Triệu Việt Vương

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Trieu Viet Vuong)

Triệu Việt Vương
趙越王
King of Vạn Xuân
Reign548–555 co-reigned with Lý Thiên Bảo, 555–571 as sole ruler
PredecessorLý Nam Đế
SuccessorHậu Lý Nam Đế
Born26 January 524
Zhu Jian, Jiaozhou, Liang China
Died571
Issue?
Names
Triệu Quang Phục (趙光復)
Regnal name
Dạ Trạch Vương (夜澤王)
DynastyEarly Lý dynasty
FatherTriệu Tục
MotherNguyễn Thị Hựu

Triệu Việt Vương (Chữ Hán 趙越王, 524–571), born Triệu Quang Phục (趙光復), was a king of the Vietnamese Early Lý dynasty in the 6th century. He was co-ruler alongside Lý Thiên Bảo from 548 until Lý Thiên Bảo's death in 555, upon which Triệu Việt Vương became sole king until his death in 571. Unlike the other rulers of the early Lý Dynasty, Triệu Việt Vương did not belong to the Lý family, and instead obtained his high position by being the commanding general of Vạn Xuân , where he was best known for leading a resistance against the Liang dynasty that tried to regain Vạn Xuân. He was a pioneer in waging guerrilla war tactics.[1]

Early life[edit]

Little is recorded about Triệu Việt Vương's (born Triệu Quang Phục) early life other than the fact that he was the son of Triệu Tục, a senior military leader under Lý Nam Đế.[2] He was born on 26 January 524 in Zhu Jian (today Hưng Yên province).

Rise to power[edit]

Part of a series on the
History of Vietnam
Prehistoric
Paleolithic
Sơn Vi culture 20,000 BC–12,000 BC
Mesolithic
Hoabinhian 12,000 BC–10,000 BC
Neolithic
Bắc Sơn culture 10,000 BC–8,000 BC
Quỳnh Văn culture 8,000 BC–6,000 BC
Đa Bút culture 4,000 BC–3,000 BC
Ancient
Hồng Bàng dynasty 2879 BC–258 BC
Thục dynasty 257 BC–179 BC
Triệu dynasty 204 BC–111 BC
Dominated
1st Chinese domination 111 BC–40 AD
Trung sisters' rebellion 40–43
2nd Chinese domination 43–544
Early Lý dynasty544–602
3rd Chinese domination602–938
Dynastic
Ngô dynasty 939–965
Anarchy of the 12 Warlords 965–968
Đinh dynasty 968–980
Early Lê dynasty 980–1009
Later Lý dynasty 1009–1225
Trần dynasty 1225–1400
Hồ dynasty 1400–1407
4th Chinese domination 1407–1427
Later Lê dynasty 1428–1527
Mạc dynasty 1527–1592
Later Lê Restoration 1533–1789
Tây Sơn dynasty 1778–1802
Nguyễn dynasty 1802–1945
Colonial
French Cochinchina 1862–1945 / 1945–1949
French Annam 1883–1945 / 1945–1948
French Tonkin 1883–1945 / 1946–1948
French Indochina 1887–1945 / 1945–1954
Empire of Vietnam 1945
Republic
North Vietnam
(Democratic Republic of Vietnam)		 1945–1976
Provisional Central Government 1948–1949
State of Vietnam 1949–1955
North–South division 1954–1976
South Vietnam
(Republic of Vietnam)		 1955–1975
Provisional Revolutionary Government
(Republic of South Vietnam)		 1969–1976
Socialist Republic of Vietnam1976–present
By topic
Timeline
flag Vietnam portal

During the 530s, Vietnam was a province of the Chinese Liang dynasty. It was governed by Xiao Zi (蕭諮), a nephew of the Liang emperor. Xiao Zi's rule was marked by corruption and cruelty.[3] In late 540, a local magistrate, Lý Bôn rallied local Việt officials and soldiers to support his cause for independence. Among them was Triệu Tục, who joined them because he too tired of Xiao Zi's incompetence. Lý Bôn's forces sacked the provincial capital Long Biên (now Hanoi) within months in the spring of 541. Xiao Zi managed to escape back to the Liang dynasty.[3] In 544, Lý Bí announced Vietnam's secession from the Liang empire and proclaimed himself emperor of Vạn Xuân.[4]

After hearing news of the rebellion, Emperor Wu, the Liang Emperor, sent an army southward in attempt to crush the rebellion led by Lý Bí.[4] Lý Bôn made use of tactical withdrawals against the Liang forces, who were defeated by Lý's army according to historical Chinese sources. In 548, Lý Bôn was killed by Lǎo (ms. 獠) tribesmen (a Tai-Kadai ethnic group)[5] while on retreat from the Hong River Plain.[6] Facing inevitable defeat and dwindling military supplies, Triệu Túc realized he could not endure the long campaign and therefore he appointed his trusted son Triệu Quang Phục to lead the resisting forces after the emperor's death. By this time, Triệu Quang Phục had followed his father's footsteps as a notable resistance leader in the Hong River Plain.

Resistance against the Liang dynasty[edit]

Recognizing the superior strength of the Liang army, Triệu Quang Phục often retreated to more favorable terrain, mainly in the swamps and marshlands. He stationed his army in the forests for tactical advantage, where he was able to employ guerrilla warfare and wage a war of attrition against the Liang army.[7] Triệu would rest his army during the day and attack the Liang army at night, seizing goods and killing many Chinese soldiers. Afterwards, he would quickly retreat back to his stronghold before the Chinese could reassemble their army to counter-attack.[2]

After the assassination of Lý Nam Đế in 548, his elder brother, Lý Thiên Bảo, became the de facto ruler of Vạn Xuân. Lý Thiên Bảo died of an illness in 555 and left no heirs, which prompted the military and officials to elect Triệu Quang Phục as leader and de facto ruler. He took the regnal name Triệu Việt Vương. However, his election was not undisputed as other prominent family members of Lý Nam Đế challenged Triệu Quang Phục's leadership. While Triệu Quang Phục claimed rightful succession through the approval of court officials, military, and the general populace, the Lý family claimed rightful leadership through primogeniture as they were still considered the rightful ruling family.

As strong as the Chinese were, they could not make any headway against Triệu Quang Phục's style of warfare This indecisive period lasted until 557 when finally a respite came for the Lý forces. Hou Jing revolted against the Liang dynasty and the leading Liang general in Vietnam, Chen Batian was recalled back to China to help quell the revolt. The Vietnamese forces, however, had no time to rejoice at the news of this temporary respite.

Civil war[edit]

Shortly after Lý Thiên Bảo died, his cousin Lý Phật Tử claimed the imperial throne and challenged Triệu Việt Vương. A civil war broke out for the throne with no decisive victory. Wary about engaging in internal fighting that would only frustrate the people, Triệu Việt Vương sued for peace. Subsequently, all the lands north of Long Biên would be under Lý Phật Tử's rule and the land south of Long Biên would belong to Triệu Việt Vương.[citation needed]

In 571, Lý Phật Tự broke the truce and attacked Triệu Quang Phục's domain. Since Triệu Quang Phục's domain was not prepared for this assault they were easily defeated. His capital was sacked and burned by Lý Phật Tự's forces, however he managed to escape. During his retreat, Triệu Quang Phục committed suicide. Triệu Quang Phục's remaining forces and territories surrendered and were incorporated into Lý Phật Tự's domains.[8]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Kim Biên Vũ Triệu Việt Vương 2008 "Triệu Quang Phục, one of the best generals of king Lý Nam Đế, becomes king Triệu Việt Vương after king Lý passes away."
  2. ^ a b Taylor 151
  3. ^ a b Taylor 136
  4. ^ a b Woods 28
  5. ^ Churchman, Michael. 2011. "“The People in Between”: The Li and Lao from the Han to the Sui." In Nola Cooke, Li Tana, and James A. Anderson, eds, The Tongking Gulf through History. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, p. 71-72 of pp. 67-83.
  6. ^ Taylor 143
  7. ^ Woods 29
  8. ^ Anh Thư Hà, Hò̂ng Đức Trà̂n A brief chronology of Vietnam's history - Page 23 2000 "On April 13, 548, Triệu Quang Phục ascended the throne as Triệu Việt Vưong (another name: Dạ Trạch Vương). ... Triệu Việt Vương, Lý Phật Tự proclaimed himself King Lý Nam Đế II, with capital in Phong Châu (Bạch Hạc, Phú Thọ province) ..."

References[edit]

  • Taylor, Keith Weller. (copyright 1983). The Birth of Vietnam. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-07417-3
  • Woods, Shelton. (copyright 2002). Vietnam: An Illustrated History. Hippocrene Books, Inc. ISBN 0-7818-0910-X
  • Tran Trong Kim. (1953). Viet Nam Su Luoc.
Preceded by Ruler of Vietnam
548–571 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Triệu_Việt_Vương&oldid=1191813228"