I'm a Profiteer in Cold War Germany

"That sounds like the voice of experience," Werner said, nodding slightly as if he were convinced.

"It is." A glint of satisfaction flashed in Krupp’s eyes. "You’re much smarter than Joseph. A smart man knows when to advance, and when to... admire the scenery."

Werner fell silent for a moment, his expression pensive. Inside, however, he was sneering. ’Does this old fossil really think a few threats are enough to make me back down? I need to make Krupp believe I’m "compromising," at least until I can find a fatal weakness.’

"You’re right," Werner began slowly. "Perhaps I do need more patience. After all, this city has taught me many things, including humility."

A smile spread across Krupp’s face. "I’m glad you understand. Wise young men always find it easier to get help from their elders."

"Help?"

"Of course. We’re all part of the East Berlin Black Market; we should help each other." Krupp stood up and walked over to Werner. "Your Stasi friends are very valuable, and I’ve seen what you can do. But..."

He held up a finger and wagged it gently. "But direction is very important. In the right direction, you’ll go far. In the wrong direction..."

Before he could finish, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the prayer room as someone passed through the hallway. Both men fell silent until the sound faded away.

Werner gave Krupp a long, meaningful look. "I think I understand." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"I’m sure you do." Krupp extended a hand. "So, are we partners?"

Werner shook the offered hand, feeling the warmth and strength in the other man’s palm. On the surface, it was a friendly handshake. In reality, it was a silent struggle for dominance.

"Partners," Werner repeated. "I look forward to learning more... patience."

As they released their hands, Krupp’s smile deepened. "I look forward to seeing your progress as well."

Werner turned and walked toward the door, his pace unhurried. He only looked back when his hand touched the doorknob.

"Oh, right, Mr. Krupp. About Joseph... was it really a lack of patience that led to..."

"Young man," Krupp’s voice came from behind, still mild yet carrying an unquestionable weight, "some questions only make the asker seem foolish."

Werner nodded and pushed the door open.

The hallway was quiet, with only the soft echo of his footsteps on the stone floor.

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

「A few weeks later.」

Werner had just stepped into his small apartment when the system’s mechanical prompt sounded in his mind:

[Tip: Demand for cameras and related products has surged recently. Suggest focusing attention here.]

He paused for a moment. After closing the door, he leaned back in his chair and began to think.

’Cameras? Why cameras?’

Werner frowned, his mind rapidly sorting through related information.

It was now May 1961, less than three months before the construction of the Berlin Wall.

During this time, he had been frantically smuggling and stockpiling goods from West Berlin. The three warehouses he rented were almost full—cigarettes, coffee, medicine, laundry detergent, all sorts of Western goods scarce in East Germany.

But cameras... he had never really delved deep into that product category before.

But on second thought, there was a lot to unpack here.

Werner got up and walked to the window, gazing at the gray factory smokestacks in the distance. A piece of history surfaced in his mind: after World War II, Germany was divided and occupied, and the famous Carl Zeiss Optical Company was also split in two.

In West Germany, the Carl Zeiss West Germany Company was established, headquartered in Oberkochen; while in East Germany, there was the Carl Zeiss Jena Company, located in Jena, not far from Berlin.

Logically, since East Germany had its own Zeiss factory, it shouldn’t be short on cameras.

But what was the reality? The reality was that ordinary East Germans couldn’t buy a decent camera at all.

Why? Because of the iron law of a planned economy—everything for the sake of national construction.

Over 90% of the high-end cameras produced by the Carl Zeiss Jena Company had to be exported to Western countries in exchange for foreign currency.

The small amount that remained was either supplied to government agencies and important institutions or allocated to certain model workers who had made special contributions. Ordinary workers? They couldn’t even dream of it.

Even when some cameras occasionally trickled into the market, it was through a strict quota system.

You had to apply first, then get in line, and waiting for six months to a year was normal. And the price? The official price of one camera was equivalent to an ordinary worker’s salary for three months!

This created a peculiar phenomenon: even though East Germany had a world-class camera factory, East Germans who wanted to buy a camera had to smuggle one from West Germany.

Because West Germany was highly market-oriented, camera models were diverse, prices were relatively cheap, and the supply was plentiful. A camera that required a one-year wait in East Germany was readily in stock in any West Berlin store.

At this thought, Werner’s eyes lit up.

Although East Germany had a rationing system and suffered from material shortages, basic social order had been established compared to the severe difficulties of the early post-war period. More and more East Germans were beginning to take an interest in hobbies like photography.

Whether for documenting family life or pursuing artistic expression, cameras had become a basic necessity. But the severe shortage in supply channels created a huge market gap.

More critically, once the Berlin Wall was built, this smuggling route from West Germany would be completely cut off. By then, the price of cameras would inevitably skyrocket!

Werner made a quick decision: act immediately and stockpile a large number of cameras before the blockade!

He changed into his most presentable coat, grabbed the necessary documents and funds, and headed straight for the subway station.

「West Berlin, Kudamm Street.」

Two hours later, Werner appeared in Reinhard Mueller’s office.

"Werner! My friend!" Reynard greeted him enthusiastically. "What brings you here in person today?"

"Mr. Leonard, I’d like to inquire about the camera supply situation." Werner got straight to the point. "Can you get your hands on cameras?"

Reynard’s eyes lit up. "Cameras? Now that’s a good product category!"

He thought for a moment. "To be honest, though, I mainly deal in daily necessities. I don’t have much stock of precision goods like cameras."

Reynard glanced at his watch. "How about this? I’ll take you to meet someone. I have an old friend named Hans Beckman who specializes in photography equipment. He has everything. His shop should still be open."

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at a relatively remote street in West Berlin.

Hans’s shop was small with a modest sign, but through the display window, you could see various cameras on display inside.

"Hans!" Reynard pushed the door open. "Let me introduce a friend, Werner. He’s very interested in cameras. Show him what models you’ve got."

Hans was a thin, short man in his fifties, wearing thick glasses.

He sized Werner up carefully, then nodded. "Come with me to the back."

They walked through the shop and into the storage room at the back.

The shelves were neatly lined with cameras of various brands: Leica, Contax, Zeiss, Rolleiflex... Each one was meticulously maintained, gleaming under the light.

"I’ve been in this business for over twenty years," Hans said proudly. "No matter what model you want, I can find a way to get it."

Hans casually picked one up. "Look at this one. A Kodak Retina IIIc, an American product, in great condition..."

"No." Werner shook his head. "Kodak cameras are too mainstream, nothing special about them."

He walked straight to the shelves, his eyes quickly scanning the various cameras, and then precisely picked out a few. "This Leica IIIf, this Zeiss Contax III, and this one..."

Reynard was a little surprised. "Werner, since when do you know so much about cameras?"