Part 189 - Political intrigue and plant collecting between Yonpu La, Khoma nagi, and Chungkar

1 page

SUMMARY:
Notes report court intrigue involving the Maharani Padmadechen, causing anxiety for the Dzongpen; Yusun Kazi confides concerns and asks the author to speak to Tongsa. The page also records routes and plant collections made on 20–22 November between Yonpu La, Khoma nagi, and Chungkar.

CONTENT:
two months ago. He got hold of the Maharani (Padmadechen)
somehow and told her all sorts of lies about the Dzongpen and others.
She seems to have sent secretly to Trashigang and told all the
Dzongpen's servants to come to Bumthang - without a word to
the Dzongpen himself. I am told the Maharaja does not
believe all the stories, but the Dzongpen is obviously frightened
that he may be persuaded to. Yusun Kazi told me all this
secretly and asked me to speak to Tongsa about it. Yusun too is
not happy about his post: although promoted to (Betung?)
he finds there is a lot of intrigue there, again caused by the
Maharani, and he feels his position insecure. However he says
he does not mind that, but is worried about the Dzongpen.

20th Nov. Yonpu La 7000? 10 miles. Fine, hot below, but cold
on the pass, which was in the clouds. Collected bulbs of Lil.
Anemone gigantea. from Chuka, Rong Chu: seeds of P. eburnea 2899, P. bellidifolia 2901.
P. lillidale 2902. Meconopsis bella 2905

21st Nov. Khoma nagi. 4000? 13 miles. Fine but not too hot.
Coelogyne porrecta 2892. Eria coronaria 2893. Wightia speciosissima 2894.
Got two orchids and a fine tree in bloom; also bulbs of Lil.
Wallichii on the way down from the pass. Saw no birds, but
a few butterflies.

22nd November. Chungkar 6500? 10m. Fine. Every day is much the