Chapter 56

"Little girl, I know you came here to cause trouble, but you're still too inexperienced!" Although Shefov remained seated, he exuded an invincible demeanor. "I have dealt with Americans more times than you have interviewed Soviets. We understand your country as well as you do! I suggest that in the future, when you conduct interviews, you should first consult your editor-in-chief before asking questions. Otherwise, even if I am willing to cooperate with you, you won't be able to publish a single word..."

"Oh? We are a country of free speech, Mr. Shefov might not understand our America!" The female journalist, seemingly provoked, fired off a series of questions about the friction between Soviet troops and local residents, the KGB's power, and the Soviet mistreatment of German prisoners of war.

Shefov responded by analyzing the extraterritorial rights of U.S. troops, the powers of the CIA and FBI, and the issues surrounding the Rhine camp. He then raised his hand to stop the female journalist. "As a competitor, the Soviet Union understands your country better than you, a novice journalist. The people who understand you best are actually your enemies! The work the Soviet Union is doing is the same as that of the United States; there is no significant difference, and neither is more noble! Everyone knows the deep enmity between the Soviet Union and Germany from the war a few decades ago. Germany killed millions of our prisoners of war, and we retaliated in kind during the war, a time of irrational revenge! The United States has no right to criticize this. If you doubt my words, you can dig up the ground at the Rhine camp; I am also very curious how many Germans are buried there!"

"I've already said so much nonsense. Can this American journalist lady sit down now? Anyway, you won't be able to publish a single word of what I said. The U.S. government will certainly justify the situation at the time, either by proving that few people died at the Rhine camp or by refusing to admit that the lighthouse of the free world did the same as the Soviet Union! As for how many German prisoners of war are buried there, you'll know when you dig it up!"

"I've already said so much nonsense. Can this American journalist lady sit down now? Anyway, you won't be able to publish a single word of what I said. The U.S. government will certainly justify the situation at the time, either by proving that few people died at the Rhine camp or by refusing to admit that the lighthouse of the free world did the same as the Soviet Union! As for how many German prisoners of war are buried there, you'll know when you dig it up!"

"Freedom of speech is something to listen to, but don't take it too seriously. It's incredibly easy to ensure a young journalist is never hired by a newspaper again. The Soviet Union can do it through state orders, and the United States can do it through capital operations."

"What Shefov said involves many things that the U.S. government cannot change for at least several decades. Since they can't change, they can't tolerate discussion. How could opposing opinions appear in the newspapers?"

"The same goes for the Soviet Union. If anyone dares to touch the public ownership system, as a KGB member, I must immediately demonstrate my value. First, I would have the Health and Sanitation Department contact the local hospital to issue a psychiatric diagnosis, and depending on the severity, detain the person on the spot or send them to Kazan for centralized management. Every country has its non-negotiable points. You must always ensure that you are in line with the majority. Being overly innovative and sticking out will only lead to a bloody nose."

"General Shefov, what is the Soviet Union's stance on the blockade of West Berlin by the Berlin Wall?" A female journalist in the back row stood up to ask.

"Are you from the Süddeutsche Zeitung? Alright, since it involves the German people, I can answer your question, though it's not directly related to today's meeting!" Shefov interlaced his fingers and thought for a moment before speaking into the microphone. "The Soviet Union does not take a stance on this issue but will support any decision made by the German Democratic Republic (GDR)! Since the Berlin Wall was decided and built by the GDR, the Soviet Union will support it. This is an international obligation we must fulfill, and we naturally stand with our brother country!"

"But this isolates many people. Has anyone considered their feelings?"

"I can give you a personal answer. Remember, these are my personal views and do not represent the Soviet Union!" Shefov put aside all his arrogance. Different countries require different approaches. Each time, he must ensure he only faces one enemy, keeping others in a state of observation. This is something he learned from Germany during World War II, though Germany ultimately failed.

"The Federal Republic of Germany's economic advantage is based on the diligence of its people and American aid, which is fair and aboveboard. However, there is an immoral aspect: using West Berlin as a stepping stone to drain blood from the GDR. For over a decade, the GDR has experienced negative population growth, making economic development impossible. Without people, how can there be development! If we don't stop the population outflow, in thirty years, the GDR will be completely depopulated! The GDR has already lost over two million people in the past fourteen years. If the Soviet Union were more selfish, we would let this continue. When it becomes a no-man's land, it could be considered unclaimed territory and annexed by the Soviet Union!" Shefov chuckled. "In fact, we didn't. Our support for the GDR's construction of the Berlin Wall precisely demonstrates that the Soviet Union has no territorial ambitions in the GDR. We want to develop socialism with our brother countries..."

"Well said!" As Shefov finished speaking, there was a burst of applause. Most of the applause came from journalists from countries like Poland, Hungary, and Yugoslavia, who cheered for Shefov's speech.

These journalists, part of the socialist camp, strongly endorsed Shefov's statements, which made Shefov, sitting above, feel a moment of dizziness. In this era, a significant portion of global discourse was still not in the hands of the Western world, a stark contrast to the few isolated socialist countries in the future.

The generation that grew up in China, despite receiving socialist education, always had a question when looking at the world map: why are there only five countries like us in the world? In reality, there was only one, and the other four could be reduced to the status of Rwanda with a mere wave of the hand by the United States.

In fact, there were once many countries like China. Compared to the isolated position of China in the future, the Soviet Union's current situation was much better. At least, when speaking, someone would listen, rather than being told to shut up. When China, decades later, reached the same position as the Soviet Union and looked around, it found only itself. It's unclear if China at that time thought about the Soviet Union, which stood in the same position decades earlier, but at least it had some countries following it, unlike facing the entire world alone.

At least now, Shefov felt that the socialist path, though destined to be difficult, was not lonely.