Part 105 - Tsetang: Meeting Pedong Dorji and reports on Lhasa conflict

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SUMMARY:
Arrived at Tsetang and were welcomed by trader Pedong Dorji, who may help secure mules for travel to Dongkar Dz and assist with arrangements. News from Lhasa describes a serious conflict with arrests, including Reting Rimpoche, Phunkhang Shape, and others, rumors of Reting’s death, and weapons taken to Sera; Reting was reportedly imprisoned in the Tse Potala.

CONTENT:
11th May: Tsetang. We were off in good time at 7.0 & in at 1.0, being met by Pedong Dorji, a half Sikkimese who used to live in Pedong, who now trades here. He asked us to his house, & in spite of all, I accepted, as we hope that he will be able to produce mules to take us to Dongkar Dz. At any rate he will certainly be of the greatest help to us in making arrangements. Since Lhagyari we have heard more news of the war in Lhasa, it seems to have been a pretty serious affair. Although said to be over now, it is not all over, as the fate of many people has yet to be decided. Reting Rimpoche is arrested, so is Phunkhang Shape. Phunkhang Se was also arrested, but he has now been released though he has lost official status altogether. Sadutshang's eldest brother is another, he is in a bad way, as his monk brother is said to have taken all the rifles from S's house to Sera for the fight. It seems that Halu & Surkhang Shape got Reting to come to Lhasa by saying that the old Regent had called him to take over power. He came and was imprisoned in the Tse Potala. A man came through from Lhasa today, he says Reting is dead. He had become seriously involved because they found copies of letters to the Chinese when he was arrested. It is difficult to find out how many were killed. Here reports