《拉薩情書》

第十三章、安妮的阿里山之行
01
格桑(湯懷民)和安妮出現在桃園機場入境大廳，湯愛玉朝兩人招手。
「妹，妳等多久了？」
「半個鐘頭而已。這位一定是未來的大嫂齁？」湯愛玉盯著安妮看，安妮面帶微笑從大衣口袋裡拿出一串天珠項鍊。
懷民說：「我妹湯愛玉。」
安妮說：「在拉薩挑的，給妳當見面禮。」
湯愛玉高興說：「天珠耶！一定花不少錢吧？」
安妮幫愛玉戴上項鍊。
湯愛玉說：「謝謝大嫂。車子在門口，我們上車吧？」
愛玉貼心地幫安妮提行李，三人來到門口找到房車。
湯愛玉說：「大哥，你的愛車我保養得很好喔。」
懷民點頭微笑，掀開後車箱蓋，把他和安妮的行李放進去。
三人上車，湯愛玉陪安妮坐在後座，由湯懷民開車。房車徐徐駛出聯外道，開進國道。

02
一部房車行駛在阿里山公路上，盛夏的阿里山公路兩旁山花爛漫色彩繽紛。
安妮按下車窗，望著窗外風景，涼風吹面，路旁蟬聲此落彼起。
房車沿著環山山道在山區裡盤旋，兩旁山坡盡是茶園和咖啡園。房車裡，安妮的好奇心讓她忍不住提問：「愛玉，你們阿里山上也種咖啡啊？」
「是啊！這些年地方政府大力推廣的，市場反應不錯，頗受消費者歡迎喔！我家也有一甲地種咖啡，不過採收和加工時滿耗費人力的。」
「在美國，我們最常喝的飲料就是咖啡，其次是紅茶。」
「大嫂，等妳在這裡住下來，很快就會喜歡上這裡的霜凍高山茶。」
安妮笑說：「霜凍高山茶？聽起來很詩情畫意的。」
「不只聽起來，喝進嘴裡的感覺也是這樣。對了，大哥和大嫂這趟回來會待多久
？」
懷民說：「就幾天吧！我得陪安妮去趟加州，她寫博士論文，我當參謀。」
愛玉表情失望說：「這樣啊！本想這趟你們回來，我可以稍微喘一口氣。」
「妹，我知道妳一直很辛苦，家裡這些吃重的工作，妳分擔很多。」
愛玉扮鬼臉說：「知道就好！爸媽簡直把我當成女傭。」
「那妳趕緊找個對象，把自己嫁出去啊！」
「我的確有想過啊！可我被倆老綁在山上，哪有機會交往男朋友啊？」
「這麼說來，的確是大哥我虧欠妳。」
「就是說啊！可老爸卻又放你回去西藏逍遙快活，倆老真的很偏心耶！」
「我在西藏的工作，其實也不輕鬆喔。」
「總不會跟我一樣，每天有忙不完的粗活。」
「好啦！妳再忍耐幾個月，等安妮取得學位，我們就回來家裡住一陣子，讓妳輕鬆一下。」
「挖哩嘞 (台語) ！才住一陣子啊？爸媽的茶園咖啡園，將來都是你要扛下耶！」
「好啦！別那麼多抱怨，這事我會跟倆老好好商量，總會想辦法讓妳盡快脫離苦海的。」
愛玉滿意說：「這才是當大哥該講的話嘛！」
安妮聽著兩兄妹一來一往，一時間也不好意思說什麼，只能睜著一雙杏眼。
安妮心想：「看來家家有本難念的經啊…。」

03
湯懷民的老家在達邦部落，石板牆平房，屋前一個小廣場，停著一部四輪採收車和一部重型機車。
客廳裡湯美蘭和羅桑，手上忙著整理咖啡豆邊聊著。
美蘭憂心說：「唉！懷民怎麼才去西藏一年，就…，夢影要是知道咱們懷民移情別戀，肯定不會善罷干休！」
羅桑說：「解鈴還需繫鈴人，這三角習題咱們不好插手。如果懷民當真喜歡上那個女孩，就讓他自己去跟夢影說清楚，總不能腳踏兩條船，繼續打迷糊仗吧？」
美蘭說：「我就是擔心懷民說不清楚啊！懷民這孩子沒甚麼心眼…」
羅桑語重心長說：「該面對的，就不能逃避！如何面對唐夢影，兒子自己應該心裡有數。」

04
黃昏時分，一部房車駛抵達邦部落湯家平房前小廣場，三人下車。羅桑和湯美蘭聽到車聲，從屋裡出來。美蘭見到紅頭髮的安妮，直盯了好幾秒。
「爸媽，這是我女朋友，安妮。」
「很標緻的姑娘呢！安妮，歡迎妳。」湯美蘭上前擁抱安妮，行貼面禮。
羅桑問：「懷民，你電子信裡說在那曲見到丹增叔叔？」
「是啊，見到丹增叔公和尼瑪堂叔。」
羅桑感慨說：「這二十年來，那卷情詩手稿的確是我保管著，現在，總算物歸原主，哈！造化弄人啊！」
湯美蘭說：「進屋裡說，進屋裡說。」
安妮跟著格桑一家人進到正廳，正廳中央掛著一副十字架，一旁擺著天主教聖母瑪利亞塑像，給安妮親切感。
湯懷民說：「我媽娘家是信奉天主教的。我媽姓湯，我從母姓，漢名叫湯懷民。」
「你們先聊一會兒，愛玉，來廚房幫媽一下。」湯美蘭跟愛玉招手。
愛玉說：「好的，媽。我把安妮的行李提進客房，隨後就來。」
湯美蘭轉身進廚房，愛玉把安妮的行李提進客房。
客廳裡，羅桑陪著格桑(懷民)和安妮，羅桑泡了一壺茶，格桑把茶杯斟上茶湯。
羅桑親切說：「安妮，嚐嚐看，我們自家的高山茶。」
「好的。」安妮捧起茶杯，湊近聞了一下，喝了一杯：「清香甘美，口感很好呢！」
湯懷民說：「這批春茶是今年春天烘焙的。」
羅桑說：「你們稍坐，我去拿那卷手稿出來。」
羅桑起身進去書房。
安妮問：「做茶很辛苦吧？格桑，嗯，懷民。」
懷民說：「十斤茶青做一斤茶，農忙時經常沒日沒夜的。」
羅桑手裡端著一只木盒，回到座位上。
「手稿就在這裡頭。」羅桑打開木盒蓋子，裡頭一卷羊皮卷，周圍繞著一包包竹碳粉。
羅桑以手勢示意說：「安妮，妳拿起來看。」
安妮動作輕緩，取出那卷羊皮卷，攤開來。上面以藏文寫著一首首情詩，安妮留意到卷末的落款和印章，內心激動不已。
羅桑說：「這手稿是妳倉央家的，我把它還給妳。」
安妮眼裡淚光閃閃說：「伯父，謝謝你。」
「謝什麼呢！往後都是一家人。」羅桑又說：「你們剛好趕上生命豆祭，等祭典結束，你們再回去美國。」
「爸，一路上愛玉跟我抱怨了許多…。」
羅桑淡然說：「她跟我抱怨很多次，說被我給綁在山上。」
「妹遲早要嫁出去，除非我和安妮留下來，不然你和媽忙不過來的…。」
羅桑說：「忙不過來只好多請些人手，你和安妮還是回去西藏吧！在那裡你們可以發揮所學，造福同胞。」

05
大圓桌上十幾道菜餚，都是鄒族特色菜。
湯美蘭自豪說：「鄒族風味餐，這些在外面不容易吃到的。」
安妮微笑說：「謝謝伯母。」
湯愛玉手指著桌上的菜餚說：「這道油炸溪魚，那道鹹酥溪蝦，都是就地取材，盡可能保留原味。」
安妮說：「這道我知道，是炒山豬肉。頭一回來台灣時，朋友帶我去嘗過。」
湯愛玉手指著說：「這道是馬告和紅刺蔥涼拌檳榔花，那道是香椿拌豆腐。」
安妮湊近聞了一下，好奇問：「馬告？聞起來有股檸檬香。」
湯愛玉說：「馬告是我們傳統的佐料，和紅刺蔥都是野生的。」
湯美蘭提醒說：「別顧著說話，安妮，妳自己來喔！」
懷民幫安妮添了一碗飯，遞給安妮。
安妮盯著飯碗問：「這是…？」
懷民說：「小米紅藜飯，很天然，營養價值高。」
安妮用筷子扒了一口，咀嚼著說：「嗯，味道很好啊。」
湯愛玉說：「我們家飲食崇尚天然，山裡有什麼就吃什麼。」
安妮說：「在西藏那裡的人們也是，不過飲食種類就沒那麼多樣。」
湯美蘭夾了一隻雞腿給安妮：「自家養的放山土雞，吃吃看！」
安妮說：「謝謝伯母。」
羅桑說：「明天讓懷民帶妳去茶園和咖啡園走走。」

06
深夜，湯懷民坐在庭院裡，翻讀著倉央‧嘉措的情詩中文版。
湯愛玉端來一杯檸檬愛玉，遞給懷民。
「安妮先睡了，哥，有些話我想跟你談。」
「妳想談唐夢影？」懷民端起那杯檸檬愛玉，啜飲兩口。
愛玉一臉正經說：「嗯，我很擔心你，哥。」
「妳想說什麼？」
「夢影姐要是知道你移情別戀，交了新女友，她肯定會很傷心。畢竟，你們青梅竹馬一起長大。」
「妹，也許妳覺得我不該辜負夢影，可我覺得我並不適合夢影，她應該找個有生意頭腦的男人，將來能夠扛起她父親的飯店事業。」
「哥，你這樣說法，對夢影真的很殘忍。」愛玉為唐夢影抱不平。
懷民一時沉默，視線轉向山坡下，幾戶人家稀疏的燈光。
「你，打算怎麼面對夢影？她和你從小有婚約，一直當你是她的未婚夫。」愛玉語氣咄咄逼人。
懷民幽幽反問：「妹，如果妳是我，妳會想成為唐家的女婿，在岳父眼皮底下，過著那種彆扭的上流社會生活嗎？」
「你是學美術的，我知道你的個性，不喜歡被人差遣使喚。可是，夢影姐對你如何，你心裡總有數吧？雖然這些年，她的確越來越有女強人的味道。」
「女強人，妳說到重點了！我不是個有事業心的男人，如果我娶了夢影，只會是她身旁的影子，一個不真實存在的影子，不會是她的家庭和事業的有力支柱。」
「哥，你幹嘛把自己説得那麼窩囊？我認為你很有生意頭腦啊！家裡的咖啡和茶葉，要不是你靈活的行銷策略，自創品牌打響知名度，哪能有今天的成績？」
懷民苦笑說：「那是因為我想要讓爸媽二十年的心血，獲得相對合理的報償，不再被大盤商任意剝削宰割，才會特地去涉獵行銷和廣告，但本質上我不是那種渾身銅臭味的商人，為了追逐財富和地位，甘心長期在爾虞我詐的商場打滾。」
「你們一直都在一起，我相信夢影姐瞭解你的個性和想法，她一定能體諒你的。」
愛玉仍維持正面樂觀的想法。
「妹，妳不懂的，一旦我娶了夢影，即使夢影一時能體諒我，在她家的環境下，她和她的父母就會想盡一切辦法來型塑我，要我徹底改變，成一個道地的商人。但我根本不想被改變成為商人，那樣的婚姻生活會使我很不快樂，反而連累了夢影的後半生。」
「唉…」愛玉長嘆一聲說：「如果真是這樣，你就儘快跟夢影姐把話給說清楚，老妹我不忍心你，將來婚姻生活不快樂啊！哥…。」

07
湯懷民駕著四輪採收車，載著安妮來到咖啡園入口。懷民牽起安妮的手扶她下車，兩人走進咖啡園。咖啡樹已結出成串青綠的果實顆粒，安妮抓住一根枝椏，好奇地貼近觀察果實。
安妮邊端詳著說：「以前只從圖片上見過咖啡樹上的豆子，頭一回如此近距離觀察，感覺很新奇。」
「這園子裡的咖啡豆還得經過一個多月，才會進入成熟期，開始陸續採收。」
安妮抬起頭問：「格桑…懷民，這些咖啡樹高度都維持在兩米多，應該是方便採收作業吧？」
懷民微笑說：「妳說的沒錯！我們家施用有機栽培，咖啡樹不會長得太快，也就不需要經常修剪枝葉，有效地降低人工和農藥肥料成本。」
安妮附和說：「有機栽培和無毒飲食，最近這一二十年，似乎成為流行風潮呢！」
懷民分析說：「施用農藥，的確可以讓農作物減少病蟲害帶來的有形損失；施用化學肥料，也的確可以加速農作物成長，讓果實碩大、花卉美觀、葉子茂密。可是這些卻是違反自然法則的。」
安妮睜大眼睛說：「你的說法，聽起來很有意思！」
「經由人為干預去改變農作物的自然法則，表面上農夫取得了更多更快速且可觀的經濟收益，實際上卻付出了長遠且可怕的代價。」
安妮微笑說：「這些我懂！農作物裡殘留農藥，毒性物質經由食物鏈進到人體，損害消費者健康，擴大了醫療和照護等方面的支出；化學肥料改變了土壤原本的性質，造成對土壤的長期汙染。」
懷民欣慰說：「沒錯，農藥殘毒和土壤污染，導致更加龐大的社會成本。」
安妮說：「所以，你採行有機栽培，不只是順應時代潮流，而是你很清楚它背後的意義和價值囉。」
懷民微笑說：「我雖然只是個農夫，但我清楚自身所擔負的社會責任。其實，這些改變，說起來還真有那麼一段精彩的滄桑史呢！」
安妮感興趣說：「喔？那我洗耳恭聽囉！」
懷民娓娓道來：「在我父母親剛從祖父母手上接過這片茶園時，他們仍承襲以往的舊思維，認為茶樹離開農藥和化肥，生長過程就會難以控制，進而嚴重影響茶葉收成和家裡經濟收入，因為在他們的成長過程裡，祖父母一再灌輸他們這些觀念，而他們的確親眼所見，也就信以為真。」
安妮問：「那麼，你如何去改變你父母親既成的觀念呢？」
「不是我去改變我父母親既成的觀念，而是他們親眼見證到有機栽培的過程，和後續可觀的經濟效益，促使他們去反省思考做出改變。」
「喔？原來，不是你改變了他們的觀念啊？」
懷民笑著說：「哈哈！那時我才剛上小學，大字還沒認識幾個，說話還童言童語，哪可能影響他們分毫啊？」
「哈，你這樣說，算是合情合理。」安妮也笑出聲來。
「大約二十年前；有機栽培的觀念剛萌芽時，部落裡有些受過高等教育的青年農夫，開始在農會輔導下，對幼齡茶園雙管齊下，進行有機栽培和生態工法。首先，有機栽培以豆粉豆渣和綠肥等有機肥料改良土質，茶樹行間種植黑麥或魯冰花來覆蓋土壤減少雜草孳生，翻土後作為綠肥作物，代替化學肥料支持茶樹生長。接著以生態工法防治病蟲害，創造出不利於病害蟲孳生而有利於各種天敵繁衍的環境條件，比方在茶園周圍或突出的陡坡，也就是地邊、梯邊和坎邊上種植防風林和遮蔭樹，以增加植被面積並穩定陡坡土方；甚至是調整整個茶園布局，將坡度過陡或土壤容易坍方的斜坡退茶還林，進行人工造林，以增加茶園生態的多樣性和基地層的穩定性；然後輔以合乎生產標準，不具毒性的植物源農藥和容易分解的低毒性礦物源農藥，抑制病害蟲的數量，又不會傷害或趕走病害蟲的天敵。」
「你給我上了一課！懷民，你的專業知識真的很豐富，你是個很有智慧的農夫。」安妮微笑。
懷民問：「安妮，剛才是妳考我，現在換我出題考考你。妳知道妳腳底下踩著的，地毯般柔軟平整的小草，是什麼草嗎？」
安妮噘著嘴說：「我又不是植物學專家，哪知道啊？不過這種草在我家庭院裡見過，它感覺起來真的就像你說的，柔軟平整像塊地毯。」
「它叫菁芳草，又稱荷蓮豆草，它生長力旺盛，能覆蓋其他雜草，保持土壤裡的水分，又能美化園區景觀。而它本身其實是一種草藥，味道苦澀性質偏寒，可以治肺病、解體熱。我們鄒族人住在高海拔的阿里山區，老一輩對於各種藥用和毒性植物多半知之甚詳，因為一旦身體出現病痛，除非傷筋斷骨或病情緊急，需要下山進城裡醫院住院動手術，否則往往就會先以草藥來治療身體病痛。」
安妮附和說：「嗯，生活在深山裡，的確需要有這些知識。我祖母卓瑪早年生活在西藏，這方面的知識就相當豐富。」
懷民微笑說：「剛才我說的那些，一半來自長輩們的教導，一半則是自身的生活經驗，兩者相互印證，並不是我喜歡吊書袋喔。」
安妮正色說：「吊書袋？我哪會這樣想啊！你豐富的自然知識，來自你的生活環境，這叫身歷其境、耳濡目染囉。說到吊書袋，我這個博士生肯定比你在行呢！」
安妮說完，兩人凝神對視了幾秒，彼此很有默契地笑起來。
懷民故作神秘說：「阿里山生產的的咖啡，比起進口咖啡絲毫不遜色喔！」
「我從小就習慣喝咖啡，藍山、曼特寧、雀巢、麥斯威爾這些名牌咖啡我都常喝。」安妮如數家珍。
懷民問：「妳說的那些都是市面上常見的咖啡品牌，但妳應該還沒喝過台灣生產的咖啡吧？」
安妮眨了兩下眼睛，表情淘氣地說：「別當我是住在城市的鄉巴佬，我頭一回來台灣，就跟本地的朋友去喝過地道的台灣咖啡，他們說那咖啡來自一個叫什麼坑的鄉村。」
「妳說的是產自雲林縣的古坑咖啡啦！」
安妮笑著說：「對啦！就是古坑咖啡。」
「古坑咖啡和我們阿里山的咖啡，品種都是阿拉比卡(Arabica)。目前台灣引進咖啡樹栽植的品種大致有二類，一種是阿拉比卡，這品種所產的咖啡豆不苦不澀，它佔了市場約百分之七十左右，另一類品種叫Robusta，這種咖啡樹所產的豆子是酸苦澀的，它通常拿來作為罐裝三合一的混合咖啡使用。而古坑咖啡的品種是屬於阿拉比卡，阿拉比卡就是台灣主要咖啡豆。台灣咖啡豆目前分佈在花蓮的瑞穗、台東的蕙蓀，雲林古坑地區，嘉義的阿里山，台南的東山、屏東的山地門等地都有栽種。年產量約百公噸，尚不足消費量的十分之一，造成咖啡豆絕大部份仍仰賴進口。」懷民如數家珍，詳細描述台灣的咖啡品種、生產地和市場情況，令安妮聽得目瞪口呆，心中大為折服。
安妮俏皮地說：「看來我得拜你為師了，懷民。」
「阿里山的海拔高度，孕育得天獨厚的氣候條件；夏天潮濕，午後有陣雨滋潤咖啡園；冬天乾燥，則會濃縮豆子的甜度，因此高海拔咖啡豆的特性就是密度高質地細緻、氣味特別濃郁渾厚。」
安妮微笑說：「聽你這麼介紹，我一定得好好捧場才可以。」
懷民得意說：「沒問題，今晚我親自下廚，用自家的咖啡豆，沖泡給妳嚐嚐。接下來，我帶妳去我家茶園逛逛。」
安妮欠身甜笑，比著蓮花指嬌聲嬌氣說：「有請相公帶路囉！」
懷民看著安妮搞笑的模樣，忍不住笑了。
Chapter 13 – Annie’s Trip to Alishan
01
Gesang (Tang Huaimin) and Annie appeared at the Taoyuan Airport arrivals hall. Tang Aiyu waved to them.
“Little sister, how long have you been waiting?”
“Only half an hour. And this must be my future sister-in-law, right?” Aiyu stared at Annie. Annie smiled and took a string of Dzi beads from her coat pocket.
Huaimin said, “This is my sister, Tang Aiyu.”
Annie said, “I picked this up in Lhasa—consider it a welcome gift.”
Aiyu happily said, “Dzi beads! That must have cost a lot!”
Annie helped Aiyu put on the necklace.
“Thank you, sister-in-law. The car is at the entrance; shall we go?”
Aiyu thoughtfully helped Annie with her luggage, and the three walked to the car.
Aiyu said, “Big brother, I’ve kept your beloved car in great condition.”
Huaimin nodded and smiled, opened the trunk, and loaded their luggage.
The three got in. Aiyu sat with Annie in the back seat while Huaimin drove. The RV slowly left the side road and entered the highway.
________________________________________
02
An RV drove along the Alishan Highway. Summer in Alishan painted the roadside with a riot of colorful flowers.
Annie pressed the window down and looked outside. A cool breeze brushed her face as cicadas chirped intermittently along the roadside.
The RV wound along the mountain road, flanked by tea and coffee plantations. Inside, Annie’s curiosity got the better of her.
“Aiyu, you grow coffee here in Alishan too?”
“Yes! In recent years, the local government has promoted it heavily, and it’s well-received by consumers. Our family even has about one hectare planted, though harvesting and processing is labor-intensive.”
“In the U.S., the drinks we drink most are coffee, followed by tea.”
“Sister-in-law, once you settle here, you’ll soon love the high-mountain tea grown in the frost.”
Annie smiled, “Frost high-mountain tea? That sounds so poetic.”
“Not just poetic—it tastes that way too. By the way, how long will you and big brother stay this trip?”
Huaimin said, “Just a few days. I need to accompany Annie to California; she’s working on her PhD thesis, and I’ll act as her advisor.”
Aiyu looked disappointed. “Oh, I thought I could finally take a breather while you’re back.”
“Little sister, I know you’ve been working hard, taking on so many of the heavy responsibilities at home.”
Aiyu made a funny face. “I know! Mom and Dad treat me like a maid.”
“Then hurry and find yourself a partner and get married!”
“I’ve thought about it! But Mom and Dad have me tied up here in the mountains; how could I meet a boyfriend?”
“Well, in that case, I really do owe you, little sister.”
“Exactly! But Dad gets to go roam freely in Tibet—parents really are biased!”
“My work in Tibet isn’t easy either.”
“At least it’s not like mine—endless hard labor every day.”
“All right! Just a few more months. Once Annie finishes her degree, we’ll come back and stay at home for a while, so you can relax.”
“Only a little while? Eventually, the family’s tea and coffee plantations will all fall on you!”
“All right! Stop complaining so much. I’ll talk to Mom and Dad and make sure you’re relieved from the burden as soon as possible.”
Aiyu smiled. “Now that’s what a big brother should say!”
Annie listened to the playful banter between the siblings and felt too shy to say anything, only blinking her almond-shaped eyes.
Annie thought: It seems every family has their own challenges…
________________________________________
03
Huaimin’s old family home was in the Dabang Tribe—a stone-walled, single-story house with a small courtyard where a four-wheeled harvest vehicle and a heavy motorcycle were parked.
Inside the living room, Tang Meilan and Luo Sang were busy sorting coffee beans while chatting.
Meilan worried, “Sigh! Huaimin’s only been in Tibet a year, and… if Mengying finds out he’s moved on, she’ll never forgive him!”
Luo Sang said, “It’s up to the person involved. If Huaimin truly likes that girl, he needs to clarify things with Mengying himself. He can’t string both along in confusion.”
“I’m worried he won’t explain it clearly… Huaimin isn’t very shrewd.”
“Things must be faced, not avoided. He should know in his heart how to deal with Tang Mengying.”
________________________________________
04
At dusk, an RV arrived at the small courtyard in front of the Tang family home. The three got out. Luo Sang and Tang Meilan, hearing the vehicle, came outside.
Meilan stared at the red-haired Annie for several seconds.
“Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Annie.”
“She’s very lovely! Welcome, Annie.” Meilan came forward and embraced Annie.
Luo Sang asked, “Huaimin, you said in your email you met Uncle Danzeng in Naqu?”
“Yes, we met Uncle Danzeng and Cousin Nima.”
Luo Sang sighed. “Over the past twenty years, I’ve been guarding that manuscript of love poems. Now, it’s finally returned to its rightful owner. Fate is strange, isn’t it?”
Meilan said, “Let’s go inside and talk.”
Annie followed Gesang’s family into the main hall, where a crucifix hung on the central wall, and a statue of the Virgin Mary gave her a sense of familiarity.
Huaimin said, “My mother’s family is Catholic. My surname is Tang, from my mother’s side—Tang Huaimin.”
“Talk for a while. Aiyu, come help Mom in the kitchen.” Meilan waved at Aiyu.
“Okay, Mom. I’ll bring Annie’s luggage to her room and then come help.”
Inside, Luo Sang accompanied Huaimin and Annie, brewing a pot of tea while Gesang poured it.
“Annie, try our home-grown high-mountain tea.”
“Sure.” Annie lifted the cup, inhaled the aroma, and sipped. “It’s fragrant and sweet, really delicious.”
Huaimin said, “This spring tea was roasted this year.”
“Sit tight. I’ll go fetch the manuscript.” Luo Sang went to the study.
Annie asked, “Making tea must be hard work, Gesang?”
Huaimin said, “Ten kilograms of fresh leaves for one kilogram of tea. During busy season, it’s day and night work.”
Luo Sang returned with a wooden box. “The manuscript is here,” he said, opening it. Inside lay a sheepskin scroll, surrounded by bundles of bamboo charcoal.
Luo Sang gestured, “Annie, you can take it.”
Annie carefully took out the scroll and unrolled it. Tibetan love poems were written on it, and at the end, she noticed the signature and seal—her heart raced.
“This manuscript belongs to your Tsangyang family; I’m returning it to you,” Luo Sang said.
Tears sparkled in Annie’s eyes. “Uncle, thank you so much.”
“No need to thank me—we’re family now. You happen to arrive in time for the Life Bean Ceremony. Once the ritual concludes, you’ll return to the U.S.”
“Dad, along the way, Aiyu complained about a lot of things…”
Luo Sang calmly said, “She’s complained many times about being stuck here in the mountains.”
“She’ll get married eventually. Unless Annie and I stay, you and Mom won’t be able to manage…”
“Then hire more help. You and Annie should return to Tibet! There, you can use your skills to benefit your people.”
________________________________________
05
On the round dining table were a dozen dishes, all of Tsou ethnic specialties.
Meilan proudly said, “Tsou-style dishes—not easy to find elsewhere.”
Annie smiled. “Thank you, Auntie.”
Aiyu pointed at the dishes. “This fried river fish and salted crispy river shrimp—they’re sourced locally, keeping the original flavors.”
“I know this one,” Annie said, “stir-fried wild boar. The first time I came to Taiwan, a friend brought me to try it.”
“This is wild betel flower with Ma-gao and red wild onion; that’s tofu with Xiangchun leaves,” Aiyu explained.
Annie sniffed curiously. “Ma-gao? Smells like lemon.”
“It’s our traditional seasoning, all wild,” Aiyu replied.
Meilan reminded, “Don’t just talk, Annie. Serve yourself.”
Huaimin filled Annie’s bowl with rice.
“What is this?” Annie asked.
“Millet with red quinoa—very natural and nutritious,” Huaimin said.
Annie took a bite. “Mmm, delicious.”
Aiyu said, “Our family eats naturally—whatever the mountains provide.”
“People in Tibet are similar, though with less variety,” Annie added.
Meilan offered Annie a chicken leg. “Home-raised free-range chicken—try it.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
Luo Sang said, “Tomorrow Huaimin will take you to the tea and coffee plantations.”
________________________________________
06
Late at night, Huaimin sat in the courtyard reading a Chinese translation of Tsangyang Gyatso’s love poems.
Aiyu brought him a cup of lemon aiyu jelly.
“Annie’s asleep. Brother, I need to talk to you.”
“You want to talk about Tang Mengying?” Huaimin sipped the jelly.
Aiyu seriously said, “Yes, I’m worried about you, brother.”
“What do you want to say?”
“If Mengying finds out you’ve moved on, she’ll be heartbroken. After all, you grew up together.”
“Little sister, maybe you think I shouldn’t let Mengying down. But I’m not suited for her. She should find a man with business acumen to take over her father’s hotel.”
“Brother, that’s really cruel to Mengying.” Aiyu spoke for Mengying.
Huaimin fell silent, gazing at the sparse lights on the hillside.
“How will you face Mengying? She’s been engaged to you since childhood,” Aiyu pressed.
Huaimin asked, softly, “If you were me, would you want to marry into the Tang family and live that awkward upper-class life under her father’s nose?”
“You study art. I know your personality—you don’t like being ordered around. But you must know how Mengying treats you; she’s grown increasingly strong-willed over the years.”
“Exactly! I’m not career-driven. If I marry Mengying, I’ll be just her shadow—a hollow shadow, not a real support for her family and business.”
“Brother, why make yourself sound so weak? I think you have a good business mind! Without your marketing strategies, the family’s coffee and tea wouldn’t be so successful.”
Huaimin smiled wryly. “I learned marketing to ensure my parents’ twenty years of hard work is fairly rewarded, not exploited. But I’m not a merchant driven by money and power.”
“You’ve always been together. I believe Mengying understands you and will empathize,” Aiyu said, maintaining optimism.
“Little sister, you don’t understand. If I marry Mengying, even if she initially empathizes, her parents will try to mold me into a true businessman. I don’t want to be changed, and that life would make me unhappy, hurting Mengying in the long run.”
“Sigh…” Aiyu sighed. “Then you must clarify things with Mengying quickly. I can’t bear to see your future married life unhappy!”
07
Tang Huaimin drove a four-wheel harvest vehicle, carrying Annie to the entrance of the coffee plantation. He took Annie’s hand to help her down, and the two walked into the plantation. The coffee trees were already bearing clusters of green fruits. Annie grabbed a branch, leaning in curiously to inspect the berries.
“I’ve only ever seen coffee beans on trees in pictures before. Seeing them up close for the first time feels so novel,” Annie said as she examined them.
“These beans will need over a month before reaching maturity and being ready for harvest,” Huaimin replied.
Annie looked up. “Gesang… Huaimin, these coffee trees are all kept around two meters tall. Is that to make harvesting easier?”
Huaimin smiled. “Exactly! We practice organic cultivation, so the coffee trees don’t grow too fast, which means we don’t need frequent pruning. That effectively reduces labor and the cost of fertilizers and pesticides.”
Annie nodded. “Organic cultivation and toxin-free food have really become a trend in the last decade or two, haven’t they?”
Huaimin explained, “Using pesticides can reduce tangible losses from pests and diseases. Chemical fertilizers accelerate growth, make fruits bigger, flowers prettier, and leaves denser. But these methods violate natural laws.”
Annie’s eyes widened. “That’s an interesting way to put it!”
“By intervening in nature, farmers may seem to gain more and faster economic returns, but in reality, they pay a long-term and costly price.”
Annie smiled. “I understand! Residual pesticides and toxic substances enter the human body through the food chain, harming consumers’ health and increasing medical costs. Chemical fertilizers alter soil properties, causing long-term contamination.”
Huaimin nodded appreciatively. “Exactly. Pesticide residues and soil pollution lead to significant social costs.”
“So your adoption of organic cultivation isn’t just following a trend; you understand the meaning and value behind it,” Annie observed.
Huaimin smiled. “I’m just a farmer, but I know the social responsibility I carry. Actually, the history behind these changes is quite remarkable.”
“Oh? I’m all ears!” Annie said, intrigued.
Huaimin recounted: “When my parents first inherited this tea plantation from my grandparents, they followed old practices. They believed that without pesticides and chemical fertilizers, tea trees would be difficult to manage, which could seriously affect harvests and family income. These ideas were instilled in them by my grandparents and reinforced by what they personally witnessed.”
Annie asked, “So how did you change your parents’ mindset?”
“It wasn’t me who changed them. They witnessed the process of organic cultivation and the resulting economic benefits, which led them to reflect and make the change themselves.”
“Oh, so it wasn’t you who changed their minds?”
Huaimin laughed. “Haha! I had just started elementary school back then, barely knowing how to read and still talking like a child. How could I have influenced them at all?”
“Ha, that makes sense,” Annie laughed along.
“About twenty years ago, when the concept of organic cultivation was just emerging, some young, highly educated farmers in the tribe, guided by the agricultural association, started applying organic methods and ecological techniques to young tea plantations. They improved soil quality with bean powder, bean dregs, and green manure, planted rye or lupines between tea rows to suppress weeds, and used cover crops after plowing as green fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers. They controlled pests with ecological methods, creating an environment unfavorable for pests but suitable for natural enemies. For example, windbreaks and shade trees were planted along field edges and steep slopes to increase vegetation and stabilize the soil. Slopes that were too steep or prone to erosion were converted to forest to increase ecological diversity and stabilize the plantation. Finally, plant-based and low-toxicity mineral pesticides were used to reduce pest numbers without harming beneficial insects.”
“You just gave me a lesson! Huaimin, your expertise is impressive. You’re a very wise farmer,” Annie said with a smile.
Huaimin asked, “Annie, just now you were testing me. Now it’s my turn. Do you know what kind of grass you’re standing on—the soft, carpet-like one?”
Annie pouted. “I’m not a botanist, so how would I know? But I’ve seen this kind of grass in my own garden. It does feel soft and flat, just like you said.”
“It’s called Qingfang grass, or Lotus Bean grass. It grows vigorously, suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, and beautifies the landscape. It’s also medicinal, bitter and cold in nature, used for treating lung ailments and reducing heat. In our high-altitude Alishan region, elders know a lot about medicinal and toxic plants. If someone falls ill, unless it’s an emergency requiring surgery, herbs are often used first.”
Annie nodded. “Living in the mountains really requires this kind of knowledge. My grandmother, Tserma, lived in Tibet, and she knew quite a lot about this too.”
Huaimin smiled. “Half of what I know comes from elders, half from personal experience. It’s all verified in practice, not just book knowledge.”
Annie said earnestly, “Book knowledge? I wouldn’t think that! Your rich knowledge comes from your environment—living it, seeing it. As for books, as a PhD student, I’m more used to that!”
They shared a brief look and smiled in agreement.
Huaimin said mysteriously, “Alishan coffee is just as good as imported coffee!”
“I’ve always been a coffee drinker—Blue Mountain, Mandheling, Nescafé, Maxwell—I’ve tried them all,” Annie listed.
Huaimin asked, “Those are all common brands. But you haven’t tried Taiwan-grown coffee yet, right?”
Annie blinked mischievously. “Don’t treat me like a country bumpkin! On my first trip to Taiwan, I went with friends to try local coffee from a village whose name I forget.”
“You mean Gukeng coffee from Yunlin County!” Huaimin clarified.
“Yes! That’s the one,” Annie laughed.
“Both Gukeng and our Alishan coffee are Arabica. Currently, Taiwan mainly grows Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are less bitter and cover about seventy percent of the market. Robusta is more bitter and sour, usually used in three-in-one instant coffee. Taiwan’s Arabica coffee grows in Ruisui (Hualien), Huisun (Taitung), Gukeng (Yunlin), Alishan (Chiayi), Dongshan (Tainan), and Shandimen (Pingtung). Annual output is about 100 tons, less than a tenth of consumption, so most beans are still imported.” Huaimin detailed varieties, regions, and markets, leaving Annie amazed and impressed.
Annie teased, “Looks like I have to take you as my mentor, Huaimin.”
“The altitude of Alishan creates ideal climatic conditions: humid summers with afternoon showers nourish the coffee, dry winters concentrate the sweetness, making high-altitude beans dense, fine-textured, and richly aromatic.”
Annie smiled. “Hearing you describe it like that, I’ll have to show my appreciation properly.”
Huaimin beamed. “No problem. Tonight I’ll brew coffee with our own beans for you, and then I’ll take you to visit our tea plantation.”
Annie curtsied playfully, “Please, my husband, lead the way!”
Huaimin couldn’t help laughing at her funny gesture.