Ngô dynasty

The Ngô dynasty (Template:Lang-vi; Hán tự: 吳朝, Ngô Triều) (939–967) was a dynasty in Vietnam.

Around the year 930 AD, as Ngô Quyền (吳權) rose to power, northern Vietnam was militarily occupied by Southern Han (China) and was treated as an autonomous province and vassal state of China and was referred to as Giao Chỉ (交趾). Every year the Lord Protector of Giao Chỉ had to pay tribute to China in exchange for peace and political support. Beginning of the 10th century, China was domestically plagued and weakened by internal civil war during what is known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. The emperor of China was preoccupied with these civil struggles and lost their grip on Giao Chi (Vietnam) periodically. Giao Chỉ took advantage of this opportunity and proclaimed its independence and susceded from China. Under the rule of Lord Protector Dương Đình Nghệ, Giao Chi state initiated a full blown military campaign for independence.

Dương Đình (Diên) Nghệ

Dương Đình Nghệ (楊延藝), 937–938) was the self-appointed Lord Protector (military governor/shogun) around 930. He was a skillful, well-respected, and talented general under Lord Protector Khúc Hạo (曲顥), descendant of the Khúc family who had sought independence from the Chinese for three generations in the late 9th century. Dương Đình Nghệ's continued the campaign for independence and his rule however was challenged and he was eventually assassinated by a subordinate warlord Kiều Công Tiễn (矯公羡) in 938 AD who tried to usurp with loyalty to the Southern Han court and in turn gain their support as a puppet ruler.

Ngô Vương reign: 939–944

Ngô Quyền (897–944) was Dương Đình Nghệ's most loyal general and son-in-law. He served under Dương Đình Nghệ's command and married one of his daughters. After he saw his mentor and father-in-law killed, Ngô Quyền sought revenge. He launched an attack and defeated Kiều Công Tiễn in 938. The latter, before his death in battle with Ngô Quyền, sent an emissary to Southern Han court to seek for military re-enforcement. The Chinese emperor then sent an army to the South land to assist Kiều Công Tiễn in 938. However, Ngô Quyền's forces were tipped off over the advancing Southern Han army and therefore he quickly mobilized his forces and strategically stationed them in key battle sites. The Bạch Đằng River destroyed the Chinese Southern Han army, the first significant of many victories throughout the centuries at this famous river. Ngô Quyền then ascended to the throne and took the name "Ngô Vương" (吳王 King Ngô) or "Tiền Ngô Vương" (前吳王). He moved the capital back to Cổ Loa Thành. He reigned for only five years, until 944, when he died of illness at age 47. A short reign for an ambitious ruler set the stage for future campaigns for independence. Nevertheless, Ngô Vương ushered in a new Viet era of continuous independence and political automony.

1st Battle of Bạch Đằng River (白藤江): To defeat the Chinese army coming to supply aid to his rival, Ngô Vương cleverly planted iron spikes underneath the Bạch Đằng River and timed the attack of the Southern Han navy. The attack began during high tide to conceal the spikes beneath the water. After the Viets held the enemy in check for hours, the tides receded and the spikes impaled the Chinese armada. The Viet forces followed this impalement with ferocious fire attacks, which annihilated hundreds of giant warships. The Southern Han navy and the Prince of Southern Han were killed in the battle. This tactic was repeated again during the Trần Dynasty by Trần Hưng Đạo against the third Mongol Invasion.

Dương Tam Kha reign: 944–950

Before his death, Ngô Vương's wish was to see his brother-in-law Dương Tam Kha (楊三哥) act as regent for his son Ngô Xương Ngập ([吳昌岌). However Ngô Vương's wish was not fulfilled. Dương Tam Kha usurped the throne and proclaimed himself "Binh Vương" (平王). He took Ngô Xương Ngập's younger brother, Ngô Xương Văn as his adopted son and made him heir to the throne. Fearing for his life, Ngô Xương Ngập went into hiding with his retinue. Dương Tam Kha's reign was unpopular and many revolts and rebellions sprung up across the country.

Hậu Ngô Vương (後吳王): Nam Tấn Vương & Thiên Sách Vương co-reign: 950–954

Ngô Xương Văn (吳昌文) deposed Dương Tam Kha in 950 and styled himself "Nam Tấn Vương" (南晉王) Out of respect for his uncle, Ngô Xương Văn did not have him killed, but merely demoted him and sent him into exile. Ngô Xương Văn then searched out his older brother Ngô Xương Ngập in order to share the throne with him. After arriving at the capital, Ngô Xương Ngập styled himself "Thiên Sách Vương" (天策王).

Thiên Sách Vương reign: 954–965

Brought back by his younger brother Ngô Xương Văn to the throne, Ngô Xương Ngập soon abused his rights as the oldest son and began to rule Giao Chỉ as dictator, "Thiên Sách Vương" (天策王). The country was ripe for open rivalries between different lords who fought each other to become the next successor.

Ngô Sứ Quân (吳使君)，reign: 965–968

After Ngô Xương Ngập's death in 965, his son Ngô Xương Xí (吳昌熾) succeeded him. But as he ascended to the throne Ngô Xương Xí was faced with the daunting task of having his rule recognized by the now open rivalry between the 12 lords who fought one another as they vied for control of the country. With the announcement of his rule, the country was thrown into a chaotic period called the Thập Nhị Sứ Quân (十二使君) Rebellion.

"The 12 Lords Rebellion" or "Thập Nhị Sứ Quân Rebellion" (966–968)

The 12 Lords were:

• Ngô Xương Xí (the nominal emperor whose reign and rule were contested)
• Đỗ Cảnh Thạc
• Trần Lãm (who proclaimed himself Trần Minh Công. It was Trần Lãm who trained Đinh Bộ Lĩnh who soon would emerge and prove himself as the strongest of the 12 lords and eventually found the Đinh Dynasty.
• Kiều Công Hãn (who proclaimed himself Kiều Công Che)
• Nguyễn Khoan (who proclaimed himself Nguyễn Thái Bình)
• Ngô Nhật Khánh
• Lý Khê
• Nguyễn Thủ Tiệp
• Lý Đường
• Nguyễn Siêu
• Kiều Thuận
• Phạm Bạch Hổ

References

1. Đại Việt Sử Ký Toàn Thư, by Ngô Sĩ Liên (大越史記全書。吳士連編。内閣官板)
2. Việt Nam Sử Lược, by Trần Trọng Kim
3. Việt Sử Toàn Thư, by Phạm Văn Sơn
4. Ngô Quyền by Chi D. Nguyen