《拉薩情書》

第十一章、札希和官員的鬥智
01
旅館房間裡，札希背對窗口坐在椅子上，張揚和格桑坐在札希對面，安妮和美多坐在床緣。
張揚苦笑說：「沒想到繞了一大圈，我們還是被公安給盯上。」
「為今之計，我們必須謹慎應對，看來文物局對這件手稿志在必得。」
「教授，你有什麼辦法？」
「首先，我們裝得若無其事，跟尋常觀光客一樣，分成兩組人去參加賽馬節盛會。格桑和安妮一組，趁著參觀賽馬會時，找機會擺脫監控的公安，去找多仁‧丹增，讓格桑代我向丹增說明來意。張揚、美多，我們三人一組，同樣去參觀賽馬會，故意找幾個老人攀談閒聊，引開公安注意。」
對教授的安排，張揚怏怏不樂問：「教授，那曲這裡我比格桑熟，為什麼不是我陪著安妮去見丹增？」
札希耐心說明：「我這樣安排，當然有我的考量。格桑最後加入我們，比較不會引起李明那夥人注意，而且格桑見到丹增，同族親戚說得上話，可以取得丹增信任。」
張揚被說服，無可奈何說：「好吧，教授的意思我懂。」
札希吩咐說：「格桑，我要你今晚不要留宿在這裡，帶著簡單行李單獨離開，在鬧區裡轉悠幾圈。隨後，安妮帶著隨身衣物出門去鬧區逛街，你們約一處隱密的地點會合，盡快找到落腳處休息。」
「好的，教授，在這裡我有熟朋友。」
「格桑和安妮，你們要各自想辦法擺脫跟蹤的公安後，再相約會合地點，先躲起來，等賽馬會正式開始後，再一起去找丹增。找到丹增問出手稿下落後，安妮就以手機通知我，我過去跟你們會合。」
格桑和安妮不約而同地對望。
札希接著說：「張揚和美多，我們三人一組，這幾天先在街上轉悠，等賽馬會活動開始，我們三人就去賽馬會場轉悠，故意找幾個老人攀談閒聊，分散公安注意，然後回到旅社休息。」
張揚說：「好的，教授，就這麼辦。」
札希問：「任務分配，四位都聽清楚了嗎？」
四人齊聲說：「聽清楚了。」
札希說：「我們分頭行動吧！」

02
格桑揹著行李，才走出旅館大門，門外幾處巷道和對街旅館房間裡，盯梢的公安立即以無線電相互通報，一組兩人的便衣公安隨即分頭尾隨跟蹤格桑。
格桑感覺被人跟蹤，故作輕鬆地漫步著走向商店街，尾隨的那組便衣也跟著走向商店街。格桑在商店街裡閒逛著，走進一家餐館，坐下來點餐。
那組便衣一人跟進餐廳，坐下來點餐，一人在對街監控。
格桑用完餐，付了帳離開餐館，餐館裡的便衣也尾隨出去。
那組便衣繼續分頭尾隨跟蹤。
格桑走到電影院門口，排隊買票。一名便衣也跟著排隊買票，另一名便衣在電影院外面，小吃攤上坐著假裝看報紙，監視大門口。
格桑走進電影院，坐在前排廁所邊座位。那名便衣在他斜後方三排坐下來。
電影放映一陣子，格桑起身去上廁所。格桑走進男廁，見到一個身材和他相彷彿的男人，格桑以藏語和對方交談，兩人各自脫下外套和帽子交換，格桑給了對方幾張紙鈔，那男人壓低帽沿走出廁所，坐到格桑的位置。
過了一會兒，格桑壓低帽沿，臉上圍著圍巾走出廁所，走往後排找到那男子的位置坐下。
散戲時，格桑混在觀眾裡，走出戲院，避過小吃攤上監視的眼線，消失在夜幕裡。

02
安妮提著一只小提包，走出旅館大門，門外盯梢的公安立即以無線電相互通報，一組兩人的便衣公安隨即分頭尾隨跟蹤安妮。
安妮同樣故作輕鬆地漫步著走向商店街，尾隨的那組便衣也跟著走向商店街。
安妮在商店街裡閒逛著，走進一間服裝店，遞給老闆一張求救字條：我被歹徒跟蹤，請助我脫身。
老闆看過字條，跟安妮使個眼色，暗示她走後門離開。
安妮挑了兩套衣服，走進試衣間，拉起布簾換了衣服，留下一疊紙鈔，趁著有別的客人走進店裡，悄悄地從後門離開。
對街兩名公安，等了一會兒，感覺有些蹊蹺，一人走進店裡東瞧西看，走向櫃台。
「老闆，剛才那個紅頭髮的年輕女人，怎不見了？」
老闆裝傻說：「哪個紅頭髮年輕女人？」
公安出示證件：「我是便衣警察，正在辦案，你要說實話！」
老闆一臉驚訝說：「我以為你是歹徒，很抱歉。」
公安嚴厲問：「那女人究竟去哪裡？」
老闆說：「她從後門離開了，幾分鐘前。」
公安生氣說：「我要以協助嫌疑犯脫逃的罪名，逮捕你！」
老闆焦急說：「冤枉啊！大人。那女人一進門就給了我一張字條。」
老闆連忙找出那張字條，遞給警員。
公安氣悶說：「被她金蟬脫殼，逃走了。」
這名便衣立即取出無線電，呼叫對街的同事：「呼叫藍鵲，鴿子從後門逃走了，我們趕緊分頭包抄。」
這名公安隨即往後門追出去，老闆驚魂未定地看著他離去的背影。
老闆自言自語抱怨說：「我是招誰惹誰啊！」

03
張揚和札希、美多三人一起走出旅館。門外盯梢的公安立即以無線電通報隊部：「老鷹呼叫隊部，老鷹呼叫隊部，三隻鴿子剛離開旅館，Over。」
「收到，你們兩組人監控這三隻鴿子，另一組人進入旅館檢查三人行裡並裝置發報器，Over。」
「老鷹收到，Over。」
一組便衣公安兩人進到旅館走向櫃台，出示證件表明：「公安局偵緝隊，我們懷疑有治安疑慮人口投宿在你們旅館，奉命搜查剛離開那三人的房間。」
服務生不敢怠慢，遞出兩串鑰匙說：「大人，這是他們的房門鑰匙。」
公安叮嚀說：「不要驚動他們，知道嗎！」
服務生面有懼色地點頭。
兩名公安帶著兩串鑰匙上樓，進到301室，小心地翻查札希和張揚的行李。其中一人比對札希襯衫鈕扣樣式，從腰包裡取出同款式發報器，把鈕扣型發報器給換上。另一人對著札希行李中的文件進行拍照。
公安甲說：「我這頭發報器換上了。」
公安乙說：「我拍照完成了。」
公安甲說：「去搜那女的房間。」
兩人把札希和張揚行李復原，轉往美多的302號房搜查。
兩組便衣公安共四人，沿途尾隨監控札希三人，在鬧區商店街裡三人早有警覺卻故作輕鬆，走進一家餐廳用餐。四名便衣守候在餐廳四周街角等待。
札希三人從餐廳出來，繼續逛街，在水果店前札希買了兩樣水果，三人進到土產店。四名便衣守分散開來，全程尾隨監控。

04
格桑和安妮相約在公園角落的涼亭，安妮先到，坐在涼亭陰暗處。
格桑隨後趕到。
「安妮，妳沒被跟蹤吧？」
安妮微笑說：「我若被跟蹤，還能跟你在這兒講話嗎？接下來我們要去哪裡？」
「去我一位朋友家裡，先避幾天。」
「你朋友，靠得住嗎？」
「應該可以，他跟我一樣來自台灣，我高中同學。」
「我們怎麼過去？」
「我已經打他手機，要他開車來接我們。」
才一會兒，一部房車來到公園門口，停車，閃了三下車燈。
格桑牽著安妮的手走向房車，一男子走出房車，跟格桑握手。
「阿湯哥，我正在想你應該會來參觀賽馬會，沒想你提早幾天來到。」
「嘉陽，這幾天就打擾你囉！」
「都老同學了，就別說客套話，這位小姐是…。」
「她叫安妮，是我未婚妻。」
「原來是嫂子，兩位上車吧。」
安妮偷偷對格桑扮了個鬼臉，模樣逗趣。三人上車後，房車駛離公園。

05
房車行駛在郊區，轉了幾個彎，經過一些農田，停在一間工廠前。格桑三人下車。
孫嘉陽指著廠房說：「這是我的工廠，加工生產孜然粉，外銷日、韓和台灣。」
「看情形你做得有聲有色嘛，嘉陽。」
「託你的福啦！當初要不是你借我那筆錢買機器，恐怕我還只是個小盤商而已。我帶賢伉儷參觀工廠。」
「不急，先進去屋裡吧。」
三人進到屋裡客廳，女傭隨即捧來一盤水果。
嘉陽說：「休息一下，吃水果解渴。」
三人各自拿起竹叉子，插了水果吃著。
「嘉陽，有件事想麻煩你。」
「別說麻煩，老同學，你的事情就是我的事情。」
「請你幫我打聽一支牧民隊伍，首領叫多仁‧丹增。」
「多仁‧丹增？多仁家族哪需要打聽啊！他們是我的客戶，我明天就可以帶你去找他們，我知道他們現在會在哪兒。」
「不瞞你說，多仁‧丹增是我叔公，我跟他未曾謀面，但我找他有要緊事。」
「今晚你們在我這裡吃頓晚餐，洗個熱水澡，安心睡個飽覺。明天一早我就開車送你們過去。」
「那就麻煩你囉！嘉陽。」
嘉陽好奇問：「嫂子好像不是藏族喔？」
格桑說：「她來自美國加州，母親是白人。」
嘉陽微笑說：「莫怪喔(台語)，五官輪廓看起來就不完全是藏族。」

06
札希、張揚和美多回到旅館三樓，各自進入301和302號房間。
「教授，跟警匪鬥智電影似的，今晚可真緊張刺激啊！」
「不知安妮和格桑，能否順利擺脫公安監控？」
這時，札希手機響起：「安妮，妳現在人在哪兒？」
「我跟格桑在一起，我們借宿在格桑朋友家裡，他朋友明天要帶我們去見多仁・丹增。」
「好啊！妳見到丹增後，回我電話或派人通知我，告訴我妳的位置，我會想辦法過去跟妳會合。」
「好的。」
「謹慎些！別曝露行蹤。」札希按掉手機。
「事情進展得很順利，就等安妮回報。你先去沐浴，咱們早些休息。」
張揚說：「好的。」

Chapter 11 – Zha Xi and the Officials’ Battle of Wits
01
In the hotel room, Zha Xi sat in a chair with his back to the window. Zhang Yang and Gesang sat across from him, while Annie and Meiduo sat at the edge of the bed.
Zhang Yang gave a wry smile: “I never expected that after all these detours, we’d still be under the watch of the Public Security Bureau.”
“For now, we must handle this cautiously. It seems the Cultural Relics Bureau is determined to obtain that manuscript at all costs.”
“Professor, what’s your plan?”
“First, we act as if nothing is amiss, blending in with ordinary tourists. We’ll split into two groups to attend the horse racing festival. Gesang and Annie will be one group. While visiting the festival, they’ll find an opportunity to shake off the surveillance and locate Duoren Danzeng, with Gesang explaining our purpose to him. Zhang Yang, Meiduo, and I will form the other group. We’ll also attend the festival, deliberately striking up casual conversations with a few elders to divert the attention of the Public Security officers.
Zhang Yang frowned and asked, “Professor, I know Nagqu better than Gesang. Why isn’t it me accompanying Annie to meet Danzeng?”
Zha Xi patiently explained, “There’s a reason for my arrangement. Gesang joined us last, so he is less likely to attract the attention of Li Ming’s group. Also, when he meets Danzeng, he can speak as a relative, which will help gain Danzeng’s trust.”
Zhang Yang, persuaded but resigned, said: “Alright, Professor, I understand your reasoning.”
Zha Xi instructed: “Gesang, I want you to leave the hotel tonight with only light luggage and roam the busy district alone for a while. Then Annie will go out shopping with her belongings. You two will meet at a discreet location, quickly find a place to rest, and wait for the festival to begin. Once you meet Danzeng and learn the whereabouts of the manuscript, Annie should inform me by phone, and I’ll join you.”
“Understood, Professor. I have a friend here,” Gesang said.
Zha Xi continued: “Both of you must first shake off the surveillance before meeting. Stay hidden and, once the horse racing festival officially begins, go together to find Danzeng. After confirming the manuscript’s location, notify me.”
Gesang and Annie exchanged glances.
Zha Xi then said to Zhang Yang and Meiduo: “The three of us will roam the streets for the next few days. Once the festival starts, we’ll stroll around the venue, deliberately chatting with elders to distract the officers, and then return to the hotel to rest.”
Zhang Yang replied: “Alright, Professor, let’s do it that way.”
Zha Xi asked: “Everyone clear on their assignments?”
All four answered in unison: “Clear.”
“Then let’s proceed with our separate tasks!”
________________________________________
02
Gesang carried his luggage and exited the hotel. Outside, in several alleyways and across the street at other hotel rooms, surveillance officers immediately relayed information via radio. A pair of plainclothes officers split up to tail Gesang.
Sensing he was being followed, Gesang casually strolled toward the shopping street. The tailing officers followed him. Gesang wandered into a restaurant and took a seat to order.
One officer followed into the restaurant and ordered, while the other remained across the street, pretending to read a newspaper at a snack stall, keeping watch on the entrance.
After finishing his meal, Gesang paid and left the restaurant. The officer inside followed, and the two continued their separate surveillance.
Gesang arrived at the cinema, queued for tickets, and one officer followed in line while the other stayed outside, pretending to read at a snack stall.
Inside, Gesang sat near the front, by the restroom. The officer sat three rows behind him. Partway through the movie, Gesang got up to use the restroom. In the men’s room, he met a man of similar build, spoke briefly in Tibetan, and swapped coats and hats. Gesang handed the man some bills, and the man walked out quietly, taking Gesang’s seat.
After a while, Gesang pulled his hat low and wrapped a scarf around his face, then returned to the back row to sit in the man’s spot.
At the movie’s end, Gesang blended with the departing audience, avoided the watchers at the snack stall, and disappeared into the night.
________________________________________
03
Annie carried a small handbag and left the hotel. Outside, the surveillance officers immediately relayed information via radio. A pair of plainclothes officers split up to follow her.
Annie casually walked toward the shopping street. She wandered into a clothing store and handed the shopkeeper a note: “I am being followed by criminals. Please help me escape.”
The shopkeeper glanced at the note and subtly signaled Annie to leave through the back. Annie picked two outfits, went into the changing room, and left a stack of bills. As another customer entered, she quietly exited through the back door.
The two officers across the street noticed something odd. One entered the store to investigate.
“Boss, what happened to that red-haired young woman?”
The shopkeeper feigned ignorance: “Which red-haired young woman?”
The officer showed his badge: “I’m a plainclothes police officer. Tell the truth!”
Surprised, the shopkeeper said: “I thought you were a criminal! Sorry.”
“Where did she go?” the officer demanded.
“She left through the back a few minutes ago,” the shopkeeper replied.
“Arrest you for aiding a suspect in escape!” the officer threatened.
“Unfair! Sir! She gave me a note when she entered!” The shopkeeper hurriedly retrieved the note and handed it over.
The officer, frustrated, said: “She slipped through our fingers.” Then he radioed his partner: “Blue Magpie, the suspect escaped through the back. Spread out and encircle.”
The officer immediately rushed out the back. The shopkeeper muttered to himself: “Who did I offend?”
________________________________________
04
Zha Xi, Zhang Yang, and Meiduo left the hotel. The surveillance officers radioed HQ:
“Eagle calling HQ, three pigeons just left the hotel, over.”
“Copy. Two units monitor the three pigeons. The other unit enter the hotel to check their rooms and plant transmitters, over.”
“Eagle copy, over.”
Two plainclothes officers went to the front desk and presented their IDs: “Public Security Bureau investigation unit. We suspect individuals of concern have lodged here. We are ordered to search the rooms of the three who just left.”
The receptionist, fearing trouble, handed over two sets of keys: “Sir, here are their room keys.”
“Do not alert them. Understood?” the officers instructed.
Nodding nervously, the receptionist watched as they went upstairs.
They entered Room 301 and carefully inspected Zha Xi and Zhang Yang’s luggage. One officer replaced a shirt button with a button-shaped transmitter; the other photographed documents.
Officer A said: “My transmitter is in place.”
Officer B said: “Photography complete.”
Officer A: “Search the woman’s room next.”
After restoring the luggage, they proceeded to Room 302.
The four plainclothes officers continued trailing Zha Xi’s group in the busy streets. Zha Xi, Zhang Yang, and Meiduo acted relaxed, entering a restaurant to eat while the officers waited at surrounding corners. After leaving, they continued shopping while the officers split up to maintain surveillance.
________________________________________
05
Gesang and Annie met at a park pavilion. Annie arrived first, sitting in a shaded corner. Gesang arrived shortly after.
“Annie, you weren’t followed, right?”
Annie smiled: “If I were followed, could I be talking to you here? Where do we go next?”
“To a friend’s house for a few days of hiding.”
“Is your friend reliable?”
“He should be. He’s from Taiwan like me, my high school classmate.”
“How do we get there?”
“I called him; he’ll drive us.”
Soon, a car arrived at the park gate, flashing its lights three times. Gesang held Annie’s hand as they approached. A man emerged and shook Gesang’s hand.
“Ah, Tang, I thought you’d come for the festival, didn’t expect you early.”
“Jiayang, thanks for hosting us!”
“No need for formalities, old classmate. This is…”
“She’s Annie, my fiancée.”
“Oh, so she’s your wife-to-be. Please get in.”
Annie secretly made a funny face at Gesang. The three got in the car, which drove off.
________________________________________
06
The car went through the suburbs, past farmland, and stopped at a factory. They got out.
Sun Jiayang pointed: “This is my factory. We process cumin powder for export to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.”
“You seem to be doing well, Jiayang.”
“Thanks to you! If you hadn’t lent me money to buy the machinery, I’d still be a small trader. Come, let me show you around.”
They entered the living room, and a maid brought a plate of fruit.
“Rest a bit, eat some fruit,” Jiayang said.
After eating, Gesang asked: “I need your help finding a nomadic group, led by Duoren Danzeng.”
“Duoren Danzeng? No problem! They’re my clients. I can take you to them tomorrow—I know where they’ll be.”
“Actually, Duoren Danzeng is my great-uncle. I’ve never met him, but this is important.”
“Stay here tonight, have dinner, take a hot shower, and sleep well. I’ll drive you to them first thing tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Jiayang.”
“Is she not Tibetan?” Jiayang asked.
“No, she’s from California; her mother is Caucasian,” Gesang explained.
“No wonder,” Jiayang smiled. “Her features don’t quite look Tibetan.”
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07
Zha Xi, Zhang Yang, and Meiduo returned to the third floor of the hotel and entered Rooms 301 and 302.
“Professor, this feels like a spy movie—tonight was really tense and thrilling!” Zhang Yang said.
“I wonder if Annie and Gesang managed to shake off the surveillance.”
At that moment, Zha Xi’s phone rang:
“Annie, where are you now?”
“We’re together, staying at Gesang’s friend’s house. He’ll take us to meet Duoren Danzeng tomorrow.”
“Good. Once you see Danzeng, call me or have someone notify me. I’ll find a way to meet you.”
“Okay.”
“Be cautious. Don’t reveal your location.” Zha Xi ended the call.
“Everything is going smoothly. Let’s wait for Annie’s report. You go take a bath and rest early,” Zha Xi said.
“Alright,” Zhang Yang replied.