Chapter 1506: Doesn't look like a good person

"What's the situation?"

Zhu Xiaolin muttered privately: "Is someone in a hurry?"

"Aren't you in a hurry too?"

Li Huai glanced at him and hummed calmly: "If you don't endure small things, you will mess up big plans. The leader is still far-sighted."

"Hehe—" Zhu Xiaolin gave him a "don't pretend to be cool." We have been mixed together for more than ten years, who doesn't know who.

Li Xuewu listened very seriously to Director Zhao's speech. This one came up with all dry goods, without half ambiguity.

Just when Director Zhao talked about discipline requirements, there was a sound of talking at the door, and then a secretary walked into the conference room and whispered two sentences to Zhao Zhinan.

Zhao Zhinan raised his eyebrows, nodded, and looked at everyone: "Deputy Director Li is here to see everyone. Let's applaud and welcome."

Everyone applauded mechanically in surprise, and hadn't reacted yet, until Deputy Director Li's figure appeared at the door.

This burst of applause in the conference room was truly enthusiastic.

Deputy Director Li served as the deputy head of the State Council and the Economic Work Committee, mainly responsible for important work areas such as finance, banking, foreign trade, finance and economics, health, and direct departments.

Later generations' work evaluation of him is: made outstanding contributions to national economic stability and development.

His economic wisdom and prudent management provided a solid foundation for the healthy development of national finance.

Deputy Director Li was the head of this visiting delegation, and the visiting delegation was mainly composed of heads of units in the foreign trade and industrial systems.

Li Xuewu had seen people in the foreign trade system, but hadn't dealt with them, and the floors and activity ranges where the two sides lived were also different.

The visiting delegation was divided into two detachments: foreign trade and industrial systems, and each detachment was divided into several small teams, each with a foreign affairs cadre in charge.

Li Huai, Zhu Xiaolin, and others formed a small team by themselves, and Li Xuewu was of course among them.

Today was a collective meeting. The representatives of foreign trade and industry were distinct even in their choice of seats, which also facilitated each other.

Deputy Director Li walked into the room with a serious face, looked at everyone carefully, and then nodded: "Very combative—"

No need to be clever at this time, and no need to answer, just applaud.

So more enthusiastic applause immediately sounded at the scene.

Deputy Director Li wore a Zhongshan suit and pressed his hands to the crowd wearing suits and ties: "Wearing Western clothes is not to let you walk the Western road, but to let you bring the advanced technology and experience here back."

"I see that some people are still not very used to this set of clothes, and some people have worn out the spirit."

His eyes first swept over the crowd, and finally fell on the area represented by Red Star Steel Group, obviously talking about Li Huai and Li Xuewu.

There was no way. Who made Li Xuewu's requirements clear and tailor Li Guangnian's craftsmanship superb? The two sat in the middle of the crowd like a crane standing among chickens.

Zhu Xiaolin looked along the leader's eyes. (Who is the chicken?)

Li Huai and Li Xuewu really could hold back. At this time, even if the 56-style was harder to press than the 56-style, they had to press it hard. They really couldn't laugh.

Not only couldn't laugh, but also had to pretend to be the expression that the leader wasn't talking about me, and I didn't understand the leader's words.

Hmm, it's just pretending to be cool lightly.

Left and right, the two even sat in the same posture, and the movements and expressions of raising hands to applaud were almost indistinguishable.

Such exquisite acting naturally won the praise of all participants at the scene: "Really special can pretend!"

"Good! Must have this kind of combat preparation!"

"Good! That is the kind of combat readiness we need!"

"You are the elite soldiers and fierce generals selected from thousands of systems, and you are the warriors who shoulder the hope of national industrial and trade work. This is your battlefield!"

His fingers pointed at the direction of the Red Star Steel Group representative, and the goal was clearly to convey the organization's requirements and decisions to everyone.

Li Xuewu didn't know if others heard it, but he heard it. The leader's expectations for them seemed to have increased a lot.

Did some changes occur?

On the plane here, Old Li had quietly told him that some people in this visiting delegation came with contracts.

This sentence was very easy to understand. The early negotiation work had already ended. No matter whether these people could have gains, the face would pass when the visit announcement was released.

How many orders and cooperation agreements were signed, and how much value of cooperation intention was reached, were the key results of this visit.

Otherwise, why did Deputy Director Li bring so many people here?

"I'll talk about a situation, maybe everyone has already seen it."

Deputy Director Li looked at everyone very seriously: "The attitude here towards us is a bit complicated. You must be cautious and careful."

His fingers pointed at the scene and nodded slowly to emphasize: "If any problems arise, communicate with the person in charge in time, don't be impulsive."

Speaking of this, he looked back at Zhao Zhinan. Seeing the other party nod, he knew that this problem had been emphasized.

Everything that should be said had been said, and the serious expression on his face also dissipated a lot, and the tone was much softer.

"I understand very well that it is not easy for everyone to go abroad once, and want to appreciate the local customs."

He nodded and said: "Yes, no problem, as long as you report according to the requirements, the organization will provide help, right?"

"The logistics group has prepared an itinerary plan." Zhao Zhinan explained to Deputy Director Li and made a simple introduction to everyone.

It was mainly some attractions in East Berlin, all around the hotel. Actually, there was nothing to visit.

He also knew what everyone was thinking, so he said a few words to Deputy Director Li softly.

Deputy Director Li was reasonable, nodded with a smile, and said: "Yes, it is normal for everyone to buy gifts for family and friends, human nature."

He looked at everyone and said: "It is not easy to come out once. You are allowed to go out and turn around in your spare time, but pay attention to safety."

"Considering everyone's actual work situation and needs, our colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Department have prepared travel and exchange funds for everyone."

Zhao Zhinan took the conversation and explained to everyone: "100 yuan per person, the secretary of the Foreign Affairs Department will distribute it to everyone in a while."

"100 yuan is not enough, consider more."

Deputy Director Li, who was about to leave, said to Zhao Zhinan, and said a few words to the secretary beside him.

Zhao Zhinan got the leader's request, so he smiled and said to everyone: "The basis of 100 yuan remains unchanged. Those who need to exchange German marks can find the foreign affairs secretary for help, but there is a 500 yuan upper limit."

The German mark mentioned here is not the Federal German mark, but the German Democratic Republic mark, full name: "German Democratic Republic Mark."

Why emphasize the full name here?

Because the currency name of the German Democratic Republic has been changed three times, each time with the word Mark, but there are more and more words in front.

There are only two denominations of German marks, Mark and Pfennig. 1 Mark = 100 Pfennig, and Pfennig is reflected in coins.

At this time, the value of the US dollar is still very strong in the international arena. Generally, the exchange will be executed with the US dollar exchange rate as the standard.

Previously, it was mostly converted by the British pound, and it changed starting last year.

Of course, the US dollar won't be strong for two more years. Soon the gold standard system will collapse, and then the US dollar will usher in a devaluation tsunami.

Li Xuewu remembers this point clearly. He has already requested the think tank to make a response plan. Whether the assets of the Oriental Era Bank in Hong Kong can double dozens or hundreds of times depends on this time.

At this time, the international exchange rate is stable. 1 US dollar exchanges for 2.4618 RMB, 1 US dollar exchanges for 3.66 German marks, so 1 RMB can exchange for about 1.49 German marks.

Zhao Zhinan said that the Foreign Affairs Department prepared 100 yuan of welfare for everyone. In fact, what was given to their hands was 149 German marks.

140 yuan in full tickets, 9 yuan in change, considered very thoughtfully.

There is another 500 yuan exchange quota, so you have to find the secretary to apply for it yourself. A total of less than 900 marks, what can you buy here?

Hey—there are many good things!

Don't use later prices to measure current prices. The prices of the German Democratic Republic are the same as those in the country, maintaining a low price level.

The funds of nearly 900 marks can definitely buy rich and valuable gifts for family and friends.

However, you can't buy big items, because you can't bring them back. Where is there so much space on the plane for you to pack big items?

So small things like watches, pocket watches, or fountain pens are the first choice.

Zhu Xiaolin has already calculated the money. He was prepared before coming out. Public affairs cannot come for nothing, and private affairs of course cannot come for nothing.

At this time, the industrial level in the country is generally low, and technology for precision instruments and equipment is lacking. In the eyes of ordinary people, watches are still European ones.

Very bluntly, buying watches from here as a member of the visiting delegation and bringing them back does not need to pay taxes.

Because they don't take the normal channel, who will call them to make up taxes?

Say not short of money, but really want to bring the things bought here back to sell, that is also a small profit.

Of course, leaders won't do this, that is too faceless, but it can't stand those secretaries who are active.

There are leaders who go abroad often who don't care about this little money. Secretaries will ask the leader for instructions and use the leader's quota.

There are also those like Zhu Xiaolin who are preparing for large-scale procurement. Their own quota is not enough, and they want to scrape some from the people around them.

"Old Li, do you buy many things?"

After the leader left, everyone dispersed. On the way out, he asked Old Li.

Old Li looked back at him and didn't make a sound.

Everyone has a family. Whether this money is enough, don't you have a beep number in your heart?

"Don't look at me—"

Li Xuewu shook his head wryly and said: "We have two children in the family, four brothers and sisters, a whole family."

"Sigh—" Zhu Xiaolin nodded helplessly and said: "You say you are young, why are you in such a hurry to get married."

"What kind of words is this—"

Old Li was also laughed by him, glared at him and said: "Just because of you, our Secretary-General can't get married and start a business?"

"Hahaha—"

Zhu Xiaolin was also joking. Hearing Li Huai's words at this time, he also laughed.

Li Xuewu didn't care, and said softly to him: "You use it first. If it's really not enough, I'll help you think of a way."

"Do you have a way?" Zhu Xiaolin looked at him in surprise and asked: "Do you have power in this place?"

"Heh—" Li Xuewu laughed and said to him: "I'm the same as you, I'm also here for the first time, what power do I have."

People in the Four Nine City speak like this. Power is not entirely the literal meaning, but has the meaning of relationship.

"I'm not going to do business tomorrow, maybe there will be a chance then." He raised his eyebrows at Zhu Xiaolin, and the meaning was just right.

Zhu Xiaolin also understood, smiled and responded: "Okay, I'll remember your favor. I'll definitely return it to you after returning to the country."

"Don't do business with him, too stingy."

Li Huai glanced at him and said to Li Xuewu: "He will only promise people with empty teeth. His favor is worth a fart."

"Are you dismantling my stage, Old Li?"

Zhu Xiaolin was not happy, looked at Li Huai and teased: "Are you jealous because you see Secretary Xuewu is going to help me?"

"Okay, don't forget your Director Li."

He was able to speak, smiled and said to Li Xuewu: "Even if you prioritize him, don't offend him. This person can wear small shoes for people."

"Hahaha—" Li Xuewu listened to their mutual attacks and said with a light smile: "I'll try my best, but I can only take care of ourselves."

He specifically pointed out, and made a comparison of the three of them in his hand.

"Of course, rest assured—"

Zhu Xiaolin's face became serious, and said: "Old brother, just taste it when you do things, don't give you a difference."

Li Huai didn't express his position. He didn't need to express his position with Li Xuewu.

He didn't believe what Li Xuewu just said about finding a chance to exchange marks when going to other places for business.

Inspection tasks are accompanied by foreign affairs department staff. Even if he can speak, how much can he exchange from others?

There are economic exchanges between the two sides, but there is almost no private exchange business.

Li Xuewu's real relationship is still those people from Hong Kong. Old Li also knows this point very clearly.

Because he is not short of exchange quotas, based on this point.

Those people from Hong Kong brought US dollars, and it couldn't be easier to exchange marks here.

Of course, he couldn't open this gap for Zhu Xiaolin. Otherwise, human feelings would be endless, and no amount of money would be enough to exchange.

The key is that this behavior is also not very appropriate. He is here to participate in activities, not to be a second-hand dealer.

Besides, don't make money. How do those people from Hong Kong count?

Do people play with you for nothing?

So it's fine to use it yourself, he won't open his mouth to ask for this suspicion.

However, Zhu Xiaolin is a brother, and this face cannot be rejected, so it will be solved by Li Xuewu.

Just Zhu Xiaolin alone, how much can he exchange.

If he exchanges too much, he doesn't need Li Xuewu to say it. The higher-ups will talk to him. I believe Zhu Xiaolin still has this restraint.

The meeting ended at 1:30. They were led by the group's foreign affairs personnel, went out, and got directly on the small bus.

It was still the car from the airport. Most of the activities in the next few days were these small buses.

Li Xuewu had already learned from the secretary who talked to him that their destination for this trip was that world-famous wall—the Berlin Wall.

Later generations also built a wall on the US-Mexico line, but that wall was more like a wall of gambling, which couldn't compare to the Berlin Wall, the symbol of the Cold War.

"Is there nothing else to see in East Berlin?" Li Huai frowned and asked after getting on the bus: "Came thousands of miles here just to see their wall?"

According to the convention of foreign affairs exchange, the first stop should be to go to the monument with common relations between the two sides to contribute wreaths and cherish the past.

But this is East Germany, the place of "first-class" back then. Where is there anything worth them cherishing?

There is a monument here, but it is not worth them going over, because what is buried here is more than 2,000 Maozi.

"Actually, there are many good-looking ones."

The foreign affairs secretary took the initiative to introduce: "The Berlin Wall to be visited today is an activity organized at the request of the other party. Next, if you want to visit East Berlin, I can be a guide."

"Where are the good places in East Berlin?"

Zhu Xiaolin was disappointed with this place, so he wasn't as stressed as Old Li, and asked if there were any unexpected situations.

"Except for the Berlin Wall to be visited now, and the Berlin Schönefeld Airport where you landed, you can also see the Palace of the Republic, Alexanderplatz, World Clock, Berlin TV Tower, Berlin East Station, Marx-Engels Square, Leipzig Cloth Hall, etc."

The secretary said a lot of attractions in one breath, as if he was often "leading a tour," and his business was very proficient.

"What about delicious places?" Li Huai asked directly: "Are there any restaurants with good taste?"

"Leader, don't have expectations for the restaurants here."

The secretary smiled and said: "I have worked here for 4 years, and now my biggest wish is to eat a home-cooked meal from my hometown."

"Hehe—" Zhu Xiaolin looked out the car window with a light smile, and the accompanying motorcade had started, "What do Europeans know about food."

"It used to be said that French food is delicious. In my opinion, it's just tossing."

He said to Li Huai beside him: "A big plate, put two pieces of meat for you, and tell you the dishes are ready."

"Hahaha—" Li Huai couldn't help laughing, because he had eaten French food, at the International Hotel.

Cooperating with Italians has this advantage. Anything can be brought to you.

To be honest, Old Li doesn't like French food either. Eating is like holding a meeting, and it has to be done step by step.

Li Xuewu pointed to the crowd gathered outside the car window and made a gesture to the two.

The smiles on Li Huai and Zhu Xiaolin's faces disappeared at the same time, replaced by serious expressions, and their brows frowned very deeply.

No need for the secretary to translate the signs held by those people. If it were kindness, they wouldn't have to have a straight face.

Li Xuewu reached out and pulled the thick cloth curtain of the car window, completely isolating the view inside and outside the car.

Li Huai looked at him, saw his full seriousness and sternness, nodded, and leaned on the seat to close his eyes and rest.

Zhu Xiaolin looked at Li Xuewu very appreciatively. Such alert safety awareness is not something ordinary people can master.

It can be seen that Li Xuewu's security work over the years has accumulated certain experience.

"I heard that you can earn thousands of yuan in royalties for one book?"

He didn't talk about anything else, but changed to talk about Li Xuewu. One sentence attracted the eyes of most people in the car.

Even the accompanying secretary looked at him in surprise.

"Hmm, thousands of yuan for one book."

Li Xuewu nodded frankly and admitted this point.

"There are textbook procurement and professional book procurement, so the royalties are a bit more. The number of prints is relatively large."

Zhu Xiaolin, like others, looked at him enviously and asked: "You are young and have published several books. You are not short of money now, right?"

"Who said that? Why not short?"

Li Xuewu looked at him with a smile and said: "The family depends on my little salary to open fire every month."

"I am the same as you, also running for firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea."

"Where is your money? Where did you spend it?"

Zhu Xiaolin looked at him in surprise and asked: "Several books are enough to earn tens of thousands, right? Where did the royalties go?"

"There are so many royalties, but they are not in my hands."

Li Xuewu spread his hands and smiled, saying: "The purpose of my writing books is not for royalties. I have never thought about this problem."

"His royalties were all donated."

Li Huai, who was closing his eyes and resting, suddenly opened his eyes, looked at Zhu Xiaolin and explained: "Earthquakes in previous years, school libraries, children in mountain villages, don't you read newspapers?"

"Yo, I really don't know this."

Zhu Xiaolin's gaze at Li Xuewu instantly changed from envy to exclamation, while others were full of incomprehension and respect.

"All donated? How did you think?"

"It's not all donated. The first few books were donated. The royalties for this last book were not donated. They were given to my wife. The children need tuition."

Li Xuewu explained with a smile, which made everyone in the car laugh lightly, as if they understood this approach very well.

Some people breathed a sigh of relief, more like sighing for Li Xuewu, very afraid that he would donate all the money, which was a pity.

Typically sighing and worrying for others.

Li Xuewu didn't say the amount of royalties for the last book. In the eyes of others, how much can tuition cost?

Only Li Huai, who knew the numbers, glanced at him, and then closed his eyes to continue pretending to sleep.

Thousands of yuan, he didn't envy it at all. He had seen Li Xuewu's progress and efforts over the years.

Not denying that Li Xuewu is really smart, but he also has to admit that Li Xuewu is very studious and has a tenacious personality.

Last year, it was rumored that Li Xuewu had some special relationship with Shangguan Qi of the research institute. What was the result?

Shangguan Qi had been giving him lessons in the office, which also gave Li Xuewu a very full understanding of aircraft.

At the management committee office meeting, when Li Xuewu talked about the aircraft business, almost no one could talk to him.

What is professional?

This is called professional.

He had read the books Li Xuewu wrote seriously. It wasn't that he was interested in the content of the books, but he was interested in Li Xuewu as a person.

He wanted to study a person, and he could draw conclusions from the books.

Looking at Li Xuewu's books, most of them started from theory combined with practice. The arguments and evidence were very in place. Even people who didn't understand the business would be inspired and think after reading them.

He of course knew Li Xuewu very well. These books were indeed written by Li Xuewu, and there was no ghostwriting behavior.

Being able to make progress in his career and make breakthroughs in his professional field, Li Huai admired this kind of person, and he didn't envy how much he earned.

On the contrary, Li Xuewu's behavior of donating royalties wasn't very understandable to everyone at the beginning. More than 2,000 yuan was donated as soon as it was said.

Just like the initial thoughts of these people in the car, they were very incomprehensible.

The first few donations could still be said to be fishing for fame, being wise and protecting oneself.

But at this time, if you want to donate again, it's really not the time.

The reason Li Xuewu gave was very appropriate. The children need tuition, the family needs expenses. This money was used in a famous and reasonable way, and he was at ease.

He knew that this money really didn't enter Li Xuewu's hands, but was handed over directly to Li Xuewu's wife, Gu Ning. Many people knew about this.

Both envying the group secretary-general for having a good wife who understood him, and envying the secretary-general's wife for having a good man who could make money to support the family.

"Is this the Berlin Wall?"

Zhu Xiaolin's tone was full of disappointment.

That's right, what was seen in front of him was the Berlin Wall that made everyone disappointed.

Before coming, looking at the propaganda in the newspapers, they were thinking that this wall must be 20 or 30 meters high.

What was the result?

Not to mention others, Li Xuewu standing beside Li Huai could run and jump over it with his bare hands.

How high? About three meters, about three and a half meters.

The height of three and a half meters, for a soldier, is the height of normal training, and for Li Xuewu, it is definitely not a problem.

Of course, this wall is a natural chasm for ordinary people like Old Li and Old Zhu, and it is also for ordinary Germans.

If you ask who crossed this wall the most?

The answer is very funny, it is those people who are afraid of being liquidated, including the DWJ of the art school dropout.

Only these people who have received professional training can cross it, and ordinary people really don't have that ability.

This also caused those who crossed to be the bad guys of the past. I really don't know what the Federal Republic of Germany is promoting.

This is not Li Xuewu standing on this side of the wall and his butt is also on this side. He is just venting his dissatisfaction from a personal perspective in the long river of history.

It should be said that Western propaganda really has something.

Just ask one question, is the Berlin Wall the dividing line between East and West Germany?

If you haven't learned this history, or those who really understand this history, it is really possible to be deceived by their propaganda.

Thinking that crossing this wall can reach the other shore of light, it is a victorious crossing, a yearning for freedom.

Dog fart, freedom has never been limited by a wall. What limits freedom is the system.

Western magazines promote that the Berlin Wall was built by a dictator to block the footsteps of East German people going to West Germany to pursue freedom, and to divide the country and the nation.

Then under the massive propaganda and brainwashing of Western media, many people's wrong cognition of the Berlin Wall was deepened again.

And if you really think about it, if there is a foreign territory in the capital of your own country, what would you think?

I believe the vast majority of countries will sympathize with East Germany.

Why did Li Xuewu deliberately lead the topic in this direction?

Of course, it was to make Old Li and others realize in advance that when they got off the plane, why those ordinary people at the airport would look at them with such complex and alternative eyes.

This is the badness of Western media.

Demonizing, stupidizing, and backwardizing us, but some people really believe it, and really don't strive for it.

At 2:30 sharp, they were led by the foreign affairs secretary to a small square to assemble. There were no chairs prepared here, but there was a rest area.

Li Xuewu tightened his overcoat, walked along the Berlin Wall for a while, and personally felt this sense of division.

Returning to Old Li's side, he heard the two already chatting about how to spend the long night.

Old Zhu suggested having some small wine, drinking in his room, and then blowing cowhide. Maybe those who eavesdrop will be scared to pee their pants.

Li Xuewu only felt that Old Zhu was going to let himself go, and it was getting more and more unreliable.

Not to mention who those who eavesdrop are, just the image of drinking and blowing cowhide will also give people a feeling of distrust.

What he said would really be taken seriously by the other party.

Old Li still had a sense of proportion, signaled the personnel accompanying East Germany to smile and tease Old Zhu, letting him hook up to relieve fatigue.

Men really can't gather together, otherwise they will definitely pull a few eggs.

At 2:45, Deputy Director Li arrived at the Berlin Wall accompanied by Willi Stoph, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of East Germany.

Willi Stoph delivered a passionate but goal-oriented speech to the visiting industrial and trade delegation in front of the Berlin Wall.

Li Xuewu listened very seriously, because this old man didn't look like a good person. ===== CHAPTER 1507 =====

On October 11, 1949, Wilhelm Pieck was elected President of the German Democratic Republic, and Otto Grotewohl became the provisional Prime Minister; on November 11, the Soviet zone announced the transfer of administrative authority to this newly established state, and the Soviet occupation authorities were renamed the "Soviet Control Commission."

Li Xuewu suspected that the shadow they were about to face was this very organization.

Thus, Germany was formally split in its system into two sovereign and independent states: the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic.

The German Democratic Republic was a member of the Warsaw Pact and the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance. Its land area was 107,771 square kilometers.

Sounds like quite a bit, right? It could have been even more.

That failed art student even wanted the whole of Europe.

What is very surprising is that during the Cold War, the German Democratic Republic held a leading position in the socialist camp in terms of economy, culture, and sports.

The United States only required West Germany to submit to its major strategic direction; as for West Germany's internal affairs, they were generally not interfered with, provided they did not conflict with the grand U. S. strategy.

The Soviet Union not only required its own camp to submit to it but also demanded that they copy the Soviet political and economic system.

Therefore, East Germany developed from the very beginning according to the Soviet political and economic model: politically implementing a socialist system, and economically focusing on nationalized public ownership.

This was also the original intention behind our insistence on an independent path—we could not bear such bullying behavior.

Decades later, it has also proven the importance of adhering to independence and self-reliance.

Contrary to the common knowledge of many, although the Berlin Wall was built, it did not actually cut off communication between the two Germanys.

Just as mentioned earlier, the Berlin Wall was not built on the border between East and West Germany, but inside the city of Berlin.

The city of Berlin is now divided into East Berlin and West Berlin, and the entire city of Berlin is located within East Germany.

Due to long-term Western propaganda, many people mistakenly believe that the Berlin Wall was built on the border between East and West Germany, thinking that East Germany oppressed its people, causing many East German residents living in the socialist camp to try every possible way to flee to the "land of freedom" every day.

In fact, through the introduction by the foreign affairs secretary, it was learned that the situation was not so—at least not during this period.

You must know that East Germany was a model state built by the Soviet Union facing the West, and for a long time, the lives of the East German people were better than those in surrounding countries.

It was very famous among socialist countries, even attracting people from other socialist countries to move in and live there.

And due to East Germany's low wages and low prices, it even once provoked the West to send people to East Berlin for malicious purchasing, damaging East Germany's financial order; this was one of the reasons why the Berlin Wall was built.

But almost all reports about the Berlin Wall in international newspapers consciously or unconsciously lead people in the wrong direction, and who checks a map of Germany for fun?

Only those who have seen the relevant maps will suddenly realize: "Oh, so the Berlin Wall is not the national border between East and West Germany."

Clearly, this is a very obvious case of media hegemony.

The West plays this game very well, using partial truths and selective reporting to make people fill in the blanks themselves and become misled.

Only after seeing clearly will one understand that Western media is truly cunning and devious.

Although a large number of East Germans moved to West Germany at the time, a large number of West Germans also voluntarily moved to East Germany; however, Western media would only tell the outside world that because East German people were extremely dissatisfied with the social changes brought by the Soviet Union, a large number of senior experts and skilled technical workers moved to West Germany, and in some universities, one-third of the graduates ran off to the Federal Republic of Germany as soon as they finished their studies.

"Is the situation really like that?"

Li Xuewu repeated this situation to the foreign affairs secretary, wanting to verify this point.

"We are just bystanders."

The foreign affairs secretary looked at him quite calmly and said: "According to our investigation, the situation was that from 1944 to 1961, nearly one-sixth of the East German population (2.5 million people) moved out, leaving through Berlin; by August 1961, about 2,000 people were leaving East Germany every day."

"Likewise," just as Li Xuewu was looking at him in confusion, he added: "In 1944, there were also over 1.5 million West Germans fleeing to East Germany."

He spread his hands and said: "Actually, for a long time, East Germany did not stop citizens from entering West Berlin from East Berlin at all; it's just that travelers needed to have certain procedures."

Clearly, what Western media said was fact, but it was one-sided, mentioning only those coming and not those going—a habitual propaganda technique, always intentionally or unintentionally misleading readers.

You see, this is the power of public opinion.

Furthermore, even if crossing the border is not allowed, what is the problem with that?

Isn't it normal for a country to prevent its own citizens and the citizens of other countries from crossing the border at will?

Those who use various methods to cross the border at will are inherently suspicious, and those digging tunnels and the like—are they not dangerous people?

"Does anyone really climb the wall to escape?"

Zhu Xiaolin asked curiously while walking on the concrete road with everyone, looking at the scene before him.

The foreign affairs secretary looked back at him, shook his head slightly, and said: "Only fools would climb the wall."

"People who truly pursue freedom don't need to climb the wall; they can completely choose the Hungary → Austria → West Germany route."

He pursed his lips and said: "Or the other way around."

"Hahaha—"

Li Huai De and the others were amused by his expression and chuckled; that "the other way around" was very vivid.

Likewise, Zhu Xiaolin and the others also reacted to Li Xuewu's question; the German Democratic Republic at this time still had substance.

In fact, Li Xuewu felt more regret; this was an era of the Cold War, and in order to suppress the Soviets, the United States and the capitalist world cooked up many tricks.

Of course, the Soviets themselves were not up to the task; with the development of the times, due to their own reasons and external competition, they increasingly could not keep up with the rhythm of the United States, and internal contradictions surged, with no solution in sight.

When the living standards of the East German people could no longer keep up with those developed capitalist countries in the West, influenced by the affluent living conditions and the atmosphere of freedom, some East Germans began to want to climb the Berlin Wall to live in the Berlin territory controlled by West Germany, but the number was not large; it was just that due to Western propaganda, it seemed like many people were climbing the Berlin Wall.

And it was also at this time that the Americans and Europeans, seizing the opportunity of Soviet weakness, took action; they tried every possible way to strike at the Soviet Union's national strength and prestige, and this included the merger of East and West Germany.

Li Xuewu remembered this point in time because this question had been on a history exam: on June 12, 1987, then-U. S. President Reagan deliberately gave a speech under the Berlin Wall, calling out to Soviet leader Gorbachev:

"Tear down this wall! This wall will fall in Europe, for it cannot withstand faith, it cannot withstand truth, this wall cannot withstand freedom."

Bullshit freedom; freedom was never restricted by a wall; what restricts freedom is the system.

Various Western magazines promoted that the Berlin Wall was built by a dictator to block the steps of the East German people heading to West Germany in pursuit of freedom, and that it split the nation and the people.

Then, under the massive brainwashing propaganda of Western media, many people's incorrect perception of the Berlin Wall was deepened.

And if you truly put yourself in their shoes, what would you think if there were a piece of foreign territory in the capital of your own country?

I believe the vast majority of countries would sympathize with East Germany.

Why did Li Xuewu deliberately steer the conversation in this direction?

Of course, it was to make Old Li and the others realize in advance why those ordinary people at the airport would look at them with such complex and alternative gazes the moment they stepped off the plane.

This is the evil of Western media.

They demonize, infantilize, and backwardize us in their propaganda, yet some people actually believe it and are truly not up to the task.

At exactly 2:30, led by the foreign affairs secretary, they arrived at a small square to gather; there were no chairs prepared here, but there was a rest area.

Li Xuewu tightened his overcoat and walked along the Berlin Wall for a stretch, personally feeling this sense of division.

Returning to Old Li's side, he heard the two of them already chatting about how to pass the long night ahead.

Old Zhu suggested having a little drink in his room, blowing some smoke, and maybe those eavesdroppers would be scared into wetting their pants.

Li Xuewu only felt that Old Zhu was letting himself go, becoming increasingly unreliable.

Not to mention who those eavesdroppers were, even the image of drinking and bragging would give people a sense of distrust.

The words he spoke would truly be taken seriously by the other party.

Old Li still had a sense of proportion; he signaled to the East German personnel who had come along and jokingly teased Old Zhu, telling him to hook up with someone to relieve his boredom.

Men really shouldn't gather together; otherwise, they will definitely talk nonsense.

At 2:45, Deputy Director Li, accompanied by Willi Stoph, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the German Democratic Republic, arrived at the Berlin Wall.

Willi Stoph delivered an enthusiastic but goal-oriented speech in front of the Berlin Wall to the visiting industrial and trade delegation.

Li Xuewu listened very carefully, because this old man did not look like a good person.