66

Sun Jiayang drove the sedan along the highway, then turned onto a dirt road used by horse-drawn carts. They arrived beside a small lake surrounded by lush grass and abundant water. A group of nomadic herders had set up camp beside the lake, with more than a thousand cattle and sheep scattered across the two grasslands, grazing.

Jiayang led the two of them toward a tent, where they encountered Dorje Nyima, who was repairing a horse-drawn cart.

Jiayang greeted him. “Uncle Nyima, Ive brought someone to meet you and Chief Dorje.”

Nyima stopped what he was doing, stood up, and walked over.

Nyima asked, “Jiayang, who are this young man and woman?”

Gesang said, “Im Dage Gesang. Dage Gongjia is my grandfather. Im from Taiwan. This is my fiancée, Annie.”

Nyima greeted them warmly. “So youre my nephew from the same family, and this is your future wife. Its a pleasure to meet you both.”

Nyima stepped forward and embraced Gesang.

Holding Gesangs hand, Nyima said, “Twenty years ago, Uncle Gongjia and my cousin Losang came back here. Lets go inside and see my old father.”

Nyima led Gesang and the others into the tent. Tenzin was sitting cross-legged on the ground, smoking a pipe. When he saw the visitors, he stood up to welcome them.

Nyima said, “Father, Gesang, Gongjias grandson, has come to see you.”

As soon as Tenzin saw Gesang and Annie, he studied their faces carefully for quite some time. Then he bent forward and prostrated himself before them.

Seeing his father perform such a solemn act of reverence, Nyima hurriedly knelt and prostrated himself as well, although he had no idea what was happening and was completely bewildered.

Gesang and Annie quickly stepped forward to help the father and son to their feet.

Tenzin said respectfully, “You are Songtsen Gampo, and you must be Princess Wencheng.”

Annie looked astonished.

Jiayang said in confusion, “Chief, youve completely bewildered me by kneeling like that.”

Tenzin said, “Jiayang, youve come too.”

Nyima pointed toward Gesang and said, “Father, hes Gesang, Gongjias grandson!”

Tenzin pointed to two portraits hanging above the altar and said, “These two people are Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng.”

Jiayang and Nyima raised their heads to look at the portraits. Nyima even stepped closer to examine them carefully.

Jiayang said, “Good heavens! When you compare them, their facial features really do look remarkably similar to those in the portraits.”

Tenzin said, “Please, all three of you, have a seat.”

Gesang and the others sat cross-legged on the ground. Nyima went outside the tent and called for his wife and daughters. They soon entered the tent to prepare butter tea and refreshments.

Tenzin slowly began his story.

“Back then, my father was passing through Shigatse and stayed overnight at Tashilhunpo Monastery. When the elderly presiding lama handed him a sandalwood box, he made a prophecy to my father. He said that one day, a young man and woman reincarnated as Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng would come to reclaim that sandalwood box.”

Nyimas wife and daughters brought in a butter tea container and a wooden tray. They knelt beside Nyima and arranged the butter tea and refreshments on the carpet.

Annie looked at Gesang beside her and smiled sweetly. Gesang responded with a meaningful look.

Annie thought to herself, The elderly lama at Ramoche Monastery and the abbot of Tashilhunpo Monastery both said the same thing. It couldnt possibly be a coincidence, could it? Gesang and I really are the reincarnations of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng...

Nyima said happily, “So my worthy nephew Gesang really is the reincarnation of King Songtsen Gampo. Our family is going to prosper!”

Gesang asked, “Great-Uncle, may I ask whether you are currently keeping the sandalwood box you mentioned?”

Tenzin replied, “Dont worry, my worthy grandnephew. That sandalwood box has been kept very safely all along. Once the horse racing festival is over, Ill have Nyima take you there to retrieve it.”

Gesang cupped his hands and bowed. “Thank you for your help, Great-Uncle.”

Nyima said warmly, “The annual horse racing festival is about to begin. Stay here for a while. We relatives should take this opportunity to spend some time together.”

“Chief Dorje, Uncle Nyima, I still have work to take care of at my factory. Ill leave the young couple, Gesang and Annie, in your hands.”

Jiayang stood up and cupped his hands in farewell. Nyima, Gesang, and Annie also stood to see him off.

Nyima said, “Jiayang, remember to deliver another shipment of goods in a few days.”

Jiayang replied, “No problem. Gesang and my young sister-in-law, youre welcome to stay at my place for a few days on your way back.”

Gesang said, “If time permits, well come and visit you.”

“Jiayang, when you get back, please call my father and tell him that Gesang and I are here with Nyima.”

Annie handed Jiayang a small piece of paper.

Jiayang said, “All right, little sister-in-law.”

Gesang suggested, “How about this, Jiayang? Could you help bring Professor Zashi and the other two here?”

Annie said, “But my father may be under close surveillance by the Public Security Bureau right now. Wouldnt that allow them to follow my father and trace their way to us?”

Jiayang thought for a moment and said, “Thats not difficult to solve. Ill arrange a time and meeting place with your father over the phone, then go pick them up.”

Gesang said, “Then Ill have to trouble you, Jiayang.”

The three of them waved as they watched Sun Jiayangs sedan drive away.

67

Inside the office of the Nagqu Public Security Bureau, Li Ming was listening to a briefing delivered by Jiang Bin, captain of the Criminal Investigation Unit.

“...Zashi and the other two are still under our close surveillance. Zashis daughter, Annie, has escaped our surveillance, and were intensifying our efforts to find her. Theres also an unidentified young man who disappeared after arriving with Zashi. Were currently investigating his identity.”

A blurry image of a mans back appeared on the projection screen.

Li Ming asked, “Captain, did you get a clear image of his face?”

Jiang Bin replied, “No. When he left the hotel, he deliberately pulled his hat down over his face. Besides, my men only followed him for a short time. When they got to the movie theater, he used a clever disguise to shake them off.”

Li Ming thought for a moment and said, “Annie and this young man both managed to escape your surveillance one after the other. There must be something going on.”

Yangjin speculated, “Its possible that the man and woman are in contact with each other.”

Li Ming said, “My instinct tells me that these two are not only in contact with each other, but may also be planning to act together.”

Director Shao Jun asked, “Special Commissioner, do you mean that this man and woman are the key leads we need to find the document?”

“Exactly. You must mobilize more personnel and locate these two people, or at least one of them, as quickly as possible.”

68

On a shopping street in the busy commercial district of Nagqu, Zashi, Zhangyang, and Meido were browsing the shops. Two teams of plainclothes officers, four men in all, were following them closely, one team ahead and the other behind. Zashi and his companions had all noticed the officers, but they pretended to remain calm and continued shopping.

Zashis phone rang. He took it out of his coat pocket.

“Is this Professor Zashi?”

“Yes, speaking. May I ask who this is?”

“My surname is Sun. Im Gesangs classmate from Taiwan. Ive safely brought him and Annie to Tenzins encampment.”

“I understand. Thank you for your help.”

“Gesang asked me to pick you up and bring you here. Just let me know the time and place, and Ill come get you.”

“All right. Well contact you again after we return to the hotel.”

Zashi ended the call. Zhangyang and Meido pretended that nothing had happened and continued shopping.

The plainclothes officers following them noticed that Zashi had received a phone call and immediately radioed their headquarters.

“Bat calling headquarters, Bat calling headquarters. Do you copy? Over.”

“Headquarters here. Go ahead. Over.”

“Number One Pigeon was just seen making a phone call. Over.”

“Understood! Continue surveillance. Dont lose him. Report any developments immediately. Over.”

69

Inside Room 301, Zashi and the others were speaking quietly.

“Gesangs friend just called. He said hes already taken the two of them safely to the Dorje familys encampment. He wants to arrange a time to come and pick us up.”

Zhangyang said, “Then we need to find a way to shake off the Public Security officers monitoring and following us as soon as possible.”

“The three of us are conspicuous targets. Im afraid it wont be easy to get away from their surveillance.”

Meido suggested, “Professor, how about Zhangyang and I work together to draw the officers attention away? After all, youre the main target.”

Zashi said, “That might work. The horse racing festival opens tomorrow. The three of us will split into two groups and head to the festival grounds. Well mingle with the crowds and look for opportunities to slip away separately. You two should find somewhere to hide for a while. Just make sure we can still reach each other by phone.”

Zhangyang said, “All right. Well follow your plan, Professor.”

Zashi said, “Zhangyang, keep an eye on your car. Dont let them install another transmitter on it.”

Zhangyang replied awkwardly, “I know, Professor.”

Zashi said, “Ill make a return call.”

Zashi took out his phone, went into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and made the call.

70

At the opening ceremony of the Nagqu Horse Racing Festival, officials were giving speeches onstage, while a huge crowd filled the area below.

Zashi, Zhangyang, and Meido split into two groups and moved apart. Li Ming, Jiang Bin, and several plainclothes officers kept Zashi under surveillance. Yangjin, Shao Jun, and several other plainclothes officers monitored Zhangyang and Meido.

In the parking lot outside the festival grounds, Sun Jiayang sent a text message to Zashi.

Amid the crowd, Zashi took out his phone and glanced at the message.

After the officials finished their speeches, the festival officially began, and the crowd moved toward the nearby horse racing grounds. Zashi moved constantly through the crowd, weaving his way among the people. Li Ming, Jiang Bin, and several plainclothes officers followed closely behind.

Zashi headed for the nearest public restroom and went inside. Li Ming, Jiang Bin, and the other plainclothes officers followed and took up positions around the building.

Inside the restroom, Zashi put on a fake mustache, dark-tinted glasses, and a wig. He took off his coat and replaced it with a cloak. After completing his disguise, he hurried out of the festival grounds. Li Ming and Jiang Bin and their men failed to recognize him and let him slip past.

Zashi immediately hurried to the parking lot, got into Sun Jiayangs sedan, and left the festival grounds.

After waiting for a while, Li Ming and Jiang Bin realized something was wrong. The two men entered the public restroom and searched the stalls one by one. In one of them, they found the luggage and coat Zashi had left behind.

Li Ming said angrily, “That old fox, Zashi!”

Jiang Bin speculated, “He must have already left the festival grounds.”

Li Ming suddenly realized something. “We need to get to the parking lot immediately!”

The two men hurried out of the restroom and waved to their subordinates.

71

Sun Jiayangs sedan arrived at Nyimas encampment. The two men got out and walked toward the tent.

Gesang and Annie came out to greet them at the entrance.

“It took quite a bit of effort to shake off Li Ming and those plainclothes officers.”

“Professor, did you see Li Ming?”

“Yes. Ive met him before. Im certain he was leading the operation.”

Gesang said worriedly, “It looks like the people from the Cultural Relics Bureau are determined to get what they want. Jiayang, youve worked hard.”

Jiayang smiled. “It was nothing.”

The four of them entered the tent. Nyima stood up and greeted Zashi with an embrace.

“Professor Zashi, its a pleasure to meet you.”

“Nyima, the pleasure is mine.”

“Gesang told me that youre a descendant of Tsangyang, the Monk of Love?”

Zashi replied, “Thats right.”

The five of them sat down in turn. Nyimas wife and daughters brought out butter tea and dried cheese cakes to serve their guests.

Nyima said, “Professor, please help yourself.”

Gesang said, “Uncle, Professor Zashi just barely managed to escape the surveillance of the plainclothes officers.”

Nyima said with concern, “In that case, things are rather... Gesang, what do you think we should do?”

Gesang replied, “The longer we wait, the greater the risk that something might go wrong. To avoid any unexpected complications, I think we should take advantage of the horse racing festival and return the manuscript to Professor Zashi as soon as possible.”

Nyima thought for a moment and said, “All right. I can make that decision. Ill take you there immediately to retrieve the sandalwood box. Jiayang, please drive us.”

Jiayang said, “No problem.”

The five men who had been sitting cross-legged on the ground stood up and got into Sun Jiayangs sedan.

72

In the parking lot outside the Nagqu horse racing grounds, Yangjin took out a signal-tracking device. Li Ming, Shao Jun, Jiang Bin, and several other plainclothes officers gathered around her.

Yangjin said, “The device is picking up a signal.”

Li Ming said, “Lets get in the cars and follow the signal.”

Li Ming and his group divided themselves among three official vehicles and drove away.

Sun Jiayangs sedan arrived at the lakeshore of Namtso, in front of the meditation cave of Master Padmasambhava. Everyone got out of the car.

Nyima led Zashi and the other three into the cave. He obtained a set of keys from an elderly lama, unlocked two iron gates, and retrieved the sandalwood box.

Li Ming, Yangjin, and their group arrived outside the cave and lay in wait.

As soon as Zashi and the others emerged from the cave, Li Ming, Yangjin, and a group of plainclothes officers blocked their way. The officers drew their pistols and rifles and pointed them at the five people. Four of them looked shocked, while Nyima remained completely calm.

Li Ming pointed at the sandalwood box in Zashis hands and said, “Professor Zashi, thank you for finding this important document for us.”

Zashi replied unhappily, “Li Ming, this is a family heirloom belonging to the Tsangyang family.”

Li Ming said, “Under national law, this important document must be handed over to the Cultural Relics Bureau for safekeeping. Professor, youre a reasonable man. Please dont make things difficult for me.”

Gesang urged him, “Professor, just give it to them...”

Seeing that the situation was against him, Zashi had no choice but to hand over the sandalwood box.

Li Ming took the box and said triumphantly, “Ill report this to my superiors. Well arrange a public commendation at a later date and present you with a certificate of recognition. Until we meet again, Professor!”

Zashi and the others watched helplessly as the three official vehicles drove away. Nyima, however, had a smile on his face. He leaned close to Zashis ear and whispered a few words. A smile immediately spread across Zashis face.

Gesang asked in puzzlement, “Professor, what are you two...?”

Nyima said, “The genuine manuscript of Tsangyang Gyatsos love poems had been switched out by my father long ago. The manuscript inside that sandalwood box is a fake. My father had a craftsman make a copy of the original. Apart from my father, no one has ever seen the genuine manuscript with their own eyes.”

Gesang asked, “Then... where is the genuine manuscript now?”

Nyima replied calmly, “Gesang, the genuine manuscript has been in the hands of your father, Losang, all along.”

Gesang exclaimed in surprise, “What! How could that be?”

Nyima explained, “Twenty years ago, when Uncle Gongjia returned from Taiwan to visit his family, my father, Tenzin, personally handed him the genuine manuscript and entrusted him with taking it to Taiwan.”

Gesang suddenly understood. “I see!”

Zashi said excitedly, “This must be destiny! It is the Buddhas arrangement. Lets return to Lhasa first. Annie, you should accompany Gesang to Taiwan. From now on, the two of you will be responsible for keeping this genuine manuscript safe together.”

Nyima nudged Gesangs shoulder and said, “Gesang, arent you going to thank your future father-in-law?”

Gesang understood immediately and dropped to his knees, touching his forehead to the ground.

“Thank you, Father, for giving us your blessing.”

Annie, standing nearby, was astonished. Her father had arranged her marriage without even asking what she thought. Somewhat displeased, she said, “Father, you havent even asked me what I think!”

Nyima and Sun Jiayang, standing nearby, both burst out laughing.

73

In the departure hall of Lhasa Airport, Zashi, Zhangyang, and Meido had come to see them off. Zhangyang walked over to Gesang and embraced him.

Zhangyang whispered, “Treat Annie well. Otherwise, Ill steal her back.”

Meido embraced Annie.

Annie whispered, “Zhangyang is a good man. You should give him a chance.”

Zashi and the others waved goodbye to Gesang and Annie, watching as the two walked into the departure lounge.