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Stakes in Bach Dang River that impaled Mongol ships
Tran Hung Dao's Proclamation
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Tran Hung Dao's Proclamation To His Officers
Translated and adapted by George F. Schultz Chén
Xìngdào Wéngào
I have often read the story of Ky Tin who replaced the
Emperor Cao to save him from death, of Do Vu who took
a blow in his back to spare King Chieu, of Du Nhuong
who swallowed burning charcoal to avenge his leader, of
Than Khoai who cut off an arm to save his country, of
young Kinh Duc who rescued the Emperor Thai Tong
besieged by The Sung, and of Cao Khanh, a subject living
far from the Court, who insulted the rebel Loc Son to his
face. Every century has produced heroes who have sacrificed
their lives for their country. If they had remained at home
to die by the fire, would their names have been inscribed on
bamboo and silk to live eternally in Heaven and on the
Earth?But as descendants of warrior families, you are not
well-versed in letters; on hearing about these deeds of the
past, you may have some doubts.
Let us speak of them no more. I shall tell you instead of
several more recent events that have taken place during the
years of the Tong and Nguyen dynasties.Who was Vuong
Cong Kien? And who was his lieutenant Nguyen Van Lap?
They were the ones who defended the great citadel of Dieu
Ngu against Mong Kha's immense army; Therefore, the Tong
people will be eternally grateful to them.Who was Cot-Ngai
Ngot-Lang? And who was his lieutenant Xich Tu Tu? They
were the ones who drove deep into an unhealthful country in
order to put down the Nam-Chieu bandits and they did it
within the space of a few weeks; therefore, their names have
remained rooted in the minds of the Mongol military chieftains.
You and I were born in a period of troubles and have grown
up at a time when the Fatherland is in danger. We have seen
the enemy ambassadors haughtily traveling over our roads and
wagging their owlish tongues to insult the Court. Despicable as
dogs and goats, they boldly humiliate our high officials. Supported
by the Mongol emperor, they incessantly demand the payment
of pearls, silks, gold and silver. Our wealth is limited but their
cupidity is infinite. To yield to their exactions would be to feed
their insatiable appetites and would set a dangerous precedent
for the future.
In the face of these dangers to the Fatherland, I fail to eat during
the day and to sleep at night. Tears roll down my cheeks and my
heart bleeds as if it were being cut to shreds. I tremble with
anger because I cannot eat our enemy's flesh, lie down in his skin,
chew up his liver, and drink his blood. I would gladly surrender
my life a thousand times on the field of battle if I could do these
things.
You have served in the army under my orders for a long time.
When you needed clothing, I clothed you; when you lacked rice,
I fed you; when your rank was too low, I promoted you; when
your pay was insufficient, I increased it. If you had to travel by
water, I supplied you with vessels; if you had to travel by land,
I supplied you with horses. In time of war, we shared the same
dangers; at the banquet table our laughter resounded in unison.
Indeed, even Cong-Kien and Ngot-Lang did not show more
solicitude for their officers than I have displayed for you.
And now, you remain calm when your emperor is humiliated;
you remain indifferent when your country is threatened! You,
officers, are forced to serve the barbarians and you feel no shame!
You hear the music played for their ambassadors and you do not
leap up in anger. No, you amuse yourselves at the cockfights, in
gambling, in the possession of your gardens and rice fields, and
in the tranquility of family life. The exploitation of your personal
affairs makes you forget your duties to the State; the distractions
of the fields and of the hunt make you neglect military exercises;
you are seduced by liquor and music.
If the enemy comes, will your cocks' spurs be able to pierce his
armor? Will the ruses you use in your games of chance be of use
in repulsing him? Will the love of your wives and children be of
any use in the Army? Your money would neither suffice to buy
the enemy's death, your alcohol to besot him, nor your music to
deafen him.
All of us, you and I together, would then be taken prisoner. What
grief! And not only would I lose my fief, but your property too
would fall into enemy hands. It would not be my family alone that
would be driven out, but your wives and children would also be
reduced to slavery. It would not be only the graves of my ancestors
that would be trampled under the invader's heel, but those of your
ancestors would also be violated. I would be humiliated in this life
and in a hundred others to come, and my name would be
ignominiously tarnished. Your family's honor would also be sullied
forever with the shame of your defeat.
Tell me: Could you then indulge yourselves in pleasures?I say to you
in all frankness: Take care as if you were piling wood by the fire or
about to imbibe a hot liquid. Exercise your soldiers in the skills of
archery until they are the equals of Bang Mong and Hau Nghe, those
famous archers of olden times. Then we will display Tat-Liet's head
at the gates of the Imperial Palace and send the King of Yunnan to
the gallows.
After that, not only my fief will be safe forever, but your privileges
too will be assured for the future. Not only my family will enjoy
the comforts of life, but you too will be able to spend your old age
with your wives and children. Not only the memory of my ancestors
will be venerated from generation to generation, but yours too will be
worshipped in the spring and autumn of every year. Not only will I
have accomplished my aspirations in this life, but your fame too will
endure for a hundred centuries to come. Not only will my name be
immortalized, but yours too will find a place in our nation's history.
At that moment, would you not be perfectly happy even if you did
not expect to be?
I have studied every military treatise in order to write my manual
entitled "Principles of Military Strategy". If you will make an effort
to study it conscientiously, to instruct yourselves in its teachings, and
to follow my directions, you will become my true companions-in-arms.
On the other hand, if you fail to study it and ignore my advice, you
will become my enemies. Why? Because the Mongols are our mortal
enemies; we cannot live under the same sky with them. If you refuse
to fight the Mongols in order to wash away the national shame, if you
do not train your soldiers to drive out these barbarians, it would be to
surrender to them. If that is what you want, your names will be
dishonored forever. And when the enemy has finally been defeated,
how will you be able to hold your head high between Heaven and
Earth. The purpose of this proclamation is to let you know my deepest
thoughts.
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Chén Xìngdào Wéngào
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