Those who bring glory to the martial arts tradition of Quang Tri

In the history of the martial arts examinations of the Vietnamese feudal dynasties, Quang Tri province has had three individuals who brought glory to the martial arts tradition of their homeland.

Hue Martial Arts Temple, located in Huong Ho Ward, Hue City - Photo: NL

From the early Le dynasty onwards, in the 7th year of Thien Phuc (986), people selected strong, healthy men who knew martial arts to join the army. In the 10th year of Thien Ung Chinh Binh (1241), during the reign of Tran Thai Tong, strong men who knew martial arts were selected to join the army with three ranks: upper, middle, and lower.

By the 10th year (1241), the court stipulated that people with good health and martial skills should be selected to serve as the Imperial Guard. During the early Le Dynasty, Le Thai To organized the selection of the three armies, and those who were proficient in martial arts were assigned to the Imperial Guard in the inner palace.

In the second year of Thuan Thien (1429), a decree was issued to civil and military officials throughout the land from the fourth rank downwards to organize examinations to select talented individuals. Civil officials were tested on their knowledge of history and classics, while military officials were tested on their knowledge of military classics. In May 1430, candidates gathered in Dong Kinh for the examination. Military officials were tested on military classics and legal texts.

In the 4th year of Le Thai Tong (1437), the king organized an examination to assess the martial arts skills of each general. The examination consisted of three subjects: archery, spear throwing, and shield rolling. During the Le Trung Hung period, martial arts training and examinations were still organized annually as before.

The event considered to be the beginning of martial arts training and examinations in our country was in the second year of Bao Thai (1721), when Lord Trinh Cuong opened a martial arts school and appointed a teacher to instruct the children of officials in martial arts and martial arts theory.

In October of the year Quy Mao, the 4th year of the Bao Thai reign (1723), discussions began to be held about opening a military examination. The So Cu examination was held in the provinces to select candidates to participate in the Bac Cu examination held in the capital. Only those who passed the So Cu examination were allowed to participate in this examination, and only one examination was held, not divided into the Hoi and Dien examinations. The examination consisted of three stages: preliminary questioning, martial arts, and essay writing. The first So Cu examination, held during the Le dynasty, was the first military examination in our country.

In September of the year Giap Thin (1724), Lord Trinh Cuong began holding the Bac Cu examination. Those who passed were appointed as Tao Si, equivalent to a Doctor of Literature. Those who passed two exams but not the third had their most outstanding among them selected to be appointed as Tao Toat, also known as Toat Thu, and were also appointed to positions equivalent to Tao Si.

During its 61-year period (1724-1785), the Le Trung Hung dynasty held 19 examinations, producing 199 successful candidates, including 59 high-ranking officials and 140 junior officials.

Under the Nguyen dynasty, it wasn't until 1835 that Emperor Minh Mang ordered the construction of the Martial Arts Temple in An Ninh village, Huong Tra district, now Huong Ho ward, Hue City. The Emperor issued a decree stating: "The essential element of governing a country is to balance both civil and military affairs; neither can be neglected..."

Moreover, from the founding of the dynasty to the restoration, during that period, the ministers who devised strategies and provided assistance had brilliant achievements, no less than the ancients, and should be praised to encourage talent"[1]. Although the civil administration system was highly valued, King Minh Mang still paid attention to military administration, considering it an important factor in the construction and protection of the country.

In the 6th year of the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri (1846), the king specially authorized the opening of the first Imperial Examination. 51 people passed this examination, earning the titles of Martial Arts Bachelor. This was the first martial arts examination of the Nguyen dynasty. In the 18th year of the reign of Emperor Tu Duc (1865), the examination for the title of Martial Arts Doctor began.

This examination produced 3 people who passed the Vo Tien Si (Doctorate) level and 6 people who passed the Vo Pho Bang (Associate Doctorate) level. The Vo Tien Si examination under the Nguyen dynasty began here, and the Vo Tien Si degree also originated from this examination.

However, due to the intervention of the French colonialists, from the 33rd year of Tu Duc (1880) the martial arts examinations were no longer organized. In the Nguyen dynasty, 8 provincial martial arts examinations, 7 national martial arts examinations, and 3 imperial martial arts examinations were organized.

The only document specifically recording those who passed the military examination is the book "Lê triều tạo sĩ đăng khoa lục," which means a record of those who passed the "Tạo sĩ" examination, i.e., the "Bác cử" examination of the Lê dynasty. Unfortunately, due to incomplete records at the time regarding their hometowns, it is not possible to statistically determine how many people from Quảng Trị province passed the military examination.

During the Nguyen dynasty, only those who passed the military doctoral and vice-doctoral examinations were recorded in the Dai Nam Thuc Luc, with very brief and concise information. Two steles at the Vo Mieu temple bear the names of the military doctoral graduates from the examinations of the years At Suu (1865), Mau Thin (1868), and Ky Ty (1869) under the reign of Tu Duc.

Three individuals brought glory to the martial arts tradition of Quang Tri province. The first was Vo Van Luong, from Dau Kinh commune, Bich La district, Dang Xuong county (formerly Trieu Phong district), now Trieu Phong commune. At the age of 33, he passed the provincial examination in second place. He then passed the imperial examination in the third class of the Dong Vo Tien Si (Doctorate of Martial Arts) in the 18th year of Tu Duc's reign (1865).

Next is Do Van Kiet, from Bich Thu commune, Bich La district, Dang Xuong county, which is the old Trieu Phong county, now Trieu Phong commune. In the 17th year of Tu Duc (1864), he passed the military examination. At the age of 42, he passed the imperial examination and became a Third-Class Dong Vo Tien Si (Doctor of Military Arts) in the Mau Thin year of the 21st year of Tu Duc (1868).

The third person was Le Truc, from Thanh Thuy village, Tien Hoa commune, Tuyen Hoa district (formerly), now Tuyen Hoa commune, who passed the Dong Tien Si examination. The stele recording the names of the Vo Tien Si (Doctorate) in the Ky Ty year of Tu Duc 22nd year (1869) at the Hue Vo Temple reads: "Three people were granted the Third Class Dong Vo Tien Si examination..."

Le Van Truc was born in the year Tan Suu (1841). He passed the exam at the age of 29. He was from Thanh Thuy commune, Thuan Le district, Minh Chinh county, Quang Trach prefecture, Quang Binh province. In the 21st year of Tu Duc (1868), he passed the Vo Cu exam. He is currently studying at the Vo Hoc Duong school. He passed the Hoi exam in second place in the "Thang Cach" category [2].

Later, he became one of the leaders of the Can Vuong movement. When King Ham Nghi was captured on November 1, 1888, Le Truc led his troops to surrender, ending the illustrious career of a military general.

Over 138 years, from the first martial arts examination in the 3rd year of Bao Thai (1742) to the 33rd year of Tu Duc (1880), the Vietnamese martial arts examination produced 209 graduates (Tao Si and Tien Si) and 110 graduates (Vo Pho Bang), ending 40 years earlier than the literary examination. Among them, Quang Tri province proudly contributed 3 Vo Tien Si. This is a source of pride and honor for a land rich in patriotic traditions, whose people are full of courage, bravery, unwavering determination, and a desire to contribute to building the nation.

Nhat Linh

[1] National History Institute of the Nguyen Dynasty, Dai Nam Thuc Luc, Hanoi Publishing House, Hanoi, 2022, volume IV, p.774.

[2] Nguyen Thuy Nga, Martial arts examinations and those who passed the martial arts examinations in our country, Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, 2019, p.255.

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/nhung-nguoi-lam-rang-danh-truyen-thong-vo-cu-quang-tri-196402.htm