《拉薩情書》

第二十八章、安妮千里來扶持
01
接到懷民電子信，安妮隨即回信說她整理妥手邊倉央的資料後，就隨即起程前往拉薩。
湯愛玉上課回來，安妮把懷民交代的事說了。
「那要不要給爸媽知道？」
「就別說了，我去西藏頂多個把月，事情處理完就回來。」
「也好，免得兩佬又抓我回去阿里山上當女工。」愛玉吐舌頭傻笑，一臉慶幸。
「我去整理一些要帶去的資料，這陣子就有勞妳看家囉！」
愛玉微笑說：「沒問題！該做的家事我都會去做。」
安妮叮嚀說：「我留一筆現金和一張提款卡給妳使用，該花的就不要省，該省的就不要亂花。果醬的貨款會匯進提款卡帳號裡，足夠妳使用一整年。」
愛玉說：「我會省著用的，大嫂。」

02
安妮挺著六個月身孕搭上飛機，到上海轉機至成都，再從成都搭機到拉薩，一路風塵僕僕。湯懷民和札希來機場接她。
札希見到女兒大腹便便，張開手臂擁抱安妮：「安妮，要當媽媽了。」，札希眼眶泛著淚光。
然後，懷民趨前擁抱安妮說：「安妮，辛苦妳了！」
安妮說：「不辛苦，你是我老公，我當然要當你的後盾。」
懷民開車門，扶安妮上車。房車駛離機場，來到張揚在市區的家門前，張揚和美多出來相迎。
「安妮，恭喜妳要當媽媽了。」美多和安妮擁抱貼臉。
「格桑這段期間一直受到你們照顧，真心感謝。」
張揚稱許說：「有妳這位賢妻，格桑當然爭氣啊！」
美多說：「進屋裡，進來，晚餐待會兒就弄好了。」

03
晚間，臥房裡，小兩口一起討論要如何撰寫情僧倉央‧嘉措這部動畫的故事大綱。
「安妮，多虧有妳，要不然霍爾臨時交代的這件任務，我還真的不知如何著手。」
安妮推測說：「老公，我感覺霍爾交代給你這任務，應該是他對你結訓後的一次驗收，你就盡全力去表現，做出成績來，很可能往後他打算重用你。」
懷民微笑說：「我也是這麼想的，安妮。」
「在前來的飛機上，我已經想好如何來進行這件工作。」
懷民拱手說：「還請安妮仁波切開示！」
安妮笑著擰了懷民手臂說：「你幾時學會油嘴滑舌的？」
「沒啊！你的確比我聰明許多。」
安妮正色說：「回到正題，我把它分成幾個步驟，首先，我們一起研讀所搜集到的書面資料，整理出倉央‧嘉措的生平；在設定好主要角色人物後，一起構思劇情和場景，鋪排出情僧感人的故事。」
懷民微笑點頭說：「安妮，妳說得有條有理，就按照妳的步驟進行。」
「其實，以前我只寫過新詩和散文，小說還沒嘗試過，心理壓力還是有的。可我讀過不少名著小說，觀賞過許多感人的電影，就趁這機會給自己起個頭。」
懷民鼓勵說：「老婆，妳沒問題的！我對妳很有信心。」

04
「夫妻同心，其利斷金」，小倆口相互腦力激蕩，按部就班來進行，果然日有斬獲。
關於情僧倉央‧嘉措生平，尤其是他一生的情史，札希教授經過長期田野調查，訪談藏區耆老，整理出許多鮮少人知的口傳歷史。當安妮著手撰寫情僧生平大事記時，父親札希成為她最值得信賴的咨詢對象。
札希如數家珍說：「先祖倉央原名羅桑‧瑞晉‧倉央‧嘉措，從小資質靈敏，在16歲入選達賴前，在家鄉有一位美貌聰明的意中人，他們終日相伴，耕作放牧，青梅竹馬，恩愛至深。倉央‧嘉措進入布達拉宮後，他厭倦深宮內單調而刻板的黃教領袖生活，時時懷念著民間多彩的習俗，思戀著美麗的情人。他便經常微服夜出，與情人相會，追求浪漫的愛情生活。」
懷民問：「後來呢？父親。」
「有一天下大雪，清早起來，執法的鐵棒喇嘛發現雪地上有人外出的腳印，便順著腳印尋覓，最後腳印進入了倉央‧嘉措的寢宮。隨後鐵棒喇嘛用嚴刑處置了倉央‧嘉措的貼身喇嘛，還派人把他的情人處死，採取嚴厲措施，把倉央‧嘉措關閉起來。悲痛欲絕的倉央‧嘉措便把佛理深深埋進了心底，拿起筆開始了他的詩歌創作。」
懷民和安妮聽得動容，懷民感嘆：「宗教的清規戒律，真是不近人情啊！」
這期間，札希和張揚、美多成為小倆口咨詢的顧問。舉凡藏人的民情風俗、各地的節日慶典，甚至考證當時的衣著飲食，三人都竭盡所知地協助懷民和安妮。
張揚和美多每日張羅小兩口飲食，就像一家人其樂融融。
故事由安妮執筆，幾經討論修改，一個半月後終於完成初稿，懷民正要把它寄給蘇莉敏，安妮及時提醒說：「老公，這篇故事大綱是我們共同的心血，我不想妳的上司把它據為已有，搶走你的功勞。」
懷民問：「那我該怎麼做呢？」
「你把它寄給蘇主任的同時，也寄一份給霍爾，附上一封短信，說明這篇故事大綱是我們夫妻共同構思的創作，並點出我是情僧後人的身份，霍爾一定會相信的。」
懷民說：「老婆顧慮周全，我就照妳的意思去做。」

05
安妮的顧慮果然是對的，蘇莉敏把安妮寫的故事大綱，寄給公司創意部，說自己是該篇故事編寫者，湯懷民協助搜集資料。
精明睿智的老霍爾，收到湯懷民的電子信後，對蘇莉敏這種攔路打劫的作法，心裡覺得不以為然，他把創意部的湯姆森和動畫部的史密斯兩位一級主管找來辦公室，出示湯懷民寫給他的電子信，兩個部長站在執行長座位前，看到老霍爾板起臉色、表情異常嚴肅，直覺蘇莉敏踩到紅線，闖下大禍。
湯姆森表態說：「長官，蘇主任這種取巧行為，相當不可取啊！」
史密斯面有愧色說：「長官，我管理有疏失，讓蘇鬧出這件醜聞，很慚愧！」
霍爾起身，面向落地窗，語調冷靜問：「這件事，目前有幾個人知情？」
湯姆森說：「創意部的創意和故事兩位組長，還有我，一共三人。」
霍爾做出裁決說：「好，首先，湯姆，你交代兩位組長不露口風，等蘇主任回來公司，我約談她之後，再決定是否議處；其次，我看過這篇故事大綱，寫得相當動人，我要他們夫妻繼續完成腳本；第三、我計劃在上海成立分公司，開拓大華人市場，交給湯懷民來負責，這份新人事任命案，等他們夫妻交出腳本，湯懷民回公司後，正式發佈。」
史密斯問：「長官，那另外那個分案，孫立人將軍這部分…」
「資料搜集後，先當成備案；湯懷民給的這篇故事，寫得相當感人，就先行籌備吧！」
「知道了！長官。」站在霍爾身後的史密斯部長，感覺到長官對湯懷民的高度器重。

06
人在拉薩的湯懷民，接到老霍爾的衛星電話，要他們夫妻接著完成《情僧︰倉央嘉措》這篇故事的腳本。
「安妮，老霍爾要我們夫妻繼續完成故事腳本。」懷民驚喜之情，溢於言表。
安妮微笑說：「你老長官的反應，雖然令我感到有些意外，但仔細想想，霍爾把這個題材交給我們，足見他不僅睿智並且充滿遠見。」
懷民好奇問：「老婆，妳會這麼說，一定是妳看到什麼，願意跟我分享嗎？」
安妮分析說：「首先，這題材撰寫者的門檻相當高，必須熟悉西藏文化民情和各地風物，你們公司裡的編劇寫不來；其次，我是倉央的後人，霍爾很在意這點，他直覺相信我們夫妻會全力以赴，把腳本寫出來。」
懷民誇獎說：「安妮，妳真的很有智慧呢！聽妳這麼說，我們要好好把握這次機會。」
安妮做出決定：「我們要續留在拉薩，把腳本寫出來！」
懷民微笑說：「好的！那我寫電子信，讓爸媽和愛玉知道，我們的近況和決定。」
Chapter 28: Annie Comes to Help from Afar
01
Upon receiving Huaimin’s email, Annie replied immediately, saying she would set aside the Tsangyang materials she had collected and then depart for Lhasa.
When Tang Aiyu returned from class, Annie told her about Huaimin’s instructions.
“Should we let Mom and Dad know?”
“Better not. I’ll only be in Tibet for a month or so and will return once the work is done.”
“That’s good; otherwise, they’d drag me back to Alishan to work as a laborer again,” Aiyu said, sticking out her tongue, relieved.
“I’ll organize the materials to take with me. I’ll rely on you to keep the house in the meantime.”
Aiyu smiled: “No problem! I’ll take care of the chores.”
Annie instructed: “I’m leaving some cash and a bank card for you. Spend what needs to be spent, save where you can. The proceeds from the jam will be deposited into the card, enough for a whole year.”
“I’ll be frugal, sister-in-law,” Aiyu replied.
02
Annie, six months pregnant, flew to Shanghai, transferred to Chengdu, then flew on to Lhasa—a long and exhausting journey. Tang Huaimin and Zaxi met her at the airport.
Seeing his heavily pregnant daughter, Zaxi opened his arms to embrace her: “Annie, you’re going to be a mom.” Tears glimmered in his eyes.
Huaimin stepped forward to hug her: “Annie, thank you for your hard work!”
“No hard work. You’re my husband; of course, I’ll be your support,” Annie said.
Huaimin opened the car door for her. The car left the airport and arrived at Zhang Yang’s home in the city, where Zhang Yang and Meiduo came out to greet them.
“Annie, congratulations on becoming a mother,” Meiduo said, hugging her closely.
“Gesang has been well taken care of by you all. I sincerely thank you,” Annie said.
Zhang Yang praised: “With a wife like you, it’s no wonder Gesang has done well!”
Meiduo said: “Come in, dinner will be ready soon.”
03
That evening, in the bedroom, the couple discussed how to write the story outline for the animation about Tsangyang Gyatso.
“Annie, thanks to you, I have no idea how I would have handled Hall’s last-minute assignment,” Huaimin said.
Annie speculated: “Husband, I think Hall assigned this task as a test after your training. You need to do your best and achieve results; perhaps he plans to rely on you more in the future.”
Huaimin smiled: “I thought the same, Annie.”
“On the plane here, I already thought about how to tackle this project.”
Huaimin cupped his hands: “Please, Annie Rinpoche, guide me!”
Annie laughed, twisting his arm: “Since when did you learn to talk slick?”
“No, you really are much smarter than me.”
Getting serious, Annie said: “Back to the task. I’ll divide it into steps: first, we study the collected written materials together and organize Tsangyang Gyatso’s life; after setting the main characters, we’ll brainstorm plot and scenes to create a touching story.”
Huaimin nodded with a smile: “Annie, you explain it so logically. Let’s follow your steps.”
“Actually, I’ve only written poetry and prose before. I haven’t tried novels, so there’s some pressure. But I’ve read many classics and watched moving films; this is a good chance to start.”
Huaimin encouraged her: “Wife, you’ll be fine! I have full confidence in you.”
04
“With united hearts, couples can achieve anything,” the two brainstormed and proceeded step by step, making steady progress.
Regarding Tsangyang Gyatso’s life, especially his romantic history, Professor Zaxi, after long-term fieldwork and interviews with Tibetan elders, had collected many rarely known oral accounts. When Annie began drafting the biography, Zaxi became her most trusted consultant.
Zaxi recounted: “Our ancestor Tsangyang Gyatso, originally named Lozang Srijin Tsangyang Gyatso, was gifted since childhood. At sixteen, before becoming Dalai Lama, he had a beautiful and intelligent companion in his hometown. They spent their days farming and herding together, growing up side by side, deeply in love. After entering the Potala Palace, he grew weary of the monotonous life of a Yellow Sect leader, longing for the vibrant customs of the people and his beloved. He often went out at night in disguise to meet his lover, seeking romantic life.”
Huaimin asked: “And then, Father?”
“One snowy morning, the law-enforcing monks discovered footprints leading from outside to Tsangyang Gyatso’s quarters. They punished his personal monks and executed his lover, taking strict measures and confining him. Grief-stricken, Tsangyang Gyatso buried Buddhism deeply in his heart and began composing poetry.”
Moved, Huaimin sighed: “Religious rules are really unforgiving.”
During this period, Zaxi, Zhang Yang, and Meiduo became the couple’s consultants on Tibetan customs, festivals, and even historical clothing and food. They shared all they knew to assist Huaimin and Annie.
Zhang Yang and Meiduo managed the couple’s meals daily, like a happy family.
Annie drafted the story, making revisions after discussions. One and a half months later, the first draft was completed. As Huaimin was about to send it to Su Limin, Annie reminded him: “Husband, this outline is our joint effort. I don’t want your boss to claim it as her own and steal your credit.”
Huaimin asked: “Then what should I do?”
“Send it to Director Su, but also to Hall with a note explaining it’s a collaborative work and mention my descendant status from the love-lama. Hall will believe it.”
Huaimin said: “Wife, your concern is thorough. I’ll follow your advice.”
05
Annie’s caution was justified. Su Limin sent Annie’s story outline to the company’s creative department, claiming authorship while stating that Huaimin assisted in research.
Astute Hall, after receiving Huaimin’s email, disapproved of Su Limin’s opportunistic approach. He called in Thomson from the creative department and Smith from the animation department, showing them Huaimin’s email. The two directors, standing before the CEO, immediately sensed that Su Limin had crossed a line.
Thomson said: “Sir, Director Su’s shortcut approach is unacceptable!”
Smith, ashamed: “Sir, I failed to supervise properly and allowed this scandal. I feel guilty!”
Hall stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, calm but stern: “How many people know about this?”
Thomson: “Two team leaders from the creative and story teams, plus me. Three in total.”
Hall decided: “First, Tom, instruct the two team leaders to stay silent until Director Su returns. I’ll interview her and then decide on any disciplinary action. Second, I’ve read the story outline—it’s very moving. I want the couple to continue the script. Third, I plan to open a Shanghai branch to expand the Greater China market and assign Tang Huaimin to lead it. The official appointment will be released after they submit the script and Huaimin returns.”
Smith asked: “Sir, what about the other project, General Sun Li-jen…”
“Collect the materials first; treat it as backup. Huaimin’s story is very touching—prepare for that first.”
“Understood, sir.” Standing behind Hall, Smith sensed the CEO’s high regard for Huaimin.
06
While in Lhasa, Tang Huaimin received a satellite phone call from Old Hall, asking the couple to continue completing the script for The Romantic Monk: Tsangyang Gyatso.
“Annie, Old Hall wants us to continue writing the story script,” Huaimin said, his surprise evident.
Annie smiled. “Although your former boss’s response caught me a little off guard, thinking carefully, the fact that Hall entrusted this topic to us shows he’s not only wise but also far-sighted.”
Curious, Huaimin asked, “Wife, you say that—does it mean you’ve noticed something you’re willing to share with me?”
Annie analyzed, “First, the threshold for writing this topic is very high; one must be familiar with Tibetan culture, customs, and local features—screenwriters in your company couldn’t handle it. Second, I’m a descendant of Tsangyang Gyatso. Hall cares about this and instinctively trusts that we’ll devote ourselves fully and produce a quality script.”
Huaimin praised, “Annie, you’re truly wise! Hearing you say that, we must seize this opportunity well.”
Annie made a decision. “We’ll stay in Lhasa and complete the script!”
Huaimin smiled. “Alright! I’ll write an email to let our parents and Aiyu know about our situation and decision.”