Images of Emperor Quang Trung and Princess Ngoc Han

The healthy emperor who had just reigned for 5 years, nurturing great ambitions to build up the national independence and preparing a secret plan to send troops to the south for the final elimination of Nguyen Phuc Anh (the surviving prince of the Nguyen Lord) in his southern stronghold of Gia Dinh (later called Saigon), suddenly passed away when he was at such a young age of 40. His death leaves posterity a historically doubtful case.

Nowadays, many people still question about cause of Emperor Quang Trung’s death. The time he drew his last breath is also different in various historical documents.

Dai Nam Chinh Bien Liet Truyen (Official biographies of Dai Nam historical celebrities which had 33 volumes in Chinese characters and was compiled by the Nguyen Dynasty’s historiographers) stated that Quang Trung deceased on November 13th, 1972.

La Son Phu Tu (The Masters of La Son - a biography of Nguyen Thiep) written by the scholar Hoang Xuan Han suggested that the Emperor died at a certain time within a period from 1st to 30th September, 1972.

The Biographies of Dai Nam also told a story: “When attacking and capturing Phu Xuan, the Nguyen’s capital, Hue desecrated royal tombs of the Holy Saints. One day, Hue suddenly felt dizzy and then collapsed in a half unconsciousness whilst he was sitting. In such the state, Hue saw a white hair elderly man in white dress with an iron stick on his hand, descending down from the sky and telling him off: ‘Your forefathers were all born in the royal land (some assumed that the forefathers of Nguyen Hue in the far past belonged to the Ho family in Nghe An region). Why did you dare to desecrate the royal tombs? As soon as he finished the scolding, he struck Hue on the forehead with the stick. Hue fell down in a faint awhile before recovered his senses. His sickness had become more serious since then. He summoned Tran Quang Dieu, who was commanding Tay Son defensive troops in Nghe An, to talk of moving the capital from Phu Xuan to Nghe An.”

According to Nha Tay Son (the Tay Son dynasty) written by Quach Tan and Quach Giao, that story was made up by the historiographers of Nguyen Gia Mieu (or Nguyen Phuc Anh) to vilify Emperor Quang Trung, intentionally distorting the truth. It is also reported that Emperor Quang Trung died of “thuong ma phong” (a sex disaster in which male partner faints, even die during or after sex intercourse). Spiteful tongues even rumored that the emperor was assassinated with poisoned wine by his wife, Princess Ngoc Han of the Le. These are not the real causes of the death.

Among many hypotheses about the Emperor’s death, we think that the assumption in the Nha Tay Son book is the most reliable. “Emperor Quang Trung died of high blood pressure. He worked and thought so hard that his blood vessels were broken…” the book wrote.

By the time of Quang Trung’s death, Nguyen Phuc Anh had established a strong base for his force and launched an attack to Quy Nhon. Before that, the emperor was preparing to send his great troops to Gia Dinh for a final assault on the remaining base of Nguyen Phuc Anh. While the plan was ready, the emperor got sick and his sickness became more and more severe. Quang Trung summoned his defensive general Tran Quang Dieu from Nghe An region to Phu Xuan to discuss on moving the capital to Nghe An and sending troops to fight against Nguyen Phuc Anh.

However, the Emperor himself then realized that his life was about to end, he gave last will and testament: “I have expanded the territories of our country. My disease at the moment cannot be cured. The crown prince is still young. The national enemies are hostilely ravaging. My older brother is old now and content with his lot, just likes to lead a leisurely life rather than fight against disastrous consequences. My funeral must be finished within 1 month since my death. Our favorite subjects must all serve the crown prince and quickly solve the matter of moving the capital in order to take control over the country. If not, you won’t keep any land to be buried in case the hostile troops from Gia Dinh attack us.” As soon as the emperor finished his warnings, he expired.

After Emperor Quang Trung deceased, his son Nguyen Quang Toan enthroned as Emperor Canh Thinh at the age of 15. However, the real power was in the hands of his uncle Bui Dac Tuyen, who enacted a massive political purge. Many talented people who served under Quang Trung were executed, persecuted while incompetent and dishonest mandarins were treated well. This was the main cause of Tay Son Dynasty’s decline and fall.

• Huu Vinh