Le Van Duyet's 'iron fist'

From 1820, General Le Van Duyet became the head of Gia Dinh Citadel until his death. Le Van Duyet is described as an "iron fist" ruler, resolute and tough, often executing those who broke the law on the spot. He relied on two pillars: his personal guard and his loyal followers.

Gibson, a member of the Burmese delegation to Gia Dinh in 1823, recorded that: "Three or four thieves were executed every week." He also recounted how General Le Van Duyet executed a Northern official who had been conscripted as a supervisor on the Vinh Te canal construction site, simply because he had heard some unsavory stories about the man's past; another subordinate was also executed immediately for asking to stay a few days to care for his sick wife, instead of accompanying the General to Hue (John Crawfurd, Journal of an Embassy from the Governor-General of India to the courts of Siam and Cochin China, vol. 2, Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, London, 1830, pp. 420, 427).

Painting of General Le Van Duyet

PHOTO: AUTHOR'S SUPPORT

Truong Vinh Ky also recounted many anecdotes about Le Van Duyet executing people without trial. One story tells of a clerk who jokingly placed his hand on a woman's betel box. The woman screamed that there was a thief. The clerk was caught red-handed and immediately executed on Le Van Duyet's orders. Another time, Le Van Duyet was traveling to Cho Lon. While passing through Cau Kho Street, he saw a child, about four or five years old, cursing at his parents. Later that evening, upon returning home, he found the same child cursing at his parents during a meal. He ordered the child to be called out and told him to continue eating. He deliberately had someone give the child chopsticks upside down. The child turned the chopsticks right side up and ate. Le Van Duyet then ordered the child arrested and beheaded, believing that the child was old enough to understand his crime.

On another occasion, Le Van Duyet caught a thief stealing a roll of tobacco paper. He had the thief arrested and immediately executed (Truong Vinh Ky, Historical Memories of Saigon and its Surrounding Areas , Tre Publishing House, 1997, pp. 30-31). The National History Institute of the Nguyen Dynasty once commented: "Duyet worked hard, wielded excessive power, and used excessive punishment, but his loyalty and selflessness for the country earned him the respect of his generals and soldiers ." Le Van Duyet ruled Gia Dinh with an iron fist. He contributed greatly to the development of the South.

CONFLICT BETWEEN KING Minh Mạng and Lê Văn Duyệt

The relationship between Le Van Duyet and Emperor Minh Mang is often described as hostile. In 1810, Le Van Duyet requested that the son of the late Crown Prince Canh, Hoang Ton Dan (also known as My Duong), be appointed as his successor. At that time, Emperor Gia Long wanted to appoint Prince Dam, so he did not respond to the request. However, while Duyet's political rival, Nguyen Van Thanh, later strongly supported Hoang Ton Dan, Duyet himself showed no signs of support. Conversely, Le Van Duyet actively participated in denouncing and investigating the treason case of Nguyen Van Thuyen, the son of Nguyen Van Thanh. This case led to Nguyen Van Thuyen's execution, Thanh's suicide by poison, and the complete collapse of the faction supporting Hoang Ton Dan, paving the way for Emperor Gia Long to successfully appoint the fourth prince as Crown Prince. This fourth prince was Emperor Minh Mang. In December of the 18th year of Gia Long (1819), Le Van Duyet and Pham Dang Hung, two high-ranking officials, received the imperial decree to escort the crown prince to the throne.

During his reign in Gia Dinh Citadel, Le Van Duyet opposed many policies of Emperor Minh Mang. He obstructed directives against Catholics, sponsored the naturalization of Chinese citizens, and protected trade with Singapore. Le Van Duyet, along with the Governor-General of Bac Thanh, Le Chat, also opposed many of Emperor Minh Mang's decisions regarding personnel matters related to those two citadels.

Both Emperor Minh Mạng and Lê Văn Duyệt were strong-willed and opinionated politicians. Their conflict was understandable. Emperor Minh Mạng often granted Lê Văn Duyệt exceptional favors, granting him leniency in cases of scandal in Gia Định Thành. When the Trần Nhật Vĩnh case broke, Duyệt submitted a petition admitting his mistake in misusing personnel. Emperor Minh Mạng responded: "Regarding his request for leniency, I will temporarily grant him clemency." In 1829, there was a scandal involving conscription in Hà Tiên. Lê Văn Duyệt again requested to take responsibility for his actions. Emperor Minh Mạng crossed out the phrase "Lê Văn Duyệt requested to take responsibility for his actions," changing it to "the Governor-General and his subordinates," and exempted them from punishment. Conversely, Lê Văn Duyệt did not show any signs of clinging to power. Their relationship remained harmonious until Lê Văn Duyệt's death. Gia Định Thành was disbanded. (to be continued)

(Excerpt from the book Phan Yen Thanh Rebellion Chronicle - An Overview of Le Van Khoi's Uprising)
(Recently published by Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ban-tay-sat-cua-le-van-duyet-185241228195206342.htm