Chapter 396 - 41: Returning to the Chess Game

For the next two weeks, Werner became a "regular" at the Trust Agency.

He wasn't an official employee. He had no office, no business cards, not even an ID badge. But he came in every day, sat in a conference room, and looked through the company evaluation reports, offering his "suggestions."

And the officials at the Trust Agency quickly discovered Werner's value.

"Werner said there was groundwater contamination under this factory's land. I had someone check, and sure enough, it was true."

"Werner said that optical instrument plant has an engineer named Schmidt who's a genius. I met him, and he really is brilliant."

"Werner said this factory's union chairman was a tough character. Sure enough, when we went to discuss an acquisition, we were nearly blocked at the gate by the workers."

Werner's information was accurate, detailed, and timely.

But most importantly, Werner didn't want any money.

He didn't ask for a salary, shares, or any formal compensation. He was just "helping out," just "offering advice."

This put the Trust Agency officials at ease. They thought Werner was a good man, someone who genuinely wanted to help rebuild East Germany.

But they didn't know that what Werner wanted was far more valuable than a salary.

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

One afternoon in late July, the Trust Agency held an important meeting.

The conference room was full of people: senior officials from the Trust Agency, experts from West Germany, and a few representatives from East German enterprises.

Director Loweider was presiding over the meeting. He stood in front of a projector, pointing at the numbers on the screen.

"Everyone," Loweider said, "based on our preliminary assessments, the first list of enterprises for privatization has been finalized. This batch includes 50 companies, covering multiple sectors like chemicals, machinery, textiles, and electronics."

He moved to the next slide. "We plan to begin auctions in August. The base prices will be determined by the assessment department."

An expert from West Germany raised his hand. "Mr. Loweider, how can we ensure these companies will sell? I'm worried that if the prices are set too high, no one will buy them."

"That is precisely the problem," Loweider said. "Many of these companies are difficult to value. They might look good on paper, but in reality, they could be empty shells. We need more accurate information."

Just then, Hans Mueller stood up. "Mr. Loweider, I suggest we consult Mr. Werner Betelich."

"Werner Betelich?" Loweider frowned. "Who is he?"

"He was a high-ranking official at Koko," Hans said. "He knows East German enterprises extremely well. He's been helping us with assessments for the past two weeks and has provided a lot of valuable information."

Loweider thought for a moment. "Where is he now?"

"In the conference room next door," Hans said. "If you agree, I can ask him to come in."

Loweider nodded. "Alright, bring him in."

A few minutes later, Werner walked into the conference room.

He wore a dark suit—clean and simple, neither flashy nor shabby. He scanned the room, noting everyone's expressions: some curious, some skeptical, some hopeful.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Werner said with a smile. "I am Werner Betelich. It's an honor to offer my assistance to the Trust Agency."

Loweider sized him up. "Mr. Betelich, I hear you're very knowledgeable about East German enterprises?"

"I wouldn't say I know everything," Werner said, "but I worked at Koko for over twenty years and dealt with hundreds of companies. I know which ones have real substance and which are just propped up by political connections."

"Then can you help us evaluate this batch of companies?" Loweider asked, pointing to the list on the screen.

Werner walked up to the screen and studied the list carefully.

"I can," he said. "But first, I need to ask a question."

"What question?"

"What is your objective?" Werner turned to face Loweider. "Is it to sell these companies quickly and recoup capital? Or is it to find suitable buyers who will keep them running and preserve jobs?"

Loweider was taken aback for a moment. "The latter, of course. We don't want to see mass unemployment."

"That makes things simple," Werner said. "Because if you just want to sell them quickly, it's easy—just have a fire sale at low prices. But if you want to find the right buyers, then you need a strategy."

He pointed to the first company on the list. "Take this optical instrument plant in Jena, for example. On paper, it's drowning in debt with outdated equipment, seemingly worthless. But in reality, this plant has a brilliant technical team that specializes in precision optics. If Carl Zeiss from West Germany were to acquire it, combining it with West German capital and markets, this plant could be brought back from the dead."

He then pointed to a second one. "This semiconductor plant in Dresden also looks terrible on paper. But it's in a good location, its factory structure is intact, and it has a group of well-trained engineers. If you can find a buyer willing to invest, this plant could be converted to produce other electronic products."

He analyzed them one by one, clearly explaining each company's strengths, weaknesses, potential, and risks.

The conference room fell silent.

Loweider looked at Werner, his eyes filled with astonishment. "Mr. Betelich, your understanding of these companies is even deeper than that of our own assessment team."

Werner smiled. "Mr. Loweider, I'm an East German. These companies aren't just numbers on a balance sheet; they are living things. I know the people, the stories, and the truths behind each one."

"Then are you willing to help us with the privatization process?" Loweider asked.

"Of course. I'd be happy to."

After the meeting, Hans approached Werner and said in a low voice, "Werner, you were brilliant just now. Loweider will definitely put you in a position of trust."

Werner clapped him on the shoulder. "Hans, we're friends. By helping you, I'm also helping East Germany."

Hans nodded gratefully.

But he didn't know that the first person Werner was helping was himself.

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

In early August, a dozen or so company evaluation reports were spread across Werner's desk. They were all for companies that were about to be auctioned.

Werner read through the documents, taking notes on a separate sheet of paper.

On this paper, he made three lists:

Category A: Must-Acquire Companies

Jena Optical Instrument Plant

Dresden Semiconductor Plant

Leipzig Precision Machinery Plant

Category B: Valuable but Not Urgent Companies

Halle Fertilizer Plant

Rostock Shipyard

Category C: Companies for Others to Buy

Various textile mills

Outdated chemical plants

Werner's strategy was clear: The Category A companies had the technology, talent, and potential—they were future gold mines. The Category B companies could wait; there was no rush. As for Category C, he'd let those short-sighted West German businessmen buy them. They were destined to lose money anyway.

But the question was, how could he acquire the Category A companies?

Although Werner had substantial funds, it was just pocket change compared to the major capitalists of West Germany.

Siemens, Bosch, Daimler—these West German giants could throw around a few hundred million and buy up all the East German companies.

What Werner needed wasn't more money, but more of an advantage.

He picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Lucas? It's me, Werner."

On the other end of the line was the dissident Lucas Mueller, who was now an advisor to the new government.

"Werner, what can I do for you?" Lucas's voice was friendly.

"Lucas, I want to ask you something," Werner said. "When the Trust Agency sells off these companies, will it consider the buyer's 'political correctness'?"

"What do you mean?"

"For example," Werner said, "if there are two buyers—one a major corporation from West Germany, the other a local entrepreneur from East Germany—who would the Trust Agency give preference to?"

Lucas was silent for a moment. "In theory, the Trust Agency should choose the highest bidder. But in practice... you know, there's a lot of public pressure right now. Many East Germans feel that privatization is just West Germany plundering East Germany. So, if they can sell some companies to local East German entrepreneurs, it would be great PR for the agency."

"I see," Werner said. "And what if this East German entrepreneur had also helped dissidents in the past? Would that give him an even bigger advantage?"

Lucas laughed. "Werner, are you planning to acquire some companies?"

"Yes," Werner admitted frankly. "I have my eye on a few promising companies. But I know I can't compete with the major West German capitalists on my own. That's why I need other advantages."

"Werner," Lucas said, "you helped us, and we won't forget that. If you're going to acquire companies, I'll put in a good word for you with my friends at the Trust Agency. But I have one condition."

"What's the condition?"

"After you acquire the companies, you have to do your best to preserve jobs," Lucas said. "Don't be like those West German capitalists who buy a company just to lay everyone off."

"I promise," Werner said. "I will do my best."