Quang Trung

Emperor Quang Trung (; , 1753 Ã¢ÂÂ 16 September 1792) or NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â (), also known as NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang BÃÂ¬nh (), or HÃ¡Â»Â ThÃÂ¡m (chÃ¡Â»Â¯ HÃÂ¡n: Ã¨ÂÂ¡Ã°Â¦Â¹Â³) was the second emperor of the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty, reigning from 1788 until 1792. He was also one of the most successful military commanders in Vietnam's history. NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â and his brothers, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c and NguyÃ¡Â»Ân LÃ¡Â»Â¯, together known as the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n brothers, were the leaders of the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n rebellion. As rebels, they conquered Vietnam, overthrowing the imperial Later LÃÂª dynasty and the two rival feudal houses of the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân in the south and the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh in the north.

After several years of constant military campaigning and rule, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â died at the age of 40. Prior to his death, he had made plans to continue his march southwards in order to destroy the army of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh, a surviving heir of the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords.

NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â's death marked the beginning of the downfall of the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty. His successors were unable to implement the plans he had made for ruling Vietnam, leaving the empire weak and vulnerable. The TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty was overthrown by its enemy, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh, who established the imperial NguyÃ¡Â»Ân dynasty in 1802.

Early life

According to multiple sources, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â's ancestors were peasants who lived in NghÃ¡Â»Â An. They left NghÃ¡Â»Â An and moved to southern Vietnam after an attack by the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords against the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh lords in NghÃ¡Â»Â An. His ancestors' surname was HÃ¡Â»Â (), but HuÃ¡Â»Â's great-grandfather HÃ¡Â»Â Phi Long, who was a servant of the Dinh family of BÃ¡ÂºÂ±ng ChÃÂ¢n hamlet, Tuy ViÃ¡Â»Ân district (or An NhÃÂ¡n), Quy NhÃÂ¡n province, married a woman from the Dinh family and had a son named HÃ¡Â»Â Phi TiÃ¡Â»Ân, HuÃ¡Â»Â's grandfather. HÃ¡Â»Â Phi TiÃ¡Â»Ân did not continue farming as his father, but instead traded in betel. Through his work he met and married NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ThÃ¡Â»Â ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âng (Ã©ÂÂ®Ã¦Â°ÂÃ¤Â»Â), the only daughter of a rich betel tradesman residing in TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n village. One of their children was HuÃ¡Â»Â's father HÃ¡Â»Â Phi PhÃÂºc (Ã¨ÂÂ¡Ã¤Â¸ÂÃ§Â¦Â, also known as NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Phi PhÃÂºc). Some sources say that in taking on the surname NguyÃ¡Â»Ân, the family followed the surname of HuÃ¡Â»Â's mother; other sources say that it followed the surname of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords of southern Vietnam.

NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â was born in 1753 in TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n village, Quy NhÃÂ¡n Province (now BÃÂ¬nh ÃÂÃ¡Â»Ânh Province). His father had eight children; later, three of them took part in the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n Rebellion. According to ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i Nam chÃÂnh biÃÂªn liÃ¡Â»Ât truyÃ¡Â»Ân, the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n brothers, listed from eldest to youngest, were NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân LÃ¡Â»Â¯, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â. However, other source reported that NguyÃ¡Â»Ân LÃ¡Â»Â¯ was the youngest one. His birth name was HÃ¡Â»Â ThÃÂ¡m, he also had a nickname ÃÂÃ¡Â»Â©c ÃÂ´ng TÃÂ¡m (Sir Eighth the virtue).

ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i Nam chÃÂnh biÃÂªn liÃ¡Â»Ât truyÃ¡Â»Ân described NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â as "a cunning man, good at fighting; he has bright penetrating eyes, and always speak in a stentorian voice, everyone fears him." His father, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Phi PhÃÂºc, made the three brothers dedicate themselves to their studies early in life. Their martial arts master was TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng VÃÂn HiÃ¡ÂºÂ¿n, a retainer (mÃÂ´n khÃÂ¡ch) and friend of TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng VÃÂn HÃ¡ÂºÂ¡nh (Ã¥Â¼ÂµÃ¦ÂÂÃ¥Â¹Â¸), who in turn was the teacher of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân PhÃÂºc LuÃÂ¢n, the father of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh. After TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng VÃÂn HÃ¡ÂºÂ¡nh killed by the powerful chancellor TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng PhÃÂºc Loan, TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng VÃÂn HiÃ¡ÂºÂ¿n fled to BÃÂ¬nh ÃÂÃ¡Â»Ânh. He was first man to discover the talents of the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n brothers and to advise them to do great deeds.

Later, TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng VÃÂn HiÃ¡ÂºÂ¿n encouraged NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c to revolt against NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords: "The prophecy says: 'Revolt in the West, success in the North'. You are born in TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n District, you must do your best." NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c then gathered people to help him in his rebellion, saying to "overthrow the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh lords, revive the LÃÂª dynasty".

Seeking to overthrow the corrupted TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng PhÃÂºc Loan and to help the prince NguyÃ¡Â»Ân PhÃÂºc DÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng, the eldest of the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n Brothers, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c, gathered an army and revolted in 1771. He was aided by his brothers NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â and NguyÃ¡Â»Ân LÃ¡Â»Â¯. In the early days of the rebellion, HuÃ¡Â»Â was the most helpful of NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c's generals both in finance and in training the army; with the encouragement of TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng VÃÂn HiÃ¡ÂºÂ¿n and his own talent, HuÃ¡Â»Â rapidly increased his own popularity and that of the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n Rebellion.

Due to its popularity, the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army grew strong and attracted many talented generals, including NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Thung, BÃÂ¹i ThÃ¡Â»Â XuÃÂ¢n, VÃÂµ VÃÂn DÃÂ©ng, VÃÂµ ÃÂÃÂ¬nh TÃÂº, TrÃ¡ÂºÂ§n Quang DiÃ¡Â»Âu, TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng MÃ¡Â»Â¹ NgÃ¡Â»Âc, and VÃÂµ XuÃÂ¢n HoÃÂ i. The rebels became famous for their policy: "fair, no corruption, only looting the rich, and help the poor" (cÃÂ´ng bÃ¡ÂºÂ±ng, khÃÂ´ng tham nhÃÂ©ng, vÃÂ chÃ¡Â»Â cÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âp cÃ¡Â»Â§a cÃ¡Â»Â§a ngÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âi giÃÂ u, giÃÂºp ngÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âi nghÃÂ¨o).

TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n rebellion

After 200 years of holding power in southern Vietnam, the government of the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lords had become progressively weaker, due to its poor leadership and internal conflicts. Following the death of Lord NguyÃ¡Â»Ân PhÃÂºc KhoÃÂ¡t, the powerful official TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng PhÃÂºc Loan began to arrogate to himself control over the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân government. For the purpose of resisting against the excessive power of TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng PhÃÂºc Loan and coming to the assistance of Prince NguyÃ¡Â»Ân PhÃÂºc DÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng, the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n Brothers gathered an army and revolted against the government of the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lords. The rebel army of the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n quickly occupied the central part of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân's territory covering from Quy NhÃÂ¡n to BÃÂ¬nh ThuÃ¡ÂºÂn, thereby weakening the authority of the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân government.

In 1774, the government of the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords sent a large army led by general TÃ¡Â»Âng PhÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âc HiÃ¡Â»Âp against the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n rebels. From Gia ÃÂÃ¡Â»Ânh, the troops marched to northern central Vietnam, and after several battles they recaptured BÃÂ¬nh ThuÃ¡ÂºÂn, DiÃÂªn KhÃÂ¡nh, and BÃÂ¬nh Khang (modern Ninh HÃÂ²a). The rebel army of the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n now only held the land from PhÃÂº YÃÂªn to QuÃ¡ÂºÂ£ng NgÃÂ£i.

Also in 1774, the ruler of northern Vietnam, TrÃ¡Â»Ânh SÃÂ¢m, sent a massive army of 30,000 soldiers led by general HoÃÂ ng NgÃÂ© PhÃÂºc southwards with the same purpose as that of the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n rebel army, namely to help the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lords fight TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng PhÃÂºc Loan. The northern troops were unobstructed in their march to PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n, the governmental capital of the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lords. The government of the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lords feared the beginning of an unmanageable war on two fronts. Officials of the government arrested TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng PhÃÂºc Loan and gave him up to the troops of the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh Lords. The TrÃ¡Â»Ânh lords, however, continued attacking PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n under the pretext of helping the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lords suppress the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n rebellion. The NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lord NguyÃ¡Â»Ân PhÃÂºc ThuÃ¡ÂºÂ§n and his officials initially attempted to resist the attack, but ended up fleeing to QuÃ¡ÂºÂ£ng Nam.

Seizing the opportunity, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c led an army (with naval support from Chinese pirates) against NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords. Once again, the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lord NguyÃ¡Â»Ân PhÃÂºc ThuÃ¡ÂºÂ§n fled, this time by sea to Gia Dinh, accompanied by NguyÃ¡Â»Ân PhÃÂºc ÃÂnh, and leaving behind his nephew NguyÃ¡Â»Ân PhÃÂºc DÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng. Early in 1775, the army of the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh Lords marched on QuÃ¡ÂºÂ£ng Nam at the same time as the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n troops reached QuÃ¡ÂºÂ£ng Nam. TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n troops searched for and then captured NguyÃ¡Â»Ân PhÃÂºc DÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng. The army of the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh Lords crossed the HÃ¡ÂºÂ£i VÃÂ¢n Pass, engaged the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n troops, and defeated them.

At the same time, the general of the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords TÃ¡Â»Âng PhÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âc HiÃ¡Â»Âp (Ã¥Â®ÂÃ§Â¦ÂÃ¦Â´Â½) led his troops against PhÃÂº YÃÂªn, forcing the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army to withdraw.

Fearing a war on two fronts, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c sent HoÃÂ ng NgÃÂ© PhÃÂºc a proposal that if the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh lords recognized the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n Rebel Army, the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n would help the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh lords fight against the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lords. The proposal was accepted, and NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c was made an official of the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh lords. Nhac also made peace with the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords, causing TÃ¡Â»Âng PhÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âc HiÃ¡Â»Âp to take off the pressure, and deluded Prince NguyÃ¡Â»Ân PhÃÂºc DÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng. His diplomacy provisionally made TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n's enemies inactive and bought him valuable time to shore up his army.

Recognizing that the temporary ceasefire was unlikely to endure, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c retrained the rebel army, recruited new soldiers, fortified ÃÂÃ¡Â»Â BÃÂ n fortress, and built new bases, preparing for an attack.

TÃ¡Â»Âng PhÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âc HiÃ¡Â»Âp, who had been deceived by NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c peaceful overtures, did not pay much attention to NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c's activities. He did not prepare for either defending or attacking. NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c made use of HiÃ¡Â»Âp's inactivity, and sent troops led by his brother NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â against him. The TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n troops swiftly defeated the unprepared troops of the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lords and inflicted heavy losses upon them. TÃ¡Â»Âng PhÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âc HiÃ¡Â»Âp and his troops fled to Van Phong. It was the first great victory achieved by HuÃ¡Â»Â. NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c sent news of the victory to HoÃÂ ng NgÃÂ© PhÃÂºc. On PhÃÂºc's request, the Trinh rewarded NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c with a new office.

Overthrow of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lord

Because the troops of the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh Lords lacked familiarity with the southern country, HoÃÂ ng NgÃÂ© PhÃÂºc withdrew the troops to the north. En route, he died of natural causes. PhÃÂºc's death marked the end of the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh Lords' interventions in the south. While the army of the TrÃ¡Â»Ânh Lords withdrew to ThuÃ¡ÂºÂn HÃÂ³a, TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n moved quickly in sending its troops to take over the abandoned territory and to suppress elements loyal to the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lords.

Having gained a lot of new rich land without facing much opposition, the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army grew stronger. NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c had a desire to expand TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n's authority. He sent a large army led by his youngest brother NguyÃ¡Â»Ân LÃ¡Â»Â¯ to launch a sudden attack against Gia ÃÂÃ¡Â»Ânh (now called Ho Chi Minh City) by sea. LÃ¡Â»Â¯'s raid was successful: he occupied Saigon and forced the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lord and his followers to flee to BiÃÂªn HÃÂ²a. His success was short-lived, however, when an army loyal to the NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lords and led by a man named ÃÂÃ¡Â»Â Thanh NhÃÂ¡n rose against him in ÃÂÃÂ´ng SÃÂ¡n. The loyalist army attacked and forced TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n's troops to withdraw from Saigon. Before withdrawing, LÃ¡Â»Â¯ seized the local foodstores and took them back to Quy NhÃÂ¡n.

In 1776, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c proclaimed himself King of TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n (), choosing ÃÂÃ¡Â»Â BÃÂ n as his capital, renamed it ThÃÂ nh HoÃÂ ng ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¿ (Imperial City). He gave HuÃ¡Â»Â the title PhÃ¡Â»Â¥ ChÃÂnh (Vice National Administrator).

Southern campaigns

In 1777, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â and NguyÃ¡Â»Ân LÃ¡Â»Â¯ led an army marched further south. They captured Saigon, destroyed NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords' army successfully. Most members of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân royal family killed or executed in this campaign, except NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh. ÃÂnh fled to RÃ¡ÂºÂ¡ch GiÃÂ¡ then to HÃÂ TiÃÂªn. Finally, ÃÂnh fled to Pulo Panjang together with a French priest Pigneau de Behaine. After the battle, HuÃ¡Â»Â and LÃ¡Â»Â¯ returned to Quy NhÃÂ¡n, only a small army was left in Gia ÃÂÃ¡Â»Ânh. NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh returned and occupied Gia ÃÂÃ¡Â»Ânh in the next year. With the help of de Behaine, ÃÂnh made Western weapons, recruited Western adventurers, proclaiming the restoration of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords' regime. In 1782, a TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army under NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c and NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â reoccupied Gia ÃÂÃ¡Â»Ânh. NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh had to flee to PhÃÂº QuÃ¡Â»Âc.

In PhÃÂº QuÃ¡Â»Âc, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân supporters suffered from TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n's frequent attacks and lacked food and drinking water. ChÃÂ¢u VÃÂn TiÃ¡ÂºÂ¿p was sent to Bangkok to request for aid. In 1783, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh and his supporters retreated to Siam with Siamese army. In Bangkok, ÃÂnh was warmly welcomed by king Rama I. Rama I promised that Siamese would help NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh to retake his lost kingdom.

The Siamese army moved towards southern Vietnam in 1784. A fleet with twenty thousand men under Chao Fa Krom Luang Thepharirak was dispatched to attack and recapture Saigon for NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh. ÃÂnh and his supporters were also allowed to accompany with the Siamese army. Phraya Wichinarong led Siamese infantry marched to Cambodia, and manoeuvred the Cambodian army. The Cambodian regent, Chaophraya Aphaiphubet (Baen), recruited five thousand soldiers to accompany with Siamese troops.

Siamese troops defeated TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army and captured several places including RÃ¡ÂºÂ¡ch GiÃÂ¡, TrÃ¡ÂºÂ¥n Giang (CÃ¡ÂºÂ§n ThÃÂ¡), Ba ThÃ¡ÂºÂ¯c (Srok Pra-sak, SÃÂ³c TrÃÂng), TrÃÂ ÃÂn, Sa ÃÂÃÂ©c, MÃÂ¢n ThÃÂt (or Mang thÃÂt, Man ThiÃ¡ÂºÂ¿t), and controlled HÃÂ TiÃÂªn, An Giang and VÃÂ©nh Long. However, they met a stubborn resistance from TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army, and could not capture any important places. Unable to repulse the enemy, general TrÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng VÃÂn ÃÂa sent ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ·ng VÃÂn TrÃ¡ÂºÂ¥n to Quy NhÃÂ¡n for help.

The TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n reinforcements led by NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â reached Gia ÃÂÃ¡Â»Ânh in 1785. HuÃ¡Â»Â sent an envoy to Siamese army under a banner of truce. HuÃ¡Â»Â showed fear deliberately, requested Siamese not to support NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh. It proved that it was an excellent stratagem; Thepharirak was taken in. On the morning of 20 January 1785, Siamese fleet was surrounded in RÃ¡ÂºÂ¡ch GÃ¡ÂºÂ§m River and XoÃÂ i MÃÂºt River (near MÃ¡Â»Â¹ Tho River, in present-day TiÃ¡Â»Ân Giang Province). The battle ended with a near annihilation of the Siamese fleet, all the ships of the Siamese navy were destroyed. Thepharirak and NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh fled back to Bangkok.

Overthrow of TrÃ¡Â»Ânh Lord

Northern Vietnam fell into chaos in 1786. An army under NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â, VÃÂ© VÃÂn NhÃ¡ÂºÂm and NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HÃ¡Â»Â¯u ChÃ¡Â»Ânh marched north to attack PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n. The governor of PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n, PhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡m NgÃÂ´ CÃ¡ÂºÂ§u, was a venal and superstitious coward, he was at odds with his assistant, HoÃÂ ng ÃÂÃÂ¬nh ThÃ¡Â»Â. An itinerant Taoist priest came to PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n, and said to CÃ¡ÂºÂ§u that he should set up an altar to pray for himself. CÃ¡ÂºÂ§u was persuaded; he built an altar, ordered his soldiers to serve him day and night, making his soldiers very tired. Take this opportunity, HuÃ¡Â»Â launched a raid on TrÃ¡Â»Ânh army. HoÃÂ ng ÃÂÃÂ¬nh ThÃ¡Â»Â was killed in action. PhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡m NgÃÂ´ CÃ¡ÂºÂ§u surrendered to TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army.

After the capture of PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n, ChÃ¡Â»Ânh encouraged HuÃ¡Â»Â to overthrow TrÃ¡Â»Ânh lord. HuÃ¡Â»Â took his advice, marched further north without NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c's order. TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army easily defeated several TrÃ¡Â»Ânh troops. When they reached ThÃÂng Long (modern Hanoi), TrÃ¡Â»Ânh KhÃ¡ÂºÂ£i came to the battlefield to fight against TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army. TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army attacked war elephants with arquebuses, finally, they captured ThÃÂng Long (modern Hanoi) successfully. HuÃ¡Â»Â met LÃÂª HiÃ¡Â»Ân TÃÂ´ng in the next day; he said he marched north to overthrow of TrÃ¡Â»Ânh lords, and did not have any other intentions. HuÃ¡Â»Â was warmly welcomed by LÃÂª HiÃ¡Â»Ân TÃÂ´ng, and received the position NguyÃÂªn-soÃÂ¡i (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥Â¸Â¥ "supreme commander") noble title Uy-quÃ¡Â»Âc-cÃÂ´ng (Ã¥Â¨ÂÃ¥ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ¬). He also married LÃÂª NgÃ¡Â»Âc HÃÂ¢n, a daughter of the LÃÂª Emperor. The old emperor died several days later. LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng was enthroned by HuÃ¡Â»Â. Although he had not been proclaimed as an Emperor at all, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â was respected by citizens of ThÃÂng Long as the way an Emperor would be treated.

NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c did not want to take northern Vietnam; he sent an envoy to PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n to prevent HuÃ¡Â»Â from marching north, but HuÃ¡Â»Â had left. Then he got the message that HuÃ¡Â»Â had captured ThÃÂng Long, and realized that HuÃ¡Â»Â was hard to be controlled. NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c led 2500 men and marched north to meet with HuÃ¡Â»Â and the LÃÂª emperor. In ThÃÂng Long, NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c promised that he would not take any territory of LÃÂª emperor. Then NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c retreated from ThÃÂng Long together with HuÃ¡Â»Â. VÃÂ© VÃÂn NhÃ¡ÂºÂm disliked NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HÃ¡Â»Â¯u ChÃ¡Â»Ânh, and persuaded HuÃ¡Â»Â to leave ChÃ¡Â»Ânh in northern Vietnam. HuÃ¡Â»Â led his army back to PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n secretly. ChÃ¡Â»Ânh abandoned all his property, and came to NghÃ¡Â»Â An to join TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army. NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c did not have the heart to abandon him again; ChÃ¡Â»Ânh was left in NghÃ¡Â»Â An together with a TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n general, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân VÃÂn DuÃ¡Â»Â.

Civil war between two brothers

In the same year, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c proclaimed himself as Trung ÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng HoÃÂ ng ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¿ (Ã¤Â¸ÂÃ¥Â¤Â®Ã§ÂÂÃ¥Â¸Â "the Central Emperor"). HuÃ¡Â»Â received the title BÃ¡ÂºÂ¯c BÃÂ¬nh VÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥Â¹Â³Ã§ÂÂ "King of Northern Conquering"), the area north to HÃ¡ÂºÂ£i VÃÂ¢n was given as his fief. But not long after, he came into conflict with NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c. NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c attacked on HuÃ¡Â»Â at first, a civil war broke out.

But the military might of HuÃ¡Â»Â was stronger than NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c. HuÃ¡Â»Â besieged Quy NhÃÂ¡n for several months. The main forces of Gia ÃÂÃ¡Â»Ânh was called back to support NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c, but was defeated in PhÃÂº YÃÂªn, its commander ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ·ng VÃÂn ChÃÂ¢n surrendered to HuÃ¡Â»Â. NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c climbed onto the city wall, and shouted to HuÃ¡Â»Â: "How can you use the pot of skin to cook meat like that?" It is an old custom, if hunters seized a prey in the jungle without a pot, they would flay it and use its skin to cook meat. Using this metaphor, NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c indicated that brothers should not fight with each other. HuÃ¡Â»Â was moved to tears, and decided to retreat. Taking the advice of TrÃ¡ÂºÂ§n VÃÂn KÃ¡Â»Â·, HuÃ¡Â»Â decided to reach a peace agreement NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c. The two brothers chose BÃ¡ÂºÂ¿n BÃ¡ÂºÂ£n as a boundary; the area north to QuÃ¡ÂºÂ£ng NgÃÂ£i was HuÃ¡Â»Â's area; the area south to ThÃÂng BÃÂ¬nh and ÃÂiÃ¡Â»Ân BÃÂ n belonged to NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c. From then on, they ceased fire with each other.

Northern Campaign - Ending Le Dynasty

During NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â's absence, northern Vietnam fell into chaos again. The regime of TrÃ¡Â»Ânh lord restored. LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng could not control the situation, he asked for assistance from NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HÃ¡Â»Â¯u ChÃ¡Â»Ânh. Though TrÃ¡Â»Ânh BÃ¡Â»Âng was banished from ThÃÂng Long, ChÃ¡Â»Ânh became the new regent just like TrÃ¡Â»Ânh lords before. After learning about actions of ChÃ¡Â»Ânh, an army under VÃÂ© VÃÂn NhÃ¡ÂºÂm was sent by HuÃ¡Â»Â to attack ThÃÂng Long. ChÃ¡Â»Ânh was swiftly defeated and fled together with LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng.

ChÃ¡Â»Ânh was found and executed, but NhÃ¡ÂºÂm could not find LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng. In order to gain popularity among Northern Vietnamese, NhÃ¡ÂºÂm install LÃÂª Duy CÃ¡ÂºÂn as giÃÂ¡m quÃ¡Â»Âc ("Prince Regent"). Two generals, NgÃÂ´ VÃÂn SÃ¡Â»Â and Phan VÃÂn LÃÂ¢n, reported it to HuÃ¡Â»Â. HuÃ¡Â»Â led an army marched north, and launched a night raid. SÃ¡Â»Â and LÃÂ¢n opened the gate to let them in. HuÃ¡Â»Â captured NhÃ¡ÂºÂm and had him executed.

HuÃ¡Â»Â led his army back to PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n. LÃÂª Duy CÃ¡ÂºÂn remained in his position; NgÃÂ´ VÃÂn SÃ¡Â»Â, Phan VÃÂn LÃÂ¢n, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân VÃÂn TuyÃ¡ÂºÂ¿t, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân VÃÂn DÃ¡Â»Â¥ng, TrÃ¡ÂºÂ§n ThuÃ¡ÂºÂn NgÃÂ´n and NgÃÂ´ ThÃÂ¬ NhÃ¡ÂºÂm, were left in ThÃÂng Long to watch CÃ¡ÂºÂn.

War with Qing dynasty

LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng never abandoned his attempt to regain the throne. He hid in BÃ¡ÂºÂ£o LÃ¡Â»Âc Mountain; in there, he had a plan to fight against TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n. His mother, Empress Dowager MÃ¡ÂºÂ«n, fled to Longzhou, called for help from Qing China in order to restore LÃÂª dynasty. The Qianlong Emperor of Qing China decided to restore LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng to the throne, though under Qing protection.

Two Chinese armies invaded Vietnam in October of the lunar year MÃ¡ÂºÂu ThÃÂ¢n (November, 1788): Liangguang army under Sun Shiyi and Xu Shiheng, as the main force, marched across the South Suppressing Pass (present day Friendship Pass); Yungui army under Wu Dajing, marched across the Horse Pass (Maguan); the two armies aimed to attack ThÃÂng Long directly.

When Liangguang army reached LÃ¡ÂºÂ¡ng SÃÂ¡n, Sun announced that there was a very large number of Qing army, in order to threaten TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n soldiers. Chinese marched south swiftly. Realizing TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army could not stop Chinese army from marching to ThÃÂng Long, NgÃÂ´ VÃÂn SÃ¡Â»Â accepted NgÃÂ´ ThÃÂ¬ NhÃ¡ÂºÂm's idea, abandoned ThÃÂng Long and retreated to Tam ÃÂiÃ¡Â»Âp orderly. In Tam ÃÂiÃ¡Â»Âp, NgÃÂ´ VÃÂn SÃ¡Â»Â sent NguyÃ¡Â»Ân VÃÂn TuyÃ¡ÂºÂ¿t to PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n to ask for aid.

NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â knew the situation on Lunar 24 November (21 December 1788), cursing the invaders. HuÃ¡Â»Â declared that LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng was a national traitor and not qualified for the throne. In the next day, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â erected an altar on a hill south of PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n and proclaimed himself Emperor Quang Trung, in effect abolishing the LÃÂª dynasty. After the coronation, he marched north with 60,000 soldiers. He recruited volunteers in NghÃ¡Â»Â An Province, now the number of his soldiers reached 100,000. In ThÃ¡Â»Â HÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c (Thanh HÃÂ³a), he made an invigorating speech before his soldiers. Soldiers replied a great shout of approval. They were encouraged, and marched quickly.

HuÃ¡Â»Â arrived in Tam ÃÂiÃ¡Â»Âp on Lunar 20 December (15 January 1789). In there, HuÃ¡Â»Â gathered together the whole forces, and divided them into five branches: main force led by HuÃ¡Â»Â, marched north to attack ThÃÂng Long directly; a navy led by NguyÃ¡Â»Ân VÃÂn TuyÃ¡ÂºÂ¿t (Commander TuyÃ¡ÂºÂ¿t), sailed from to attack LÃÂª supporters in HÃ¡ÂºÂ£i DÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng; another navy led by NguyÃ¡Â»Ân VÃÂn LÃ¡Â»Âc (Commander LÃ¡Â»Âc), sailed from LÃ¡Â»Â¥c ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ§u River to attack PhÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Â£ng NhÃÂ£n and LÃ¡ÂºÂ¡ng Giang; a cavalry (including war elephants) led by ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ·ng TiÃ¡ÂºÂ¿n ÃÂÃÂ´ng, marched to attack Cen Yidong in ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âng ÃÂa; another cavalry (including war elephants) led by NguyÃ¡Â»Ân TÃÂng Long (Commander Long) marched past to attack Xu Shiheng in (a place near Thanh TrÃÂ¬).

Meanwhile, Chinese soldiers were preparing to celebrate the Chinese New Year festival, and planned to march further south to capture PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n on 6 January of the next lunar year (31 January 1789). As Vietnamese New Year (TÃ¡ÂºÂ¿t) was generally celebrated on the same day, Chinese generals assumed that TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army would not attack in these days. However, subsequent events proved that they were wrong.

NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â made a surprise and fast attack against Chinese forces during the New Year holiday. They reached ThÃÂng Long in the night of 3 January of the next lunar year (28 January 1789). In the fierce 4-day battle, most of Chinese soldiers were unprepared, they were disastrously defeated by the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army in NgÃ¡Â»Âc HÃ¡Â»Âi and ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âng ÃÂa (part of modern Hanoi). Qing generals Xu Shiheng, Shang Weisheng, Zhang Chaolong and Cen Yidong were killed in action. Many Chinese soldiers and porters were killed in action, or drowned while crossing the Red River. According to Draft History of Qing, over half number of Chinese soldiers died in the battle. Sun Shiyi, the commander-in-chief of Chinese army, abandoned his army, fled for his life back to China with several soldiers. LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu TÃÂ´ng also fled to China. HuÃ¡Â»Â marched into ThÃÂng Long, his clothes was blackened by gunpowder. TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army marched further north after the battle; they reached LÃ¡ÂºÂ¡ng SÃÂ¡n, and threatened to march across the border to arrest LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng.

After NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â defeated the Later LÃÂª dynasty, the last LÃÂª emperor LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng and high ranking LÃÂª loyalists fled Vietnam for asylum in Qing China and went to Beijing. LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng was appointed a Chinese mandarin of the fourth rank in the Han Yellow Bordered Banner, while lower ranking loyalists were sent to cultivate government land and join the Green Standard Army in Sichuan and Zhejiang. They adopted Qing clothing and adopt the queue hairstyle, effectively becoming naturalized subjects of the Qing dynasty affording them protection against Vietnamese demands for extradition. Some LÃÂª loyalists were also sent to Central Asia in Urumqi. Modern descendants of the LÃÂª monarch can be traced to southern Vietnam and Urumqi, Xinjiang.

Reconciliation with Qing China

The irate Qianlong Emperor of the Qing replaced Sun Shiyi with Fuk'anggan. Fuk'anggan did not want a conflict with NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â and he sent a letter to HuÃ¡Â»Â in which he expressed that a necessary prerequisite for a cease-fire was an apology of HuÃ¡Â»Â to the emperor. NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â sought to restore the tributary relationship in order to deter a joint Qing-Siam pincer attack and prevent further Chinese attempts to restore the LÃÂª dynasty. NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â sent a ritually submissive request to the Qianlong Emperor under the name of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang BÃÂ¬nh (also referred to as Ruan Guangping).

In 1789, the Qianlong Emperor agreed to re-establish the tributary relationship and enfeoff NguyÃ¡Â»Ân as the king of Annam on the condition that NguyÃ¡Â»Ân personally lead a special delegation to Beijing to celebrate the Qianlong Emperor's 80th birthday. For the Qianlong Emperor, the motivation for accepting the arrangement was to retain the Qing's supremacy and stabilize their southern border. Chinese and Vietnamese sources agreed that NguyÃ¡Â»Ân sent an imposter with a delegation to Beijing, where they were received with lavish imperial favors. The Qianlong Emperor approved the proposal and bestowed NguyÃ¡Â»Ân with the title An Nam quÃ¡Â»Âc vÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng ("King of Annam"). The title indicated that HuÃ¡Â»Â was recognized as the legal ruler of Vietnam and LÃÂª ChiÃÂªu ThÃ¡Â»Âng was no longer supported.

Rule and reforms

Once in power, Emperor Quang Trung first began instituting massive and unprecedented national reforms in Vietnam.

Though Quang Trung entitled as "king of Annam" by Qing China, he always regarded himself as emperor of ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i ViÃ¡Â»Ât. He crowned LÃÂª NgÃ¡Â»Âc HÃÂ¢n empress, and granted her the noble title BÃ¡ÂºÂ¯c Cung hoÃÂ ng hÃ¡ÂºÂu (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥Â®Â®Ã§ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ "empress of Northern Palace"); NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang ToÃ¡ÂºÂ£n was designated as Crown Prince.

Taking the advice of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ThiÃ¡ÂºÂ¿p, Quang Trung decided to relocate the imperial capital in NghÃ¡Â»Â An Province. He ordered TrÃ¡ÂºÂ§n Quang DiÃ¡Â»Âu to build a new citadel at the foot of KÃ¡Â»Â³ LÃÂ¢n Hill (modern QuyÃ¡ÂºÂ¿t Hill in Vinh). The new citadel was named PhÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Â£ng HoÃÂ ng Trung ÃÂÃÂ´ (Ã©Â³Â³Ã¥ÂÂ°Ã¤Â¸ÂÃ©ÂÂ½).

ThÃÂng Long was renamed BÃ¡ÂºÂ¯c ThÃÂ nh (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ). SÃÂ¡n Nam (Ã¥Â±Â±Ã¥ÂÂ) split into two trÃ¡ÂºÂ¥n ("town"): SÃÂ¡n Nam ThÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Â£ng (Ã¥Â±Â±Ã¥ÂÂÃ¤Â¸Â "Upper SÃÂ¡n Nam") and SÃÂ¡n Nam HÃ¡ÂºÂ¡ (Ã¥Â±Â±Ã¥ÂÂÃ¤Â¸Â "Lower SÃÂ¡n Nam"). Each trÃ¡ÂºÂ¥n had two high officials: TrÃ¡ÂºÂ¥n-thÃ¡Â»Â§ (Ã©ÂÂ®Ã¥Â®Â "viceroy") and HiÃ¡Â»Âp-trÃ¡ÂºÂ¥n (Ã¥ÂÂÃ©ÂÂ® "deputy viceroy"). Each huyÃ¡Â»Ân ("district") had two officials: phÃÂ¢n-tri (Ã¥ÂÂÃ§ÂÂ¥), the civil official, took charge of judicial litigation; phÃÂ¢n-suÃ¡ÂºÂ¥t (Ã¥ÂÂÃ§ÂÂ), the military official, took charge of army provisions.

The official system of TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty was not mentioned in official records, but we could find several names of official positions in history records, such as tam cÃÂ´ng (Ã¤Â¸ÂÃ¥ÂÂ¬), tam thiÃ¡ÂºÂ¿u (Ã¤Â¸ÂÃ¥Â°Â), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-chÃ¡Â»Â§ng-tÃ¡Â»Â (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã¥ÂÂ¢Ã¥Â®Â°), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-tÃÂ°-ÃÂÃ¡Â»Â (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã¥ÂÂ¸Ã¥Â¾Â), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-tÃÂ°-khÃ¡ÂºÂ¥u (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã¥ÂÂ¸Ã¥Â¯Â), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-tÃÂ°-mÃÂ£ (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã¥ÂÂ¸Ã©Â¦Â¬), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-tÃÂ°-khÃÂ´ng (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã¥ÂÂ¸Ã§Â©Âº), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-tÃÂ°-cÃ¡Â»Âi (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã¥ÂÂ¸Ã¦ÂÂ), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-tÃÂ°-lÃ¡Â»Â (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã¥ÂÂ¸Ã©ÂÂ¸), ThÃÂ¡i-ÃÂºy (Ã¥Â¤ÂªÃ¥Â°Â), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-tÃ¡Â»Âng-quÃ¡ÂºÂ£n (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã§Â¸Â½Ã§Â®Â¡), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âng-lÃÂ½ (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã¨ÂÂ£Ã§ÂÂ), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-ÃÂÃÂ´-ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âc (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã©ÂÂ½Ã§ÂÂ£), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-ÃÂÃÂ´-hÃ¡Â»Â (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã©ÂÂ½Ã¨ÂÂ·), Trung-thÃÂ°-sÃ¡ÂºÂ£nh (Ã¤Â¸ÂÃ¦ÂÂ¸Ã¥Â»Â³), Trung-thÃÂ°-lÃ¡Â»Ânh (Ã¤Â¸ÂÃ¦ÂÂ¸Ã¤Â»Â¤), ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-hÃ¡Â»Âc-sÃÂ© (Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã¥ÂÂ¸Ã¥Â£Â«), HiÃ¡Â»Âp-biÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡i-hÃ¡Â»Âc-sÃÂ© (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¨Â¾Â¦Ã¥Â¤Â§Ã¥ÂÂ¸Ã¥Â£Â«), ThÃ¡Â»Â-trung ngÃ¡Â»Â±-sÃ¡Â»Â (Ã¤Â¾ÂÃ¤Â¸ÂÃ¥Â¾Â¡Ã¥ÂÂ²), LÃ¡Â»Â¥c-bÃ¡Â»Â thÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Â£ng-thÃÂ° (Ã¥ÂÂÃ©ÂÂ¨Ã¥Â°ÂÃ¦ÂÂ¸), TÃ¡ÂºÂ£-hÃ¡Â»Â¯u ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âng-nghÃ¡Â»Â (Ã¥Â·Â¦Ã¥ÂÂ³Ã¥ÂÂÃ¨ÂÂ°), TÃ¡ÂºÂ£-hÃ¡Â»Â¯u phÃ¡Â»Â¥ng-nghÃ¡Â»Â (Ã¥Â·Â¦Ã¥ÂÂ³Ã¥Â¥ÂÃ¨ÂÂ°), ThÃ¡Â»Â-lang (Ã¤Â¾ÂÃ©ÂÂ), TÃÂ°-vÃ¡Â»Â¥ (Ã¥ÂÂ¸Ã¥ÂÂ), HÃÂ n-lÃÂ¢m (Ã§Â¿Â°Ã¦ÂÂ), etc.

The system of military units: a ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¡o (Ã©ÂÂ) was composed of several cÃÂ¡ (Ã¥Â¥Â), a cÃÂ¡ was composed of several ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âi (Ã©ÂÂ). Quang Trung organized the army into five major wings: tiÃ¡Â»Ân-quÃÂ¢n ("army of the front"), hÃ¡ÂºÂu-quÃÂ¢n ("army of the rear"), trung-quÃÂ¢n ("army of the center"), tÃ¡ÂºÂ£-quÃÂ¢n ("army of the left"), hÃ¡Â»Â¯u-quÃÂ¢n ("army of the right"). TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n army was recruited by enforced conscription. Chose one in three adult males (ÃÂinh Ã¤Â¸Â), the chosen one should join the army.

Adult males of the whole country divided into three scales to pay taxes in corvÃÂ©e (sÃÂ°u dÃ¡Â»Âch) and capitation (thuÃ¡ÂºÂ¿ thÃÂ¢n): vÃ¡Â»Â cÃ¡ÂºÂp cÃÂ¡ch (Ã¦ÂÂªÃ¥ÂÂÃ¦Â Â¼), 2 to 17 years old; trÃÂ¡ng hÃ¡ÂºÂ¡ng (Ã¥Â£Â¯Ã©Â Â), 18 to 55 years old; lÃÂ£o hÃ¡ÂºÂ¡ng (Ã¨ÂÂÃ©Â Â); 56 to 60 years old; lÃÂ£o nhiÃÂªu (Ã¨ÂÂÃ©Â¥Â), over 61 years old. Different scales had different tax collection standards.

Farmers had to pay a fixed amount of grain as tax. Publicly owned farmland divided into three scales: the first scale paid 150 bÃÂ¡t (Ã©ÂÂ¢, a unit of weight) per ' (a unit of area); the second scale, 80 bÃÂ¡t per mÃ¡ÂºÂ«u; the third scale, 50 bÃÂ¡t per mÃ¡ÂºÂ«u. Privately owned farmland also divided into three scales: the first scale, 40 bÃÂ¡t per mÃ¡ÂºÂ«u; the second scale, 30 bÃÂ¡t per mÃ¡ÂºÂ«u; the third scale, 20 bÃÂ¡t per mÃ¡ÂºÂ«u.

There were also two additional taxes of farmland: tiÃ¡Â»Ân thÃ¡ÂºÂp-vÃ¡ÂºÂt (Ã©ÂÂ¢Ã¤Â»ÂÃ§ÂÂ©) and tiÃ¡Â»Ân khoÃÂ¡n-khÃ¡Â»Â (Ã©ÂÂ¢Ã¥ÂÂ¸Ã¥ÂºÂ«). Publicly owned farmland: paid 1 tiÃ¡Â»Ân (currency unit) per mÃ¡ÂºÂ«u for thÃ¡ÂºÂp-vÃ¡ÂºÂt, 50 ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âng per mÃ¡ÂºÂ«u for khoÃÂ¡n-khÃ¡Â»Â; privately owned farmland: paid 1 tiÃ¡Â»Ân per mÃ¡ÂºÂ«u for thÃ¡ÂºÂp-vÃ¡ÂºÂt, 30 ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âng per mÃ¡ÂºÂ«u for khoÃÂ¡n-khÃ¡Â»Â.

Quang Trung introduced the identity card system to govern the large population. A census was conducted during his reign. Every adult male was granted tÃÂn bÃÂ i (Ã¤Â¿Â¡Ã§ÂÂ), a wooden card on which was his name, birthplace and fingerprints. If anyone did not have the wooden card, he would be arrested and imprisoned with hard labour.

Quang Trung also replaced the traditional Chinese script with the Vietnamese chÃ¡Â»Â¯ NÃÂ´m as the official written language of the country. Examinees were ordered to write chÃ¡Â»Â¯ NÃÂ´m in imperial examination. Though this policy was criticized at that time, modern scholars stated that it had progressive significance.

A religious reform was carried out during his reign. Many small Buddhist monasteries were closed and merged into larger ones. Monks had to pass an examination, otherwise, they would be ordered to return to secular life. Quang Trung also adopted a policy of religious tolerance. His religious toleration won him the support of the growing Christian community and his campaign of the common people against the traditional elites won him the admiration of the peasant majority.

Plans to invade China

After the defeat of China, a LÃÂª prince, LÃÂª Duy ChÃ¡Â»Â (Ã©Â»ÂÃ§Â¶ÂÃ§Â¥Â), fled to TuyÃÂªn Quang and Cao BÃ¡ÂºÂ±ng. There, ChÃ¡Â»Â was supported by native chieftain NÃÂ¹ng PhÃÂºc TÃ¡ÂºÂ¥n (Ã¥ÂÂÃ§Â¦ÂÃ§Â¸Â) and HoÃÂ ng VÃÂn ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âng (Ã©Â»ÂÃ¦ÂÂÃ¦Â¡Â). ChÃ¡Â»Â devised a plan to unite Vientiane and Muang Phuan in a revolt of TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty. An army under TrÃ¡ÂºÂ§n Quang DiÃ¡Â»Âu conquered Muang Phuan and executed their chiefs. Then, the army invaded Kingdom of Vientiane; king Nanthasen fled, TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n marched west till the border of Siam. The victorious army attacked BÃ¡ÂºÂ£o LÃ¡Â»Âc, captured LÃÂª Duy ChÃ¡Â»Â, NÃÂ¹ng PhÃÂºc TÃ¡ÂºÂ¥n, HoÃÂ ng VÃÂn ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âng, and had them executed. Horses, elephants and war drums were brought to Vietnam as booty of war, then handed over to Qing China as tribute, Quang Trung did it to show power to China. Quang Trung also requested for exemption from customs duties, and established a yÃÂ¡ hÃÂ¡ng (Ã§ÂÂÃ¨Â¡Â, broker house in ancient China) in Nanning, they were both agreed by the Qianlong Emperor.

There was a territorial dispute near Sino-Vietnamese border. Vietnamese claimed this territory belonged to TuyÃÂªn Quang Province and , but was illegally occupied by native chiefdom of Guangxi in final years of LÃÂª dynasty. Quang Trung wrote a letter to Fuk'anggan, required him to return this territory. Fuk'anggan rejected, and replied the border had been delimited. Quang Trung was resentful, from then on, he began to train his soldiers and build many large warships, planning to invade Liangguang. It was said that Quang Trung looked down upon the Qianlong Emperor. He said to his ministers that if given more time to train soldiers, he was not afraid to conflict with China.

NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â was resentful, trained his army, built large warships and waited for an opportunity to take revenge on China. He also provided refuge to anti-Manchu organizations such as the Tiandihui and the White Lotus. Infamous Chinese pirates, such as Chen Tien-pao (Ã©ÂÂ³Ã¦Â·Â»Ã¤Â¿Â), Mo Kuan-fu (Ã¨ÂÂ«Ã¨Â§ÂÃ¦ÂÂ¶), Liang Wen-keng (Ã¦Â¢ÂÃ¦ÂÂÃ¥ÂºÂ), Fan Wen-tsai (Ã¦Â¨ÂÃ¦ÂÂÃ¦ÂÂ), Cheng Chi (Ã©ÂÂÃ¤Â¸Â) and Cheng I (Ã©ÂÂÃ¤Â¸Â) were granted official positions and/or noble ranks under the TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n empire. With the support of TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty, the number of Chinese pirates grew rapidly, they were able to block sea routes, and harassed the coastlines of China. The attack on China never materialized by the time that Quang Trung died in 1792.

In 1792, Quang Trung decided to invade China. There was evidence that he had the intention to conquer South China. Quang Trung attempted to seek a Chinese princess in marriage, and demanded that Liangguang should be ceded to Vietnam as dowry. He knew the Qianlong Emperor would not accept his unreasonable demand; he just wanted an excuse of war. But finally, the messager VÃÂµ ChiÃÂªu ViÃ¡Â»Ân (Ã¦ÂÂ¦Ã¦ÂÂÃ©ÂÂ ) did not set out because Quang Trung fell ill.

Final years

Quang Trung suddenly fell ill. The official records did not mention about what disease he got. Contemporary historians stated that his death was possibly due to a stroke. Legend had it that he died actually because he was punished by spirits of dead NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords whose tombs he seriously insulted.

Quang Trung called TrÃ¡ÂºÂ§n Quang DiÃ¡Â»Âu back to PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n. He set a schedule to move the capital to PhÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Â£ng HoÃÂ ng trung ÃÂÃÂ´ (present-day Vinh) together with high ministers. At this time, he got the information that NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh had captured BÃÂ¬nh ThuÃ¡ÂºÂn, BÃÂ¬nh Khang (modern Ninh HÃÂ²a) and DiÃÂªn KhÃÂ¡nh. He was depressed, and soon became critically ill. On his deathbed, Quang Trung was worried about the future of TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty. He described the Crown Prince NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang ToÃ¡ÂºÂ£n as "a clever boy but too young", described NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c as "an old man who is resigned to the present state of affairs". His will instructed that he be buried within a month; all ministers and generals should be united as one to assist the Crown Prince; and move the capital to PhÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Â£ng HoÃÂ ng trung ÃÂÃÂ´ as soon as possible. If not, one day all of them will be killed by NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh.

Quang Trung was buried on the southern bank of Perfume River. He was buried secretly; NgÃÂ´ ThÃÂ¬ NhÃ¡ÂºÂm stated that Quang Trung was buried in ÃÂan DÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng Palace (cung ÃÂiÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂan DÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng). The exact location was not clear; NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¯c XuÃÂ¢n, a culture researcher, believed that it was located at BÃÂ¬nh An Village, HuÃ¡ÂºÂ¿.

Quang Trung received temple name ThÃÂ¡i TÃ¡Â»Â (Ã¥Â¤ÂªÃ§Â¥Â) and posthumous name VÃÂ© HoÃÂ ng ÃÂÃ¡ÂºÂ¿ (Ã¦ÂÂ¦Ã§ÂÂÃ¥Â¸Â) from his successor, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang ToÃ¡ÂºÂ£n. Getting the information, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c prepared to attend his funeral, however, the road was blocked by ToÃ¡ÂºÂ£n. NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c had to return, and sent a sister to attend the funeral.

The plan to invade China was given up. NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang ToÃ¡ÂºÂ£n built a fake tomb in Linh ÃÂÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âng (Ã¨ÂÂÃ¥Â¡Â, a place in modern Thanh TrÃÂ¬ District) for him. Then ToÃ¡ÂºÂ£n reported his death to the Qianlong Emperor: "I followed my father's will, buried him in Linh ÃÂÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âng instead of his birthland because he was reluctant to leave your palace, and Linh ÃÂÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âng was nearer to your palace." The Qianlong Emperor praised Quang Trung, gave him the posthumous name Trung ThuÃ¡ÂºÂ§n (Ã¥Â¿Â Ã§Â´Â lit. "loyalty and sincerity"). He also composed a funeral oration for Quang Trung. In the oration, the Qianlong Emperor wrote: "(You have) blessed (me) and pledged loyalty (to me) in the southernmost, (so I) approved you to attend (my) imperial court; (now you) lie at rest beside the West Lake, (you are) nostalgic for (the good old days in) my palace till death." (Ã§Â¥ÂÃ©ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂÃ¦Â¥ÂµÃ¥ÂÂ¹Ã¥Â¿Â Ã§ÂÂ¹Ã§ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ¶Ã¨Â¶Â¨Ã¦ÂÂ Ã¥Â¦Â¥Ã©ÂÂÃ¨Â¥Â¿Ã¦Â¹ÂÃ¦Â²ÂÃ¤Â¸ÂÃ§ÂÂ¡Ã¥Â¿ÂÃ¦ÂÂ¼Ã¦ÂÂÃ©ÂÂ). The oration was engraved on a stone, and erected beside his fake tomb. A Chinese official was sent to Linh ÃÂÃÂ°Ã¡Â»Âng to pay condolences, and granted NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang ToÃ¡ÂºÂ£n the title An Nam quÃ¡Â»Âc vÃÂ°ÃÂ¡ng ("King of Annam").

The fall of TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty

However, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang ToÃ¡ÂºÂ£n (now crowned the Emperor CÃ¡ÂºÂ£nh ThÃ¡Â»Ânh) did not continue his father's policies. The identity card system was abolished, and the capital remained in PhÃÂº XuÃÂ¢n. High ministers and generals struggled for power, which led to the decline of his empire.

TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty was overthrown by NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh in 1802 after a ten years long war. Quang Trung's sons: NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang ToÃ¡ÂºÂ£n, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang ThÃÂ¹y, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang Duy (Ã©ÂÂ®Ã¥ÂÂÃ§Â¶Â), NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang ThiÃ¡Â»Âu (Ã©ÂÂ®Ã¥ÂÂÃ§Â´Â¹) and NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang BÃÂ n (Ã©ÂÂ®Ã¥ÂÂÃ§ÂÂ¤), were captured alive. NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Quang ThÃÂ¹y committed suicide; the others were executed by having their bodies dismembered by having five elephants pull the limbs and head (Ã¤ÂºÂÃ¨Â±Â¡Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥Â±Â). The tombs of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c and NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â were razed to the ground, their remains were dug out and crushed into ashes. The skulls of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân NhÃ¡ÂºÂ¡c, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â and HuÃ¡Â»Â's wife, were locked up in prison in perpetuity. It was said that NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â had desecrated the tombs of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân lords before, NguyÃ¡Â»Ân ÃÂnh did that to "revenge for the ancestors".

TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty was regarded as an illegal regime during NguyÃ¡Â»Ân dynasty; it was mentioned as NguÃ¡Â»Âµ TÃÂ¢y (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¨Â¥Â¿ "False TÃÂ¢y"), or TÃÂ¢y tÃ¡ÂºÂ·c (Ã¨Â¥Â¿Ã¨Â³Â "Bandit TÃÂ¢y") in NguyÃ¡Â»Ân official records to highlight the supposed illegitimacy of the dynasty.

Legacy

NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â was regarded as the national savior of Vietnam and one of the most popular figures in the country.

NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â was deified in Vietnamese culture, BÃ¡Â»Âc Temple (ChÃÂ¹a BÃ¡Â»Âc) in Hanoi was a temple to him.

NguyÃ¡Â»Ân HuÃ¡Â»Â was depicted on the South Vietnamese 200 ÃÂÃ¡Â»Âng banknote.

Most cities in Vietnam, regardless of the political orientation of the government, have named major streets after him.

In his hometown, Quang Trung Museum has been built to showcase valuable historical documents and artifacts from the Tay Son dynasty.

TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n hÃÂ o kiÃ¡Â»Ât, a Vietnamese film, was based on his story.

On 6 February 2018 the Vietnam People's Navy commissioned the Quang Trung a currently in service with the 4th Regional Command.

See also

TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n military tactics and organization

Notes

References

External links

Quang Trung

Early life

TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n rebellion

Overthrow of NguyÃ¡Â»Â n Lord

Southern campaigns

Overthrow of TrÃ¡Â»Ânh Lord

Civil war between two brothers

Northern Campaign - Ending Le Dynasty

War with Qing dynasty

Reconciliation with Qing China

Rule and reforms

Plans to invade China

Final years

The fall of TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty

Legacy

See also

Notes

References

External links

TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n rebellion

Overthrow of NguyÃ¡Â»Ân Lord

Overthrow of TrÃ¡Â»Ânh Lord

The fall of TÃÂ¢y SÃÂ¡n dynasty