Chapter 359 Berlin Crisis (Second update, please subscribe)
Berlin, this is a city that has been completely destroyed. Although the war has ended three years ago, wars are everywhere on the streets of Berlin. trauma. Among the ruins, there are only some bullet-riddled buildings left, where people without jobs are lingering.
More than 3.5 million Berliners live in these ruins. People without income or jobs rely on meager savings or pawning all valuables in their homes to make ends meet.
At this time, it is not shameful for women to sell their bodies. Every time dusk falls, there will always be some women wearing lipstick standing on the street, soliciting men from the past. Behind the seemingly happy faces There may be babies waiting to be fed.
Of course this is the last step for a woman, but for the sake of life, it is not shameful, just like throwing herself into the arms of the Allies. Three years ago, they were enemies who killed each other, but now, for the sake of life, they don’t know How many German women committed themselves to Allied officers and soldiers and became their lovers.
Mary carefully put on her makeup in front of the mirror, and took a deep breath. Even though she put on makeup, she still looked very haggard in the mirror - this was because of hunger.
Ten minutes later, she left home and walked to a building a few kilometers away. This building that once belonged to the government had been acquired by a foreign company for a ridiculous tens of thousands of dollars.
But now they are recruiting employees here. Like many women, Mary also hopes to get a job, even if it is just pouring coffee.
There were many people interviewing. The women were all wearing their most beautiful dresses and the most exquisite makeup. Many of them even wore stockings. Looking at them, Mary couldn't help but feel a little nervous about getting this job. Work?
I don’t know how long I waited. There were fewer and fewer people in the corridor. When it was finally Mary’s turn, the interviewer asked.
"Please introduce yourself."
"Sir, my name is Mary Schneider. I once worked in a company as a typist. I need this job, sir."
"There are so many people, then why should I hire you?"
Zhao Xudong asked. He had just been appointed as the manager of the Berlin branch. He looked at the woman in front of him. She was a very beautiful woman and asked .
“We only have 47 positions, but more than 500 people came for interviews, why should I hire you.”
Faced with the inquiry, Mary thought for a while and said directly.
“I’m very hungry, sir. I only ate one carrot yesterday, the day before yesterday, and the day before yesterday. I haven’t eaten bread for four days. Sir, I’m really hungry. I, I will do my best to work!"
At this time, her stomach also growled. Listening to the "gurgling" sound of the woman's stomach, Zhao Xudong glanced at her and said.
"Well, I hope you won't disappoint me."
"Thank you, sir, sir, you will not regret it."
After Mary thanked her and was about to leave, Zhao Xudong said.
"Miss Mary... go on."
It's actually a sandwich!
“Thank you, sir.”
Facing Mary’s thanks, Zhao Xudong said.
"I don't want you to starve in the company before work."
Hunger is the norm in Berlin, but what kind of business opportunities are there in such ruins?
Staring at the ruins outside the window, looking at the ruins-like Brandenburg Gate, Zhao Xudong couldn't help but feel a little confused.
But work is work. In the following time, although the situation in Germany became increasingly tense due to the merger of the British, American and French occupation zones, for businessmen, no matter how the situation changed, it seemed to have little impact.
However, what is supposed to come will always come. After entering June, the situation in Germany became increasingly tense. First, the United States, Britain and France announced that they would implement unilateral new currency reforms in the Western-occupied areas starting from June 21. Then the Russian occupying army chief Solokovsky issued an "Announcement to the German People" "Book", which stated that Britain, the United States and France wanted to break up Germany. On June 22, the day after the new mark was issued in the Western-occupied area, the Soviet-occupied area also implemented currency reforms. Although the situation suddenly became tense, in Zhao Xudong's view, this was a good thing.
“A stable currency is the fundamental prerequisite for economic stability. The issuance of the new mark will help the recovery of the German economy and help the company expand its business locally.”
On the 23rd, as When Zhao Xudong, the representative of the Greater Berlin District, sent the telegram to the branch headquarters in Polo, he had no idea what kind of vortex he was in.
The next morning, when Zhao Xudong was still sleeping, the sudden ringing of the phone woke him up from his sleep. The phone was opened by deputy manager Hex, and his voice sounded excited.
"Manager Zhao, are you at home? Look out the window."
"What?"
"Russians, Russians, they blockaded Berlin!"
Dragging the phone to the window, looking out, I don't know when there were more people on the street in the distance. After arriving at the checkpoint, Russian soldiers with live ammunition checked the passers-by at the checkpoint.
Many people were blocked on the other side of the checkpoint. Before he could speak, the assistant manager's voice came over the phone.
"Did you see it? All waterways and railways have been cut off by the Russians. Manager, we have now become hostages of the Russians!"
On June 24, Russia completely cut off land and water transportation and freight between the Western-occupied areas and Berlin, leaving only three air corridors from West Germany to Berlin.
......
A C95 passenger plane taking off from the Hawaii Airport is flying over the vast Pacific Ocean, heading towards the continental United States. The prototype of the C95 is the SM.95 four-engine aircraft manufactured by the Savoia-Marchetti Aircraft Company. After the company relocated to Nanyang, engineers began to significantly redesign the aircraft - more powerful engines, Stronger aluminum alloy. After redesign and improvement, its performance is between Douglas's DC5 and DC6, but its range is longer.
As the pioneering work of Nanyang Aviation Industries, it received an order from Borneo Airlines as soon as it was finalized and began to enter Borneo's internal and international civil aviation routes.
This C95, codenamed "Air Force One", is Li Yi'an's special plane. When the situation in Berlin became increasingly tense, he embarked on another trip to the United States.
After the plane took off from Hawaii, Li Yian sat alone in a single chair on the back right side, and then concentrated on flipping through documents and handling official duties.
Occasionally, he would still cast his gaze to the sea. Through the clouds under the wings of the plane, he could see the blue sea below.
Why go to the United States at this time?
There are two reasons - first, Truman is running for re-election. As a friend, especially a spiritual mentor, it is necessary for Li Yi'an to give him support, especially when the outside world is not optimistic about him. .
As for the second, it is because of the Berlin crisis. The Berlin crisis is a symbol of the full start of the Cold War. It is also the opportunity that Li Yi'an has been waiting for. As long as we seize this opportunity, Borneo can soar into the sky. Not only can Taking advantage of the momentum to expand eastward, one can also obtain extremely generous rewards in the upcoming Cold War.
In fact, Borneo has already benefited from the Cold War - last year, after the Democratic Party led by Billy Phanonjung abolished the Kingdom of Siam and established a republic, the situation in Southeast Asia suddenly changed. Faced with this situation, the Truman administration announced large-scale aid to Nanyang, providing a series of economic and military assistance to Nanyang, helping it build infrastructure such as roads, ports, and airports, and providing military equipment to enhance Nanyang's defense capabilities.
Although I have benefited a lot from it, as for the aid... no one can have too much. Therefore, this trip to the United States is also to obtain further assistance. After all, compared to what the United States has given to Turkey and Nanyang only received a fraction of Greece's aid.
"The sharper the Cold War confrontation, the more opportunities there are to reap benefits!"
Leaning back in his chair, Li Yian chuckled.
“I just don’t know how the current situation will evolve. If it hasn’t become more acute yet, then I’ll wait on the west coast for a few days...”
(End of this chapter)