General Le Van Duyet through historical documents: Following Lord Nguyen Anh

General Le Van Duyet is a historical figure associated with the land of Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City and still causes much controversy today. Thanh Nien would like to introduce a series of articles about him through documents of historical researcher Thien Binh.

Le Van Duyet's life story is still shrouded in the mist of many folk traditions and subjective opinions of later generations. So how did later generations talk about him, and how did history record it?

According to the official history of the Nguyen Dynasty, the origin of the Le Van family was in Bo De village, Chuong Nghia district (now Quang Ngai province). His father, Le Van Toai, moved to Dinh Tuong province (now Dong Thap province). In 1924, author Cao Hai De, who wrote the book Le Van Duyet biography , claimed that the person who migrated to the South was Le Van Hieu - Le Van Duyet's grandfather. Le Van Hieu, a widower, and his son, Le Van Thoai (Toai), and his daughter-in-law, settled in Toa Lot (Tra Lot) in Hoa Khanh village (now Dong Thap province).

Painting of General Le Van Duyet (1763 - 1832)

PHOTO: DOCUMENTS OF NGUYEN QUANG DIEU

According to Cao Hai De, in Hoa Khanh, Le Van Toai gave birth to two sons, Le Van Duyet and Le Van Phong. When Le Van Duyet was 9 years old, an epidemic broke out in the area. Le Van Hieu fell ill and died. After burying his father, Le Van Toai's family moved to live near Rach Gam, which later became Long Hung village (now Dong Thap province).

Today, in Hoa Quy hamlet, Hoa Khanh commune, there is still the tomb of Mr. Le Van Hieu. The tombstone was erected by "the filial son of the Imperial Commissioner, Chief of Staff, Tu Toai" in the year of Giap Tuat. Based on the year of Mr. Le Van Toai's death, we know that year was 1814. The tombstone recorded Mr. Le Van Hieu as "Hien Khat Tang Quang Tien Chieu Nghi, Cai Co Le Hau". That was clearly the position posthumously awarded by the Nguyen Dynasty to the father of the meritorious mandarin Le Van Duyet.

The tomb of Le Van Duyet's parents is still located in Chau Thanh district, old Tien Giang province (now Dong Thap province) and was established by the Left General Le Van Duyet in the year Tan Ty [1821]. The style of the two tombs is reminiscent of the tomb of King Gia Long in Hue.

Oral tradition and historical records

There are many different oral traditions about the background of Le Van Duyet following Lord Nguyen Anh. Cao Hai De said that when he moved to Long Hung, the Le family's economic situation gradually improved, so Le Van Toai sent his children to school. But Le Van Duyet did not like to study. Because he was born with "hidden palace" - that is, his male genitals were not as complete as normal people, he was often teased by his friends. Instead of studying, he often wandered around, sometimes trapping birds, sometimes catching fish. His favorite hobby was cockfighting.

Lang Ong Ba Chieu (HCMC), where there is a temple and tomb of General Le Van Duyet

PHOTO: QUYNH TRAN

Around 1781 - 1782, Lord Nguyen Anh lost the battle to Tay Son and fled to Long Hung. Lord Nguyen Anh stayed at Mr. Le Van Toai's house and was warmly welcomed. During the conversation, Lord Nguyen Anh asked about Mr. Toai's children. Mr. Toai mentioned his eldest son, Le Van Duyet, and lamented:

"That kid is worthless. Because he doesn't study, doesn't like farming, and doesn't want to do anything at all. He's old, but he's extremely lazy. Day and night he just follows the buffalo in the fields, climbs trees and plants, and his clothes are torn to shreds!"

At that time, Le Van Duyet had just returned from a trip. He went out to bathe, change his clothes, and then went out to greet the guests. Lord Nguyen Anh looked at Mr. Duyet's appearance and asked him questions. He knew that he was not an ordinary person, so he asked Mr. Toai to let him follow him.

Another biographer, Nguyen Kim Dinh, in 1926 also published the book Le Ta Quan Biography and Linh Sam . Nguyen Kim Dinh said that Le Van Duyet had a set of horse-drawn boards placed in the middle of the house, with a chair in front, neatly arranged trays and boxes, and a cotton mat and pillows. But he did not let anyone sit on it. Even if the village officials sat on it, he would chase them away and beat them.

When Le Van Duyet was 20 years old, Lord Nguyen Anh came to his house and sat on that plank. The order of Le Van Duyet (namely Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lap) came out to stop him. Lord Nguyen Anh asked why. She clearly explained the reason, but Lord Nguyen Anh still sat there. Strangely, this time Le Van Duyet saw that scene and did not react. He went in to change his clothes and then came out to ask: "Where are you all going in such a large crowd?". Lord Nguyen Anh asked again: "Are you Duyet, the son of this old woman?". Duyet replied: "Yes, sir." Lord Nguyen Anh asked: "Why are you so grown up and not worrying about worldly affairs when you are such a filial sister, instead of wasting your reputation on trees and grass?". Duyet replied: "Sir, there is no one in this land who is worthy enough to worry about important matters with them, so I hummed the mountains and rivers and waited for the right time."

Lord Nguyen Anh asked again: "If so, we are loyal to the country, will you follow me?". Duyet replied: "Yes, I will". He asked again: "Who are you willing to follow?". Le Van Duyet stepped forward, held Lord Nguyen Anh's hand, and said: "I am willing to follow this man". Everyone laughed.

Those oral traditions reflect the popular opinion about Le Van Duyet's political choices. But official history says otherwise. In 1780, Nguyen Anh proclaimed himself king in Saigon. Le Van Duyet "was just 17 years old, recruited as a eunuch". In other words, that was when Nguyen Anh began to build a "court", so he needed servants in the forbidden palace. Le Van Duyet had a habit of hiding in the palace, so he was chosen. From here, Le Van Duyet's unusual path of advancement began. ( continued )

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ta-quan-le-van-duyet-qua-tu-lieu-lich-su-di-theo-chua-nguyen-anh-185251025201650171.htm