41

The following morning, Zhangyang went to the Cultural Relics Bureau to see his old friend, Li Ming. The two chatted outside the visitors room.

"Li Ming, Id like to ask you to make some discreet inquiries about a cultural relic with an important history."

"Brother Yang, you dont often ask me for favors. Tell me, what kind of cultural relic are we talking about?"

"The original handwritten manuscript of Tsangyang Gyatsos Love Poems."

"Ive heard of this relic, but in all the years Ive worked at the bureau, Ive never seen it. If the original manuscript still exists, it must be a priceless national treasure."

"Are you saying the Cultural Relics Bureau doesnt have this item in its collection?"

"If we had it in our collection, I would certainly have had a chance to see it. Have you forgotten that my job is to digitize cultural relics? Who asked you to inquire about this item?"

"A professor, a descendant of Tsangyang Gyatso. Hes a longtime client of mine."

Li Ming thought to himself, "If I can locate this national treasure, it will be a major achievement. I might as well play along and follow the clues, using Zhangyang as my lead to find the relic."

"Brother Yang, just tell him that Im willing to provide assistance discreetly. Please arrange for me to meet this professor."

Zhangyang thought for a moment before replying, "Ill ask the professor first. If he agrees, Ill bring you to meet him."

42

After Zhangyang left, Li Ming immediately went into the office to report the matter to Director Gar Dawa.

"...Director, my idea is that we follow the clues and use Zhangyang as our lead to find this relic."

Dawa said, "Your plan is workable. Follow the descendants of Tsangyang Gyatso, making inquiries openly and discreetly, and locate this historically significant relic as soon as possible. Lhundup Yangjin will accompany you and carry out this assignment together."

Yangjin, who was standing nearby, replied, "Yes, Director."

"Ill issue an official document authorizing you to call on public security personnel anywhere in the region whenever necessary, so they can assist you in recovering this relic. Both of you must perform well. Stay alert and act swiftly!"

Li Ming and Yangjin exchanged a knowing glance and said in unison, "Director, well do everything in our power!"

43

Zhangyang arrived at the hotel, greeted the front desk staff, and went upstairs to look for Zashi and his daughter, Annie. Zashi was not there, so Zhangyang went to the neighboring room to find Annie.

"Annie, I just came from the Cultural Relics Bureau. My old friend Li Ming said they could provide the necessary assistance in searching for that handwritten love-poem manuscript. We just need the professors approval, and Ill arrange a meeting between you."

"Zhangyang, youre really so helpful. When my father gets back, Ill tell him about it. Ill leave the arrangements to you!"

Zhangyang smiled with satisfaction. "If theres anything I can do to help, Im more than willing."

Meido, who was standing nearby, instinctively felt that something was wrong. She thought to herself, "Why would Annie involve the Cultural Relics Bureau in the search for the love-poem manuscript? Teacher Zashi has kept a low profile throughout his research trips over the years precisely because he doesnt want to attract official attention or give the authorities an opportunity to interfere. I shouldnt voice my concerns in front of Annie. Id better not dampen Zhangyangs enthusiasm. Ill wait until the teacher returns before dealing with this..."

As soon as Zashi returned to his hotel room, Meido knocked and entered. With his back to her, Zashi wrung out a towel and wiped his face.

"Teacher, you probably dont know yet that Zhangyang is arranging for officials from the Cultural Relics Bureau to meet with you, do you?"

Zashi hung the towel back up and turned around, looking surprised. "Officials from the Cultural Relics Bureau? Whats going on?"

"I overheard Zhangyang talking with Annie. It seems he took the initiative to contact his friend at the Cultural Relics Bureau. He said he wanted to help you recover the lost handwritten love-poem manuscript, and Annie agreed with his idea."

Zashi said anxiously, "That girl Annie has no idea whats going on! She just went along with Zhangyang without thinking. Now that weve alerted the authorities, Im afraid theyll keep an eye on our movements from now on."

"Then, Teacher, what do you plan to do?"

"Go and get that girl here right away. I need to explain the implications of this to her."

"All right. Ill go get her now." Meido turned and left.

Zashi folded his arms across his chest, his expression grave.

Annie and Meido entered the room, and Meido closed the door behind them.

"Annie, you werent the one who suggested that Zhangyang contact officials from the Cultural Relics Bureau to meet with me, were you?"

"No. Zhangyang said his friend at the Cultural Relics Bureau could provide us with some necessary assistance, so I agreed."

Zashis expression darkened as he reprimanded her. "Youve heard the fable about letting a wolf into the house, havent you?"

Annie nodded. "Yes, I have. Could it be..."

"By letting officials from the Cultural Relics Bureau know that your father and I are searching for clues to the whereabouts of the love-poem scroll, youve let the wolf into the house."

Seeing the unusually stern expression on her fathers face, Annie suddenly realized that she had made a mistake and caused him trouble.

Annie said remorsefully, "Daddy, Im sorry."

"Every time I return to Tibet, I do ask Zhangyang to drive us around, but I never let him know that Im investigating the whereabouts of the love-poem scroll. Ive deliberately kept a low profile because I dont want to alert the authorities."

"Then Ill tell Zhangyang that we dont need his friends assistance after all."

Zashi waved his hand. "Its too late! Once the authorities hear that were searching for this scroll, theyll be like flies drawn to a piece of meat. They certainly wont let the matter go."

Annie looked at the worried expression on her fathers face and began to feel uneasy herself.

44

Gesang entered the restaurant and saw the poem Annie had left on the wall. He stopped to read it. His previously calm heart was stirred. He clenched both hands, and his face lit up with renewed energy.

This love could have endured, but even then I was already bewildered / I remain trapped in the cocoon of love / I have yet to understand the vicissitudes of human life / Until someone calls to me from a future life / Saying that spiritual transformation comes only after understanding impermanence and change / Let go of all sensations, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness / Be far removed from inverted views and deluded dreams / Then the Buddha will ferry me across / To the Perfection of Wisdom...

Gesang recited the poem again, then murmured to himself, "Annie, meeting you is the greatest good fortune of my life. I will cherish it."

At the hotel, Annie leaned against the window, gazing at the street below as she called Zhangyang on her cell phone.

"Is that you, Zhangyang?"

"Speaking. Is that Annie?"

"Yes. Ive discussed it with my father. He says this is a family matter that we should handle ourselves, so we wont trouble your friend for assistance."

"But Ive already told him we were going to do this. Now Im in an awkward position!"

"My father doesnt want to make things more complicated. Im afraid I have to apologize to you."

"All right. Ill tell my friend."

"Sorry for putting you to trouble!" Annie ended the call and continued watching the people and vehicles passing along the street.

45

Inside the Cultural Relics Research Office at Ramoche Monastery, Tang Huaimin, also known as Gesang, sat at his desk and opened a window on his laptop. In his inbox, he saw an email from Tang Mengying:

Huaimin,

I arrived in Paris a month ago, and Ive settled into my new life here. Im currently studying French at a language school. By next year, I should be able to enter an institute of art research.

French men are quite forward. Men often ask me out, but dont worry. I wont fall for anyone. How are you doing in Tibet? Ive heard that winter there is freezing cold, with snow and ice everywhere. Take good care of yourself, and write to me whenever you have time. Before you return to Taiwan next time, remember to let me know. If I happen to have some free time, Ill come back to Taiwan to keep you company!

Your fiancée,
Mengying,
By the Seine in Paris

After reading the email, Tang Huaimin looked at several recent selfies of Mengying attached to it, showing scenes from her daily life there. He couldnt help feeling guilty.

"Mengying, Im sorry. Everything is a fate that was destined..."

46

Inside the Cultural Relics Bureau office, Li Ming received a phone call from Zhangyang.

"Li Ming, its Zhangyang."

"This is Li Ming. Go ahead, Brother."

"Theres been a change of plans regarding the matter we discussed earlier."

Li Ming looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Professor Zashi doesnt want to make things more complicated."

"Oh? The Cultural Relics Bureau has sufficient personnel and resources to help Professor Zashi. Isnt that a good thing?"

"I think wed better respect the wishes of the people involved. Sorry about this."

Li Ming replied helplessly, "All right. If you need our assistance later, just give me a call anytime."

Director Dawa, seated at his desk, had listened to the entire conversation and now understood the situation.

"Director, Zhangyang said that Professor Zashi..."

"I know. It seems weve tipped them off, and theyve become wary. Well have to switch from an open approach to a covert one and follow them secretly."

Dawa continued, "Yangjin, go with Li Ming to the hotel where Zashi is staying. Install a tracking device on Zhangyangs vehicle. The two of you will use your own car and follow Zhangyangs vehicle from a distance. Keep track of the groups movements throughout the journey."

Yangjin rose from her seat and replied respectfully, "Yes, Director."

Dawa reminded them, "Wait until theyve found the target before you show yourselves. Let the mantis stalk the cicada while the oriole waits behind."

Li Ming gave a thumbs-up and praised him. "Director, thats brilliant!"

47

Zhangyang parked his vehicle in the parking lot beside the hotel, got out, and walked inside.

Li Ming and Yangjin, who had been lying in wait at the corner across the street, immediately got out of their car and hurried toward the parking lot. They went to the rear of Zhangyangs van. Yangjin kept watch while Li Ming lay down beneath the chassis and attached the tracking device to a concealed spot behind the shock absorber. He then got up, brushed the dirt off his gloves, and the two hurried back across the street and got into their car.

Li Ming, sitting in the passenger seat, took the tracking receiver out of the glove compartment, switched it on, and extended the small antenna to test the signal. A moment later, an arrow appeared on the receivers small screen.

Li Ming said with satisfaction, "Were all set. Now the two of us can wait like orioles behind the mantis."

At the hotel entrance, Zhangyang appeared carrying several pieces of luggage. Zashi, Annie, and Meido followed behind him, each carrying a small bag. The four of them headed toward the parking lot.

Zhangyang loaded their luggage into the van one piece at a time. The three passengers got in one after another. Zashi took the front passenger seat. Zhangyang closed the door, and the group set off toward Shigatse.

Yangjin drove the sedan with Li Ming beside her. Li Ming held the tracking receiver on his lap as their car quietly followed Zhangyangs van at a distance of several hundred meters.

In the front of the van, Zashi began complaining to Zhangyang.

"Im afraid this trip wont be peaceful along the way."

"Professor, youre worried that the Cultural Relics Bureau will take further action, arent you?"

"Yes. Ive always kept a low profile precisely because I dont want the authorities getting involved."

Zhangyang looked embarrassed. "Im truly sorry. I didnt think things through carefully and caused you trouble."

Zashi said worriedly, "Once the authorities get involved in the search for the original manuscript, Im afraid that even if I find it, theyll demand that I hand it over."

"I understand what you mean, sir. But isnt it more appropriate for such an important cultural relic to be entrusted to the state for safekeeping and preservation?"

"This original manuscript is a family heirloom. It has an irreplaceable meaning to me."

Zhangyang understood. "I see what you mean. Thats true."