I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

"Prague?" Gunter looked up, setting down his coffee cup. "You have a concrete plan already?"

"Yes." Werner placed Ota Hicke's report on Gunter's desk. "Director Gunter, I've studied this report carefully. The Czechs want to reform, loosen regulations, and introduce market mechanisms—this is our chance."

"I've seen this report too." Gunter picked it up and glanced at it. "To be honest, I'm not very optimistic about how far their reforms can go."

"But that's precisely why we have an opportunity—because they're trying to reform." Werner sat down across from Gunter. "Think about it. If the Czech Republic really loosens its regulations, their customs and border controls will become laxer than they are now. We can exploit that."

"Exploit it how?"

"By setting up a transit point in Prague." Werner took a hand-drawn route map from his briefcase and spread it on the desk. "Right now, when we import embargoed goods from the West, we go directly through West Berlin or the Baltic Sea ports, which is very risky. But if we ship the goods to Prague first, use the Czech Republic's 'reform and opening-up' policy to launder them, and then transport them into East Germany under the guise of 'trade between socialist brother nations'—"

"The West wouldn't be able to trace it." Gunter finished his sentence, tapping his finger on the map. "Werner, that's a good line of thinking."

"And not just for embargoed goods," Werner continued. "If the Czech Republic truly reforms, their Black Market will become ten times more active than it is now. When that happens, we can establish a secret procurement network in Prague and use their Black Market channels to get cheaper Western goods."

Gunter stared at the map for a long time, then looked up. "What do you need?"

"An official cover," Werner said. "I need to go to Prague on behalf of Koko to conduct an inspection and establish formal contact with the Czech Ministry of Foreign Trade. At the same time, I'll need some startup capital to build a network of contacts in Prague."

"How much?"

"Fifty thousand West German Marks."

"Fifty thousand?"

"Director Gunter, it's a one-time investment. If the Prague transit hub is established, the money we save each year will be far more than fifty thousand. Besides—" He paused. "The situation in the Czech Republic won't remain stable forever. We have to seize this opportunity now."

Gunter looked at Werner, his gaze scrutinizing. "You think there's going to be trouble in the Czech Republic?"

"It's only a matter of time," Werner said. "Moscow will never allow an Eastern European country to truly implement a market economy. The Czech Republic is only able to pursue reform now because Brezhnev has just come to power and hasn't had time to deal with them. But in a few years, Moscow will definitely intervene."

Gunter's expression turned serious. "You mean—"

"I mean we need to make all the money we can before Moscow makes its move." Werner leaned back in his chair. "Director Gunter, opportunity waits for no one."

Gunter was silent for a long time before finally nodding. "Alright. I approve your plan. But, Werner, you must remember: there can be absolutely no mistakes. If we get on the radar of Western intelligence agencies—"

"I won't let that happen." Werner stood up. "I'll be very careful."

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

「Late November 1964, Prague.」

The train pulled slowly to a stop at Prague Central Station, and Werner stepped off, carrying his briefcase.

This was his first time in Prague.

The station's main hall was a bit more dilapidated than the one in East Berlin, but the chandelier on the ceiling was surprisingly ornate, radiating a lingering aura of the Austria-Hungary Empire.

The platform was crowded with people—workers in gray overalls and businessmen carrying suitcases. The air was filled with the smell of coal smoke and coffee.

Werner took a deep breath.

'In four years, this city will become the focus of the entire world.'

'Tanks will roll into Wenceslas Square, students will protest in the streets, and Dubcek will deliver his final speech on the radio.'

'But for now, the city is still asleep.'

'And he has to set the stage before it awakens.'

"Mr. Betelich?"

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

Werner turned his head and saw a young man in his early thirties standing not far away. He was wearing a slightly worn suit and holding a cardboard sign with "Koko" written on it.

"I am Jaroslav Novak, sent by the Ministry of Foreign Trade to pick you up." The young man came over, extending his hand with a warm smile on his face.

Werner shook his hand.

Novak's palm was a little sweaty, indicating his nervousness.

"Comrade Novak, thank you for coming."

"Not at all, not at all." Novak took Werner's briefcase. "The car is outside. I'll take you to your hotel first. Our department has arranged a dinner banquet tonight to welcome you to Prague."

The two of them walked out of the station.

Prague's streets were wider than East Berlin's, and the architecture had a greater sense of history.

Gothic spires, Baroque sculptures, Art Nouveau decorations—the city was like a textbook on architectural history.

"First time in Prague?" Novak asked.

"Yes." Werner looked out the window. "It's a beautiful city."

"It is," Novak said, his voice filled with pride. "Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Did you know, Mr. Betelich, we're currently undergoing a great reform. Professor Hicke's theories will change everything—we'll have more autonomy, more market vitality."

Werner turned his head and looked at Novak's idealistic face.

'This young man is probably not even thirty. His eyes are shining, and when he talks about reform, it's like he's talking about his first love.'

Werner felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.

'This kind of idealism would be crushed to pieces under tank treads after August 1968.'

But he couldn't say that now. He could only smile and nod. "It sounds wonderful."

"Not just wonderful, it's revolutionary!" Novak said excitedly. "Did you know, all the young people in our department feel that socialism shouldn't be rigid. It should be flexible and dynamic. Professor Hick is right, market mechanisms and socialism can be combined—"

"Comrade Novak," Werner interrupted him, his voice gentle. "I understand your passion for reform. But I must give you a word of caution—reform is a good thing, but one must be careful about the methods. Moscow... might not fully approve."

Novak's smile froze for a moment, then he shook his head. "Mr. Betelich, you're overthinking it. Our reforms are being carried out within the socialist framework; we won't go off track. Moscow will understand."

Werner didn't say any more.

'Some things can't be understood until they've been experienced.'

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

The dinner banquet that evening was held at a state-run restaurant.

Werner sat at a long table with several officials from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Trade.

They discussed trade quotas, shipping routes, and tariff issues—all standard official pleasantries.

But Werner's attention was focused on observing everyone present.

'Who truly supported the reforms, who was just going with the flow, and who had doubts but didn't dare to voice them—this information was more important than any data.'

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