Chapter 280: Chapter 63: Choosing a Side
On March 19th, a light rain began to fall in Erfurt.
At nine in the morning, Werner stood in the hotel lobby, watching the crowds gathering outside.
The citizens of Erfurt had heard that Brandt was coming and had all flocked to the streets.
The police had set up a cordon, but it couldn’t contain the people’s enthusiasm.
"Willi! Willi!" The crowd began to chant Brandt’s name.
Werner was shaken.
This wasn’t an officially organized welcome ceremony by East Germany. It was spontaneous. People wanted to see Brandt—the Chancellor of West Germany who had promised to improve relations between East and West Germany.
At ten o’clock sharp, the motorcade arrived.
Werner stood at the hotel entrance, watching Brandt get out of the car.
He was wearing a dark suit. He looked up at the hotel, then waved to the crowd.
The crowd erupted. "Willi! Willi!" The shouts were deafening.
Brandt walked into the hotel, followed by a large group of West German officials.
The East German reception was led by Prime Minister Stoff, his expression grim, without a trace of a smile.
The atmosphere was delicate.
**************
The talks were held in a conference room on the second floor, which Werner was not authorized to attend.
He was on standby in a lounge on the first floor, ready to respond to any emergencies.
At twelve noon, the talks were paused, and the luncheon began.
Werner directed the waiters to bring the food to the tables.
French champagne, West German sausages, Swiss chocolate—it was all laid out.
Seeing all this, a flash of surprise crossed the faces of the officials in the West German delegation.
"East Germany’s standard of hospitality is quite high," a West German official murmured.
Werner stood in the corner, his face expressionless.
This was exactly the effect Ublis wanted—to let the West Germans know that East Germany wasn’t a beggar.
During the luncheon, Werner noticed one person in particular—Erich Honecker.
The East German party’s number two man sat near the edge of the room. He spoke little, but his gaze was sharp. He occasionally glanced toward Stoff and Brandt, his own face unreadable.
In the history books of his past life, this man would replace Ublis in 1971 to become the supreme leader of East Germany.
He was more pragmatic than Ublis and more willing to compromise with West Germany.
An opportunity arose.
Werner walked over to Honecker and said softly, "Comrade Honecker, if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to let me know."
Honecker looked up, glancing at Werner. "Who are you?"
"Werner Betelich, Deputy Director of Koko." Werner handed him a business card. "I’m in charge of today’s logistics."
Honecker took the card, glanced at it, and then nodded. "A job well done. The West Germans can’t find any fault."
"Thank you." Werner paused, then lowered his voice. "Actually, I’ve always felt that improving relations between East and West Germany is a good thing for us. Foreign currency, technology, markets—these are all tangible benefits."
Honecker narrowed his eyes. "You seem to see things clearly."
"I’m just a businessman; I look at practical matters," Werner said. "Political principles are important, of course, but economic cooperation shouldn’t be delayed either."
Honecker didn’t say anything. He just stared at Werner for a few seconds before turning his head and resuming his meal.
Werner knew the seed had been planted.
*************
At two in the afternoon, the talks resumed.
Werner waited on the first floor, but he could sense that the atmosphere upstairs was off.
The minutes ticked by. No one came down, and no news emerged.
At four-thirty, the talks concluded.
Stoff and Brandt walked out of the conference room together, neither of them smiling.
Werner could tell the negotiations had borne no fruit.
Brandt rested in his hotel room for an hour before walking to the window.
The crowd was still outside. The rain had stopped, but the people hadn’t dispersed. They held up signs and chanted slogans, wanting to catch a glimpse of Brandt.
Brandt pushed open the window and waved to the crowd.
The crowd erupted into cheers. "Willi! Willi!"
Werner stood in the lobby, watching the scene through the glass.
He suddenly felt that history was truly unfolding before his eyes. Regardless of whether the talks had succeeded, this image itself had already changed something.
************
At seven in the evening, the West German delegation left Erfurt.
Werner breathed a sigh of relief. The mission was complete.
He walked back to the banquet hall. Looking at the remaining half-bottle of champagne and a few pieces of chocolate, he suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion.
"Werner."
He turned and saw Honecker standing in the doorway.
"Comrade Honecker."
Honecker walked in, picked up the half-empty bottle of champagne, poured two glasses, and handed one to Werner.
"You worked hard today." Honecker raised his glass.
"It was my duty." Werner clinked glasses with him and took a sip.
Honecker looked at him and suddenly asked, "What did you think of today’s talks?"
Werner froze for a moment. This was a sensitive question.
"I’m just a businessman. I don’t understand politics," Werner said.
"Stop pretending." Honecker smiled. "What you said earlier didn’t sound like someone who only understands business."
Werner was silent for a few seconds before saying, "I think that even though the talks didn’t result in an agreement, that in itself is progress. At least the two sides sat down and talked. It’s better than trading insults."
Honecker nodded. "You’re right. Some people don’t understand that principle. They’re still living in the fifties, thinking that negotiating with West Germany is a betrayal of socialism."
Werner understood the subtext. Honecker was alluding to Ublis’s hardline stance.
"But then again—" Honecker put down his glass, "—talks alone are useless. There has to be concrete action. Trade, exchanges, travel between our people... these are the things that will truly improve relations."
"You’re right," Werner said. "Actually, at Koko, we’ve been working hard to expand trade with West Germany. The results have been quite good."
"I know." Honecker clapped Werner on the shoulder. "Gunter has told me about you. Said you’re Koko’s go-getter. We should talk more when we have the chance."
"It would be my honor."
Honecker turned to leave, but paused at the door and looked back. "Werner, times are changing. Only those who know how to adapt will go far."
The door closed.
Werner knew that today, he hadn’t just witnessed history; he had seized a crucial opportunity.
************
On March 20th, Werner returned to East Berlin.
Gunter received him in his office, a smile on his face. "Beautifully done. The higher-ups are very pleased with your work. Comrade Honecker, in particular, specifically mentioned you."
"Comrade Honecker?" Werner feigned surprise.
"He said you’re perceptive, that you understand what it means to be pragmatic." Gunter leaned back in his chair. "Werner, you know, Honecker’s position in the party is becoming more and more important. Building a good relationship with him will do you no harm."
"I understand."
Gunter stood up and walked to the window. "Although the Erfurt summit didn’t result in an agreement, the door to relations between East and West Germany has been opened. There will be more exchange activities in the coming months. Koko’s business will grow along with it."
"I’m already preparing for it," Werner said. "Over in West Germany, Margaret has introduced me to several new clients—all large corporations that want to do business with East Germany."
"Excellent." Gunter turned around. "Werner, seize this opportunity. This is our golden age."
Werner nodded, but his mind was on something else.
He recalled Honecker’s final words—"Times are changing. Only those who know how to adapt will go far."
It was a hint, but also a warning.
Ublis’s hardline approach was already obsolete. A power struggle within the party was about to begin.
Honecker would win. Werner was sure of it.
Because history had already written the ending.
But before that, Werner had to prepare himself and pick the right side.
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