While traveling and investigating the situation in Tibet, Liu Manqing visited living Buddhas and chieftains (thusi). By addressing them with conciliatory words, for the sake of solidarity, she knew there were many people supporting the Central Government. In Lhasa, she made active contact with senior officials, the Lamas of the three major monasteries, and people from all walks of life;she made extensive and close friends and achieved great success in promoting the Five Races Under One Union.

An old photo of Kangding.

In Kangding, Liu Manqing investigated sales of Sichuan tea and the efforts of the British to grow tea in India to sell to Tibet.

On the way to Lhari, she met a girl engaged in the corvée labor of delivering letters. Hearing the word “inland” for the first time from Liu Manqing, the girl was interested and asked whether Liu could take her there. From the girl, Liu Manqing learned about the corvée labor taxes in Tibet and felt that the local common people were “very pitiful”.

On the way from Lare to Lhasa, Liu Manqing met a female wula who was being beaten by Tibetan escorting soldiers for being outlate. Liu stopped the beating and gave the wula a copper in the hope of offering comfort. From that time, Liu Manqing became known widely in Tibet as a benevolent and righteous person and she was “warmly welcomed wherever she went.”

A group photo of Liu Manqing and the family of mda’ dpon (regimental commander) Xiasu.

Liu Manqing skillfully asked mda’ dpon Xiasu about the activities of the British in Tibet and local government organizations.

After meeting with the Dalai Lama, Liu Manqing was able to visit the Silon and the Kalon. She first visited Tsarong to observe his disposition, personality, and attitude toward Britain. At Tsarong’s residence, she also met with Konchok Jungne. Tsarong’s family showed her around the house and bedrooms. She then talked with Laden La to learn about his relationship with Tsarong.

Next, she made a detour to visit the Silon. He gave Liu Manqing a cold welcome and Liu Manqing just did the same way to him, which caused the Silon’s tone to change immediately. Liu Manqing then visited three more Kalons in turn. After meeting with the four Kalons, she paid a formal visit to Lungshar, commander of the Tibetan army. Lungshar received her warmly and offered kind hospitality;however, he queried why the letter from Chiang Kai-shek was signed by Gu Yingfen. During the conversation, Liu Manqing learned that “the ones that intended to make trouble for her also come from the inland.” Later, she paid visits to Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, and Ganden Monastery, where she was well received.

Lungshar sent his secretary to Liu Manqing’s residence to translate Three Principles of the People. The Drepung Monastery monks, together with Liu Manqing, translated the Five-Power Constitution. Liu Manqing was invited to attend a horse race involving the graduates of a local elite school; the students and their families came to meet her to learn about the development of the inland.

In accordance with Tibetan etiquette, she was required to bid farewell to the significant officials before leaving for Nanjing. She took advantage of this opportunity to discover whether they truly supported the Central Government. The second wife of Lungshar was reluctant to part with Liu Manqing, and tried to persuade her to stay,presenting her with many gifts as a send-off.