Sending political prisoners to West Germany," Werner said. "Many of them have family over in West Germany who are willing to pay to get their relatives back. We can be the bridge, letting West Germany pay to have these people sent over."

Klein frowned. "This... How is this possible? Political prisoners are criminals. How can they just be released? This kind of thing requires the approval of top leaders from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all together. How could a mere section chief like me have that kind of authority?"

"We know you don’t have that authority," Werner said. "But you know the people who do, don’t you?"

Klein looked at him without speaking.

"Section Chief Klein, here’s what we’re thinking," Vogel said. "This matter... does indeed require approval from the top, but someone has to bring the idea to them in the first place. If you’d be willing to act as the middleman and introduce us to the leaders at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, giving us a chance to talk to them, we would be very grateful."

Klein leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk. "You want me to make the introductions?"

"Yes," Werner said. "You’ve worked at the Ministry of Foreign Trade for so many years; you must know a lot of people. If you’re willing to pull the strings for us, we can discuss the plan with them directly."

"Then why should I help you?" Klein asked.

"Because it benefits you as well," Werner said. "If this succeeds, the government will earn foreign currency, which will alleviate your quota problem. And as the middleman, you can also receive a little... finder’s fee."

"How much?" Klein asked.

"One thousand West German Marks for every person successfully sent out," Werner said. "It’s what you deserve."

Klein was silent for a long time before finally saying, "Let me think about it. This is too big. I need to consider it very carefully."

"We understand," Vogel said.

"Section Chief Klein, think about it," Werner continued. "The foreign currency quota has been cut by 30 percent. But if you can use this method to bring in several hundred thousand, or even millions, of West German Marks each year, wouldn’t that make up for the shortfall? And this money wouldn’t have to be squeezed from the industrial equipment budget—it would be extra income."

"But that requires persuading the higher-ups," Klein said. "The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the leaders at the Ministry of Justice... they won’t necessarily agree."

"That’s why we need you to make the introduction," Vogel said. "You could feel them out first, see if they’re interested in the idea. If they are, we’ll go in for a formal discussion. If they’re not, we’ll drop it and won’t cause you any trouble."

Klein looked at Vogel, then back at Werner. He was weighing his options.

"One more thing," Werner said. "If this plan succeeds, since you’re the one who proposed it and made the introductions, you’ll get a share of the credit. That would also be beneficial for your future promotions."

Klein was silent for a long time. Finally, he took a deep breath. "Alright, I can make the introduction for you. But... I’m only responsible for the introduction. Whether or not you can close the deal is your business. I will not be involved in the specifics of the operation," Klein said.

"No problem," Werner said.

Klein nodded, returned to his desk, and took a piece of paper from a drawer. He wrote a few lines on it and handed it to Vogel. "This is the contact information for Department Head Hopter of the Ministry of Justice’s Criminal Division. He was my classmate in university, so he’ll listen to me. Go find him and tell him I sent you."

Vogel took the paper and glanced at it. "Thank you."

"Don’t thank me," Klein said. "I’m just doing what’s beneficial for the country. Of course, if this works out, don’t you forget the one thousand West German Marks you promised me."

Werner smiled. "Don’t worry, you’ll get every last cent."

Werner and Vogel stood up, shook hands with Klein, and said their goodbyes.

As they walked out of the office, Werner could feel a pair of eyes watching them from behind.

He knew Klein was no simple man. He had agreed to cooperate not because he trusted them, but because he saw the potential for profit.

But that was enough. In East Germany, self-interest was the best guarantee.

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

After leaving the Ministry of Foreign Trade building, Werner and Vogel sat down at a small nearby tavern.

The tavern was small, with only five or six tables. Faded propaganda posters depicting workers brandishing hammers were plastered on the walls.

Vogel ordered two beers and handed one to Werner. "I didn’t expect it to go so smoothly."

"That’s because we gave him what he wants," Werner said. "Foreign currency, credit, and a fee. With all three on the table, he had no reason to refuse. Besides, he’s smart enough to know that by just being the middleman, his risk is low."

They were silent for a moment. Then, Vogel suddenly asked, "Betelich, why are you doing this?"

"For the money," Werner said. "What else would it be for?"

"Just for the money?" Vogel looked at him. "I feel like there’s more to it than that."

Werner smiled. "Then what do you think it’s for?"

"I don’t know," Vogel said. "But I know you’re no simple man. To be able to maintain a stable supply of goods after the Berlin Wall went up, to establish a foothold in the Black Market, to deal with the Stasi and walk away unscathed—that’s not something an ordinary person can do."

"What are you trying to say?"