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Statue of Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue King was erected in the front of Tay Son- Quang Trung Museum (Tay Son District, Binh Dinh Province) on the occasion of New Year’s Festival 2006. Photo by Dao Tien Dat
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This book is to review precious legacies as well as historical experiences drawn from course of Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue King and Tay Son Movement itself. In words of PhD. in History Nguyen Quoc Vinh (Harvard University, USA) quoted formally on the 4th of book cover, “…although memories about Quang Trung King was sullied and deteriorated in the 19th century by Nguyen Dynasty, the King is regarded as the greatest hero in Vietnamese history, a necessary encouragement and consideration when modern Vietnam faces a lot of hardships. Quang Trung becomes major controversial and referential subject among essential issues of interest in the 20th century such as national unity, nationalism, army heroism, anti-foreign invasion resistance, foreign and internal affairs, class struggle, reform,economical-political-social revolutions and rules of virtue, industrialization and modernization.
Many articles in the book comment life and course of Quang Trung from different points of view (Sketch of Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue Portrait by Prof. Phan Huy Le, Nguyen Hue- a soulby Prof. Van Tan, About Quang Trung Emperor by Prof. Hoang Xuan Han, Nguyen Hue-Vietnamese traditional patriotism by Prof. Tran Van Giau, etc.). There are also comments on Tay Son Movement in general (Judgement on Tay Son Movement and historical role of Nguyen Hue by Academician Tran Huy Lieu, Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue in relation with Tay Son Movement by Nguyen Quoc Vinh, Strong points and weak points of Tay Son Movement by Dep. Prof. Huynh Lua).
In his above-mentioned article, Tran Huy Lieu employs a lot of persuasive data and proofs to convince readers. “…Not mention to hack historians of Nguyen Dynasty who considered Tay Son troops “gang of rebels” , even Nguyen Trong Kim, writer of “History Summary of Vietnam” highly appreciated Tay Son. “From point of justice view, Nguyen Hue can be put at same rank with Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Thai To Kings; Tay Son can be considered an orthodox dynasty like Dinh and Le Dynasties” said Tran Trong Kim historian. “Tay Son Revolution marks a historic milestone in anti-feudalism and anti-foreign invasion history of Vietnamese people”, concluded Tran Huy Lieu at the end of his article (page 67).
It is undeniable that after Tay Son Revolution, Chinese Qianlong Emperor (Qing Dynasty) shown “humble attitude” toward Nguyen-Tay Son Dynasty (Two poems by Qianlong and Quang Trung King by Tran Hanh, Relationship of Vietnam and Qing Dynasty after Dong Da Victory by Tran Thai Binh, Binh Dinh An Nam military map - a precious document by Nguyen Quoc Vinh). One writer even compares Quang Trung King with Napoleon (Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue and Napoleon, two talented military personalities by Prof. Van Tan). It is not too difficult to imagine how strong is the influence of brilliant course and great personality of Quang Trung at that time and future later.
However, Dep. Prof. Huynh Lua judges unprejudicially and convincingly about “Strong points and weak points of Tay Son Movement”. “…Tay Son Movement led by national hero Nguyen Hue is a grand immortal song of triumph, a glorious milestone in Vietnamese history”. But, Tay Son Movement still has three weak points: internal conflicts inside Tay Son leaders after establishment of national unification, no big policies by Tay Son Government to radically change feudal social-political institution, severe change or deterioration among leaders and commanders of Tay Son troops during the anti-feudalism resistance (page 255-257).
Such judgement about course of Quang Trung King and Tay Son Movement is fair from a defined historical point of view. This magnifies greatness of Tay Son Movement in general and national hero Quang Trung in particular.
This book includes research articles on millitary genious nature of Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue King shown through glorious victory such as Rach Gam-Xoai Mut or articles to explain magic movement of Tay Son troops towards the North of Vietnam under talented leadership of Quang Trung (Secrets of Tay Son troops’ operation on way to the North by Dep. Prof. Do Bang), research on Quang Trung’s strategic human resource management: recruiment and high appreciation of talented commanders and generals, high appreciation of knowledge (Nguyen Hue and his strategy of using people by Hoang Phu Ngoc Tuong, Attitude of Nguyen Hue towards knowledge by Dep. Prof. Truong Huu Quynh). Particularly, there are articles about Ngoc Han Princess, dearest wife of Quang Trung King (About Ngoc Han Princess by Do Duc Hung, Some documentation about Ngoc Han Princess and Quang Trung translated by Ta Quang Phat, Truth about Ngoc Han Queen by Tran Phuong Ho, etc.).
Quang Trung’s image has been not only represented inorthodoxy history but also writen in contemparary literary works through views, consciousness and affection of common people and intellectual circles. The works of art about include folk stories about Quang Trung (Folk stories about Quang Trung collected by Nguyen Quoc Vinh), paintings and scuptures (About statue of Quang Trung excavated at Boc Pagoda by Prof. Van Tan), anecdotes about Quang Trung King with people and confucian scholars at Van Mieu Temple (Quang Trung King and Van Mieu Temple by Ngo Vinh Binh), parallel sentences composed by intellectual circles (4 newly-found pairs of parallel sentences to grieve over the death of Quang Trung by Vu Ngoc Lien), modern and contemparary literary works (Ballad about Quang Trung King by Phan Thanh Nhon, Kon River in floody season-river of common souls and historical fates by Mai Quoc Liem).
It is the literary works that popularizes image of Quang Trung - Nguyen Hue King among common people and praises Quang Trung as well, vivifying great soul and course of the king.
Researches and studies about Quang Trung will certainly never end. The more time passes, the more opportunities people have to access deeper understanding and evaluation about the king. Recent fervent discussions on mass media about “Woeful and majestic story of Tay Son” fiction by Le Dinh Danh are clear evidences of the trend.
Hence, let’s read and think over “Quang Trung-Nguyen Hue, legacies and lessons” to find yourself more scientific answers about life and course of Quang Trung.
