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Câu Lạc Bộ
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Please click here if you cannot
read the Vietnamese characters
on this website - Xin nhan day neu
Qui Vi khong doc duoc chu Viet
tren trang nay
read the Vietnamese characters
on this website - Xin nhan day neu
Qui Vi khong doc duoc chu Viet
tren trang nay
The Vietnamese Historical and Cultural Performing Arts Foundation
PO Box 1571 - Westminster, CA 92684-1517 - (949) 786-6840
PO Box 1571 - Westminster, CA 92684-1517 - (949) 786-6840
| ©2003 Hùng Sử Việt |
Introduction
Indomitable, a distinctive series of a dozen short poetry dramas, grafted onto the richness
of Viet Nam anti-invasion legends and factoids, to commemorate the heroically resolute and
indomitable spirit of Viet people over the millennia. The plays were selected for their
historical contents as well as ease in stage preparation and production.
Play 1, “The Road to Me Linh”. Dreams Sanctified (Me Linh) Township in Crossed Toes
District (Giao Chi Quan) was the base of operations of the heroines Trung Sisters—Elder
Trung (Trung Trac) and Lesser Trung (Trung Nhi). In AD 40, after the Chinese Han
occupying army had killed Elder’s husband, the Sisters led a successful uprising to reclaim
the country.
The Road to Dreams Sanctified portrays a sorrowful but inspiring allegory. The year was AD
40. The family of Golden Heart Warrior (Hoang Tam Trang Si)--himself, his wife Lady Orchid
(Lan Nuong) and his mother the Matriarch (Lao Ba) lived in a fishermen’s commune along
the Singing River (Hat Giang). One day, Han marauders attacked their village.
The villagers escaped across the river and joined the Trung Sisters’ fledging insurgency.
Since the Matriarch was ill with old age, by the time the family arrived at the river, there was
hardly anything left afloat except a tiny two-person boat abandoned by the escaped
villagers. Orchid and Golden Heart expressed their love for each other in his and her
willingness to stay behind to block the Han gang while the other to take the Matriarch to
safety.
The elder lady ordered the couple to be on their knees, admonished their failure to emulate
the Trung Sisters in placing the collective greatness of the nation above individual suffering,
and it was their duty to save their able bodies to assist the Sisters to liberate the country and
avenge for the death of Elder Trung’s husband. Emphatically and suddenly the Matriarch
produced a hidden knife and stabbed herself to death.
Farewell, beloved Mother, forever rest in peace
We now join the Trung Sisters according to your wish
Defeat the enemy, then returning home to pray for your soul
Purpose: The Road to Dreams Sanctified exemplifies the patriotism and the resolute
dedication of Viet people driven to defeat invaders.
Play 2, The Fires Engulfing the Linked Fortresses, recounts the successful uprising
spearheaded by the Trung Sisters during AD 40-43, starting with their conquest of the
Linked Fortresses (Lien Lau), headquarters of Chinese Han governor To Dinh.
One day while directing troops in maneuvers, the Trung Sisters received a secret agent,
Lady Indigo (Nang Tia), who brought news of To Dinh’s plan to mobilize the Han army for an
imminent attack. Elder Trung urged her husband Poetic Tome (Thi Sach) to declare the
start of the uprising when there was still sufficient time.
The next day, while Tome traveled to the Front District (Dien Chau) in preparation for the
proclamation of independence, he was captured in an ambush. Upon receiving the dreadful
news, the Sisters commanded Viet troops to lay siege to the Linked Fortresses. To Dinh
demanded the Sisters to surrender to save Tome who, when allowed to meet the Sisters,
urged his beloved wife and his sister-in-law concern not for his welfare but do concentrate
their energy to the noble task at hand. Elder Trung solemnly conducted the pre-
posthumous commemoration for Tome, then ordered Viet troops to storm the fortresses.
Most Han troops were killed.
To Dinh escaped in humiliation. The fires that engulfed the Linked Fortresses not only
destroyed the seat of power of the occupying army, they also spread out across Viet land,
by then consisting of four districts: Crossed Toes (Giao Chi), Ninth Truth (Cuu Chan),
Southern Sun (Nhat Nam) and Déja-vu Township (Hop Pho) and sixty-five other military
outposts. Historians later placed great significance on the Trung Sisters’ achievement, albeit
in 3 ephemeral years, for the first time a nascent but independent country was established
for the Content Viet (Lac Viet) people.
Swords sparkling in the chilly moonlight
Winds howling with sorrow and vengeance for
Families destroyed, nation enslaved
Screaming the solemn oath under these swords the trespassers slain
Purpose: The Fires Engulfing the Linked Fortresses commemorates the heroine Trung
Sisters who pioneered the fervent independent spirit of Viet people at the beginning of the
first century, who brought respect to the indomitable and freedom loving Viet people, and to
Viet women by being the first women heads of state in world history.
Play 3, Trampling the Furious Waves, depicts the AD 248 rebellion in Ninth Truth District,
lead by the heroine Trieu Lady the Fidelity (Trieu Thi Trinh) and her brother Trieu the
National Acclaim (Trieu Quoc Dat), against the East Wu Chinese rulers.
In this play, Fidelity Lady rescued a group of Content Viet who had been conscripted into
forced labor by the East Wu rulers. Subsequently, East Wu troops commanded by General
Horsehead Primate (Ma Hau) raided Acclaim’s house one day when Acclaim’s wife was
home, tortured the households and robbed them of jewelries and gold. Acclaim’s wife
accepted Primate‘s promise of rewards and agreed to help capture Fidelity by spiking her
drinks with incapacitating potions. As if it were the expected fate for the greedy, while
preparing the toxic potion, the woman was fatally wounded by her own knife.
Acclaim and Fidelity blamed the tragic death of Acclaim’s wife to Primate, abandoned the
shattered family and took to the nearby mountains to start the rebellion. Their troops took
control of the Ninth Truth District. But not long afterwards, Acclaim succumbed to diseases
leaving Fidelity alone to carry on the struggle until her death at a young age of 23.
Throughout her heroic life, Fidelity would not fit the normal mold for a lady. She once told
Acclaim that she would “rather ride the hurricane winds, trample the furious waves, catch the
whale shark in the East Sea, clear the land of invaders, or deliver the people from sufferings
than be a typical young lady dreaming of being a concubine slavering after a mandarin”.
Never my head
would bow to the despicable East Wu piracy
Just as Freedom and Liberty
would never be secondary to shame and slavery
Purpose: Trampling the Furious Wave is a tribute to another trailblazing heroine in the
early annals of the Viet nation, the fiercely indomitable Trieu Lady the Fidelity who, in the
third century, led a short but ferocious rebellion against the Chinese East Wu occupying
forces that sowed long lasting fears and respect in the ranks of the invaders.
Play 4, Noble Legitimacy of the Golden Overcoat, recounts the background events
leading to the controversial transition from the Dinh Dynasty to the Anterior Le Dynasty.
After an eunuch, Do the Assassin (Do Thich) had killed both Emperor Dinh the First (Dinh
Tien Hoang) and son, Dinh the South Viet King (Dinh Lien, Nam Viet Vuong), Empress
Duong the Nebular Swan (Duong Van Nga) reigned in the powers since King Dinh the
Acumen (Dinh Tue) was still a six years old child. She then ceded the throne, in a bloodless
coup by marriage to Ten Armies Commanding General Le the Reciprocal (Thap Dao Tuong
Quan Le Hoan), when the Chinese army of the Sung Dynasty invaded the Great Grand Viet
Land (Dai Co Viet). Le the Reciprocal defeated the invaders and subsequently established
the Anterior Le Dynasty.
The play begins with the scene in which Empress Nebular Swan along with the Viet National
Great Reverend (Quoc Viet Dai Su) offering burned incense and reciting prayers for the
spirits of the late emperor and his son the king. The senior monk recalled to the empress a
vision comprehended from God that after Do the Assassin killed Emperor Dinh and King
Dinh, a person having the surname Le will succeed and become a great king.
The eldest official of the Duong royal family, Duong the Confronter (Duong Chap) arrived to
question the empress of her illicit intimacy with General Le; this untoward conduct should be
a just cause for Le’s dismissal. Then General Le arrived on the scene to deliver urgent
news that the Sung army had invaded. Defending the nation should now be the top priority,
the empress decided; since King Acumen was ineffective, Le would be critically needed to
lead the army.
Simultaneously, more distressed news poured in. First, the opportunistic courtiers Nguyen
the Emphatic (Nguyen Bac) and Dinh the Farmer (Dinh Dien) had spirited King Acumen
away to Love District (Ai Chau) to start a rebellion. Then, from the inner sanctum of the
royal family, Queen Exquisite (Kieu Hoang Hau) collaborated with the royal court prophet
who was a secret agent for the Sung, planning subversive actions to assist the invaders.
The empress arrested the prophet, and forced the queen to commit suicide or else being
ostracized to servant quarters.
General Le, in the meantime, proved his worth by capturing and beheading the rebellious
courtiers, and by organizing the army to face the Sung invaders. Before leading the troops
to the front, General Pham the Defending Quotient (Pham Cu Luong) exhorted the ranks
and files to unite behind the Ten Armies Commanding General Le the Reciprocal and
support his ascendance to the throne. King Ding the Acumen as a child could not fulfill
duties of a commander in chief, particularly in recognizing individual sacrifice and battlefield
contribution of officers and soldiers when metering out rewards after the final victory against
the invaders.
Empress Nebular Swan gave consent to the abdication, symbolically draped the golden
monarch overcoat on Le the Reciprocal’s shoulders, who then proclaimed himself Emperor
Le the Great Travails (Le Dai Hanh), establishing a new era in Viet history, the Anterior Le
Dynasty.
Am afraid not of losing my face but losing my country!
As a private matter, personal honor matters little to the public interest
When independence has been lost, what would the public interest be?
Purpose: Noble Legitimacy of the Golden Coat commemorates the great deeds of Ten
Armies Commanding General Le the Reciprocal, a valiant patriot who, in the 10th century,
directed the counter offensive to defeat the invading Sung army.
The play represents praises to Empress Duong the Nebular Swan whose altruism, sagacity,
savoir-faire and prudence helped keep the royal court united in gravely trying times. Her
courageous actions were deemed necessary, like all good mothers would, to save the life of
her child King, and more importantly to the nation, to continue the effective central
governance in the face of armed invasion, a national emergency of the worst kind.
Play 5, Indomitable, depicts the capture at Celestial Place (Thien Truong) province, and
subsequent interrogation of Viet General Tran the Equality in Gravity (Tran Binh Trong) by
Mongol Prince Thoat Hoan, the Dominating King of the South (Tran Nam Vuong).
Dominating King enticed Equality that if defect, Tran would be made ruler of a Mongol
kingdom, to which the Equality in Gravity emphatically rejected: “I rather die a thousand
times and be a Viet devil in the South than live once a Mongol king in the North!”
At that time, Mongol Princess Blossom Painting (Hoa Tranh) arrived for a visit. Dominating
King took advantage of his sister’s innocence and beauty, tasking Blossom to lure Gravity.
The outcome was totally unexpected. The princess first respected then fell in love with the
indomitable Viet general who rather die than betraying his beloved people. In the end,
Dominating King failed in his scheme, Blossom retuned to China with a benumbed heart.
Equality in Gravity was beheaded but his legendary patriotism and indomitable spirit had
inspired and helped Viet people to drive the Mongols out of Viet land.
Hear this, invaders, you surely forgot?
Our spines are as straight as ramrods
Our knees never quiver, facing enemy
Viet spines and knees would bend not
Pity the invaders harboring farfetched imagination
Salivating after capitulation from this Viet soldier
For illicit fame or fortunes would never satisfy
This heart and those of other Southern patriots
Listen, invaders! Sooner than later the intrepid Viet
Would purge your types off Viet Land!
When I die, there still be countless others standing tall
Raging like fires across Southern sky vengeance falls
Invaders, vain attempts with cruelty and brute force
Could never suppress Viet nationalists at all
Purpose: Indomitable is a tribute to General Tran the Equality in Gravity who would rather
die as a Viet person than be a Mongol king.
Play 6, Petition for the Beheading of Seven, portrays the unfathomable courage of Chu
the Tranquility (Chu Van An), Headmaster of the National Academy for Royal Progeny (Quoc
Tu Giam). Chu, disregarded his own safety, pleaded with the emperor to decree capital
punishment to seven corrupted courtiers whose actions were deemed threats to national
security.
The play starts with a scene of the royal court presided by the emperor. Chu submitted his
petition. Prior to doing so, Chu requested help from Prime Minister Tran the New Year (Tran
Nguyen Dan) and Princess Notion of Fidelity (Y Trinh) to bring a wooden casket to the
meeting. Instead of killing the defendants who all were powerful and high-ranking courtiers,
the emperor for political and survival reasons might well kill the accuser. The emperor
dismissed the petition and unexpectedly offered to accept Chu’s resignation. Chu the
Tranquility was to live out his days at his original village in the Absolutely Sacred (Chi Linh)
mountain in Ocean (Hai Duong) province.
Petition to behead seven! Behead all seven!
Thunders struck across the blue sky reverberating through the generations
Of dire warnings to bribed and corrupted public servants
Whose abusive, illicit and dishonest actions must desist!
Purpose: Petition for Beheading of Seven venerates the courage of the Headmaster of the
National Academy for Royal Progeny, Chu the Tranquility.
Play 7, Returning the Mandarin Attire, describes the then contemporary popular
sentiment to the Petition for Beheading Seven.
In the opening scene, Mrs. Blade, the wife of the executioner, was frantically looking for her
husband. At the Academy, she ran into a teacher who taught social conducts and civics and
Truong the Student (Truong Sinh) who informed her of Headmaster Chu’s petition for the
beheading of seven corrupted courtiers. The news worried Mrs. Blade, for her husband was
an obstinate person and definitely not a typical hatchet man.
Mr. Blade would have no misgivings killing criminals such as the seven defendants, but he
would not touch an innocent person. In the probable case Master Chu failed to convince the
king, that would be an automatic death sentence for Master Chu himself; that would also
mean Mr. Blade would have died first for being found in contempt of a royal decree.
In the next scene, Master Chu exited from the royal court along with the senior mandarin-in-
charge of anti-corruption, who was ironically one of the defendants, and Mr. Blade. Chu
announced to the public that his petition had failed. The crowd loudly demanded the names
of the corrupted seven so that public justice could still be served. Chu declined, only cited
the charges that would have merited the capital punishment.
Chu then removed his mandarin hat and robe, left them on the citadel walls, then pleasantly
started walking on his long march toward the Absolutely Sacred mountain region. Chu the
Tranquility discovered contentment in being relieved of all duties. He had fulfilled obligations
of a righteous scholar and virtuous philosopher:
(not in any particular order)
Egress (Xuat): exit private life to enter public services upon higher calling
Reside (Xu): lead a harmonious private life awaiting opportunities
Implement (Hanh): leave personal influence on society (a form of active Egress)
Conceal (Tang): withdraw from public life upon mission accomplished or impasse (a form of
active Reside)
In priceless youthful years one should refrain from
Immersing in greed and instant but shallow gratification thus
Forfeiting priceless teachings in ancestry historical accounts that
“Thou shall have duties in the rise or fall of thy nation” for
How could one ignore such timeless wisdom and sagacity? Hence
Viet nation awaiting servants and saviors
Purpose: Returning the Mandarin Attire exemplifies the proper conduct and civility of
scholars and philosophers in accordance to timeless Confucius teaching, particularly to
entice introspective contemplation by members of the younger Viet population worldwide. An
analogy could be found in modern history, the late President Kennedy famously said in his
inaugural speech, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for
your country”.
Play 8, Sharpening a Sword under a Full Moon, describes the emotion coursing through
the mind of General Dang the Generosity (Dang Dung) at a desperate juncture during the
drawn out resistance led by King Tran the Precious Augment (Tran Qui Khoach) against the
occupying Ming army.
In the first scene, General Dang was attentively sharpening his sword. As silver moonlight
cascading around him, one could hear his sighs and self-parody uttering in the stillness of
the night. An elderly woodcutter appeared, seeking permission to join the resistance.
Legend had it, the woodcutter was actually an angel materialized from the moonlight, to offer
comforting thoughts and encouragement to help General Dang restored his confidence of
and belief in the eventual victory.
The next scene, King Tran arrived to inspect the base. General Dang requested a royal
decree to dispatch troops to ambush enemy naval vessels, to capture Ming Commanding
General Truong the Deputy (Truong Phu). This daring surgical strike was an analogy to a
scheme conceived by Kinh Kha, an ancient swordsmanship expert, who while sharpening his
sword came up with a daring plot (that failed) to assassinate Mongol Empire Founding
Emperor Genghis Khan. King Tran hosted a banquet to bestow speedy success to the
departing officers and troops. Together they recited the oath pledging commitment to total
success of reclaiming every inch of national territory.
Shoulders sagging under unfulfilled deeds
Youthful spirit a pre-matured body meets
Lost national honor has yet been avenged
How much more sharpened would a sword need?
Purpose: Sharpening a Sword under the Full Moon commemorates General Dang the
Generosity and the extent Dang family whose esteemed members had paid great sacrifice in
the fighting for Independence for Grand Viet.
The play is also a tribute to untold patriots of the Posterior Le Dynasty in the early fifteenth
century.
Play 9, The Southern Gate Pass, illustrates the sorrowful but intrepid atmosphere when
Nguyen the Knowledgeable (Nguyen Trai) bid tearful farewell to his elderly father Nguyen the
Soaring Gentleman (Nguyen Phi Khanh) who had been captured by Ming troops, being led
through the border at the Southern Gate Pass (Ai Nam Quan) on the long journey to inner
China.
The elder Nguyen solemnly comforted his son who was sobering uncontrollably, knowing with
certainty that they were seeing each other alive for the last time. Knowledgeable was
reminded to refrain from shedding useless tears but conserve energy into ways to rid the
country of invading enemies; and that would be the only possible revenge for his father and
more importantly, for restoring dignity to Viet the indomitable people.
Nguyen the Knowledgeable later joined the national resistance movement led by King of
Harmonious Pacification Le the Benefactor (Binh Dinh Vuong Le Loi); helped King Le to
eradicate the Ming army, reestablished sovereignty and territorial integrity to Viet land.
Be strong! Stop crying!
Nation had been lost, surely untold families destroyed
Farewells ubiquitously bid everywhere not just us
Wipe your tears, shed them not for this old father
Tears induce no fear in the enemy
Pleading never diminishes their cruelty
Son, collect yourself and depart! Go!
Avenge for me, restore honor to the nation!
Hesitate not; rid tyranny off rivers and mountains
Purpose: The Southern Gate Pass narrates the tragic and sorrowful personal accounts of
the great scholar Nguyen the Knowledgeable. From this background his later achievements
were even more illustrious.
Play 10, Illuminating Righteousness, portrays the historic and epic liberation of the
Ascending Dragon capital citadel (Thang Long Thanh) from the Qing army by King Nguyen
the Bequest (Nguyen Hue) in the context of interpersonal interactions within the family of a
senior mandarin of the Le Dynasty.
By the late 1700, the last emperor of the Posterior Le Dynasty, Le the Persuasion Universal
(Le Chieu Thong) was powerless to keep Lord Trinh in the North from fighting with Lord
Nguyen in the South in a destructive fratricidal warfare. Nguyen the Bequest, commanded a
people army from the West Mountains (Tay Son), defeated first Lord Nguyen then Lord
Trinh. Emperor Le escaped to China seeking help to restore power. Seizing this pretext,
Qing Manchu Emperor dispatched an invading army of 200,000 troops.
The first scene opens onto the Fifth Day of the New Year of the Rooster (AD 1789) at the Le
senior mandarin household. Young lady Le and Tina Chrysanthemum (Cuc Nhi) anxiously
awaiting Le Senior the General returning from the royal court. Suddenly usher Little Boy
(Tieu Dong) bursting in, announced that the West Mountains troops, seemingly appearing
from nowhere, were surrounding and decimating the Chinese Qing troops.
While the household was buzzing with news and commotion, Senior Le General returned,
urging his daughter quickly gather personal belongings so that the family could accompany
Emperor Le to China. Young lady Le was hesitant, wanting to stay in hope to unite with her
husband, Trinh the Young Warrior (Trinh Trang Si) who was an officer serving in the West
Mountains army. Father and daughter argued about the true meaning of ‘loyalty’, and the
comparative gravity of being loyal to emperor versus to husband. Impatiently and angrily,
Senior Le unsheathed his sword and almost killed his daughter for her seemingly disrespect
to the emperor and the royal court.
Then came news of total destruction of the Qing armies in rapid succession. From nearby
districts such as Recurring River (Ha Hoi) and Returning Jade (Ngoc Hoi). From Banyan
Heights (Go Dong Da) with bodies of dead soldiers stacking like small hills. Then the
Supporting (Phu) Bridge collapsed, bodies of dead Qing troops choking the river.
Senior Le was so despondent, wanted to commit suicide, but suddenly Trinh the Young
Warrior appeared in time with a group of West Mountains troops, stopped Senior Le’s
desperate act. Thanks to the son-in-law’s explanation, Senior Le understood the brilliant
righteousness in the conduct of Nguyen Emperor the Central Luminosity (Quang Trung) in
routing the invaders; he no longer wanted to blindly follow Le the Persuasive Universal to
China. The united family gathered in front of the ancestry altar and prayed for the return of
a peaceful spring to Viet land.
At the nation and its people true loyalty should be placed
Placed not at the unpopular puppet king
Your daughter would spare no respect to purported royalty
Who sell their souls to foreigners
Who read volumes
but comprehend not the teachings in cultural masterpieces
Who practice inhuman acts
worshiping despicable invaders
harboring petty personal vendettas
raiding the nation treasury
Magnanimously not in their ivory towers, uncaring for the weak and the hungry
…. Irrefutably, dynasties come and go but the People are forever!
(instead, we should trust)
The King who possessed vision to pacify the northern territory
Whom the Public bequeaths, the Almighty bestows
The noble task of liberating the People and the Land
His sword destroys tyranny, shimmering in righteousness luminosity!
Purpose: Illuminating Righteousness pays tribute to the humble hero from the West
Mountains who rose to prominence as Emperor Nguyen the Bequest, the Central Luminosity,
whose legendary exploits included unifying the country after destroying Siam invaders and
Lord Nguyen in the South, Lord Trinh in the North. Then most famously, led a lightning
quick campaign to defeat 200,000 Ming invaders brought home by the deposed Le emperor
(who was a nephew of Jade of Joy).
Play 11, The Queen Angel, allows a rare insight of the personality of Princess Le the Jade
of Joy (Ngoc Han) who was Queen to Emperor Nguyen the Central Luminosity (Quang Trung)
A note on a Viet folk tradition. Betel leaves (from a vine) and nuts (fruits of a palm) are
symbols of matrimony. The two are inseparable, since the leaf and the nut must be chewed
together to produce the mild stimulant effect, to ease the atmosphere at social meetings.
The play opens to a scene in the Royal Garden, with Princess Jade of Joy, later after her
marriage was also known as the Queen Angel, was immersing herself in painting. Suddenly
her younger sister Princess Jade of Peace (Ngoc Binh) appeared, announcing the arrival at
the royal palace of a delegation offering betel leaves and nuts and requesting marriage.
While the sisters excitedly wondered about the prince’s identity and to whom the marriage
proposal would be directed, the empress entered the scene to provide the answer, it was
Commanding General Nguyen the Bequest (Nguyen Hue) seeking permission to marry
Princess Jade of Joy!
From that day, the princess brought joy and happiness to Bequest’s mansion. One day,
Jade of Peace came to deliver the sorrowful news, Father Emperor Le the Erudite (Le Hien
Tong) had passed away. Jade of Joy cried out then fainted. Her military attaché General
Singularity Loyal (Nhat Trung) and the chambermaid Delicate Dews (Nhu Suong) assisted
her. Nguyen the Bequest arrived, comforted Jade of Joy and promised to hold a national
memorial service for the emperor.
Jade of Joy had nurtured a grand vision, that one day peace would descend over a united
Viet land which would then be expanded northwards…Later, her vision seemingly turned into
reality when Viet people victoriously rejoiced in the Spring of the Year of the Rooster (1789)
when Nguyen the Bequest defeated the Qing army. Bequest then ascended to the throne,
proclaimed himself Nguyen the Bequest, Emperor of Central Luminosity (Quang Trung).
Princess Jade of Joy became the Queen Angel.
Father, although Emperor, but powerless(*)
Who maintains his honor and not chases after fortunes
Princes and princess share hunger and poverty with the populace
This humble princess has been blessed to gain your eyes by fate
For a drop of rain or a speck of jade falling through the winds
Toward the ground landing on who knows, a castle or a shack
(*) usurped by Lord Trinh
My beloved Highness, I wish to share with thy every bitter and sweet moment living
In a strong nation of a prosperous people
Such an aspiration shared by all in Great Viet
Purpose: The Queen Angel has a two-fold purpose. To exemplify Queen Angel’s
character: loyal, respectful and lovingly dedicated to Emperor Central Luminosity. Once
established that esteemed personality, the play would serve to dispute the theory that
Princess Jade of Joy the Queen Angel suffered an ignominious fate after Emperor Central
Luminosity’s early demise.
Without a worthy successor, the West Mountain army was defeated in 1802 by Prince
Nguyen the Fortunate Light (Nguyen Phuc Anh), the surviving prince of Lord Nguyen, with
massive French help, who then ascended to the throne as Nguyen Emperor Gia Long.
According to the theory, the new Nguyen emperor captured Queen Angel and forced her to
be his concubine.
Play 12, Ultimately Faithful to the Citadel, narrates the final saga of Royal Inspector
General Phan the Elegant Simplicity (Kinh Luoc Su Phan Thanh Gian) who was chief
executive officer of the Longevity Dragon (Vinh Long) Province. French troops mounted a
siege, pounded the citadel with heavy fire. Senior Phan recognized the futility of defending
the non defensible, to avoid further civilian casualties, gave order to abandon the fortress
then drank a toxic potion to die with dignity, to deny the enemy the pleasure of capturing him
alive.
In the first scene, one early morning, hiding in thick banks of fog, French naval vessels,
brandishing guns, advanced on the river to the citadel perimeter walls in all directions.
Senior Phan and the District Military Commander wanted to wait for the enemy to enter the
compound. Since Viet troops did not have modern weapons, they could only hope for hand-
to-hand combat at close range. The French would not fall for the trap, only fired their
cannons from the safety of their ships.
Senior Phan ordered Phan young lady, his daughter, to organize an evacuation, at the same
time requested the French for a ceasefire to evacuate non-combatant civilians. The French
rejected the request; only allowed Viet army deserters to leave to further weaken the Viet
defense. At that point, Senior Phan suffered a mild cardiac arrhythmia, clutching his chest in
grave discomfort. Junior Phan, an officer, received the ceasefire order, mistook it for a
surrender order; abandoned his command post to confront his father.
French commanders, taking advantage of the indecisiveness and chaos in Viet ranks,
landed soldiers ashore to overtake tactical positions within the citadel. Senior Phan was
angry with himself and the ineffectiveness of his troops, ordered his children to kneel down
in preparation for his simple obituary. He reminded them work not for and collaborate not
with the enemy, but do seek proper education from lands beyond the horizon, then one good
day return to reclaim the country. Phan the Elegant Simplicity then drank the toxic potion.
The countryside is still beautifully green with foliage
Who would think the nation is in such a dire fate?
Such a humiliation of being underdeveloped
Crude weaponry cannot compete with any
No shortage of willingness and courage
But ancient technology lacks savvy
Our county is lost, not because lacking fire in our hearts
But for leadership’s superstitiously over reliance in a great destiny
Thus the negligence in pursuit of improvements and technology
The resulting predicament at hand, well, even God would intervene not!
Underdeveloped, yet if comprehending the challenge
Be studious and industrious in our quest for advancement
But if instead immersing in vices and baseless illusion
How many eons till we break out of shackles and bonds?
My children, forever remember
The real cause of the demise to the nation, shattering our family
Remember this solemn oath for me
Be educated then one day liberate the fatherland, you must!
Purpose: Ultimately Faithful to the Citadel is a tribute to Royal Inspector General Phan the
Elegant Simplicity who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the country and Viet people. By
abandoned his command, the Longevity Dragon Citadel in southern Viet Nam, realistically
was not defensible with rudiment weaponry and poorly trained troops, thousands of innocent
civilians were saved. By committing suicide to prevent being captured, the indomitable
honor of a Viet leader was preserved, sending an unmistakable message to the French of
their ultimate defeat; regardless of their technological advantage, they would not be able to
suppress the indomitable will of the Viet people.
Epilogue
For the benefits of English speakers, and particularly the second generation of Viet
immigrants, whom by nature not expected to be well versed in Viet Nam language and
history, most of the titles and names of people and geographical places have been
translated or transliterated in an attempt to facilitate a personal connection between the
story and the reader.
(Translated by H.V.N)
Indomitable, a distinctive series of a dozen short poetry dramas, grafted onto the richness
of Viet Nam anti-invasion legends and factoids, to commemorate the heroically resolute and
indomitable spirit of Viet people over the millennia. The plays were selected for their
historical contents as well as ease in stage preparation and production.
Play 1, “The Road to Me Linh”. Dreams Sanctified (Me Linh) Township in Crossed Toes
District (Giao Chi Quan) was the base of operations of the heroines Trung Sisters—Elder
Trung (Trung Trac) and Lesser Trung (Trung Nhi). In AD 40, after the Chinese Han
occupying army had killed Elder’s husband, the Sisters led a successful uprising to reclaim
the country.
The Road to Dreams Sanctified portrays a sorrowful but inspiring allegory. The year was AD
40. The family of Golden Heart Warrior (Hoang Tam Trang Si)--himself, his wife Lady Orchid
(Lan Nuong) and his mother the Matriarch (Lao Ba) lived in a fishermen’s commune along
the Singing River (Hat Giang). One day, Han marauders attacked their village.
The villagers escaped across the river and joined the Trung Sisters’ fledging insurgency.
Since the Matriarch was ill with old age, by the time the family arrived at the river, there was
hardly anything left afloat except a tiny two-person boat abandoned by the escaped
villagers. Orchid and Golden Heart expressed their love for each other in his and her
willingness to stay behind to block the Han gang while the other to take the Matriarch to
safety.
The elder lady ordered the couple to be on their knees, admonished their failure to emulate
the Trung Sisters in placing the collective greatness of the nation above individual suffering,
and it was their duty to save their able bodies to assist the Sisters to liberate the country and
avenge for the death of Elder Trung’s husband. Emphatically and suddenly the Matriarch
produced a hidden knife and stabbed herself to death.
Farewell, beloved Mother, forever rest in peace
We now join the Trung Sisters according to your wish
Defeat the enemy, then returning home to pray for your soul
Purpose: The Road to Dreams Sanctified exemplifies the patriotism and the resolute
dedication of Viet people driven to defeat invaders.
Play 2, The Fires Engulfing the Linked Fortresses, recounts the successful uprising
spearheaded by the Trung Sisters during AD 40-43, starting with their conquest of the
Linked Fortresses (Lien Lau), headquarters of Chinese Han governor To Dinh.
One day while directing troops in maneuvers, the Trung Sisters received a secret agent,
Lady Indigo (Nang Tia), who brought news of To Dinh’s plan to mobilize the Han army for an
imminent attack. Elder Trung urged her husband Poetic Tome (Thi Sach) to declare the
start of the uprising when there was still sufficient time.
The next day, while Tome traveled to the Front District (Dien Chau) in preparation for the
proclamation of independence, he was captured in an ambush. Upon receiving the dreadful
news, the Sisters commanded Viet troops to lay siege to the Linked Fortresses. To Dinh
demanded the Sisters to surrender to save Tome who, when allowed to meet the Sisters,
urged his beloved wife and his sister-in-law concern not for his welfare but do concentrate
their energy to the noble task at hand. Elder Trung solemnly conducted the pre-
posthumous commemoration for Tome, then ordered Viet troops to storm the fortresses.
Most Han troops were killed.
To Dinh escaped in humiliation. The fires that engulfed the Linked Fortresses not only
destroyed the seat of power of the occupying army, they also spread out across Viet land,
by then consisting of four districts: Crossed Toes (Giao Chi), Ninth Truth (Cuu Chan),
Southern Sun (Nhat Nam) and Déja-vu Township (Hop Pho) and sixty-five other military
outposts. Historians later placed great significance on the Trung Sisters’ achievement, albeit
in 3 ephemeral years, for the first time a nascent but independent country was established
for the Content Viet (Lac Viet) people.
Swords sparkling in the chilly moonlight
Winds howling with sorrow and vengeance for
Families destroyed, nation enslaved
Screaming the solemn oath under these swords the trespassers slain
Purpose: The Fires Engulfing the Linked Fortresses commemorates the heroine Trung
Sisters who pioneered the fervent independent spirit of Viet people at the beginning of the
first century, who brought respect to the indomitable and freedom loving Viet people, and to
Viet women by being the first women heads of state in world history.
Play 3, Trampling the Furious Waves, depicts the AD 248 rebellion in Ninth Truth District,
lead by the heroine Trieu Lady the Fidelity (Trieu Thi Trinh) and her brother Trieu the
National Acclaim (Trieu Quoc Dat), against the East Wu Chinese rulers.
In this play, Fidelity Lady rescued a group of Content Viet who had been conscripted into
forced labor by the East Wu rulers. Subsequently, East Wu troops commanded by General
Horsehead Primate (Ma Hau) raided Acclaim’s house one day when Acclaim’s wife was
home, tortured the households and robbed them of jewelries and gold. Acclaim’s wife
accepted Primate‘s promise of rewards and agreed to help capture Fidelity by spiking her
drinks with incapacitating potions. As if it were the expected fate for the greedy, while
preparing the toxic potion, the woman was fatally wounded by her own knife.
Acclaim and Fidelity blamed the tragic death of Acclaim’s wife to Primate, abandoned the
shattered family and took to the nearby mountains to start the rebellion. Their troops took
control of the Ninth Truth District. But not long afterwards, Acclaim succumbed to diseases
leaving Fidelity alone to carry on the struggle until her death at a young age of 23.
Throughout her heroic life, Fidelity would not fit the normal mold for a lady. She once told
Acclaim that she would “rather ride the hurricane winds, trample the furious waves, catch the
whale shark in the East Sea, clear the land of invaders, or deliver the people from sufferings
than be a typical young lady dreaming of being a concubine slavering after a mandarin”.
Never my head
would bow to the despicable East Wu piracy
Just as Freedom and Liberty
would never be secondary to shame and slavery
Purpose: Trampling the Furious Wave is a tribute to another trailblazing heroine in the
early annals of the Viet nation, the fiercely indomitable Trieu Lady the Fidelity who, in the
third century, led a short but ferocious rebellion against the Chinese East Wu occupying
forces that sowed long lasting fears and respect in the ranks of the invaders.
Play 4, Noble Legitimacy of the Golden Overcoat, recounts the background events
leading to the controversial transition from the Dinh Dynasty to the Anterior Le Dynasty.
After an eunuch, Do the Assassin (Do Thich) had killed both Emperor Dinh the First (Dinh
Tien Hoang) and son, Dinh the South Viet King (Dinh Lien, Nam Viet Vuong), Empress
Duong the Nebular Swan (Duong Van Nga) reigned in the powers since King Dinh the
Acumen (Dinh Tue) was still a six years old child. She then ceded the throne, in a bloodless
coup by marriage to Ten Armies Commanding General Le the Reciprocal (Thap Dao Tuong
Quan Le Hoan), when the Chinese army of the Sung Dynasty invaded the Great Grand Viet
Land (Dai Co Viet). Le the Reciprocal defeated the invaders and subsequently established
the Anterior Le Dynasty.
The play begins with the scene in which Empress Nebular Swan along with the Viet National
Great Reverend (Quoc Viet Dai Su) offering burned incense and reciting prayers for the
spirits of the late emperor and his son the king. The senior monk recalled to the empress a
vision comprehended from God that after Do the Assassin killed Emperor Dinh and King
Dinh, a person having the surname Le will succeed and become a great king.
The eldest official of the Duong royal family, Duong the Confronter (Duong Chap) arrived to
question the empress of her illicit intimacy with General Le; this untoward conduct should be
a just cause for Le’s dismissal. Then General Le arrived on the scene to deliver urgent
news that the Sung army had invaded. Defending the nation should now be the top priority,
the empress decided; since King Acumen was ineffective, Le would be critically needed to
lead the army.
Simultaneously, more distressed news poured in. First, the opportunistic courtiers Nguyen
the Emphatic (Nguyen Bac) and Dinh the Farmer (Dinh Dien) had spirited King Acumen
away to Love District (Ai Chau) to start a rebellion. Then, from the inner sanctum of the
royal family, Queen Exquisite (Kieu Hoang Hau) collaborated with the royal court prophet
who was a secret agent for the Sung, planning subversive actions to assist the invaders.
The empress arrested the prophet, and forced the queen to commit suicide or else being
ostracized to servant quarters.
General Le, in the meantime, proved his worth by capturing and beheading the rebellious
courtiers, and by organizing the army to face the Sung invaders. Before leading the troops
to the front, General Pham the Defending Quotient (Pham Cu Luong) exhorted the ranks
and files to unite behind the Ten Armies Commanding General Le the Reciprocal and
support his ascendance to the throne. King Ding the Acumen as a child could not fulfill
duties of a commander in chief, particularly in recognizing individual sacrifice and battlefield
contribution of officers and soldiers when metering out rewards after the final victory against
the invaders.
Empress Nebular Swan gave consent to the abdication, symbolically draped the golden
monarch overcoat on Le the Reciprocal’s shoulders, who then proclaimed himself Emperor
Le the Great Travails (Le Dai Hanh), establishing a new era in Viet history, the Anterior Le
Dynasty.
Am afraid not of losing my face but losing my country!
As a private matter, personal honor matters little to the public interest
When independence has been lost, what would the public interest be?
Purpose: Noble Legitimacy of the Golden Coat commemorates the great deeds of Ten
Armies Commanding General Le the Reciprocal, a valiant patriot who, in the 10th century,
directed the counter offensive to defeat the invading Sung army.
The play represents praises to Empress Duong the Nebular Swan whose altruism, sagacity,
savoir-faire and prudence helped keep the royal court united in gravely trying times. Her
courageous actions were deemed necessary, like all good mothers would, to save the life of
her child King, and more importantly to the nation, to continue the effective central
governance in the face of armed invasion, a national emergency of the worst kind.
Play 5, Indomitable, depicts the capture at Celestial Place (Thien Truong) province, and
subsequent interrogation of Viet General Tran the Equality in Gravity (Tran Binh Trong) by
Mongol Prince Thoat Hoan, the Dominating King of the South (Tran Nam Vuong).
Dominating King enticed Equality that if defect, Tran would be made ruler of a Mongol
kingdom, to which the Equality in Gravity emphatically rejected: “I rather die a thousand
times and be a Viet devil in the South than live once a Mongol king in the North!”
At that time, Mongol Princess Blossom Painting (Hoa Tranh) arrived for a visit. Dominating
King took advantage of his sister’s innocence and beauty, tasking Blossom to lure Gravity.
The outcome was totally unexpected. The princess first respected then fell in love with the
indomitable Viet general who rather die than betraying his beloved people. In the end,
Dominating King failed in his scheme, Blossom retuned to China with a benumbed heart.
Equality in Gravity was beheaded but his legendary patriotism and indomitable spirit had
inspired and helped Viet people to drive the Mongols out of Viet land.
Hear this, invaders, you surely forgot?
Our spines are as straight as ramrods
Our knees never quiver, facing enemy
Viet spines and knees would bend not
Pity the invaders harboring farfetched imagination
Salivating after capitulation from this Viet soldier
For illicit fame or fortunes would never satisfy
This heart and those of other Southern patriots
Listen, invaders! Sooner than later the intrepid Viet
Would purge your types off Viet Land!
When I die, there still be countless others standing tall
Raging like fires across Southern sky vengeance falls
Invaders, vain attempts with cruelty and brute force
Could never suppress Viet nationalists at all
Purpose: Indomitable is a tribute to General Tran the Equality in Gravity who would rather
die as a Viet person than be a Mongol king.
Play 6, Petition for the Beheading of Seven, portrays the unfathomable courage of Chu
the Tranquility (Chu Van An), Headmaster of the National Academy for Royal Progeny (Quoc
Tu Giam). Chu, disregarded his own safety, pleaded with the emperor to decree capital
punishment to seven corrupted courtiers whose actions were deemed threats to national
security.
The play starts with a scene of the royal court presided by the emperor. Chu submitted his
petition. Prior to doing so, Chu requested help from Prime Minister Tran the New Year (Tran
Nguyen Dan) and Princess Notion of Fidelity (Y Trinh) to bring a wooden casket to the
meeting. Instead of killing the defendants who all were powerful and high-ranking courtiers,
the emperor for political and survival reasons might well kill the accuser. The emperor
dismissed the petition and unexpectedly offered to accept Chu’s resignation. Chu the
Tranquility was to live out his days at his original village in the Absolutely Sacred (Chi Linh)
mountain in Ocean (Hai Duong) province.
Petition to behead seven! Behead all seven!
Thunders struck across the blue sky reverberating through the generations
Of dire warnings to bribed and corrupted public servants
Whose abusive, illicit and dishonest actions must desist!
Purpose: Petition for Beheading of Seven venerates the courage of the Headmaster of the
National Academy for Royal Progeny, Chu the Tranquility.
Play 7, Returning the Mandarin Attire, describes the then contemporary popular
sentiment to the Petition for Beheading Seven.
In the opening scene, Mrs. Blade, the wife of the executioner, was frantically looking for her
husband. At the Academy, she ran into a teacher who taught social conducts and civics and
Truong the Student (Truong Sinh) who informed her of Headmaster Chu’s petition for the
beheading of seven corrupted courtiers. The news worried Mrs. Blade, for her husband was
an obstinate person and definitely not a typical hatchet man.
Mr. Blade would have no misgivings killing criminals such as the seven defendants, but he
would not touch an innocent person. In the probable case Master Chu failed to convince the
king, that would be an automatic death sentence for Master Chu himself; that would also
mean Mr. Blade would have died first for being found in contempt of a royal decree.
In the next scene, Master Chu exited from the royal court along with the senior mandarin-in-
charge of anti-corruption, who was ironically one of the defendants, and Mr. Blade. Chu
announced to the public that his petition had failed. The crowd loudly demanded the names
of the corrupted seven so that public justice could still be served. Chu declined, only cited
the charges that would have merited the capital punishment.
Chu then removed his mandarin hat and robe, left them on the citadel walls, then pleasantly
started walking on his long march toward the Absolutely Sacred mountain region. Chu the
Tranquility discovered contentment in being relieved of all duties. He had fulfilled obligations
of a righteous scholar and virtuous philosopher:
(not in any particular order)
Egress (Xuat): exit private life to enter public services upon higher calling
Reside (Xu): lead a harmonious private life awaiting opportunities
Implement (Hanh): leave personal influence on society (a form of active Egress)
Conceal (Tang): withdraw from public life upon mission accomplished or impasse (a form of
active Reside)
In priceless youthful years one should refrain from
Immersing in greed and instant but shallow gratification thus
Forfeiting priceless teachings in ancestry historical accounts that
“Thou shall have duties in the rise or fall of thy nation” for
How could one ignore such timeless wisdom and sagacity? Hence
Viet nation awaiting servants and saviors
Purpose: Returning the Mandarin Attire exemplifies the proper conduct and civility of
scholars and philosophers in accordance to timeless Confucius teaching, particularly to
entice introspective contemplation by members of the younger Viet population worldwide. An
analogy could be found in modern history, the late President Kennedy famously said in his
inaugural speech, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for
your country”.
Play 8, Sharpening a Sword under a Full Moon, describes the emotion coursing through
the mind of General Dang the Generosity (Dang Dung) at a desperate juncture during the
drawn out resistance led by King Tran the Precious Augment (Tran Qui Khoach) against the
occupying Ming army.
In the first scene, General Dang was attentively sharpening his sword. As silver moonlight
cascading around him, one could hear his sighs and self-parody uttering in the stillness of
the night. An elderly woodcutter appeared, seeking permission to join the resistance.
Legend had it, the woodcutter was actually an angel materialized from the moonlight, to offer
comforting thoughts and encouragement to help General Dang restored his confidence of
and belief in the eventual victory.
The next scene, King Tran arrived to inspect the base. General Dang requested a royal
decree to dispatch troops to ambush enemy naval vessels, to capture Ming Commanding
General Truong the Deputy (Truong Phu). This daring surgical strike was an analogy to a
scheme conceived by Kinh Kha, an ancient swordsmanship expert, who while sharpening his
sword came up with a daring plot (that failed) to assassinate Mongol Empire Founding
Emperor Genghis Khan. King Tran hosted a banquet to bestow speedy success to the
departing officers and troops. Together they recited the oath pledging commitment to total
success of reclaiming every inch of national territory.
Shoulders sagging under unfulfilled deeds
Youthful spirit a pre-matured body meets
Lost national honor has yet been avenged
How much more sharpened would a sword need?
Purpose: Sharpening a Sword under the Full Moon commemorates General Dang the
Generosity and the extent Dang family whose esteemed members had paid great sacrifice in
the fighting for Independence for Grand Viet.
The play is also a tribute to untold patriots of the Posterior Le Dynasty in the early fifteenth
century.
Play 9, The Southern Gate Pass, illustrates the sorrowful but intrepid atmosphere when
Nguyen the Knowledgeable (Nguyen Trai) bid tearful farewell to his elderly father Nguyen the
Soaring Gentleman (Nguyen Phi Khanh) who had been captured by Ming troops, being led
through the border at the Southern Gate Pass (Ai Nam Quan) on the long journey to inner
China.
The elder Nguyen solemnly comforted his son who was sobering uncontrollably, knowing with
certainty that they were seeing each other alive for the last time. Knowledgeable was
reminded to refrain from shedding useless tears but conserve energy into ways to rid the
country of invading enemies; and that would be the only possible revenge for his father and
more importantly, for restoring dignity to Viet the indomitable people.
Nguyen the Knowledgeable later joined the national resistance movement led by King of
Harmonious Pacification Le the Benefactor (Binh Dinh Vuong Le Loi); helped King Le to
eradicate the Ming army, reestablished sovereignty and territorial integrity to Viet land.
Be strong! Stop crying!
Nation had been lost, surely untold families destroyed
Farewells ubiquitously bid everywhere not just us
Wipe your tears, shed them not for this old father
Tears induce no fear in the enemy
Pleading never diminishes their cruelty
Son, collect yourself and depart! Go!
Avenge for me, restore honor to the nation!
Hesitate not; rid tyranny off rivers and mountains
Purpose: The Southern Gate Pass narrates the tragic and sorrowful personal accounts of
the great scholar Nguyen the Knowledgeable. From this background his later achievements
were even more illustrious.
Play 10, Illuminating Righteousness, portrays the historic and epic liberation of the
Ascending Dragon capital citadel (Thang Long Thanh) from the Qing army by King Nguyen
the Bequest (Nguyen Hue) in the context of interpersonal interactions within the family of a
senior mandarin of the Le Dynasty.
By the late 1700, the last emperor of the Posterior Le Dynasty, Le the Persuasion Universal
(Le Chieu Thong) was powerless to keep Lord Trinh in the North from fighting with Lord
Nguyen in the South in a destructive fratricidal warfare. Nguyen the Bequest, commanded a
people army from the West Mountains (Tay Son), defeated first Lord Nguyen then Lord
Trinh. Emperor Le escaped to China seeking help to restore power. Seizing this pretext,
Qing Manchu Emperor dispatched an invading army of 200,000 troops.
The first scene opens onto the Fifth Day of the New Year of the Rooster (AD 1789) at the Le
senior mandarin household. Young lady Le and Tina Chrysanthemum (Cuc Nhi) anxiously
awaiting Le Senior the General returning from the royal court. Suddenly usher Little Boy
(Tieu Dong) bursting in, announced that the West Mountains troops, seemingly appearing
from nowhere, were surrounding and decimating the Chinese Qing troops.
While the household was buzzing with news and commotion, Senior Le General returned,
urging his daughter quickly gather personal belongings so that the family could accompany
Emperor Le to China. Young lady Le was hesitant, wanting to stay in hope to unite with her
husband, Trinh the Young Warrior (Trinh Trang Si) who was an officer serving in the West
Mountains army. Father and daughter argued about the true meaning of ‘loyalty’, and the
comparative gravity of being loyal to emperor versus to husband. Impatiently and angrily,
Senior Le unsheathed his sword and almost killed his daughter for her seemingly disrespect
to the emperor and the royal court.
Then came news of total destruction of the Qing armies in rapid succession. From nearby
districts such as Recurring River (Ha Hoi) and Returning Jade (Ngoc Hoi). From Banyan
Heights (Go Dong Da) with bodies of dead soldiers stacking like small hills. Then the
Supporting (Phu) Bridge collapsed, bodies of dead Qing troops choking the river.
Senior Le was so despondent, wanted to commit suicide, but suddenly Trinh the Young
Warrior appeared in time with a group of West Mountains troops, stopped Senior Le’s
desperate act. Thanks to the son-in-law’s explanation, Senior Le understood the brilliant
righteousness in the conduct of Nguyen Emperor the Central Luminosity (Quang Trung) in
routing the invaders; he no longer wanted to blindly follow Le the Persuasive Universal to
China. The united family gathered in front of the ancestry altar and prayed for the return of
a peaceful spring to Viet land.
At the nation and its people true loyalty should be placed
Placed not at the unpopular puppet king
Your daughter would spare no respect to purported royalty
Who sell their souls to foreigners
Who read volumes
but comprehend not the teachings in cultural masterpieces
Who practice inhuman acts
worshiping despicable invaders
harboring petty personal vendettas
raiding the nation treasury
Magnanimously not in their ivory towers, uncaring for the weak and the hungry
…. Irrefutably, dynasties come and go but the People are forever!
(instead, we should trust)
The King who possessed vision to pacify the northern territory
Whom the Public bequeaths, the Almighty bestows
The noble task of liberating the People and the Land
His sword destroys tyranny, shimmering in righteousness luminosity!
Purpose: Illuminating Righteousness pays tribute to the humble hero from the West
Mountains who rose to prominence as Emperor Nguyen the Bequest, the Central Luminosity,
whose legendary exploits included unifying the country after destroying Siam invaders and
Lord Nguyen in the South, Lord Trinh in the North. Then most famously, led a lightning
quick campaign to defeat 200,000 Ming invaders brought home by the deposed Le emperor
(who was a nephew of Jade of Joy).
Play 11, The Queen Angel, allows a rare insight of the personality of Princess Le the Jade
of Joy (Ngoc Han) who was Queen to Emperor Nguyen the Central Luminosity (Quang Trung)
A note on a Viet folk tradition. Betel leaves (from a vine) and nuts (fruits of a palm) are
symbols of matrimony. The two are inseparable, since the leaf and the nut must be chewed
together to produce the mild stimulant effect, to ease the atmosphere at social meetings.
The play opens to a scene in the Royal Garden, with Princess Jade of Joy, later after her
marriage was also known as the Queen Angel, was immersing herself in painting. Suddenly
her younger sister Princess Jade of Peace (Ngoc Binh) appeared, announcing the arrival at
the royal palace of a delegation offering betel leaves and nuts and requesting marriage.
While the sisters excitedly wondered about the prince’s identity and to whom the marriage
proposal would be directed, the empress entered the scene to provide the answer, it was
Commanding General Nguyen the Bequest (Nguyen Hue) seeking permission to marry
Princess Jade of Joy!
From that day, the princess brought joy and happiness to Bequest’s mansion. One day,
Jade of Peace came to deliver the sorrowful news, Father Emperor Le the Erudite (Le Hien
Tong) had passed away. Jade of Joy cried out then fainted. Her military attaché General
Singularity Loyal (Nhat Trung) and the chambermaid Delicate Dews (Nhu Suong) assisted
her. Nguyen the Bequest arrived, comforted Jade of Joy and promised to hold a national
memorial service for the emperor.
Jade of Joy had nurtured a grand vision, that one day peace would descend over a united
Viet land which would then be expanded northwards…Later, her vision seemingly turned into
reality when Viet people victoriously rejoiced in the Spring of the Year of the Rooster (1789)
when Nguyen the Bequest defeated the Qing army. Bequest then ascended to the throne,
proclaimed himself Nguyen the Bequest, Emperor of Central Luminosity (Quang Trung).
Princess Jade of Joy became the Queen Angel.
Father, although Emperor, but powerless(*)
Who maintains his honor and not chases after fortunes
Princes and princess share hunger and poverty with the populace
This humble princess has been blessed to gain your eyes by fate
For a drop of rain or a speck of jade falling through the winds
Toward the ground landing on who knows, a castle or a shack
(*) usurped by Lord Trinh
My beloved Highness, I wish to share with thy every bitter and sweet moment living
In a strong nation of a prosperous people
Such an aspiration shared by all in Great Viet
Purpose: The Queen Angel has a two-fold purpose. To exemplify Queen Angel’s
character: loyal, respectful and lovingly dedicated to Emperor Central Luminosity. Once
established that esteemed personality, the play would serve to dispute the theory that
Princess Jade of Joy the Queen Angel suffered an ignominious fate after Emperor Central
Luminosity’s early demise.
Without a worthy successor, the West Mountain army was defeated in 1802 by Prince
Nguyen the Fortunate Light (Nguyen Phuc Anh), the surviving prince of Lord Nguyen, with
massive French help, who then ascended to the throne as Nguyen Emperor Gia Long.
According to the theory, the new Nguyen emperor captured Queen Angel and forced her to
be his concubine.
Play 12, Ultimately Faithful to the Citadel, narrates the final saga of Royal Inspector
General Phan the Elegant Simplicity (Kinh Luoc Su Phan Thanh Gian) who was chief
executive officer of the Longevity Dragon (Vinh Long) Province. French troops mounted a
siege, pounded the citadel with heavy fire. Senior Phan recognized the futility of defending
the non defensible, to avoid further civilian casualties, gave order to abandon the fortress
then drank a toxic potion to die with dignity, to deny the enemy the pleasure of capturing him
alive.
In the first scene, one early morning, hiding in thick banks of fog, French naval vessels,
brandishing guns, advanced on the river to the citadel perimeter walls in all directions.
Senior Phan and the District Military Commander wanted to wait for the enemy to enter the
compound. Since Viet troops did not have modern weapons, they could only hope for hand-
to-hand combat at close range. The French would not fall for the trap, only fired their
cannons from the safety of their ships.
Senior Phan ordered Phan young lady, his daughter, to organize an evacuation, at the same
time requested the French for a ceasefire to evacuate non-combatant civilians. The French
rejected the request; only allowed Viet army deserters to leave to further weaken the Viet
defense. At that point, Senior Phan suffered a mild cardiac arrhythmia, clutching his chest in
grave discomfort. Junior Phan, an officer, received the ceasefire order, mistook it for a
surrender order; abandoned his command post to confront his father.
French commanders, taking advantage of the indecisiveness and chaos in Viet ranks,
landed soldiers ashore to overtake tactical positions within the citadel. Senior Phan was
angry with himself and the ineffectiveness of his troops, ordered his children to kneel down
in preparation for his simple obituary. He reminded them work not for and collaborate not
with the enemy, but do seek proper education from lands beyond the horizon, then one good
day return to reclaim the country. Phan the Elegant Simplicity then drank the toxic potion.
The countryside is still beautifully green with foliage
Who would think the nation is in such a dire fate?
Such a humiliation of being underdeveloped
Crude weaponry cannot compete with any
No shortage of willingness and courage
But ancient technology lacks savvy
Our county is lost, not because lacking fire in our hearts
But for leadership’s superstitiously over reliance in a great destiny
Thus the negligence in pursuit of improvements and technology
The resulting predicament at hand, well, even God would intervene not!
Underdeveloped, yet if comprehending the challenge
Be studious and industrious in our quest for advancement
But if instead immersing in vices and baseless illusion
How many eons till we break out of shackles and bonds?
My children, forever remember
The real cause of the demise to the nation, shattering our family
Remember this solemn oath for me
Be educated then one day liberate the fatherland, you must!
Purpose: Ultimately Faithful to the Citadel is a tribute to Royal Inspector General Phan the
Elegant Simplicity who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the country and Viet people. By
abandoned his command, the Longevity Dragon Citadel in southern Viet Nam, realistically
was not defensible with rudiment weaponry and poorly trained troops, thousands of innocent
civilians were saved. By committing suicide to prevent being captured, the indomitable
honor of a Viet leader was preserved, sending an unmistakable message to the French of
their ultimate defeat; regardless of their technological advantage, they would not be able to
suppress the indomitable will of the Viet people.
Epilogue
For the benefits of English speakers, and particularly the second generation of Viet
immigrants, whom by nature not expected to be well versed in Viet Nam language and
history, most of the titles and names of people and geographical places have been
translated or transliterated in an attempt to facilitate a personal connection between the
story and the reader.
(Translated by H.V.N)