The struggle for independence after more than 1,000 years of Northern rule cannot be attributed solely to the Battle of Bach Dang in 938 by Ngo Quyen, but rather a long process that began with Khuc Thua Du in 905.
According to the Vietnamese History book, China in the late 9th century and early 10th century became chaotic, with peasants uprisings everywhere shaking the rule of the Tang Dynasty. The puppet government in Giao Chau (the name of Vietnam during this period) also weakened. Following major uprisings by Mai Thuc Loan, Phung Hung… local officials continuously rose up and established bases everywhere.
In the face of this situation, at the beginning of 905, Khuc Thua Du – the Lord of Hong Chau (now part of Ninh Giang district, Hai Duong province), who was “compassionate, compassionate, and respected by the people”, launched a rebellion against the Tang Dynasty, vying for control of the country.
Khuc Thua Du or Ngo Quyen?
Phase 1 of the process of gaining independence after more than 1,000 years of Northern rule for our nation is the period of the Khuc family’s government with three generations, lasting 30 years which later generations referred to as the time of the Three Khuc Lords.
That was the phase when the Khuc lords demonstrated their highest intelligence and flexibility, allowing us to establish a truly independent government, avoiding direct confrontation with the Northern ruling army.
During those 30 years, they revived the country by harnessing the power of the people and returning to the Vietnamese way of life.
Once they had accumulated enough strength and created a strong position for themselves, the Southern Han army invaded our country in the early 930s and we entered a resistance war against foreign aggression. It was no longer a local uprising to claim governance.
“By seizing power from the Northern feudal regime, Khuc Thua Du put an end to over 1,000 years of Northern feudal rule. History commemorates his contributions as one of the founders of the long-lasting independent autonomy of our country,” according to the Vietnamese History book.
After driving out all the invaders from our country, instead of proclaiming himself king or emperor like his predecessors Mai Hac De, Phung Hung, Khuc Thua Du only referred to himself as the Lord of the Frontiers (equivalent to an official, managing the entire An Nam region – present-day Vietnam). Nonetheless, Khuc Thua Du is still remembered in history and revered as “The Khuc Lord”.
The Vietnamese History book commented: “Although Khuc Thua Du was known as an official of the Tang Dynasty (Lord of the Frontiers), in reality and in essence, the government of Khuc Thua Du was an autonomous government, laying the foundation for the long-lasting independence of our country.”
In 906, the Tang Dynasty court had to formally recognize the government of Khuc Thua Du and appointed him as the Tinh Hai naval commissioner in charge of the Frontiers.
After ruling the country for a year, Khuc Thua Du passed away. His son, Khuc Hao, immediately succeeded him and kept the capital at La Thanh (now Hanoi).
To continue the task of governing the country, Khuc Hao carried out many important reforms, replacing the system of the Tang Dynasty.
Little-known facts about the Battle of Bach Dang
The strategist
The plan of planting sharp stakes in the river, making the enemy fleet look defeated then luring the Southern Han army into the sharp stakes area, was a brilliant plan. The book Ngoc Pha Xa Luong Xam (now located in Nam Hai ward, Hai An district, Hai Phong city), also known as “Ngoc Pha Ve Tien Ngo Vuong Thien Tu” recorded:
When Ngo Quyen and his generals discussed strategies, Ngo Xuong Ngap proposed a plan: “The enemy has the advantage in naval battles, and if we are unprepared, the outcome is uncertain. I request that the King install stakes on both sides of the sea entrance, and when the tide rises, send out people to lightly engage in combat with the enemy fleet, pretending to be defeated and fleeing, leading the Hoang Thao troops to collapse like tiles.” Ngo Quyen deemed this plan as good and decided to implement it.
According to this account, Ngo Xuong Ngap, the eldest son of Ngo Quyen, came up with the plan to defeat the Southern Han army.
The strategist in selecting the battlefield
The person who proposed the decisive battle on Bach Dang River was Kieu Cong Han, the son of Kieu Cong Chuan, and the grandson of Kieu Cong Tien.
When Kieu Cong Tien committed a rebellious act of killing Duong Dinh Nghe and sought asylum with the Southern Han army, Kieu Cong Chuan tried to stop his father but was unsuccessful. Worried about the country, Kieu Cong Chuan wrote a letter explicitly detailing his father’s act of seeking asylum with the Southern Han, then handed the letter to his son, Kieu Cong Han, to bring to Ai Chau (present-day Thanh Hoa) and deliver it directly to Ngo Quyen.
Kieu Cong Han proposed that: “If they come to our country, they will surely advance by sea, passing through Bach Dang River into Dai La (the old name of Thang Long – present-day Hanoi). We should set up a battle formation and attack them as soon as they enter the mouth of Bach Dang River.”
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