The "virtuous" wife of King Le Thai To

Having been Lê Lợi's wife since he was a tutor in Khả Lam, and later when the rebellion faced difficulties, this woman voluntarily sacrificed herself to support the rebel army. That woman was Empress Dowager Phạm Thị Ngọc Trần.

The historical site of the National Mother Pham Thi Ngoc Tran Temple is located in Thuong Voi village, Xuan Hoa commune.

According to historical records, she was originally from the Tran family, Quan Lai village, Loi Duong district, now part of Xuan Hoa commune - the birthplace of many founding national heroes and generals who participated in the Lam Son uprising.

The story goes that when Le Loi was still the deputy governor of Kha Lam, indignant at the Ming invasion, he frequently met with local heroes and valiant men to discuss raising the banner of rebellion. One evening, on the alluvial plain of the Chu River, he happened to meet a young woman with a refined, rustic demeanor yet exuding an air of nobility, picking mulberry leaves. Upon inquiry, he learned that her name was Pham Ngoc Tran, and she was from Quan Lai village. Returning home, Le Loi prepared gifts and went to Quan Lai to ask for her hand in marriage.

As Lê Lợi's wife, Ngọc Trần devoted herself to managing the household with her husband day and night. When her husband declared himself Bình Định King and raised the banner of rebellion, she wholeheartedly supported him in establishing the kingdom. Historical records state that, with her resourcefulness, Ngọc Trần assisted Lê Lợi in managing logistics and military supplies. In particular, she was always by his side during Lê Lợi and his army's retreats to Linh Sơn. And during those difficult times, surrounded by enemy forces and facing dwindling supplies, she and other supply-carrying generals like Nguyễn Nhữ Lãm persevered, managing their resources even in times of hunger and poverty without a single complaint.

After fierce battles between the Lam Son rebels and the Ming invaders, with the situation still stalemate, in 1424 General Nguyen Chich suggested that Nghe An , a strategically important location, should be the base of operations to build strength and position before advancing to capture Dong Do (Hanoi). Only then could the country's cause be successful. King Binh Dinh agreed and, in September of that year, ordered an attack on the Da Cang fort. The following year, they advanced into Nghe An. During their journey into Nghe An, upon reaching Trieu Khau (Trao Khau) citadel, a storm arose, forcing the rebel army to halt and set up camp. That night, in a dream, King Binh Dinh Le Loi saw a deity appear, saying he wished for a concubine, promising to wholeheartedly support him if his wish was granted.

The next morning, Le Loi summoned the villagers and learned that there was a sacred temple dedicated to the god Pho Ho (Gian Ho) and a ritual offering. Some suggested sacrificing a young woman to the god, but Le Loi refused, saying, "The Ming invaders are cruel, killing and robbing. I am leading this rebellion for the people; how can I now sacrifice another innocent person?" After much thought, King Le Loi of Binh Dinh called his wives who had followed him, recounted his dream, and said, "Whoever is willing to sacrifice themselves to the god Pho Ho, when I conquer the country, I will make that person king." In the silence, only Lady Ngoc Tran stepped forward and boldly said, "If you keep your promise, I am willing to sacrifice myself for the country. When you achieve great things, please do not abandon my son." At that time, her son, Le Nguyen Long, was only three years old.

After the ritual offering to the god Pho Ho, the Lam Son rebels' advance was smooth, winning every battle. The self-sacrifice of Lady Ngoc Tran was later mentioned in many documents such as Thanh Hoa Chư Thần Lục (Records of the Gods of Thanh Hoa); Le Trieu Ngoc Pha (Genealogy of the Le Dynasty); Dai Viet Thong Su (Comprehensive History of Dai Viet); and the deities worshipped in Thanh Hoa Province...

Moved by the selfless devotion of his loyal wife, King Le Loi of Binh Dinh ordered her body to be brought back to her hometown for burial and a temple to be erected in her honor. When her son, Crown Prince Nguyen Long, ascended the throne as King Le Thai Tong, he posthumously honored her as Empress Dowager.

To honor the sacrifice of this heroic woman, people in many places have also erected temples in her honor. One of them is the historical site of the National Mother Pham Thi Ngoc Tran Temple in Thuong Voi village, Xuan Hoa commune.

Through the ages, the story of the devoted wife of King Le Loi of Binh Dinh, who sacrificed herself to help her husband overcome difficulties and build a great empire, has been remembered by posterity with admiration and respect.

Khanh Loc

(This article references and uses content from the book "Empress Dowager Pham Thi Ngoc Tran," Thanh Hoa Publishing House, 2020).

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/nguoi-vo-liet-nu-cua-vua-le-thai-to-284959.htm