《拉薩情書》

第九章、如影隨行的跟蹤
01
張揚的客貨車途經江孜古城，來到著名的白居寺。
札希拜訪住持喇嘛，出示大昭寺執事澤仁喇嘛給的信物。
住持看了一眼信物說：「諸位善士遠道而來，請隨朱古（Tulku）到廂房休息。」
住持喇嘛恭謹地引領札希一行人往廂房，行進間以手勢指示身旁執事喇嘛準備迎接訪客。札希一行人跟著住持進到廂房，在矮木台的蒲團上依序落坐。隨即一列沙彌端出木盤茶筒，招待札希一行人素食和酥油奶茶。
札希遞上名片說：「此行多有叨擾。」
住持看一下名片問：「大德是倉央後人？」
「正是，這十幾年來，我年年入藏找尋先祖情僧倉央喇嘛那卷情詩手稿，但至今仍無可靠線索，請上師代為留意。」
「倉央情詩手稿，朱古曾自先師口中聽聞，倘有下落，朱古定當即刻差人告知。各位善士，本寺敬奉素齋，請慢用。」
央金和李明兩人，在寺外小店裡用餐盯梢，留意張揚等人動靜。
札希一行人和送行的住持、執事喇嘛在白居寺門口，札希四人雙手合十向住持等鞠躬行禮，喇嘛們也鞠躬回禮，目送他們上車離開。央金和李明的房車，隨後也離開，在數百公尺後尾隨。

02
張揚的房車續往西行，黃昏時來到日喀則札什倫布寺。札希拜訪住持喇嘛，出示信物表明來意：「大師，我等此行前來，為找尋遺落的先祖情僧倉央・嘉措情詩手稿，承蒙布達拉宮執事喇嘛指引，往西行前來貴寺，向仁波切師兄打聽此手稿線索…。」
「施主是情僧倉央後人？」
「正是，這是我名片。」札希隨即遞出名片。住持詳細看了，隨即上前雙手握住札希，在他的手掌心按三下。札希立即會意過來。
「施主遠道前來，請隨貧僧至廂房休息用膳。」
住持恭謹地安排一行人住宿用膳。
央金和李明在離寺最近的旅館投宿，從窗口以高倍望眼鏡觀察寺內動靜。
深夜，住持刻意換上平民衣服，戴上假髮，喬裝成香客來敲札希房門。屋裡燭光下，兩人坐在床緣促膝談話。
「貧僧年輕時，的確曾見過一只鑲金的檀木盒，但不知其內裝何物，師父不讓我們過問。」

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.”

札希驚喜說：「鑲金的檀木盒？那應該就是了！」
「當時正值文革時期，各地佛寺風聲鶴唳，師父不敢把這件貴重文物藏在寺裡，聽師叔說當時交給一支藏族牧民帶走。」
札希聽到這裡信心大增。
「大師，這支牧民首領為何人？可能往何處去？」
「事隔半世紀，貧僧也說不清楚。」
「感謝師兄，有這條線索，今後就往各支牧民找去。」

03
次日上午，廂房裡札希和張揚討論著，安妮、美多一旁聽著。
「住持喇嘛給的這條線索，讓我們往後有了方向。」
「既然要從牧民隊伍去找，就從聚集較多牧民的幾處湖濱和盆地，逐點
進行訪查。」
「你的想法跟我不謀而合，不過，這樣可能會花很多時間。」
張揚苦笑說：「只好碰運氣囉，藏區裡的牧民隊不下數千支。」
札希說：「安妮和美多，假期結束，妳們就各自回學校去。」
安妮說：「我的時間比較有彈性，我想多些時間待在這裡，蒐集博論資料」。
札希說：「好吧，幾時回去加州，妳自己決定。」

張揚的客貨車來到一處湖濱，張揚下車後，繞到車尾開車廂門，隨即發現被一部房車大老遠跟蹤。
「教授，咱們被人一路跟蹤了。」
札希驚訝問：「被人跟蹤？應該是你文物局的朋友吧？」
「我也是這麼想的，李明可真是神通廣大。」
「對方能跟蹤我們到這裡來，可見先前早就被他們給盯上了。」
張揚想一下說：「我知道問題出在哪裡。」
張揚隨即檢查車子行李箱，然後翻身鑽進底盤，果然在底盤找到一只發報器。
張揚起身，向三人出示哪只發報器。
美多說：「這夥人真是不可思議！」
安妮說：「張揚，看來你朋友並不是很友善喔！」
張揚搔頭，一臉尷尬說：「都怪我把人性想得太單純。」
札希說：「趕緊想個辦法擺脫他們吧？」
張揚靈機一動，彈了一下手指說：「我有辦法。」
美多問：「你想到什麼辦法？」
張揚故作神秘說：「我打算捉弄一下對方，你們等著瞧。」
四人來到牧民隊的帳篷區，張揚跟一個牧民打聽放鷹人，牧民指引他。
張揚找到放鷹人後，給了他一張鈔票和那只發報器。
「老哥，明天一早天一亮，你把這玩意兒繫在老鷹腳爪上，然後就把老鷹放出去，放遠一些。」
放鷹人收下紙鈔和那只發報器。
張揚隨即把客貨車開到一處隱蔽處，用獸皮覆蓋藏起來。
張揚吹著口哨，嘻皮笑臉地走向札希三人：「搞定，明天跟李明玩一場捉迷藏。」札希和美多都笑了，安妮卻還一臉狐疑，弄不懂張揚在玩什麼把戲。

04
傍晚，札希跟牧民借宿。主人準備一頓豐盛的烤全羊。
帳篷裡羊肉香味混合著奶香，吸引飢腸轆轆的四人。鋪著厚牛皮氈毯的地面上，男主人以匕首分切羊肉，女主人為大夥兒斟上奶茶。
安妮頭一回吃到羊血腸和羊眼睛，表現得很鎮定勇敢。吃烤羊眼睛時，安妮睜大一對杏眼。
美多笑著問：「滋味不錯吧？」
安妮鼓著腮幫子，掩嘴深呼吸說：「安妮：口感脆脆的，其他都是醬料的味道。
張揚說：「嚐嚐羊血腸，這道美味就我們藏區最地道。」
主人說：「在藏區，人們都喜歡吃羊血腸，宰羊後的羊血和小腸是烹製血腸的主
要材料。」
安妮夾了一片入口，品嚐說：「Q彈軟嫩，比火腿好吃多了！」
主人微笑說：「羊血腸要美味可口，得花些功夫。首先，洗淨小腸備用，羊血盛在大盆中備用。把最好的羊肉剁碎放入羊血中，加適量鹽、花椒、蔥末等調味品拌勻後灌入腸內，用棉線繫成小段。接著，將灌好的血腸，放入開湯中煮沸，煮至血腸浮起，腸成灰白色，約八成熟時便起鍋，裝入盤內。吃時不碎不渣不脫皮，清香軟嫩，不膩不柴。」

05
深夜裡，遠處傳來一陣陣狼嚎。安妮披上外套，鑽出帳篷外透氣。安妮坐在成綑的草堆上，望著夜幕裡的滿天星斗。張揚看見安妮出去時的背影，起身套上外套，跟著走出來。
「不習慣帳篷裡的羊羶味道吧？」
安妮點頭微笑，手指著天空說：「高原上的星光，竟然這麼明亮。」
「是啊！這裡完全無光害。」
「這附近有狼群出沒吧？」
「常有的啊！不過，狼群除非餓極了，一般不敢靠近牧民帳篷區。」
「張揚，你似乎滿樂觀的。」
「算是吧！不快樂也得過一天，我生平無大志向，就本分地過日子。」
安妮說：「這裡的生活步調很舒緩，這些日子感覺自己發條都鬆脫了。」
張揚聳肩笑著說：「那沒什麼不好啊！老是把自己繃得緊緊的，即使得到榮華富貴又如何？不懂得享受生活，我以前的老闆就是，跟頭牛似地拼命工作，到頭來窮到只剩下錢，而且更慘的是，人在天堂錢在銀行。」
「人在天堂錢在銀行…。」安妮笑了。
「是啊！掙那麼多財富，自己卻過著又忙又累的日子，何苦來哉呢？」
「張揚，你比我更懂得生活哲學呢！」
「還好啦！每個人處境都不一樣，要懂得調適自己啊！」
「回去加州後，也許，我會再回來這裡。」
張揚好奇問：「待在加州不好嗎？」
「回到加州，拿到學位後，運氣好些就是找個學校教書做研究，像我父親那樣，安穩地過日子，但也只能這樣…。」
「其實，我私心希望妳能留下來，可我想過，妳留在西藏，除了教書做研究，難不成妳想當個牧民？」
安妮微笑說：「那也不無可能啊！這裡畢竟是我的根源。」
張揚搖頭苦笑說：「哈！我是不學無術，只能到處流浪討生活。」
安妮嫣然笑著：「日子過得無憂無愁，就算是流浪，快樂就好。」
「的確，快樂就好…。」張揚望著安妮秀麗的側臉，竟不禁怦然心動。

06
天亮後，放鷹人將發報器繫在老鷹腳爪上，把老鷹放飛出去。躲在幾里外遠處的央金和李明，房車果然跟著那只老鷹的方向追去。
帳篷區裡，張揚指著遠處的那道車輪揚起的灰塵。
「李明上當了，咱們走人吧！」札希一行人將隨身行李帶上車，張揚隨即駕車往反方向走。客貨車行駛在曠野間的公路上。
札希說：「這夥人，不會這麼容易死心的！」
張揚豪氣說：「教授，這夥狼是我引來的，我負責擺平他們！」
「我們趕緊找到那卷手稿吧，以免夜長夢多。」
張揚說：「好的，我全程奉陪！」

央金和李明發現中了調虎離山計，回頭尋來，張揚一行人已經杳無蹤跡。
李明跟當地牧民打聽：「老哥，跟你打聽一下，昨晚借宿在這裡的那夥人。」
「他們一大清早就走人了。」
「你曉得他們往哪個方向去嗎？」
「這我沒留意啊。」
李明和央金互望一眼，兩人隨即上車。
李明說：「咱們就近找個城鎮，撥電話給達瓦主任，再決定後續如何處理。」
央金說：「眼前也只能這樣，咱們跟丟了人，免不了挨主任一頓刮囉！」
李明房車來到小鎮上的雜貨店，李明下車撥打公用電話，央金留在駕駛座上。李明走回房車，開門坐進副駕駛座。
央金問：「主任怎說？」
李明苦笑說：「嘴上無毛，辦事不牢。」
央金又問：「主任交代什麼？」
「主任說他會拍發電報文到各縣市政府公安機關，要求協尋札希一夥人的行蹤。」
央金說：「你朋友張揚很有警覺性，往後咱們可得小心應對。」
李明表情懊惱說：「先別說這些，咱們找地方填飽肚子，然後回拉薩去。」