Chapter 354 - 137: The Last Night of 1988

Chapter 354: Chapter 137: The Last Night of 1988

Werner looked at him and said calmly, "I will stand with the victors."

The young man was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "You’re very honest."

"I won’t pretend to be an idealist. I’m a businessman, and I do business to make money. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a stance."

Thomas nodded. "I understand. In that case, if we need help, would you be willing to provide it?"

"What kind of help?"

"Funds, supplies, channels," Thomas said. "We’re doing a few things. Printing underground publications, organizing study groups, collecting information the government is hiding. All of this requires resources."

"I can provide them," Werner said. "But I need to know what you’re doing, and where these resources are being used."

Thomas thought for a moment, then nodded. "Reasonable. We can communicate regularly, and I’ll keep you informed of our plans."

"Deal."

The two shook hands.

Over the next hour, Werner had an in-depth conversation with these dissidents.

They discussed the Chernobyl incident, the government’s cover-up, environmental pollution, and economic stagnation.

"You know," a middle-aged worker said, "I’ve worked at the chemical plant for twenty years. The factory’s wastewater is discharged directly into the river, and the air is thick with chemical fumes. We’ve reported it to the higher-ups, but no one cares. Now I have lung disease. The doctor says it’s occupational, but the factory won’t admit it and won’t give me a single cent in compensation."

"My situation is similar," another person said. "I work on a construction site where safety measures are a joke. Last year, a coworker fell from the scaffolding and broke his leg. Not only did the foreman not send him to the hospital, he threatened him to keep quiet, saying he’d be fired if he spoke up."

"And this is our so-called ’worker’s paradise’," the young woman with glasses sneered. "They claim everything is for the people, but in reality, they treat the people like livestock."

Thomas sighed. "That’s why we have to bring about change. Not through violence, but through enlightenment. We need to let more people see the truth, to get more people thinking. When the tipping point comes, change will happen naturally."

"A tipping point?" Werner asked.

"Yes," Thomas said. "I believe that day will come. When enough people have awakened, when their anger has built up to a certain point, this system will collapse. Just like the Solidarity Union in Poland, and the reformists in Hungary. East Germany will have its day, too."

Werner looked at Thomas and thought, ’This man is more farsighted than I imagined.’

"So what are you doing now?" Werner asked.

"We’re gathering evidence," Thomas said. "Information the government is hiding, data on environmental pollution, the true state of the economy. We compile these into articles, print them as pamphlets, and distribute them secretly."

He took a thin pamphlet from his bag and handed it to Werner. "This is our latest issue, *The Truth*."

Werner opened the pamphlet. Inside was handwritten text accompanied by a few crude illustrations.

The contents included a detailed analysis of the Chernobyl incident, evidence of the government’s cover-up, and an investigation into East Germany’s environmental pollution.

"The print quality isn’t great," Thomas said, a little embarrassed. "We only have an old mimeograph machine, and we print in secret in a church attic."

"It’s already very good," Werner said. "Do you need better equipment?"

"Of course, but it’s very expensive," Thomas said. "A good printing press costs tens of thousands of West German Marks. We can’t afford it at all."

"I can help you get one," Werner said. "But not right now, it would be too obvious. In a few months, I’ll figure out a way to ship one over from West Germany."

Thomas’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Really," Werner said. "But you have to promise me that what you print with this machine will be of higher quality. Not just accusations, but analysis, data, and persuasive arguments."

"We will," Thomas said, gripping Werner’s hand tightly. "Thank you."

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

The gathering ended late, at eleven o’clock at night.

Werner walked out of the basement. The street outside was silent. Moonlight spilled onto the road, desolate and lonely.

He lit a cigarette and walked slowly down the street.

Tonight’s meeting had given him a deeper understanding of the underground opposition in East Germany.

These people had ideals and courage, but they were also vulnerable. They lacked money, equipment, and organization, and could be arrested by the Stasi at any moment.

But they wouldn’t give up. Because they believed change was coming.

Werner also believed change was coming, but for a different reason.

It wasn’t because of idealism, but because he knew the course of history.

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

The next day, Werner returned to his office and began to expand his Black Market network.

"Franz, starting next month, we’re adding a new line of business," Werner said, sitting down behind his desk. "Underground publications."

"Underground publications?" Franz was taken aback. "Boss, that stuff is too risky."

"High risk, high reward," Werner said. "Besides, this isn’t just about making money. It’s an investment in the future."

"An investment in the future?"

"Yes," Werner said. "After Chernobyl, more and more people are losing faith in the government. They need truth, information, and ideas. By providing these things, we’re not just making money, we’re also building influence."

Franz nodded, though he didn’t seem to fully understand.

"Also," Werner continued, "I need you to contact our people in West Germany and get a printing press over here. A small, portable one, suitable for underground printing."

"A printing press?" Franz was shocked. "Boss, are you going to print it yourself?"