Tr?n H?ng ??o (Vietnamese: [t???n h?? ?â:w?]; 1228-1300), also known as Grand Prince of H?ng ??o, was an imperial prince, statesman and military commander of ??i Vi?t during the Tr?n Dynasty.
Born Prince Tr?n Qu?c Tu?n (???), he commanded the ??i Vi?t armies that repelled three major Mongol invasions in the 13th century. His multiple victories over the Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan are considered among the greatest military feats in Vietnamese history. The Mongols and Yuan dynasty forces were successful on land, but they struggled heavily with heat and disease; in addition to these factors, inexperience at naval warfare in 1287 rendered them incapable of occupying the country for good. Furthermore, General Tr?n H?ng ??o's military prowess has been reflected in many warfare treatises that he authored.
Video Tr?n H?ng ??o
Origins
Prince Tr?n Qu?c Tu?n was born right after the Tr?n Dynasty replaced the Lý Dynasty in 1225 AD, when the last Lý monarch Lý Chiêu Hoàng abdicated the throne in favour of her husband, Tr?n Thái Tông. Many in the Lý royal family accused the Tr?n family of usurpation, and in particular, the Imperial Regent Tr?n Th? ??, who masterminded the overthrow of the Lý Dynasty.
Tr?n Qu?c Tu?n was born to Prince Tr?n Li?u, the elder brother of the new child emperor, Tr?n Thái Tông. That same year, Tr?n Li?u-- the Empress Lý Chiêu Hoàng's brother-in-law at the time-- was forced to defer his own wife (Tr?n H?ng ??o's mother) to his younger brother Emperor Thái Tông under pressure from Imperial Regent Tr?n Th? ?? to solidify Tr?n clan's dynastic stability. The brothers Tr?n Li?u and Emperor Tr?n Thái Tông harboured grudges against their uncle Tr?n Th? ?? for the forced marital arrangement.
Tr?n Qu?c Tu?n, his father Tr?n Li?u, and Emperor Tr?n Thái Tông had a very close relationship. Li?u would find great tutors to teach his son, Tr?n Qu?c Tu?n, with the hope of one day becoming a great leader of ??i Vi?t and regain his family honour. On his deathbed, Li?u told his son to avenge what he felt was personal shame forced upon him and his brother, Tr?n Thái Tông, by the Imperial Regent Tran Thu Do.
Maps Tr?n H?ng ??o
The first Mongol invasion
In 1226 AD, Tr?n Th? ?? arranged for Tran Canh to become Emperor (Queen Ly Chieu Hoang abdicated in favour of her husband, Tr?n C?nh). The Tr?n Dynasty took the place of the Ly Dynasty and Tr?n C?nh became Emperor Tr?n Thái Tông. Soon after assuming the imperial throne, the Tr?n Dynasty single-mindedly and systematically eliminated other political factions in the country and thereby further consolidated their power.
During this time, the Mongols succeeded in conquering most of Central Asia and Eastern Europe; they marched south in order to invade Dali and Song. After the Mongols wiped out Dali in 1254 AD, they sent emissaries to ??i Vi?t (North Vietnam) to demand free passage through the country for their armies who en route to attack the Song. The Tr?n Emperor, suspecting that the demand was a ruse for a Mongol invasion, refused. In 1257, the Mongols invaded ??i Vi?t, marking the first war between the two nations. According Vi?t official histories, Tr?n H?ng ??o served in that war as an officer commanding troops on the frontier. The histories did not record the extent to which Tr?n H?ng ??o influenced on the course of the war.
The Mongol general Uriyangkhadai invaded ??i Vi?t in 1257 at the head of a modest army while the main Mongol forces were invading Song China. Uriyangkhadai defeated the ??i Vi?t army at the battle of No Nguyen/Viet Tri, and won another victory during the pursuit at Phu Lo bridge. The bulk of the Vi?t army fled the imperial capital. Though Uriyangkhadai had won initial victories, his troops his troops struggled with the tropical heat and diseases endemic to the region, critical reasons for later Mongol problems in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Vi?t forces were mainly intact. In early 1258, as the Mongols had been heavily weakened by heat, diseases and lack of supplies, Emperor Tr?n Thái Tông along with Crown Prince Tr?n Ho?ng made an effective counterattack on Th?ng Long. The Mongols fled to Yunnan, suffering further casualties due to ambushes by ethnic minorities on border areas. Having successfully repelling the Mongol invasion, the ??i Vi?t Emperor sent an embassy to send tribute to the Mongols in order to avoid larger and more destructive invasions. Meanwhile, Tr?n H?ng ??o returned to his estate in Van Kiep.
The second Mongol invasion
In 1285, Kublai Khan demanded passage through ??i Vi?t for his Yuan army in order to invade of the Kingdom of Champa (in modern central Viet Nam). When the ??i Vi?t government refused, the Mongol army, led by Prince Toghan, attacked ??i Vi?t and captured the imperial capital Th?ng Long (modern day Hanoi). The Emperor Emeritus Tr?n Thánh Tông and Emperor Tr?n Nhân Tông appointed Tr?n H?ng ??o as the Commander-in-chief of the armies (Qu?c công ti?t ch? th?ng l?nh ch? quân). The prince of H?ng ??o initially built defensive lines the frontier areas, but those were rapidly broken by Toghan's armies. It was in that episode that his loyal servant, Y?t Kiêu, saved him from being nearly captured by the Mongols. Then he retreated to V?n Ki?p, where he had a discussion with Emperor Tr?n Nhân Tông. The two agreed to call 200.000 troops from north-east areas to assemble in V?n Ki?p. Here, on 11 February 1285, Viet navy under the direct commander of the emperor and the prince of H?ng ??o fought a huge battle with Toghan's fleet. The Yuan fleet suffered heavily but they managed to win the battle. Emperor Tr?n Nhân Tông and Prince of H?ng ??o eventually retreated to the imperial capital, Th?ng Long. The Yuan forces pursued to Th?ng Long and broke its defenses; however, the prince of H?ng ??o's troops kept the enemy at bay long enough for the two emperors to escaped from the city with the imperial family and the bulk of the army. The prince of H?ng ??o and other generals escorted the royal family, staying just ahead of the Mongol army in hot pursuit. The Yuan army effectively controlled most of Annam, and surrounded the remaining Dai Viet leadership on land; however the latter fled to an island. Despite their martial success, the Yuan forces struggled greatly with heat and disease. As a result, the Yuan forces again retreated to wait until colder weather. Then Viet forces, divided into field armies commanded by the two emperors; Grand Chancellor Tr?n Quang Kh?i, Grand Prince of Chiêu Minh; Tr?n Nh?t Du?t, Prince of Chiêu V?n; and Tr?n Qu?c Tu?n, Prince of H?ng ??o conducted highly effective counterattacks, killing many Yuan generals like Sogetu.
The third Mongol invasion
In 1287, Kublai Khan this time sent one of his favorite sons, Prince Toghan to lead another invasion campaign into ??i Vi?t with a determination to occupy and redeem the previous defeat. The Yuan Mongol and Chinese forces formed an even larger infantry, cavalry and naval fleet with the total strength estimated at 500,000 men according to the [need an original accounting of a source or book] original Viet history.
During the first stage of the invasion, the Mongols quickly defeated most of the ??i Vi?t troops that were stationed along the border. Prince Toghan's naval fleet devastated most of the naval force of General Tr?n Khánh D? in Vân ??n. Simultaneously, Prince Ariq-Qaya led his massive cavalry and captured Phú L??ng and ??i Than garrisons, two strategic military posts bordering ??i Vi?t and China. The cavalry later rendezvous with Prince Toghan's navy in Vân ??n. In response to the battle skirmish defeats at the hands of the Mongol forces, the Emperor Emeritus Tr?n Thánh Tông summoned General Tr?n Khánh D? to be court-martialed for military failures, but the general managed to delayed reporting to the court and was able to regrouped his forces in Vân ??n. The cavalry and fleet of Prince Toghan continued to advance into the imperial capital Th?ng Long. Meanwhile, the trailing supply fleet of Prince Toghan, arriving at Vân ??n a few days after General Tr?n Khánh D?'s had already occupied this strategic garrison, the Mongol supply fleet was ambushed and captured by General Tr?n Khánh D?'s forces. Khánh D? was then pardoned by the Emperor Emeritus. The Mongol main occupying army quickly realized their support and supply fleet has been cut off.
The capture of the Mongol supply fleet at Vân ??n along with the concurring news that General Tr?n H?ng ??o had recaptured ??i Than garrison in the north sent the fast advancing Mongol forces into chaos. The ??i Vi?t forces unleashed guerrilla warfare on the weakened Mongol forces causing heavy casualties and destructions to the Yuan forces. However, the Mongols continued advancing into Th?ng Long due to their massive cavalry strength, but by this time, the emperor decided to vacate Th?ng Long to flee and he ordered the capital to be burned down so the Mongols wouldn't collect any spoils of war. The subsequent battle skirmishes between the Mongols and ??i Vi?t had mixed results: the Mongols won and captured Yên H?ng and Long H?ng provinces, but lost in the naval battles at ??i Bàng. Eventually, Prince Toghan decided to withdraw his naval fleet and consolidated his command on land battles where he felt the Mongol's superior cavalry would defeat the ??i Vi?t infantry and cavalry forces. Toghan led the cavalry through N?i Bàng while his naval fleet commander, Omar, directly launched the naval force along the B?ch ??ng River simultaneously.
The Battle of B?ch ??ng River
The Mongol naval fleet were unaware of the river's terrain. Days before this expedition, the Prince of H?ng ??o predicted the Mongol's naval route and quickly deployed heavy unconventional traps of steel-tipped wooden stakes unseen during high tides along the B?ch ??ng River bed. When Omar ordered the Mongol fleet to retreat from the river, the Viet deployed smaller and more maneuverable vessels into agitating and luring the Mongol vessels into the riverside where the booby traps were waiting while it was still high tide. As the river tide on B?ch ??ng River receded, the Mongol vessels were stuck and sunk by the embedded steel-tipped stakes. Under the presence of the Emperor Emeritus Thánh Tông and Emperor Nhân Tông, the Viet forces led by the Prince of H?ng ??o burned down an estimated 400 large Mongol vessels and captured the remaining naval crew along the river. The entire Mongol fleet was destroyed and the Mongol fleet admiral Omar was captured.
The cavalry force of Prince Toghan was more fortunate. They were ambushed along the road through N?i Bàng, but his remaining force managed to escape back to China by dividing their forces into smaller retreating groups but most were captured or killed in skirmishes on the way back to the border frontier.
Great loyalty
Although the entire Tr?n army was under his control, he never showed any sign of defection from the Dynasty. One day, he wished to survey his trustworthy subordinates Dã T??ng and Y?t Kiêu. He brought up the promises he made with his dying father Tr?n Li?u to usurp the throne of the Tr?n dynasty. His two loyal men responded:
- "You may gain not only brief riches and luxury but also bad reputation for eternity. My Lord, have you not acquired enough riches and luxury? We would rather die as your lowly servants than live as unfaithful high rank officials."
Qu?c Tu?n was moved to tears and praised them. On another occasion, Qu?c Tu?n asked his son Tr?n Qu?c Hi?n:
- "A powerful man makes his name in history by seizing the entire country to pass it to his children, does my son have such ambition?" Tran Quoc Hien answered "Strangers should not do that, let alone people of the same bloodline."
Tran Quoc Tuan strongly agreed with his son. And one day, he asked his second child Tr?n Qu?c T?ng the same thing. Tr?n Qu?c T?ng said:
- "Emperor Gaozu of Song was a mere farmer, but he seized his opportunity and won the country for himself".
Tr?n Qu?c Tu?n was angered:
- "My own son is a rebellious subject".
He drew his sword, ready to kill Qu?c T?ng. Qu?c Hi?n begged for his brother's life. Qu?c Tu?n spared Qu?c T?ng, however ordered him to never see his father's face any more.
During the long retreat of the Viet army after heavy initial defeats in 1285, Tr?n Qu?c Tu?n often escorted Emperor Emeritus Tr?n Thánh Tông and Emperor Tr?n Nhân Tông. People glared at his pointed staff and suspected that he might desire to harm the two Emperors. Qu?c Tu?n then discarded the point and kept only the wooden staff. Historian Ngô S? Liên wrote:
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Conferring a title permission
Because he is greatly credited with having repelled three major Mongol invasions, the Emperor confers the position of Commander-in-chief of the armies on him and allows him to grant anyone titles as he wished. But Tran Quoc Tuan never used that privilege. When Yuan forces attacked ??i Vi?t, he asked rich people to provide provisions for his army but only rewarded them with nominal titles.
He recommended many men of great talents: Da Tuong, Yet Kieu, they were credited with killing Generals Omar and Sogetsu of Yuan army. Many other pillars of the Tr?n court: Ph?m Ng? Lão, Tr?n Thì Ki?n, Tr??ng Hán Siêu, Ph?m Lãm, Tr?nh D?, Ngô S? Th??ng, Nguy?n Th? Tr?c, all of them were his former subordinates. They are all well known for their excellent skill in politics as well as intellects.
Personal
Being a member of the royal family, Tr?n H?ng ??o was a man of intellect and was an accomplished poet. Poetry was his first and true passion. He would have pursued this course had not for the multiple Yuan Mongol invasion attempts into ??i Vi?t that spanned over sixty years during his lifetime.
Death
In 1300 AD, he fell ill and died of natural causes at the age of 73. His body was cremated and his ashes were dispersed under his favorite oak tree he planted in his royal family estate near Th?ng Long in accordance to his will. The Viet intended to bury him in a lavish royal mausouleum and official ceremony upon his death, but he declined in favour of a simplistic private ceremony. For his military brilliance in defending ??i Vi?t during his lifetime, The Emperor posthumously bestowed Tr?n H?ng ??o the title of "H?ng ??o ??i V??ng" (Great Lord H?ng ??o).
Family
- Father: King of Yên Sinh
- Mother: Queen of Thi?n ??o
- Consort: Queen of Nguyên T?
- Issues:
- Tr?n Qu?c Nghi?n, later King of H?ng V?
- Tr?n Qu?c Hi?n, later King of H?ng Trí
- Tr?n Qu?c T?ng, later King of H?ng Nh??ng, father of Empress Consort B?o T? of Emperor Tr?n Anh Tông
- Tr?n Qu?c Uy, later King of H?ng Hi?n
- Tr?n Th? Trinh, later Empress Consort Khâm T? B?o Thánh of Emperor Tr?n Nhân Tông
- Princess Anh Nguyên, later wife of General Ph?m Ng? Lão
Legacy
Tr?n H?ng ??o achieved his military success with an army largely constituted of poorly equipped volunteers and peasant conscripts against the mighty hordes of the Mongols who were at the apex of their power after conquering most of Asia. His strategic brilliance had contributed much to this success.
??i Vi?t's General Tr?n H?ng ??o defeated the Mongols in two major campaigns. General Tr?n H?ng ??o led an army of poorly equipped volunteers and peasant conscripts against the overstretched forces of the Mongol Empire. This, combined with losses against the Japanese in the Battle of Koan, marked the end of the apex of Mongol power. Tr?n H?ng ??o defeated them with inventive military tactics by exploiting their traditional "raiding" style of warfare which relied on lightning-strike cavalry maneuverability. He is famous for arguably pioneering the "hit and run" warfare. Tr?n H?ng ??o was a master of strategic geographical war fighting, applying advantageous landscapes to stage battles in places such as dense forests or on waterfronts where enemy cavalry were mostly ineffective.
Most notable was his speech Proclamation to the Officers, addressing his soldiers at the beginning of the Mongol Invasion in 1285.
His advice to Emperor Tr?n Anh Tôn prior to his death in 1300 served several times as reference for most of Vietnamese in the struggle for independence: "When the enemy advances roaring like fire and wind, it is easy to overcome them. If they use patience like the silkworm nibbling berry leaves without looking for a quick victory and without fleecing people, we need to have not only good generals but also an elaboration of adequate tactics like in a chess game. In any way, the army should be united, having only one heart like father and sons in a family, the people should be treated with humanity so we can guarantee deep roots and durable bases."
Name of public venues
The majority of cities and towns in Vietnam, regardless of the political orientation of the government, have central streets, wards and schools named after him.
- Hanoi's Tran Hung Dao street (previously Boulevard Gambetta during the French Indochina time) is a major road in the south of Hoan Kiem District. It links the city's First Ring Road (originally Route Circulaire) to the main hall of the Central Station. It also hosts several public venues, corporate headquarters and governmental offices, including:
- Friendship Cultural Palace (Cung v?n hóa h?u ngh? Vi?t Xô), previously Palais d'Expositions (Cung ??u x?o)
- Embassy of France (occupying an entire street block)
- Embassies of Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Qatar and Turkey
- Japan Foundation (one of the its first branches)
- 108 Military Central Hospital (previously Lanessan Hospital)
- Ministry of Finance
- Ministry of Transport
- Ministry of Science and Technology
- Vietnam Railway Authority
- National Administration of Tourism
- Hanoi Central Library
- Corporate headquarters of Vietinbank, Vietnam Prosperity Bank (VPBank), Southeast Asia Bank (SeABank), Saigon-Hanoi Bank (SHB) and Global Petroleum Bank (GPBank)
- Hai Phong's Tran Hung Dao road runs along the central park square and links the Haiphong Opera House and the C?m River.
- Da Nang's Tran Hung Dao road is a waterfront boulevard on the eastern side of the Hàn River.
- Ho Chi Minh City's Tran Hung Dao road is a thoroughfare of its Chinatown. It also hosts the headquarters of the city police and fire departments.
- A statue in Westminster, CA is dedicated to him, with the road Bolsa Avenue given an alternative name "??i L? Tr?n H?ng ??o", translating to "Tr?n H?ng ??o Boulevard".
Shrines
He is revered by the Vietnamese people as a national hero. Several shrines are dedicated to him, and even religious belief and mediumship includes belief in him as a god, ??c Thánh Tr?n (Tín ng??ng ??c Thánh Tr?n).
See also
- Tr?n Dynasty
- History of Vietnam
- Mongol invasions of Vietnam
- Proclamation to the Officers
References
Bibliography
- Taylor, K. W. (2013). A History of the Vietnamese (illustrated ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521875862. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
- Hall, Kenneth R., ed. (2008). Secondary Cities and Urban Networking in the Indian Ocean Realm, C. 1400-1800. Volume 1 of Comparative urban studies. Lexington Books. ISBN 0739128353. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
Hung Dao Resources 2015
External links
- TRAN HUNG DAO (1213-1300)
- Statue of Tr?n H?ng ??o, Vietnamese Hero, 19th-20th. C.
- (in French) Le Vietnam et la stratégie du faible au fort
- Call of Soldiers Translated and adapted by George F. Schultz
Source of article : Wikipedia
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