Poem by King Le Thanh Tong during his military campaign across the sea of ​​Nghe An.

(Baonghean.vn) - Mentioning the most brilliant king in the history of Vietnamese feudalismMaleWhen thinking of Lê Thánh Tông, surely everyone would think of him. His real name was Lê Tư Thành, he also had another name, Lê Hạo, and his pen name was Thiên.MaleHe was a wise and benevolent ruler in many aspects, from politics, administration, economics, culture, education, and law… He gradually implemented large-scale and systematic reforms, leading Dai Viet into the golden age of the feudal system.

He was also a brilliant military strategist, personally leading the southward (1471) and westward (1479) campaigns, expanding Vietnam's territory as far as Quang Ngai and Phu Yen. Furthermore, Le Thanh Tong was fond of literature, establishing the "Twenty-Eight Poets' Club," comprised of 28 poets and courtiers who composed poems together, praising the peaceful and prosperous state of the country during its flourishing period. Here is a collection of three poems (only the translated versions are printed) composed by King Le Thanh Tong while marching through the seaports of Nghe An province on his way to attack Champa in 1470.

Lesson 1:

Early in the morning, encamping at Thai Vien estuary, I stood on the ship's watchtower and gazed out at the sea, seeing countless sails from Dan Giap estuary heading straight towards Nghe An like a swarm of butterflies. Thai Vien mountain loomed majestically in the open sea. Looking out from this height, poetic inspiration easily arose; my heart ached for my beloved mother, and suddenly I composed this 56-word poem:

On the summit of Thai Vien mountain, the twilight shadows fall.

The capital city is thousands of miles away.

Sorrow rises to the white clouds, the poetic soul suffers.

Looking across the sky and sea, the sails blur in the distance.

The barbaric lands of the West are sowing seeds of evil.

DirectionMaleThe military camps were combined into one building.

Wipe away the stench, restore the national borders.

That army is now pulling the Milky Way!

Lesson 2:

At midnight, they left the boat and arrived at Hoa Cai Port in Nghe An. At 4 AM, they reached the harbor entrance. Early in the morning, they went to the main river, Dan Thai estuary, part of the Lam River. After traveling a few miles, they set up camp below the city of Nghe An. Gazing at the mountains and rivers, they spontaneously composed a poem:

The fourth day of the Hong Duc era, the last day of winter.

The flag-waving ceremony has been temporarily suspended at Nghe An Citadel.

Tide rises at the Thai Dan estuary.

The golden sunlight slanted across the mountain peaks of Tuyen Nghia.

Surfing with exhilarating strides,

His ambition was so noble that he cared for his people.

Asking about the unknown past,

Peace and tranquility breed complacency, while military affairs become neglected.

Lesson 3

While riding in a palanquin on a tour of observation within Nghe An Citadel, I spontaneously composed a poem about my aspirations:

Outside the citadel of Nghe An, the divine army gathered.

We aim our gaze towards the red moon, pointing toward Chang'e.

One hundred thousand Pixiu (mythical creatures) stand guard in a military tent.

The sound of drums echoed loudly along the distant road at five watches of the night.

The central pathogenic factor is clearly located outside the intestine.

The outcome, whether good or bad, is entirely in our hands.

Don't blame the childishness of literature.

The Confucian hat was born from the Confucian hat!

Tran Tu Quang