"Did it go well along the way?"

The topic was too solemn and sensitive, and no one wanted to speak first when they returned to the conference room of the European company headquarters after breakfast.

Holding his chin, he smiled casually: "It's okay, it's just that it's very troublesome when you leave the country, Russian customs officials have to open almost every box to see, and they have strict controls on food and art, etc., and you can't bring you a few paintings from the Tsarist period." ”

Daniel shrugged his shoulders and said exaggeratedly, "It's a pity that I still want to collect a few paintings, and it seems that this unrealistic idea can only be dispelled." ”

Dr. Klinsmann couldn't hold back any longer, and said with a look of frustration: "Zhang, things are worse than you think, as of yesterday, 12 people have submitted their resignation reports to me. The reasons were all sorted, they couldn't have been more clumsy, none of them could stand, and as far as I know, they didn't find a better job. ”

Steyr, president of NB Industrial Manufacturing, was equally worried, saying: "Many colleagues have submitted applications, and this is their power, and the board of directors and the supervisory board have no right to interfere. What's even more frightening is that as more and more people apply, those who don't apply are easily seen as whistleblowers. We are suspicious of each other, and we are facing serious challenges to our harmonious relationships, but there is nothing we can do about it, and we can only let things get worse and worse. ”

Seeing that the charter looked at him, François hurriedly said: "There are not many employees in the headquarters of East Germany, and before joining NB Electric, they were very few colleagues, so there is no such problem. ”

It's his own turn, Daniel sighed lightly, and said with a bitter smile of helplessness: "Zhang." You know the way. The circle of the media is very small. Many of the reporters and directors of the news network are mostly from the news agencies of the former Socialist Unity government. They are not only colleagues, but many others are friends. ”

It's more serious than you think.

The charter nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and said in a low voice: "Maybe you should call in a few psychiatrists, after all, the truth is too terrible, I don't think they are mentally prepared." ”

What a ridiculous proposition, and Dr. Klinsmann was laughed and laughed at. He said bluntly: "Zhang, my dear little capitalist, psychological problems do need to be channeled, but for us, how to ensure the normal operation of the laboratory and the company, and how to ensure that there will be no outflow of personnel, is an urgent problem. ”

If the application is approved, former colleagues are likely to become whistleblowers, and the best friend is actually the "Stasi" informant, in the case of Dr. Klinsmann, who managed to set up the NB laboratory in Berlin. It was a disaster.

Charter could understand his anxiety, but shook his head, "Doctor." As Mr. Steyr has said, it is their freedom to apply for access to the 'Stasi' file, we have no right to interfere with it, and I really can't think of a better way to do it than to minimize the impact. ”

"Yes, it depends on whether you are willing to take the lead."

"What's the solution?"

"Zhang, I would like to make an initiative from you, advocating that NB electrical staff and colleagues in NB laboratory do not apply for access to archives for the time being, for the sake of our friendship and our cause."

"On the plane, Xia Yao made the same suggestion, but even if our friends and colleagues don't check it, others will also check it. And everyone has their own social circle, and there will be overlap between circles and circles, and those things that we don't want to know about the road, or even how to face it, will sooner or later be learned through other channels, so this will not solve any problems. ”

The charter, who never smoked, uncharacteristically asked Daniel for a cigarette, took a sharp puff, and continued: "Besides, I am a Chinese, not a German, let alone an East German, and it is not appropriate for me to issue an initiative." ”

Dr. Klinsmann did not think so, and immediately said: "At least the impact can be minimized, Zhang, my dear little capitalist, although you are not an East German, you are also a watchman, this has been confirmed by the Federal Security Archives Committee, and you have a say in this matter." ”

They had obviously discussed it a long time ago, and Daniel also agreed: "Zhang, the doctor is right, it is most appropriate for you to make the initiative, after all, your nationality and experience in East Germany determine that you are only a person to be watched, and you cannot be an informer." It can be objective and fair, unlike the need to avoid suspicion like doctors and presidents. ”

Dr. Klinsmann and President Steyr's public initiative can easily be perceived as having a problem with themselves, and from this point of view, the self, who has also been monitored, is indeed a suitable person to do so.

Despite the clear understanding that even an initiative would not solve anything, the charter agreed: "Well, I accept your offer to issue an initiative as a member of the Doctor Friends Association and a member of the NB Engineers Association. ”

"We're ready to sign the proposal."

Quite well prepared, the charter took it and read it carefully, and said while signing: "After so many years of colleagues and friends, there should be some people who respond, but other work also needs to be done, such as the hiring of a psychologist as I just said." ”

Dr. Klinsmann agreed, "No problem, I'll contact the psychiatric clinic when I get back." ”

"Also contact the Church, gentlemen, we need help from all walks of life in the face of this problem."

Again a psychiatrist and a priest, Daniel couldn't help but ask, "Zhang, what kind of homework can this do, I don't think it can help us." ”

The charter shook his head and said meaningfully, "Daniel, you are thinking about before applying for access, and I am thinking about after applying for access. Ever since I received the call from Angra, I've been wondering, if I see my file, will I be angry, will I be depressed?

If some of my friends had worked for the 'Stasi' and had turned against me and betrayed me, I would probably have to accept the fact that they were 'fake friends'. I was relieved to accept it, but I was relieved to finally know what had happened during that time. ”

He thought about it, and so did Dr. Klinsmann and Steyr, after all, they had lived in East Germany for most of their lives. And not under the Constitution, which only lived for a few months under the Unified Socialist government.

Look at them thoughtfully. The charter continued: "I think I'll try to talk to some people who have betrayed their friendship. As far as the GDR was concerned, I was just a foreigner, a passerby, and as long as I did not do anything that endangered the security of the GDR, the 'Stasi' would not harm me, and even if I did something inconsistent with my status, at most I would be expelled from East Berlin.

In fact, I didn't get hurt in any way, I was just watched, but what about those who were hurt? They will surely think that those friends and even loved ones who betray their friendship. It is important for the victim that they should be held accountable for what they have done.

He'll talk to them, and I think someone willing, but surely someone wouldn't. It could be dishonest, or it could be that you don't want to face your past. If they look back, they have to face what they have done, they have to confront themselves and their past. ”

It was a little messy, but it was all heartfelt, and Dr. Klinsmann put his head down and said, "If I had read the file." I think I'll ask too. ”

"People who are willing to talk, they are willing to face their past. But there is definitely a need to find a new relationship with each other. After all, so many things have happened, so many injuries have been suffered, and former friends and even kinship have to be repositioned. ”

Speaking of which, the charter changed gears: "Everyone knows in their hearts that the proposal will not solve anything, at most it will delay the time when all this will happen, so we need to think about the future, think about the end of friendship, and think about what to do when relationships are about to fall apart."

Tolerance is easier said than done, especially for those who have been hurt, I don't expect to be as harmonious as it is now, but I don't want to let the laboratory that was built with great difficulty be empty for this reason, so I can only find a way to find a new relationship. ”

"Mr. Zhang, I think I understand what you mean, you do see farther and think more than us."

As soon as President Steyr's words fell, Dr. Klinsmann tore the proposal signed by the charter in half, got up and said: "Zhang is right, sooner or later, we must face it, and the laboratory cannot be maintained in this way, which is a challenge for us, but also an opportunity, an opportunity to get rid of the burden of history." ”

Advocating that people not apply for access to the "Stasi" archives is tantamount to planting a bomb for the Berlin NB laboratory, NB Industrial Manufacturing and BNB News that do not know when it will explode.

Holding a bomb, how can you have the heart to do research and work?

The reason why he signed the proposal was just not to disappoint Dr. Klinsmann and President Steyr, Dr. Klinsmann finally figured it out, and he was very relieved, got up and said: "Doctor, in our Chinese words, this is called long pain is better than short pain, it may be very painful now, but for the future, it is completely worth bearing these pains, and it is also very necessary." ”

There was so much work to be done in advance, and after reaching a consensus between NB Electric and colleagues at the NB Laboratory in Berlin on requesting access to the "Stasi" archives, Dr. Klinsmann and President Steyr hurried back.

To the surprise of the charter, despite the fact that the doctor had figured it out on business, he still insisted on his previous decision not to apply for access.

Looking at his departing back, Daniel said with emotion: "It's not that he is not mentally prepared, but he doesn't want to lose his friends, let alone his relatives." ”

Germany's most unique achievement is that it has so closely associated itself with the darkest evils of two of the worst political systems of the bloodiest century in human history.

The words "Nazis", "SS" and "Auschwitz" have become synonymous with fascist inhumanity around the world. And now, the word "Stasi" has become synonymous with the horrors of the communist secret police.

I remember when I first came to Berlin a few years ago, I was puzzled by the conundrum: how did the evil of the Nazis swallow up this land of glorious culture?

He tried to understand why the people of Weimar Berlin behaved in the wake of Adolf Hitler's appearance. Among these questions, there was one that bothered him the most: what kind of quality, what kind of blood, in the face of the crimes of the state organization. It is possible to make one person a resistance fighter and another a collaborator. Let one be Claush-von Stuffenberg. Sacrificing one's own life to try to assassinate Hitler and make another man Albert Speer?

Later on this side of the Berlin Wall, the people who live here are facing a similar dilemma under another dictatorship, the same horrors, even though the new dictatorship did not bring as much real killing.

To this day, he remembers a visit to a professor at the Physical Chemistry Center who accompanied him on the way back and a friend who accompanied him whispered in his ear: "Be careful, Faust works for 'Stasi'!" "And that professor is not just a friend now. Or a colleague at the NB laboratory in Berlin.

Thinking that in the near future, he would pack up his personal belongings and leave the laboratory, he felt very uncomfortable. Glancing back, the second sisters Zhang Lin and Natasha, who were hurrying over and pulling Xia Yao to ask this question, asked casually: "Daniel, dear friend, how do you feel about the position of president of the news network?" ”

"Great, great."

"So good?"

"I can't think of anything better than this," Daniel said, staring into his eyes with a sincere expression. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to make this dream come true. ”

Natasha, who was looking at him, nodded slightly. Meaningfully, he said: "Dreams change the future, that's our slogan." ”

"But many people's dreams will not be able to hold on because of the 'Stasi' file." Daniel threw the half-smoked cigarette and said through gritted teeth: "Damn the federal government, it's just helping us lay off employees, I really don't know what they think, can't we wait ten or twenty years to declassify it?" ”

Angela made it clear on the phone that although many dignitaries, including Chancellor Kohl, strongly oppose the publication of the "Stasi" dossier, the Federal Assembly still believes that it is necessary to reach a consensus on the attitude of the totalitarian regime and how to shape the society of the future through the public dossier.

In the 20th century, Germany experienced two dictatorships: the Nazis and the Democratic Republic of Germany, which implemented a socialist system. Only by drawing lessons from history and never forgetting the dictatorship can we effectively cultivate conscience and cultivate people's awareness of the value of a democratic society.

Open archives are the trend of the times, and no one can change them.

Not wanting to discuss this heavy topic any longer, the charter asked with interest as he walked down the hall, "How is the news network doing?" Aside from the sports channel that you just launched, what are your plans for next? ”

A high market capitalization can be profitable, especially for BNB News, a German-based news organization. Despite the high ratings, German law clearly stipulates that news programs are not allowed to accept sponsorships, advertisements or product placements during and before or after broadcasting.

BNB's German-language channel broadcasts news 24 hours a day, unlike those comprehensive channels that can insert ads, without ads there is no income, only in and out, it is simply losing money.

If it weren't for the international, Spanish, and Arabic channels, as well as the Deutsche Express, Newsweek, and Globe Express, it would have been impossible to hold on.

"The problem of the German-language news channel must be resolved, and I am seeking the support of industry associations and parliamentarians, because the legal provisions of the ban on advertising in news programmes are too unfair and untimely for us."

"Let the council revise the plan?"

"Well, what else can be done?"

Daniel paused, then continued: "What's even more intolerable is that it's legal to plagiarize TV show ideas here. You may not believe it, but the coordinator of the first TV station brazenly claimed in an interview that 'the market for TV programs in English-speaking countries is so big, of course they don't pay attention to the market in German-speaking countries, so a lot of their projects are also aimed at English-speaking audiences'.

The implication is that as a strong English-speaking national TV program, since it doesn't care about German-speaking countries, then we have to follow it. The lack of the necessary laws and regulations for the entire TV market, the lack of copyright protection for the TV program model, and the worthlessness of ideas here, are simply a shame for Germany. ”

No wonder he was given so much "creativity" and never put it into practice, because he was worried about being plagiarized. The charter was happy and asked with a smile: "So you are going to push the Federal Assembly to formulate corresponding laws and regulations?" ”

"Of course, we have a reason to do so."

Daniel's face was straight, and he said with a serious face: "First of all, our German-language news channel has the highest overall ratings in the country. No one can deny that this is according to the statistics of the GFK Group (Consumption, Marketing and Sales Research Institute), an internationally renowned market research institute with a history of more than 50 years and headquartered in Nuremberg.

Secondly, we are Germany's first and only truly global media outlet. Unlike the German Press Agency, which only publishes press releases and pictures, Deutsche Welle only broadcasts on the radio. It has a certain influence, especially in the Spanish-speaking countries of the Gulf region and Latin America, and has surpassed international counterparts such as CNN and ABC.

If the Federal Government does not take our demands seriously and does not create a good environment for us to develop, then we will only be a German news agency that does not provide real-time news to German audiences. ”

Last year, the Soviet coup d'état and the collapse of the Soviet Union were broadcast live, and this year it has extended its tentacles to more than 100 countries and regions around the world. Thanks to the advice of his own heavy activist and the good relationship with the Saudi and Kuwaiti governments, the relevant reports can catch the attention of the audience.

For example, the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina that broke out two months ago, such as the Gulf issue, which is too hot to be hot, and such as the riots in Los Angeles, which are in full swing...... The East German journalists, who were able to return to their old jobs with great difficulty, were not afraid of death, and their presence was active in hot spots where there was war and riots, so that the news sent back could not be broadcast at all, and they had to be edited and edited again.

If NB Industrial Manufacturing is the pride of East Germany, then BNB News can be considered the pride of the German press. Coupled with the fact that Deutsche 2, Germany's second-largest public television station, and Luxembourg TV, Germany's second-largest private television station, Daniel, as president of BNB News, is fully qualified to make this claim.

The charter thought for a moment and asked, "How sure are you?" ”

"There was a lot of resistance, and the day before yesterday in Bonn I had a fight with a couple of old bastards from the association and scolded them for being bloody. They have become accustomed to the current way of operating, and at best they are conformists, and if they don't sound good, they are not enterprising. ”

"This matter is very troublesome, it needs a lot of support, I can't help you, not even Angela can help you, you can only figure it out on your own."

Daniel nodded heavily, and said with a wry smile of helplessness: "So I have to deal with those councillors now, say good things to them, give them smiles, and do almost anything except bribes." The guild's unenterprising old bastards are doing the same thing, supporting me today, supporting them tomorrow, and those wavering bastard councillors are like chameleons. ”

The charter patted him on the arm, and Ha Lu Ha Da Lu smiled and said: "Politicians, it's like this, if you can't do it, you can invite a few more lobbyists, even if you use money to smash them, you will smash them to our side." (To be continued......)