Visiting the resting place of the renowned figure Nguyen Truong To

What Nguyen Truong To left behind for the country is not discussed in detail, as numerous research projects, scientific conferences, and books have already covered it. This article only mentions the place where he was born, grew up, and is laid to rest. The villagers still recount the story of this urban planning, telling how he led the villagers of his mother's hometown to move from lower ground to higher, drier areas. The roads were reorganized more scientifically. Another famous construction project of his in his hometown was the Xa Doai Community House (located right next to the Vinh Bishopric today), built using Western techniques and architecture. In the biography of Nguyen Truong To, written by his son Nguyen Truong Cuu, it is said that in the last three years of his life, he presided over the construction of the Xa Doai Community House. The original structures have disappeared due to war and bombing, but the rebuilt structures are said to retain many of the original features. Because of his many contributions to his homeland, after his death he was highly respected and later had a tomb erected in his honor as a revered ancestor.

Information about the life of the renowned figure Nguyen Truong To can be found at his tomb.

His tombstone today clearly bears his birth and death years, but according to Father Truong Ba Can (in "Nguyen Truong To - The Man and His Manuscripts," published in 1988), "Currently, we do not have enough documents to definitively determine Nguyen Truong To's birth year. But if he died in the 24th year of Tu Duc's reign, which is 1871, and lived to be 41 years old, then his birth year must be 1830, not 1828. The date of death and age of a person are usually accurately passed down by their family." And his son confirmed that Nguyen Truong To died at the age of 41 in his book "The Story of Nguyen Truong To."

According to many records, upon his passing, he was buried in a grinding stone area, about 300 meters west of his current tomb. His tomb is now about 1 kilometer from the Bui Chu Parish Church. In front of the mausoleum is a commemorative stone stele erected by the Nghe An Relics Management Board, and the entire mausoleum area covers more than 1,000 square ^meters . Initially, the tomb was low and rather simple. In 1943, Tu Ngoc, also known as Professor Nguyen Lan, organized a fundraising effort from individuals and organizations to build the tomb and erect a stele for the renowned figure, resulting in the current stone stele made of Thanh Hoa stone. Thus, the tomb and stele have been there for over 70 years. On January 21, 1992, the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) classified it as a National Monument; in 1996, Hung Nguyen district invested in the construction and upgrading of the relic site. The memorial to the famous figure began with a simple fence, flower garden, and ornamental plants amidst the rural residential area.

The first inscription on the tombstone clearly shows his name and baptismal name: Paul Nguyen Truong To, indicating his Catholic background. The inscription records his birth year as the 9th year of Minh Menh (1828) and his death year as the 24th year of Tu Duc (1871). According to the inscription, Nguyen Truong To died at the age of 43. The tombstone, made of stone, has the appearance of an ancient stele but also incorporates distinctive Christian architectural features, such as a cross on top. Below the cross are carved dragon heads and patterns of clouds, water, and flowers. According to explanations about his tombstone, the carvings of plum blossoms, pomegranate flowers, a pen, a scroll, and four bats, in the style of ancient culture, symbolize blessings and prosperity for future generations. The tombstone also features couplets in both Chinese and Vietnamese script. Two couplets in Vietnamese script are placed on either side of the upright stele, and two couplets in Chinese script are also found on the sides of the stele.

The front and sides of the stele pillar are carved with two couplets in Chinese and Vietnamese characters, praising the spirit and patriotic character of a talented and patriotic individual:

The couplet in front of the Nôm script:

Reverence for God and love for neighbor are etched in my heart.

Loyalty to the king and love for the country are deeply ingrained in his heart.

The couplet is inscribed on the side in Chinese characters:

Central military policy of prehistoric light

Patriotism inspires future generations.

Visiting the mausoleum to light incense for the talented scholar coincided with the near completion of renovations and upgrades to the tomb. Previously, the low-lying stone tomb, which had been close to the ground since the end of last year, was raised and a three-tiered staircase was built. It is known that the local authorities regularly organize an incense offering ceremony to commemorate his birthday. The last remaining relatives of Nguyen Truong To living in the village are also visited on this occasion. Currently, Nguyen Truong To's descendants still live in Bui Chu village. To date, he has six generations of descendants.

The invaluable legacy that Nguyen Truong To left for posterity consists of 58 manuscripts, mostly proposals submitted to the imperial court. His proposals covered many fields: education, culture, economics, national defense, diplomacy, religion, and officialdom. His overarching viewpoint was to reform education, abandon Confucianism, broaden public knowledge, cultivate talent, develop the economy, expand diplomatic relations, make the country prosperous and strong, repel foreign invaders, and maintain lasting independence. Many of his outstanding proposals remain relevant today.

As someone educated in Western ways, Nguyen Truong To made significant contributions to the formation of old Saigon, namely the Saint Enfance monastery of the St. Paul order, which still exists today.

Minh Hai

Source link