Regarding Mac Thien Tu's younger sister

Mac Thien Tu's "mysterious" younger sister

Besides his son, Mac Thien Tu, Mac Cuu also had a daughter. Vietnamese historical records do not mention her name. Chinese researchers such as Trinh Thuy Minh and Tran Kinh Hoa call her Mac Kim Dinh, but the origin of this name remains a mystery. Trinh Thuy Minh only says that this name is according to "tradition." The "Ancestral Records " record "Grandmother Mac Thi Xuan" as "the younger sister of the Ancestor," born on December 18th, and commemorated on June 4th.

Lady Thanh Duc's tomb in Binh San

Photo: Author's archives

Trịnh Hoài Đức recorded that she married Định Sách Marquis Trần Đại Định (son of Trần Thượng Xuyên) in Trấn Biên, and gave birth to a son, Cai đội Sửu Tài Marquis Trần Đại Lực. However, this account faces several problems. Firstly, Mạc Thị Xuân must have been born after Mạc Thiên Tứ, who was born around 1718, while Trần Đại Định died in 1732. It is quite unbelievable that she would have married and had a child at the age of 14. Secondly, the Trần Thượng Xuyên family genealogy in Điền Đầu (China) states that Trần Thượng Xuyên had no sons. After Trần Thượng Xuyên's death, his position was transferred to his cousin, Thánh Âm. At Thanh Lương Pagoda (Biên Hòa), the ancestral tablets of Trần Thánh Âm and Trần Thượng Xuyên are still worshipped. This further supports the Trần family genealogy in Điền Đầu. Thirdly, the Mạc family records in Hà Tiên indicate that Mạc Thị Xuân's husband was someone else. The ancestral records mention the death anniversary of Ông Chưởng thủy Hằng (恒), with the note "he was the brother-in-law of Tiên công". The anniversary falls on the 17th day of the 6th lunar month.

Currently in Binh San, there is the tomb of General Long Ho, Marquis Hoan Vu Tran Cong, and the tomb of his wife, Lady Thanh Duc, Mac Thi. When Tran Thiem Trung wrote the tomb inscription in Binh San, this tomb was read as Hang Vu Hau. Perhaps this is the same as Chuong Thuy Hang mentioned in the "Te Tu Bien" ( Eulogy Compilation). In Tran Thiem Trung's posthumous records, there is a list of historical sites in the Ha Tien area. It shows that local people in the 1960s considered the tomb of Hang Vu Hau to be that of Tran Thuong Xuyen. This assessment is probably incorrect. However, it suggests that the local people also believed this tomb was related to the Tran family in Tran Bien. The tomb of Marquis Hoan Vu Tran Cong and Lady Thanh Duc, Mac Thi, are among the few well-preserved tombs in Binh San.

It's worth noting that among her two sons, neither was named Dai Luc, only Thieu Ho and Thieu Phach. Researcher Tran Kinh Hoa suggests that Thanh Duc Thai Phu Nhan was Mac Thi Long - the eldest daughter of Mac Thien Tu. However, he provides no evidence to support this claim. Conversely, the "Te Tu Bien " records Mac Thien Tu's first son-in-law as Ong Ngu Nhung Ky. This is likely Ky Duong Hau Tu Cong, whose tomb is in Binh San. In other words, Mac Thi Long's husband was surnamed Tu, not Tran. Clearly, Tran Kinh Hoa's hypothesis regarding the origins of Long Ho Dai Tuong Quan and Thanh Duc Thai Phu Nhan is unreliable.

We can cautiously conclude that the records of the "Ritual Compilation" as well as the genealogical documents of the Mac and Tran families necessitate a re-evaluation of Trinh Hoai Duc's statement regarding Mac Thi Xuan's marriage to Tran Dai Dinh. Trinh Hoai Duc is the only source that stated this. Later documents merely reproduce his words.

A copy of the petition from Guerrilla fighter Trinh Thuy.

Photo: Author's archives

Lord Tran and the tomb of Lord Co Tri in Binh San

The Mạc family genealogy compiled by Vũ Thế Dinh mentions a son of Mạc Thị Xuân, Trần Hầu. He commanded the army that conquered Siam, which was then under the rule of King Taksin. Trịnh Hoài Đức's records are similar and clearly state that this was Sửu Tài Hầu Trần Đại Lực (son of Trần Đại Định).

The ancestral tablet of Sửu Tài Hầu is also worshipped at Thanh Lương Pagoda (Biên Hòa). Its design is quite different from the tablets of Trần Thượng Xuyên and Trần Thánh Âm. We have not yet found the tomb of Sửu Tài Hầu, but in Hà Tiên there is the tomb of Cơ Trí Hầu Trần Công. Researcher Trần Kinh Hòa believes that Cơ Trí Hầu was actually Trần Hầu – the son of Mạc Kim Định. However, a report by Qing Dynasty guerrilla fighter Trịnh Thụy, present in Hà Tiên during the campaign against Siam, clearly states that Mạc Thiên Tứ initially sent Trần Lang (Trần) to attack Đồng Trại (Thung Yai), and only then sent Trần Cơ as reinforcement.

Thus, Tran Lang was probably Tran Hou, while Tran Co was the true owner of the tomb of Co Tri Hou in Binh San. (to be continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hau-due-mac-cuu-qua-nhung-tu-lieu-moi-phat-hien-ve-em-gai-cua-mac-thien-tu-185250228210350555.htm