At 2 PM, the flight arrived on time at an airport in eastern Japan. Japan's and the home country's standard time only differ by one hour, so there's no need to adjust for jet lag. After getting off the plane, Ma En needed to start bustling about for his future life; the sooner he settled down, the faster he could enter formal work. He didn't want to waste too much time on these trivial matters.
Many people say Japan's air is somewhat fresher than the air in many large cities in the home country. Ma En, however, didn't feel much difference, perhaps because the air in the city where he lived year-round was also very fresh. Exiting the airport, he found a phone booth and called the person he had contacted beforehand. He needed to find housing in an area in the suburbs of Tokyo City, and also see if there were any new jobs; having someone help was best.
The contact was a real estate agent, a member of the same Party in Japan, but the two didn't know each other directly; rather, it was arranged through Party members from the home country. This was their first meeting. Ma En tidied his dark gray suit and dark red tie in the restroom, wiped his leather shoes with a tissue, confirmed there were no untidy areas, and only then, carrying the black umbrella in one hand and the luggage case in the other, hailed a taxi to the meeting point.
The place where the two met was a small park. Lush green tree canopies cast large patches of dappled shade on the ground. The sunlight at 3:30 PM passed through the canopies, making it seem as if the leaves themselves were glowing. There weren't many people in the park, but people passed by frequently. Following instructions, Ma En found the wooden bench beside the lawn. The bench seemed to have some years on it; the grain and nails were brown, but not the color of paint. The smell of earth and moisture entered his nostrils, making him feel comfortable. The contact was already sitting on the bench reading a newspaper, his briefcase placed beside his seat.
As Ma En approached, he observed this contact person. His appearance and attire were exactly the same as in the photo, which must have been taken recently. Around forty years old, but with few wrinkles on his face, his skin healthy and ruddy, just slightly balding. His beard was cleanly shaved, posture straight, a habit. He also wore a neat dark suit, white tie, with the corner of a handkerchief showing from his breast pocket, looking very meticulous.
When there were still about ten steps left, this middle-aged man looked up, his gaze instantly locking onto Ma En, completely ignoring the other passersby in front, behind, left, and right. Subsequently, he revealed a polite smile, nodded towards Ma En, appearing gentle and courteous. Ma En quickened his steps. The middle-aged man picked up the briefcase beside him, clearing the space, so Ma En sat down in the empty spot.
"Are you Ma-san?" The middle-aged man neatly folded the newspaper, placed it on his lap, and then confirmed in Japanese.
"Yes, my name is Ma En. Please take care of me (or: Nice to meet you)." Ma En said in slightly stiff Japanese. He knew six languages, Japanese being one, but lacked much practical application experience.
"Nice to meet you for the first time. My name is Ueshima Kousuke. Please take care of me." The middle-aged man sat straight on the bench, hands on his knees, bowing his head slightly to Ma En in greeting. Ma En knew this was a Japanese greeting custom, but doing so in his home country would only make people feel excessively polite. However, following local customs, he imitated the action, bowing in return.
"I have already heard about Ma-san's situation." Although Ueshima Kousuke was polite, he didn't engage in further pleasantries, but went straight to the point, asking: "I would like to know how long Ma-san plans to stay in Japan?"
"If possible, I hope to be able to settle in Japan," Ma En also felt getting straight to the point was good; his answer lacked much tact or embellishment.
"Settle in Japan? It might be very troublesome for others, but Ma-san is an international Party member; it only requires going through some procedures," Ueshima Kousuke said with a smile.
"Excuse me, what specific procedures are needed?" Ma En asked.
"First, please answer a few questions, Ma-san, is that alright?" Ueshima Kousuke said.
"Okay."
"Ma-san's trip to Japan this time, is it a Party appointment?" Ueshima Kousuke asked this, focusing intently on Ma En's eyes. Ma En was slightly stunned by his question, but immediately understood.
"No, I have already resigned. Settling in Japan is due to some private matters," Ma En said with a smile.
"Ah, yes, I heard, Ma-san has already resigned, but I don't understand the specific circumstances. So it wasn't for official business?" Saying this, he still didn't shift his gaze from Ma En's eyes. "Nor for any special purpose?" His words seemed to already hint at something. Ma En naturally knew what he was referring to, but those matters indeed had nothing to do with him.
"I have completely resigned, and have no connection with the home country," Ma En replied calmly. "But, I am still a Party member."
"Hmm..." Ueshima Kousuke nodded, his gaze shifting away, but still smiling. "Understood. Excuse me, does Ma-san have any requirements for a new job and new residence?"
"If possible, I still hope to contribute to the Party," Ma En already understood the background of the middle-aged man before him.
Actually, he didn't resist this conversation, nor did he resist the other party's identity. Ma En was a Party member and hoped to continue maintaining his international Party member status in this foreign country. From an international perspective, the relationship between members of the same Party was no less close than that between fellow countrymen; it was a more formal sense of international friendship. After resigning and going abroad, most of his Party connections in his home country had been suspended. Japan's political landscape involved alternating governance between the Red Party and the Imperial Party (or potentially, the ruling party and other parties, depending on context). Since the end of the war, the relationship between the two parties had been in a delicate state of hostility. Considering the influence of political factors, only the same Party in Japan could provide convenience for his future work and life, and would be beneficial for him to maintain contact with his family back home from a detached position.
Whether in a foreign land or in the motherland, wanting to be a Party member requires, from a practical perspective, obtaining a formal job recognized by the Party and contributing to the Party. This is an iron rule, and also the basis of Party relationships. Wanting to live in Japan as an international Party member, merely paying Party dues is not enough, or rather, to obtain the qualification to continue paying Party dues, one inevitably needs to have a job connected to the same Party in Japan, making contributions through work. Whether this will reactivate connections with the domestic Party is not a certain matter.
Ueshima Kousuke had completely understood Ma En's meaning.
"After learning about Ma-san's news, I reviewed Ma-san's resume," Ueshima Kousuke said straightforwardly. This undisguised attitude and style towards a fellow Party member instantly put Ma En at ease, because this was indeed the Party's consistent style. "Ma-san has a degree from a provincial key university. Skipped grades multiple times during school, although didn't participate in too many professional qualification exams, actually knows six languages, has dabbled extensively in computers and cultural studies, achieved repeated results in his public institution after graduation, is modest, friendly with colleagues, has a clean background..." His gaze seemed to be telling Ma En: The Party has been watching you.
"Overly praised," Ma En said this, yet nodded.
"Ma-san has always been very conscious of being a Party member, this is very good. Actually, it's not common for Party members like Ma-san to resign and go abroad, after all, it involves security issues, the timing and reasons for going abroad are also very noteworthy... But no matter where, the Party will not easily give up on Party members like Ma-san, which is why I asked those questions earlier," Ueshima Kousuke said this. "According to international Party regulations, Ma-san's Party membership status in the home country is already on the re-evaluation list. Party dues are due next month, but Ma-san probably hasn't received notification, right?"
"Yes, that's completely understandable," Ma En said.
"Has Ma-san thought about what kind of work he wants to do after coming to Japan?" Ueshima Kousuke asked.
"I hope it's work related to Japanese culture and customs," Ma En replied. "Japanese and domestic culture are similar yet different; I've always been very interested, especially in folklore."
"I know of a job suitable for Ma-san." Ueshima Kousuke didn't beat around the bush anymore, saying: "A friend of mine, a non-partisan enthusiast, Mr. Katsura Masakazu, plans to open a computer technology school in Bunkyo Ward, intending to promote the nation's computer industry to accelerate integration with international cutting-edge technology. I intend to recommend Ma-san for work in the school's administrative department. Ma-san should know that school propaganda has always been one of the Party's work focuses. I wonder what Ma-san thinks?"
"Excuse me, what is Mr. Katsura Masakazu's attitude towards our Party?" Ma En didn't immediately agree. He naturally knew what kind of place Bunkyo Ward was, also understood what it meant for a Party member to work in a new school opened by an enthusiast, and further understood the prospects of computer technology. Being able to open a new technology school in Bunkyo Ward itself implied this enthusiast was a successful and powerful person. And Mr. Katsura Masakazu being a non-partisan figure obviously made him one of the Party's objects of attention, but it wasn't convenient to get too deeply involved, which is why an international Party member like Ma En was needed to step forward, to avoid crossing lines and causing relations to stiffen. Ma En dealing with the other party would require tending to all aspects, finding his own position clearly. Of course, in terms of compensation, there was almost nothing to hesitate about.
"Mr. Katsura Masakazu is a sympathizer of our Party, but has no particular partisan inclination; he is a moderate, open-minded leftist progressive," Ueshima Kousuke said thusly.
Ma En nodded knowingly. He already understood the requirements of the same Party in Japan. The two sides didn't need an especially close connection, yet couldn't have no connection at all. Perhaps there would be personnel from the other ruling party in the new school, but obvious conflict wasn't needed. Mr. Katsura Masakazu wanted a subtle balance; excessive force would only invite ill feelings from the other party. People with attitudes like Mr. Katsura Masakazu's were actually very common. This wasn't difficult work, could only be considered routine work, yet it was also necessary work. Just as Ueshima Kousuke said, occupying a position in the administrative function department, showing presence when necessary, even just a tiny bit, was very important.
"I understand. I am very happy to be able to help Mr. Katsura Masakazu," Ma En smiled calmly.
Ueshima Kousuke nodded and said: "There will be further news about this job within three days. Please wait patiently, Ma-san."