〈A Love Letter from Lhasa〉5

by Chen Ching-Yang

Chapter 9: Shadowing in Pursuit

01
Zhang Yang’s van passed through the ancient town of Gyantse and arrived at the famous Baiyu Temple.

Zaxi went to visit the abbot, presenting the token given by Ze Ren, the steward of Jokhang Temple.

The abbot glanced at the token and said, “You kind souls have traveled a long way. Please follow the Tulku to the side chamber and rest.”

The abbot respectfully led Zaxi and his group to the side chamber, signaling the attendant monks to prepare for the visitors. Zaxi and his companions followed and took their seats in sequence on low wooden platforms with mats. A line of novices soon brought trays of tea and served vegetarian dishes and butter tea.

Zaxi handed over his business card. “I apologize for any trouble caused by this visit.”

The abbot looked at the card and asked, “You are a descendant of Tsangyang Gyatso?”

“Exactly. For over a decade, I’ve come to Tibet every year searching for my ancestor, the love monk Tsangyang Gyatso’s manuscript of love poems, but have found no reliable leads. I humbly request your attention on this matter.”

“The manuscript of Tsangyang Gyatso’s love poems… The Tulku heard of it from our previous master. If its whereabouts are known, I will send word immediately. Please, enjoy the vegetarian offerings of our temple.”

Outside, Yangjin and Li Ming dined in a small shop, keeping watch on Zhang Yang and the group.

At the temple entrance, Zaxi and his companions bowed with hands clasped in respect to the abbot and attendants. The monks bowed back, seeing them off as they boarded the van. Yangjin and Li Ming’s car followed at a distance of several hundred meters.

02
Zhang Yang’s car continued west, arriving at Shigatse’s Tashilhunpo Monastery at dusk. Zaxi visited the abbot, presenting a token to explain their purpose:

“Master, we come seeking the lost manuscript of our ancestor, the love monk Tsangyang Gyatso. Following guidance from the steward of the Potala Palace, we traveled west to inquire with Rinpoche about any leads regarding this manuscript…”

“Are you a descendant of the love monk Tsangyang Gyatso?”

“Yes, here is my card.” Zaxi handed it over. The abbot examined it carefully, then grasped Zaxi’s hands and pressed three times in his palm, which Zaxi immediately understood.

“You have traveled far. Please follow me to the side chamber to rest and dine.”

The abbot respectfully arranged accommodations and a meal. Yangjin and Li Ming stayed at the nearest hotel, observing the temple through high-powered binoculars.

Late at night, the abbot deliberately changed into plain clothes and a wig, disguising himself as a pilgrim. He knocked on Zaxi’s room door. By candlelight, they sat on the edge of the bed in close conversation.

“When I was young, I indeed saw a gold-inlaid sandalwood box, but I did not know its contents. Our master forbade us from asking about it.”

Zaxi exclaimed in delight, “A gold-inlaid sandalwood box? That must be it!”

“At the time, during the Cultural Revolution, temples were in constant fear. Our master could not store this precious relic in the temple. According to my uncle, it was entrusted to a Tibetan herding family for safekeeping.”

Zaxi’s confidence grew at this news.

“Master, who was the leader of this herding group? And where might they have gone?”

“After half a century, I cannot say clearly.”

“Thank you, brother. With this lead, we can now follow the herding groups.”

03
The next morning, in the side chamber, Zaxi discussed plans with Zhang Yang while Annie and Medora listened.

“The abbot’s clue gives us a direction moving forward.”

“Since we need to search among herding groups, we should start with lakesides and basins with larger concentrations, investigating point by point.”

“Your plan coincides with mine, but it may take a lot of time.” Zhang Yang smiled wryly. “We’ll just have to rely on luck. There are thousands of herding groups across Tibet.”

Zaxi said, “Annie, Medora, when the holidays end, you’ll return to your schools.”

“My schedule is flexible. I’d like to stay longer and collect research materials for my thesis,” Annie replied.

“Very well. You decide when to return to California.”

Later, Zhang Yang’s van arrived at a lakeside. He got out, went to the rear to open the cargo door, and noticed a car far behind following them.

“Professor, we’ve been followed all the way.”

Zaxi asked in surprise, “Followed? It must be your friends from the Cultural Relics Bureau?”

“I think so. Li Ming really has amazing reach.”

“Since they can follow us here, it means they had us under surveillance from the start.”

Zhang Yang thought for a moment. “I know where the problem lies.”

He checked the car’s trunk and then crawled under the chassis, discovering a transmitter. He held it up for the others to see.

Medora exclaimed, “These people are unbelievable!”

Annie said, “Zhang Yang, seems your friends aren’t so friendly after all!”

Zhang Yang scratched his head awkwardly. “I just took human nature too naively.”

Zaxi said, “Quickly, think of a way to get rid of them.”

Zhang Yang snapped his fingers. “I have an idea.”

Medora asked, “What do you have in mind?”

Zhang Yang grinned mysteriously. “I plan to play a trick on them. Wait and see.”

The four went to a herding camp. Zhang Yang asked a herder about the falconer, and the herder directed him.

Zhang Yang found the falconer and handed him a banknote and the transmitter.

“Brother, at first light tomorrow, tie this to the eagle’s talons and release the eagle. Let it fly far.”

The falconer accepted the money and transmitter. Zhang Yang drove the van to a hidden spot and covered it with animal skins.

Whistling and grinning, he walked back to Zaxi, Annie, and Medora. “Done. Tomorrow, let’s play hide-and-seek with Li Ming.” Zaxi and Medora laughed, but Annie remained skeptical, unsure what Zhang Yang was planning.

04
At dusk, Zaxi stayed with a herding family. The host prepared a lavish roasted whole lamb.

Inside the tent, the aroma of lamb mixed with milk, drawing the hungry four. On thick cowhide mats, the man carved meat with a dagger while the woman poured butter tea.

Annie tried lamb blood sausage and lamb eyes for the first time, remaining composed. Her eyes widened slightly as she ate the lamb’s eyes.

Medora laughed. “Not bad, huh?”

Annie, cheeks puffed, took a deep breath. “The texture is crisp; the rest tastes like seasoning.”

Zhang Yang said, “Try the blood sausage—it’s the most authentic in this region.”

The host explained, “In Tibet, people enjoy blood sausage. After slaughtering a sheep, the blood and small intestines are the main ingredients.”

Annie sampled a piece. “Chewy and tender—better than ham!”

The host smiled. “To make it delicious, wash the small intestines, prepare the blood in a large bowl. Chop the best lamb meat, mix with blood, add salt, Sichuan pepper, green onions, and stuff into intestines. Tie into small segments with cotton thread. Boil in water until they float and turn grayish-white—about 80% done. Served this way, the sausage stays intact, tender, and flavorful.”

05
Late at night, wolves howled in the distance. Annie donned her jacket and stepped outside, sitting on a haystack, gazing at the star-filled sky. Zhang Yang saw her silhouette, put on his jacket, and followed.

“Not used to the smell of sheep in the tent?”

Annie nodded, smiling. “The stars on the plateau are so bright.”

“Yes, no light pollution here.”

“Are there wolves nearby?”

“Occasionally, but unless extremely hungry, they don’t approach herding tents.”

“You seem optimistic, Zhang Yang.”

“Well, I have to get through the day whether happy or not. I’ve never had grand ambitions—just live my life responsibly.”

“This pace of life is so relaxing. I feel like my springs are loosening.”

Zhang Yang shrugged. “Not bad! Tension for wealth and status doesn’t mean much. My old boss worked like a beast and ended up with nothing but money, and worse—dead in heaven, money in the bank.”

“Dead in heaven, money in the bank…” Annie laughed.

“Yes! Working tirelessly for wealth, missing life’s pleasures. What a waste.”

“You understand life philosophy better than me,” Annie said.

“Well, everyone’s situation is different. One must adjust.”

“After returning to California, maybe I’ll come back here.”

“Why not stay in California?” Zhang Yang asked.

“Back there, after my degree, I might get a teaching job, live steadily like my father. But that’s it…”

“I secretly hope you’ll stay, but in Tibet, besides teaching, would you want to become a herder?”

Annie smiled. “Not impossible. This is my root after all.”

Zhang Yang shook his head, laughing bitterly. “I’m unskilled, wandering for a living.”

Annie smiled. “A carefree life—even wandering can be joyful.”

“Indeed, joy is enough…” Zhang Yang looked at her delicate profile, his heart unexpectedly stirred.

06
At dawn, the falconer tied the transmitter to the eagle’s talons and released it. From several miles away, Yangjin and Li Ming’s car followed the eagle’s path.

At the camp, Zhang Yang pointed to a dust cloud in the distance.

“Li Ming’s fallen for it. Let’s go!”

Zaxi and his companions loaded their luggage. Zhang Yang drove the van in the opposite direction along the open road.

Zaxi said, “These people won’t give up easily.”

Zhang Yang said boldly, “Professor, I led these wolves here. I’ll handle them!”

“Let’s find that manuscript quickly before complications arise.”

“Agreed, I’ll accompany you all the way!”

Yangjin and Li Ming, realizing they had been tricked, turned back, but Zhang Yang and his group had already vanished.

Li Ming asked a local herder, “Do you know where the group who stayed here last night went?”

“They left early this morning.”

“Do you know which direction?”

“I wasn’t paying attention.”

Li Ming and Yangjin exchanged glances and got in their car.

Li Ming said, “We should find a nearby town, call Director Dawa, and decide our next steps.”

Yangjin said, “That’s all we can do now. Losing them will earn us a scolding from the Director.”

Li Ming’s car arrived at a small town grocery store. He got out to use a public phone while Yangjin stayed at the wheel. Returning to the car, Li Ming entered the passenger seat.

Yangjin asked, “What did the Director say?”

Li Ming smiled wryly. “All talk, no action.”

“And his instructions?”

“He said he’ll send telegrams to local government and police agencies, requesting information on Zaxi and his group’s whereabouts.”

Yangjin said, “Your friend Zhang Yang is very alert—we’ll need to be careful in the future.”

Li Ming, frustrated, said, “Forget that for now. Let’s find food and then head back to Lhasa.”

Chapter 10 – Visiting the Nomadic Herds

01
Zhang Yang’s cargo van headed toward Nagqu, with their next destination being Lake Namtso (Tibetan: “Sky Lake”).

Along the way, they encountered large nomadic herds. Zhang Yang would stop the vehicle, accompanying Zha Xi to seek out the leaders of these groups to inquire about the whereabouts of the authentic manuscript. Their journey was a series of stops and walks.

In the afternoon, the van reached the lakeshore of Namtso. Zha Xi and his group visited a nomadic settlement, while Meiduo and Annie chatted casually with the local women.

Zhang Yang stayed with Zha Xi to visit the nomadic leader.

Meanwhile, Annie wandered alone along the lakeshore and unexpectedly ran into Dege Gesang.

Annie was surprised: “Gesang, what are you doing here?”
“My uncle lives here—Dege Wangdui, the leader of this nomadic group. I came to document the upcoming annual horse racing festival in Nagqu and also to visit him,” Gesang explained.
“I see. I was planning to return to Lhasa first and then get some information from you.”
“Annie, I saw the poem you sent me.”
Annie blushed shyly: “Oh?”
“Annie, do you believe in reincarnation?”
“Well… I can’t say for sure. The old lama at Xiaozhao Temple said I’m the reincarnation of Princess Wencheng, which always seemed somewhat unbelievable.”
“You truly are, though you don’t have memories of your past life.”
Annie asked in confusion: “Past life memories?”
“Yes. After returning to Tibet, my memories of my past life gradually came back to me, bit by bit.”
Curious, Annie asked, “Can that old lama really see my past life?”
“I believe so. I’ve come to accept that my past life was the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, and you were Princess Wencheng from Chang’an. That past-life connection ensures that we are destined to be together in this life as well.”
“But I remember you said you came from Taiwan.”
“That’s the mystery of reincarnation. You are from the U.S., I am from Taiwan, and fate has brought us together here in Tibet.”

“Gesang, actually, when we met in Lhasa at Bajiao Well Street, I had this vague feeling of déjà vu from you. But I think that even if, as you say, we are destined to be together in this life, we still need some time to get to know each other. Developing from friends into a couple—that is the process of love.”

Gesang smiled: “Indeed, we need time together. By the way, how did you end up here?”
“I’m traveling with my father to search for a lost family treasure.”
“A family treasure? What kind? Do you need my help?”
“The authentic manuscript of the love poems written by the romantic monk Zangyang—my family are his descendants.”
“Authentic love poems of the monk? That could be quite difficult. I’ve read his poems and studied the life of Zangyang, whose romantic spirit fascinates me. But I’ve never considered this issue. Perhaps my friends at the Cultural Relics Bureau could help find some clues.”
“My friends at the Cultural Relics Bureau? Don’t mention those weasels—we’ve been followed by them ever since leaving Lhasa,” Annie said.

Gesang looked puzzled: “They followed you?”
“It’s a long story. Initially, I had the same idea as you, asking the Bureau for help, but instead we unwittingly invited trouble.”
“You mean they wanted to get the manuscript?”
“Yes. Perhaps they thought the manuscript was a very important historical relic.”
“If it’s an important relic, it should be preserved by the official bureau.”
“But my father doesn’t think so—it’s a family heirloom! He feels obliged to retrieve it.”

Gesang concluded: “So, your father, Professor Zha Xi, doesn’t want official involvement, but the Cultural Relics Bureau is actively interfering.”
Annie nodded: “That’s exactly the situation.”

Gesang asked: “Have you found any leads?”
“Sort of. A lama told my father that the manuscript was taken away by a group of Tibetan nomads.”
“Taken by a nomadic group? Did the lama say which group?”
“No! Even he didn’t know.”
“Then it will be very difficult, like looking for a needle in a haystack. But my uncle knows many people—maybe he can help inquire.”
“Thank you, Gesang. But my father doesn’t want Zhang Yang to involve official channels. They are already watching us.”

Gesang thought for a moment: “There’s still a way. I’ll talk to my uncle and accompany you to search for it.”

Summoning courage, Gesang asked: “Annie, may I hold your hand?”
Annie smiled and nodded. Gesang took her hand, and they strolled along the lakeshore, watching the birds circling above the water and the sunlight sparkling on the waves.

02
In the living room of the nomadic leader Dege Wangdui’s home, Wangdui personally received Zha Xi and Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang explained their purpose in Tibetan.

Wangdui said, “Professor, I’ve never seen that gilded sandalwood box. You should visit our clan leader, Duoren Danzeng. He is knowledgeable and may be able to provide some clues.”

Zha Xi asked, “Can you help us meet Clan Leader Duoren Danzeng?”
“I’ll write a personal letter for you to take to Nagqu, where the horse racing festival is being held. There, you can find Duoren Danzeng,” Wangdui replied.

Zha Xi clasped his fists and bowed three times: “Thank you for your help, leader.”

At that moment, Gesang and Annie entered, surprising Meiduo and Zhang Yang.

Zha Xi asked in astonishment: “Gesang, what are you doing here?”
Gesang replied, “Professor, pleased to meet you. I happened to run into Annie at the lakeshore.”
Wangdui added, “Gesang is my nephew. He often comes to visit me.”

Gesang leaned over and whispered something to Wangdui, who responded.
Wangdui then said, “Professor Zha Xi, my nephew Gesang is going to Nagqu for the horse racing festival. Let him take you there to find Clan Leader Duoren Danzeng.”
Zha Xi expressed his gratitude: “Leader, thank you for your strong support.”

Zhang Yang, hearing that Gesang would accompany them, felt uneasy and began to sense a bad premonition.

03
The next morning, Zha Xi and his group left the nomadic settlement near Namtso, now with Gesang joining them.

Zhang Yang kept glancing in the rearview mirror, occasionally checking the back of the van. Annie, Meiduo, and Gesang laughed and chatted, which made Zhang Yang feel uncomfortable.

Meiduo asked: “One of my college classmates went on a spring trip to Taiwan. She said that during the cherry blossom season in Alishan, walking through the woods felt like snowflakes falling. Gesang, is Alishan really that beautiful?”
Gesang replied, “Most mainland visitors only go to the forest park to see the sacred trees and ride the little forest train. But to truly experience Alishan, you need to stay a few days in the small guesthouses of the indigenous Tsou villages: Dabang, Tefuye, and Shanmei. These guesthouses are mostly over 2,000 meters in altitude, amid misty tea plantations—it really feels like a paradise on earth.”
Annie said, “I only visited Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan. I regret not going to Alishan.”
Gesang said, “Annie, I’ll take you to Alishan. There’s a saying in Taiwan: the ugly bride must meet the in-laws. My grandfather’s home is in the Dabang village of Alishan.”
Annie playfully scolded: “You haven’t even officially dated me, and you want me to be your wife? You’re taking advantage!”
Gesang laughed: “Aren’t we starting to date already, Annie?”
Blushing, Annie replied: “Who dates like that? You haven’t given me flowers or taken me to coffee or the movies!”
Gesang said, “We’re in Shangri-La. They don’t do coffee and movies here. Ask Meiduo if you don’t believe me.”
Meiduo said, “Young people in the city still like romantic dates.”
Annie laughed: “Ha! You just got schooled by Meiduo.”

Zhang Yang, in the driver’s seat, wore a wry smile: “Annie has never seemed this happy when she was with me.”
Zha Xi commented: “Perhaps it’s a cultural difference. Annie grew up in the U.S., so her manners and behavior are more Americanized.”

Zhang Yang put in a CD, playing pop music to cover the conversation between the two.
Confused, he asked: “Professor, what exactly is American style?”
“Simply put, it’s being direct, open, and straightforward.”
“I get it! But I’m pretty open too!”
Zha Xi, noticing the hint of jealousy in Zhang Yang’s voice, said: “Zhang Yang, both you and Gesang are friends Annie has just met. I won’t interfere with her friendships.”

04
Upon reaching Nagqu, as they entered the city, an alert local traffic officer immediately noticed them. The officer got on a police motorcycle to follow and used a radio to notify the traffic police headquarters.

“Reporting to HQ, reporting to HQ. I am unit LS0157, over.”
“This is HQ, unit LS0157, go ahead, over.”
“Spotted the vehicle being sought, license plate: ZANG A25NA0.”
“Copy, LS0157. We see your position. Continue monitoring. We’ll dispatch a support vehicle immediately, over.”

Zha Xi noticed a police motorcycle in the rearview mirror: “We’re being followed by the Public Security Bureau, Zhang Yang.”
Zhang Yang glanced back: “Li Ming really doesn’t give up! What should we do?”
Zha Xi said: “Stay calm. Let’s first check into a hotel in the city center, then find a chance to shake them off.”

Zhang Yang drove the van into a busy district and parked in front of a hotel. They carried their luggage inside.

The police motorcycle waited at a nearby alley corner, monitoring while reporting back to headquarters via radio.

05
At the Lhasa Cultural Relics Bureau, Director Dawa received a call from the Nagqu Public Security Bureau.

“…Okay, please continue strict monitoring.”
“Sir, should we assist in arresting this group?”
“They are not criminal suspects. You only need to monitor. I will dispatch personnel immediately to take over.”
“Yes, sir.”

Dawa hung up and instructed: “Li Ming, Yang Jin, depart immediately for Nagqu to take over.”
The two stood and replied in unison: “Yes, Director.”

Dawa reminded them: “Be alert and precise. Don’t mess this up again.”
They answered together: “Yes, Director.”

Then they left the office.