The land of 'literary and martial arts' Cam Thai

Glorious literary tradition

Cam Thai village mentioned in that song is one of the famous villages of studiousness in the ancient Thanh Van land. That Binh Duong governor was Mr. Nguyen Huu Dien, born in the year of At Dau (1825), from Cam Huong village (now Cam Thai), Thanh Van commune (now Dai Dong commune), Thanh Chuong district.

He was the ninth generation descendant of the Minister of War, Lord Nguyen Huu Trac, under the Le Trung Hung Dynasty. He was the only son of a bachelor, the District Chief of Thien Thi District, who was famous for his integrity. His mother was the daughter of the Education Inspector, so from a young age he was famous throughout the region for his intelligence, studiousness, and filial piety.

A village gate in Thanh Van (now Dai Dong commune). Photo: NPV

At the age of 28, he passed the doctoral exam. Today, congratulatory letters are still preserved, such as Minister of Finance Wei Khac Tuan, Minister of War Left Tri Kien Quan Ha, Minister of War Left Tri Kien Quan Han Lam Vien Truong Quoc Dung... In the 9th year of Tu Duc, he was appointed as the District Chief of Binh Giang (Hai Duong). Thanks to his profound knowledge, deep understanding of life and morality, and honest nature, after a short time, he contributed to bringing peace and prosperity to the lives of the local people.

While Nguyen Huu Dien's career was developing well, the French colonialists came to his territory to explore the Red River Delta. He called on the people to gather all forces to repel the enemy and he sacrificed himself at Bai Dau, Hung Yen province. To remember his contributions, the Tu Duc court posthumously awarded him the title of Han Lam Vien thi doc.

Not only is he more talented than others, Mr. Nguyen Huu Dien is also praised as a person with great affection for his homeland, having made many practical contributions to the construction of his homeland. He and his father contributed to the construction of the Van Thanh House in Cam Thai village where he was born so that people who love literature can discuss and improve their knowledge together.

The Holy House of Literature is still there, becoming a retreat for the children of Cam Thai, thereby further illuminating the tradition of studiousness and patriotism through many different historical periods. Looking through the valuable historical documents recorded in the book "Thanh Van sang danh qua qua - hien toi" by author Nguyen Viet Ba shows that this land has many interesting things when there are 7 villages famous for learning. Among them, Cam Thai village is famous for the Nguyen Huu, Nguyen Dinh, Phan Van families; Dai Dinh village has the Nguyen Viet, Nguyen Nhu, Le Dinh families; Phuc Long village has the Nguyen Dac, Nguyen Duy, Nguyen Dinh families and the Phan Cong, Nguyen Van, Nguyen Huu school of Ich Long village.

The Cam Thai Temple is being restored. Photo: NPV

According to statistics on the remaining Van Thanh steles, these special villages produced and nurtured one Tham Hoa, two Doctors, 12 Bachelors, 46 Huong Cong and 33 Hieu Sinh, Sinh Do of the Le Dynasty, and Tu Tai of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Promote martial spirit

Not only famous for its literary career, the ancient Thanh Van land is also famous for its extraordinary martial artists, who have made great contributions to protecting and stabilizing the country. Among them, Nguyen Duy Ap must be mentioned. He was born in 1745 in Phuc Long village in a family with a tradition of martial arts, many of his ancestors were military officers in the Le dynasty's army. Since childhood, he was passionate about martial arts, and when he grew up, he joined and became the Captain of the Le dynasty's elite soldiers with many of the most elite and brave soldiers in the dynasty at that time. In his illustrious career, he made great contributions to helping Lord Trinh pacify the land of Phu Xuan (the capital of Thuan Hoa) and served as a guard in the Lord's palace.

The martial arts tradition of Phuc Long village was continued by Mr. Nguyen Duy Quy (born in 1752), who was associated with the rise and fall of the Tay Son dynasty in the process of fighting against invaders and building the country.

In recognition of his contributions, the Tay Son Dynasty bestowed many titles of commendation. Under the Le Dynasty, many talented people of Thanh Van land made great contributions to the movement "Support Le - Destroy Mac" such as: Tan Quoc Cong Nguyen Canh Hoan, Lai Quan Cong Phan Cong Tich, Cuong Quan Cong Nguyen Canh Van and the son of Pho Nham Hau Nguyen Canh Yen...

Lam River through Thanh Van (now Dai Dong commune). Photo: Document

Later, many scholars who were both civil and military in Thanh Van soon joined the Can Vuong movement led by King Ham Nghi, such as: Nguyen Huu Toan, Pham Van Hong, Nguyen Van Soa, Nguyen Nhu Co, Nguyen Nhu Canh... They were the ones who directly worked as "Directors of military and food transport", contributing to the establishment of food reserves and logistics in Cam Thai village.

During the two resistance wars against French colonialism and American imperialism, Thanh Van became a red address with a total of 926 people joining the army, 172 people joining the Youth Volunteers, and 586 people going to the frontline as civilian laborers. During the period of fighting and building the Fatherland, Thanh Van had 8,115 people and their families awarded Orders and Medals of various types by the State; 10 families from Dai Dinh and Dang Cao villages were awarded Certificates of Merit and Certificates of Merit for their contributions to the country by the State. These numbers demonstrate the great contributions of people on Thanh Van land to the revolutionary cause of our people.

Continuing the tradition of his father and brother

Returning to Cam Thai land, we were fortunate to meet Mr. Nguyen Huu Que, the 5th generation descendant of Doctor of the Academy Nguyen Huu Dien. According to the introduction of the Party Secretary of Dai Dong commune, Nguyen Van Thuy, Mr. Que was the one who directly worshiped and burned incense at the temple of Doctor Nguyen Huu Dien. Currently, all the royal decrees and important documents related to the life and career of the Doctor are carefully preserved.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Que introduces the church of Doctor of the Academy Nguyen Huu Dien - a provincial historical and cultural relic. Photo: NPV

Continuing the family tradition, Mr. Que is also a studious and excellent son. As a math teacher, for decades he has directly opened free classes for children in the area. Every day, his simple 3-room house is filled with children's laughter.

Although life was still difficult, he saved the little money from his teaching job to buy more pens and notebooks for students in difficult circumstances. Now, those children have grown up, some have become doctors, engineers, some have followed his footsteps to teach in all parts of the country...

Comrade Nguyen Van Thuy, Secretary of the Party Committee of Dai Dong Commune, could not help but proudly share that the tradition of studiousness here has always been continued and promoted by generations. Many people from this land have graduated from universities and colleges and are currently working all over the country. Some hold important positions in Party, government, Fatherland Front and mass organizations at all levels. And, the people here always attach special importance to the education of their children and grandchildren.