Lesson 3: Scale and Significance

>>Lesson 2: The Hoan Chau Uprising

3. The scale and success or failure of the uprising.

The Hoan Chau Uprising was a large-scale rebellion and a great victory for the Vietnamese people against the Tang Dynasty's rule in the 8th century. Organized by Mai Thuc Loan, the uprising broke out in Hoan Chau and quickly spread to other prefectures and counties, attacking and capturing the capital city of Tong Binh (Hanoi). Chinese historical records state that Mai Thuc Loan "besieged and attacked prefectures and counties" (Old Tang History, Vol. 8), "raised troops in 32 prefectures" (New Tang History, Vol. 207), "formed alliances with the countries of Lam Ap, Chan Lap, and Kim Lan, occupying the southern sea region, with troops numbering up to 400,000" (New Tang History, Vol. 207), "plotted to capture An Nam province" (New Tang History, Vol. 184), and "proclaimed himself the Black Emperor" (Old Tang History, Vol. 184).

The uprising was victorious, besieging and capturing the Tống Bình citadel, liberating the entire country, and establishing and protecting an independent government for nearly 10 years (713-722). Notably, Mai Thúc Loan declared himself emperor, becoming King Mai Hắc Đế, demonstrating a spirit of independence and national sovereignty equal to that of the emperors of the North. Vạn An citadel (Nam Đàn, Nghệ An), the base of the uprising, was later developed into the national capital.

The Mai Thúc Loan rebellion, including its preparation, mobilization of the people and regional leaders, and alliances with Champa, Chenla, and Kim Lân, requires further research and documentation, especially through investigations and surveys in relevant areas. Surveys of the stele at Quảng Bá communal house (Tây Hồ, Hanoi) indicate that Phùng Hưng's father, Phùng Hạp Khanh, a leader of the Đường Lâm region (Sơn Tây town, Hanoi), participated in the Mai Thúc Loan rebellion; the Điều Yêu region (Quốc Tuấn commune, An Dương district, Hải Phòng) preserves historical records and legends about the activities of Mai Thúc Loan's three children, Mai Bảo Sơn, Mai Thị Cầu, and Mai Kỳ Sơn, in this strategically important coastal area; and Hòa Mục village (Trung Hòa ward, Cầu Giấy district, Hanoi) has the Dục Anh temple dedicated to Phạm Thị Uyển, Mai Thúc Loan's second wife, with historical accounts and legends about the fight against the Tang army.

In 713, Mai Thúc Loan launched an uprising, first seizing Hoan Châu as his base, expanding his power to other prefectures and counties, and then attacking and capturing Tống Bình prefectural city. It was not until 722 that the Tang dynasty sent troops to suppress the rebellion. A question that needs to be asked is why the Tang dynasty reacted so slowly? Emperor Xuanzong (712-756), upon ascending the throne, must have focused in his early years on resolving the severe consequences of more than half a century of court crisis, quelling internal rebellions, reforming the state apparatus, and stabilizing the political and social situation. This explains the Tang dynasty's delay in sending troops to suppress the rebellion and also provided the opportunity for Mai Thúc Loan to launch his uprising and hold power for nearly a decade. In the 12th year of the Kaiyuan era, 722, Yang Si Xu, an eunuch and a very cruel general who had contributed to power struggles and was considered a pawn by the Tang emperor, was appointed Left (or Right?) Gate Guard General to lead troops along with the Annam Grand Protector Quang So Khach to re-conquer Annam. Yang Si Xu also recruited more than 100,000 soldiers from the Lingbiao region, which is southern China near Annam. The New and Old Tang Books describe the advance very briefly: Following Ma Yuan's old route (the coastal road in Quang Ninh), they launched a surprise attack, catching King Mai's army off guard and causing their defeat. However, according to legends and relics in Nam Dan, after his defeat at Tong Binh citadel, King Mai withdrew his troops to Hoan Chau, and the resistance continued with fierce battles around Van An citadel.

4. The significance of the uprising.

The Mai Thúc Loan rebellion erupted and triumphed during the Tang Dynasty's golden age, with the empire's peak being under Emperors Taizong (626-649) and Xuanzong (712-756). The rebellion capitalized on the Tang Dynasty's difficulties stemming from court conflicts and power struggles that occurred from the reigns of Emperor Taizong to the beginning of Emperor Xuanzong's reign. Clearly, this was an incredibly glorious victory for a national rebellion, seizing and maintaining power and proclaiming itself emperor for nearly 10 years.
Along with the Trung Sisters' rebellion, the Ly Bi rebellion, the Phung Hung rebellion, the struggle to seize and maintain power by Khuc Thua Du - Khuc Hao, Duong Dinh Nghe, and the Bach Dang victory of Ngo Quyen, the Mai Thuc Loan rebellion is one of the largest rebellions of the period of resistance against Northern domination, a crucial milestone on the path to national liberation and regaining complete national independence in the 10th century. The significance and historical lessons of this rebellion remain invaluable in the defense of our country's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
(To be continued)

Faculty of History, Vinh University