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During the 1,000 years under Chinese control, the
Vietnamese people engaged in a continual struggle against their ruler.
In 3 BC, a large amount of Chinese mandarins invaded Nam Viet, taking
over land and farms previously owned by Vietnamese people. The Chinese
also made demands to the Viet people in the form of high tributary payments.
They monopolized the production of salt and iron for their personal gains.
They also forced assimilation of its culture throughout the population.
The
struggles were often led by various members of the Vietnamese aristocracy.
The skirmishes between the Chinese authority and Vietnamese people occurred
mainly in the outer Tonking provinces. One of these uprisings in 39
AD was led by two women, Trung Trac and Trung Nhi.
In
36 AD, Su Ting (To Dinh) replaced Tich Quang as governor of Giao Chi
was significantly dishonest and greedy. In "Dong Quan Han Ky",
the author wrote: "His eyes widened at the sight of money." These Hans
demanded bribes, levied unreasonable taxation on salt and handicraft
products. They also taxed the local people for fishing from the rivers.
They oppressed the Vietnamese people, their children and families. Both
the peasant and Au Lac gentry classes deeply resented the colonialist
government.
King
Hung Vuong came from Me Linh (present time, Ha Tay Vinh Phu provinces).
Years later, one of his descendants was named prefect of Me Linh. Although
he worked for the Hans, he continued to maintain his personal affection
for his country people. It was due to his patriotism that he gained
the love and trust of the populace. His wife, Man Thien was equally
committed to the same affection and purpose towards the people. They
had two daughters, Trung Trac and Trung Nhi. These young women grew
up witnessing the cruel Chinese treatment of the Vietnamese people.
Their compassion for the people fueled their deep-seated hatred of the
Chinese. They spent their time studying the art of warfare, weaponry
and fighting skills.
Chu
Dien, located next to the town of Me Linh (presently, Dan Phuong of
Ha Tay and Tu Liem zone of Hanoi suburb) was a large, populated and
wealthy province. The military chief of Chu Dien was a chivalrous and
indomitable man. His son, Thi Sach was also greatly interested in military
sciences and weaponry. He spent a great deal of effort in mastering
the art of warfare. His goals were to rise up against the Chinese.
The
two military leaders of Chu Dien and Me Linh were close friends. They
often visited with each other. Their discussions frequently involved
the miserable state of the Viet people who suffered under the cruelties
of To Dinh and Han officers as well as their soldiers. They planned
and plotted to fight against the Chinese. They vowed to drive the aggressors
out of Nam Viet.
Thi
Sach, although youthful was often permitted to attend the military planning
meetings with the Me Linh chief and other leaders from the neighboring
areas. He aspired to avenge his country by using his acquired war waging
skills. He recruited other young men and women patriots to join his
insurrection against the Chinese.
During
one of his visits with his father to the headquarter of the Me Linh
military chief, Thi Sach met the Trung sisters. Shortly thereafter,
he befriended one of the sisters, Trung Trac. As time passed, the sentiment
between Thi Sach and Trung Trac developed into a romantic interest which
resulted in a marriage. The united couple from two military families
gave hope to the villagers.
The
nature of exploitation and forced assimilation of Vietnamese people
by the Hans became increasingly ruthless. Thi Sach and his wife, Trung
Trac violently opposed and protested against these Chinese practices.
Their resistance so enfuriated the Chinese that Su Ting ordered the
execution of Thi Sach as a warning to other Vietnamese rebels. This
cruel act had provoked the Vietnamese people instead. The local population
and military leaders jointly declared war on the Hans.
On
2.6.40 AD, Trung Trac stood in full military regalia to address the
30,000 soldiers gathered at the Hat estuary. She set her personal tragedy
aside by not wearing the traditional mourning attire. She vowed revenge
on behalf of her people and husband. She formidably declared to her
soldiers these memorable words:
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