《拉薩情書》

第十章、探訪牧民隊
01
張揚的客貨車往那曲方向走，下一站他們要去納木措湖(藏語：天湖)。
沿途，見到大型的牧民隊伍，張揚就停車，陪著札希去找隊伍首領，探問那卷真跡手稿的下落。張揚一行人走走停停。
午後，客貨車來到納木措湖濱。張揚一行前往牧民聚落，美多和安妮跟牧民婦女閒話家常。
張揚陪著札希，去拜訪牧民首領。
隨後，安妮獨自漫步在湖濱，卻意外地遇到德格‧格桑。
安妮驚訝問：「格桑，你怎麼會在這裡？」
「我堂叔住在這裡，是這裡的牧民首領德格‧旺堆。我來記錄即將在那曲舉行的年度賽馬會活動，順道來探望他。」
「原來如此，我原本打算回到拉薩後，再去找你要些資料呢。」
「安妮，妳回給我的那首詩，我看到了。」
安妮臉紅，嬌羞說：「喔？」
「安妮，妳相信輪迴之說嗎？」
「這…，我說不上來，小昭寺裡那位老喇嘛，說我是轉世的文成公主，總覺得有些不可思議。」
「妳的確是，只不過妳沒有前世記憶。」
安妮不解問：「前世記憶？」
「是啊，回到西藏後，我的前世記憶才斷斷續續找回來。」
安妮好奇問：「那個老喇嘛，真看得到我的前世？」
「應該是，我逐漸相信自己的前世是西藏王松贊干布，而妳是來自長安的文成公主，這段前世姻緣，注定我們這一世還要在一起。」
「可我記得你說過來自台灣。」
「這就是輪迴轉世的奧秘處，妳來自美國，我來自台灣，緣分讓我們在西藏相遇。」
「格桑，其實在拉薩八角井街和你相遇，從你身上我就隱約有一種似曾相識的感覺。可我覺得，我們才剛認識，即使如你所說，這一世注定要在一起，也需要經過一段時間的交往吧？由朋友發展成一對情侶，也就是戀愛的過程。」
格桑微笑說：「的確，我們需要時間相處。對了，妳怎麼會來到這裡？」
「我陪著父親四處旅行，找尋失落的傳家寶物。」
「找尋傳家寶物？是哪方面的？需要我提供協助嗎？」
「就情僧倉央・嘉措生前寫的那卷情詩的手稿真跡，我們是倉央的後人。」
「情僧的情詩手稿真跡？這可能有相當難度，我熟讀過這卷情詩，也讀過情僧倉央・嘉措的事蹟，他的浪漫情懷令我著迷，可我從來沒思考過這問題，也許我文物局的朋友能幫忙找到一些線索。」
「文物局的朋友？別提那夥黃鼠狼了，我們從拉薩被他們一路尾隨跟縱。」
格桑不解問：「他們跟蹤你們？」
「說來話長，原本我想法跟你一樣，想請文物局協助，沒想到卻引狼入室。」
「妳是說，他們想要得到那份情詩手稿？」
「沒錯，或許在他們認為，那件手稿是相當重要的歷史文物。」
「若是重要的歷史文物，是應該由官方文物局來典藏保管。」
「但我父親並不這樣認為，那是我們倉央家的傳家寶物啊！父親覺得他有義務把這件手稿找回來。」
格桑得出結論說：「所以，妳父親札希教授不想官方介入，而文物局卻積極介入。」
安妮點頭說：「情況就是這樣。」
格桑問：「你們，找到線索了嗎？」
「算是吧！有住持喇嘛告訴我父親，說那卷手稿被藏族牧民隊帶走了。」
「被牧民隊帶走？喇嘛有透露是那支牧民隊嗎？」
「沒！住持喇嘛自己也不清楚。」
「這樣找起來就很困難了，跟大海撈針沒兩樣。不過，我堂叔人面廣，也許他能幫忙打聽。」
「謝謝你，格桑，可我父親不想這事張揚開來，官方已經盯上我們了。」
格桑想一下說：「事情還是有辦法的，我找堂叔商量去，然後陪你們一起去尋找。」
格桑鼓起勇氣問：「安妮，讓我牽著妳的手，可以嗎？」
安妮微笑點頭，格桑牽著她的手，兩人漫步在湖濱，望著湖面盤旋的水鳥和金光閃閃的波光。

02
牧民首領德格．旺堆家的客廳裡，旺堆親自接待札希和張揚。
張揚以藏語向德格・旺堆說明來意。
旺堆說：「教授，我從沒見過那只鑲金檀木盒，你可以去我們族長多仁‧丹增，
他見多識廣，也許能提供你一些線索。」
札希說：「那麼，能否請首領幫忙引見多仁‧丹增族長。」
旺堆說：「我寫封親筆信給你帶去那曲，那裡正在舉辦賽馬會，你去找多仁‧丹
增。」
札希雙手抱拳，三鞠躬說：「感謝首領襄助。」
這時，格桑和安妮走進來，在場的美多和張揚見兩人一起出現都感驚訝。
札希驚訝問：「格桑，你怎麼會在這兒？」
格桑說：「教授，幸會，剛才在湖濱巧遇安妮。」
旺堆說：「格桑是我姪兒，常來探望我。」
格桑趨前，在旺堆耳邊說了幾句，旺堆也回了幾句。
旺堆說：「札希教授，我姪兒格桑剛好要去那曲參觀賽馬會，就由他帶你們去那曲找族長多仁‧丹增。」
札希說：「首領，感謝你大力襄助。」
一旁的張揚聽見格桑要同行，心裡不悅，並開始有不好的預感。

03
次日上午，札希一行人驅車離開納木措牧民部落，車上多了一個格桑。
張揚不時望著後照鏡，瞄一下後車廂。安妮、美多和格桑三人有說有笑，令張揚有些不是滋味。
美多說：「我大學同學春天時去台灣自由行，說阿里山的櫻花季，漫步在林子裡
，花瓣就像雪片紛飛，格桑，阿里山真的很漂亮嗎？」
格桑說：「大陸人去阿里山，多數只到森林公園觀賞神木搭乘森林小火車，其實
到阿里山旅遊，要去達邦、特富野和山美這些鄒族部落裡的民宿小住幾天。民宿多半就在海拔兩千多米，雲霧飄渺的茶園間，你會感覺那裡就是人間仙境。」
安妮說：「那趟去台灣旅遊，我只去日月潭，可惜沒上阿里山。」
格桑說：「安妮，我會帶妳回去阿里山的，台灣人有句話說：醜媳婦總得見公婆，我外公家就在阿里山的達邦部落。」
安妮嬌嗔說：「你都還沒跟我談戀愛，就要我做你媳婦，你占我便宜喔！」
格桑笑著說：「我們開始談戀愛，不是嗎？安妮。」
安妮嬌羞說：「哪有人這樣談戀愛的？你都沒送花，約我喝咖啡看電影啊！」
格桑說：「我們人在香格里拉，這裡不流行喝咖啡看電影啊！不信你問美多。」
美多說：「城市裡的青年男女，還是喜歡浪漫的約會。」
安妮說：「哈！你被美多打臉了」
駕駛座上的張揚臉上閃過一絲苦笑說：「安妮跟我在一起時，好像從來沒有這麼開心過。」
札希說：「可能是文化差異吧？安妮在美國成長，言行舉止上比較美式風格。」
張揚放了一片光盤，播放流行歌曲，讓音樂聲覆蓋兩人接下來的談話內容。
張揚不解問：「教授，什麼是美式風格？」
「簡單說就是直率、放得開，不拐彎抹角。」
「我懂了！可我也很放得開啊！」
札希聽說張揚話裡的醋意，意有所指說：「張揚，你和格桑都是安妮剛認識的朋友，我不干涉她交朋友。」

04
札希一行人來到那曲，才進到市區，在一處十字路口，立即被當地眼尖的交通警員給盯上，警員立即跨上警車尾隨跟蹤，並以無線電通知交通警察隊部。
「回報隊部，回到隊部，我是編號LS0157，Over。」
「這裡是隊部，編號LS0157，請講，Over。」
「發現通報協尋車輛，車牌號碼藏A25NA0」。
「收到，編號LS0157，我們看到你的位置了，請繼續跟蹤監控，我們即刻派警車過去支援，Over。」
札希從後視鏡看見一部警用機車尾隨：「我們被公安跟蹤了，張揚。」
張揚望了一下後視鏡：「李明還真不死心！我們怎麼辦？」
札希說：「我們以靜制動，先到市中心鬧區找家旅館投宿，再找機會擺脫他們。」張揚的客貨車開進鬧區，停在旅館前。一行人帶著行李進到旅館。
交通警察的機車藏在巷口轉角，員警一面監控一面以無線電通報隊部。

05
拉薩文物局辦公室裡，達瓦主任接到那曲公安局的電話。
「……好的，請貴單位繼續派人員嚴密監控。」
「請長官指示是否需要我方協助逮捕這夥人？」
「這夥人並非刑事犯，你們只需協助監控，我會立即派人過去接手。」
「是，長官。」
達瓦掛斷電話，指示說：「李明、央金，你們兩個立馬啟程，前往那曲接手。」
李明和央金從座位上起身，齊聲回答：「是，主任。」
達瓦叮嚀說：「切記，行動機靈些，別再搞砸了。」
李明和央金齊聲回答：「是，主任」
兩人隨即離開辦公室。
Chapter 10 – Visiting the Nomadic Herds
01
Zhang Yang’s cargo van headed toward Nagqu, with their next destination being Lake Namtso (Tibetan: “Sky Lake”).
Along the way, they encountered large nomadic herds. Zhang Yang would stop the vehicle, accompanying Zha Xi to seek out the leaders of these groups to inquire about the whereabouts of the authentic manuscript. Their journey was a series of stops and walks.
In the afternoon, the van reached the lakeshore of Namtso. Zha Xi and his group visited a nomadic settlement, while Meiduo and Annie chatted casually with the local women.
Zhang Yang stayed with Zha Xi to visit the nomadic leader.
Meanwhile, Annie wandered alone along the lakeshore and unexpectedly ran into Dege Gesang.
Annie was surprised: “Gesang, what are you doing here?”
“My uncle lives here—Dege Wangdui, the leader of this nomadic group. I came to document the upcoming annual horse racing festival in Nagqu and also to visit him,” Gesang explained.
“I see. I was planning to return to Lhasa first and then get some information from you.”
“Annie, I saw the poem you sent me.”
Annie blushed shyly: “Oh?”
“Annie, do you believe in reincarnation?”
“Well… I can’t say for sure. The old lama at Xiaozhao Temple said I’m the reincarnation of Princess Wencheng, which always seemed somewhat unbelievable.”
“You truly are, though you don’t have memories of your past life.”
Annie asked in confusion: “Past life memories?”
“Yes. After returning to Tibet, my memories of my past life gradually came back to me, bit by bit.”
Curious, Annie asked, “Can that old lama really see my past life?”
“I believe so. I’ve come to accept that my past life was the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, and you were Princess Wencheng from Chang’an. That past-life connection ensures that we are destined to be together in this life as well.”
“But I remember you said you came from Taiwan.”
“That’s the mystery of reincarnation. You are from the U.S., I am from Taiwan, and fate has brought us together here in Tibet.”
“Gesang, actually, when we met in Lhasa at Bajiao Well Street, I had this vague feeling of déjà vu from you. But I think that even if, as you say, we are destined to be together in this life, we still need some time to get to know each other. Developing from friends into a couple—that is the process of love.”
Gesang smiled: “Indeed, we need time together. By the way, how did you end up here?”
“I’m traveling with my father to search for a lost family treasure.”
“A family treasure? What kind? Do you need my help?”
“The authentic manuscript of the love poems written by the romantic monk Zangyang—my family are his descendants.”
“Authentic love poems of the monk? That could be quite difficult. I’ve read his poems and studied the life of Zangyang, whose romantic spirit fascinates me. But I’ve never considered this issue. Perhaps my friends at the Cultural Relics Bureau could help find some clues.”
“My friends at the Cultural Relics Bureau? Don’t mention those weasels—we’ve been followed by them ever since leaving Lhasa,” Annie said.
Gesang looked puzzled: “They followed you?”
“It’s a long story. Initially, I had the same idea as you, asking the Bureau for help, but instead we unwittingly invited trouble.”
“You mean they wanted to get the manuscript?”
“Yes. Perhaps they thought the manuscript was a very important historical relic.”
“If it’s an important relic, it should be preserved by the official bureau.”
“But my father doesn’t think so—it’s a family heirloom! He feels obliged to retrieve it.”
Gesang concluded: “So, your father, Professor Zha Xi, doesn’t want official involvement, but the Cultural Relics Bureau is 个已启用ly interfering.”
Annie nodded: “That’s exactly the situation.”
Gesang asked: “Have you found any leads?”
“Sort of. A lama told my father that the manuscript was taken away by a group of Tibetan nomads.”
“Taken by a nomadic group? Did the lama say which group?”
“No! Even he didn’t know.”
“Then it will be very difficult, like looking for a needle in a haystack. But my uncle knows many people—maybe he can help inquire.”
“Thank you, Gesang. But my father doesn’t want Zhang Yang to involve official channels. They are already watching us.”
Gesang thought for a moment: “There’s still a way. I’ll talk to my uncle and accompany you to search for it.”
Summoning courage, Gesang asked: “Annie, may I hold your hand?”
Annie smiled and nodded. Gesang took her hand, and they strolled along the lakeshore, watching the birds circling above the water and the sunlight sparkling on the waves.
________________________________________
02
In the living room of the nomadic leader Dege Wangdui’s home, Wangdui personally received Zha Xi and Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang explained their purpose in Tibetan.
Wangdui said, “Professor, I’ve never seen that gilded sandalwood box. You should visit our clan leader, Duoren Danzeng. He is knowledgeable and may be able to provide some clues.”
Zha Xi asked, “Can you help us meet Clan Leader Duoren Danzeng?”
“I’ll write a personal letter for you to take to Nagqu, where the horse racing festival is being held. There, you can find Duoren Danzeng,” Wangdui replied.
Zha Xi clasped his fists and bowed three times: “Thank you for your help, leader.”
At that moment, Gesang and Annie entered, surprising Meiduo and Zhang Yang.
Zha Xi asked in astonishment: “Gesang, what are you doing here?”
Gesang replied, “Professor, pleased to meet you. I happened to run into Annie at the lakeshore.”
Wangdui added, “Gesang is my nephew. He often comes to visit me.”
Gesang leaned over and whispered something to Wangdui, who responded.
Wangdui then said, “Professor Zha Xi, my nephew Gesang is going to Nagqu for the horse racing festival. Let him take you there to find Clan Leader Duoren Danzeng.”
Zha Xi expressed his gratitude: “Leader, thank you for your strong support.”
Zhang Yang, hearing that Gesang would accompany them, felt uneasy and began to sense a bad premonition.
________________________________________
03
The next morning, Zha Xi and his group left the nomadic settlement near Namtso, now with Gesang joining them.
Zhang Yang kept glancing in the rearview mirror, occasionally checking the back of the van. Annie, Meiduo, and Gesang laughed and chatted, which made Zhang Yang feel uncomfortable.
Meiduo asked: “One of my college classmates went on a spring trip to Taiwan. She said that during the cherry blossom season in Alishan, walking through the woods felt like snowflakes falling. Gesang, is Alishan really that beautiful?”
Gesang replied, “Most mainland visitors only go to the forest park to see the sacred trees and ride the little forest train. But to truly experience Alishan, you need to stay a few days in the small guesthouses of the indigenous Tsou villages: Dabang, Tefuye, and Shanmei. These guesthouses are mostly over 2,000 meters in altitude, amid misty tea plantations—it really feels like a paradise on earth.”
Annie said, “I only visited Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan. I regret not going to Alishan.”
Gesang said, “Annie, I’ll take you to Alishan. There’s a saying in Taiwan: the ugly bride must meet the in-laws. My grandfather’s home is in the Dabang village of Alishan.”
Annie playfully scolded: “You haven’t even officially dated me, and you want me to be your wife? You’re taking advantage!”
Gesang laughed: “Aren’t we starting to date already, Annie?”
Blushing, Annie replied: “Who dates like that? You haven’t given me flowers or taken me to coffee or the movies!”
Gesang said, “We’re in Shangri-La. They don’t do coffee and movies here. Ask Meiduo if you don’t believe me.”
Meiduo said, “Young people in the city still like romantic dates.”
Annie laughed: “Ha! You just got schooled by Meiduo.”
Zhang Yang, in the driver’s seat, wore a wry smile: “Annie has never seemed this happy when she was with me.”
Zha Xi commented: “Perhaps it’s a cultural difference. Annie grew up in the U.S., so her manners and behavior are more Americanized.”
Zhang Yang put in a CD, playing pop music to cover the conversation between the two.
Confused, he asked: “Professor, what exactly is American style?”
“Simply put, it’s being direct, open, and straightforward.”
“I get it! But I’m pretty open too!”
Zha Xi, noticing the hint of jealousy in Zhang Yang’s voice, said: “Zhang Yang, both you and Gesang are friends Annie has just met. I won’t interfere with her friendships.”
________________________________________
04
Upon reaching Nagqu, as they entered the city, an alert local traffic officer immediately noticed them. The officer got on a police motorcycle to follow and used a radio to notify the traffic police headquarters.
“Reporting to HQ, reporting to HQ. I am unit LS0157, over.”
“This is HQ, unit LS0157, go ahead, over.”
“Spotted the vehicle being sought, license plate: ZANG A25NA0.”
“Copy, LS0157. We see your position. Continue monitoring. We’ll dispatch a support vehicle immediately, over.”
Zha Xi noticed a police motorcycle in the rearview mirror: “We’re being followed by the Public Security Bureau, Zhang Yang.”
Zhang Yang glanced back: “Li Ming really doesn’t give up! What should we do?”
Zha Xi said: “Stay calm. Let’s first check into a hotel in the city center, then find a chance to shake them off.”
Zhang Yang drove the van into a busy district and parked in front of a hotel. They carried their luggage inside.
The police motorcycle waited at a nearby alley corner, monitoring while reporting back to headquarters via radio.
________________________________________
05
At the Lhasa Cultural Relics Bureau, Director Dawa received a call from the Nagqu Public Security Bureau.
“…Okay, please continue strict monitoring.”
“Sir, should we assist in arresting this group?”
“They are not criminal suspects. You only need to monitor. I will dispatch personnel immediately to take over.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dawa hung up and instructed: “Li Ming, Yang Jin, depart immediately for Nagqu to take over.”
The two stood and replied in unison: “Yes, Director.”
Dawa reminded them: “Be alert and precise. Don’t mess this up again.”
They answered together: “Yes, Director.”
Then they left the office.