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Insights from Khiêm Cung Ký: King Tu Duc’s Epitaph and its Relevance to Vietnam in the Second Half of the 19th Century
 
PIIS086919080028896-2-1
DOI10.31696/S086919080028896-2
Publication type Article
Status Published
Authors
Phuong Thao Hoang 
Occupation: Lecturer and PhD. student
Affiliation: PhD. Student, University of Lodz, Poland, Lecturer at Faculty of Philosophy, Hanoi National University of Education, Vietnam.
Address: Lodz, 21/23 Matejki Lodz
Journal nameVostok. Afro-Aziatskie obshchestva: istoriia i sovremennost
EditionIssue 5
Pages166-176
Abstract

This article analyzes the reign of King Tu Duc, the longest-serving monarch in the Nguyen Dynasty (1847–1883), focusing particularly on his seminal work, Khiêm Cung ký. The study draws upon diverse sources, including royal decrees, archival materials from the Quoc su quan trieu Nguyen (National Historical Bureau of Nguyen Dynasty), as well as scholarly contributions from both Vietnamese and international academics. Notably, it incorporates a complete translation of Khiêm Cung ký by Phan Hua Thuy, published on the Hồn Việt website. The research identifies Khiêm Cung ký as a significant landmark within the annals of traditional Vietnamese literature, serving as both a reflective assessment of King Tu Duc’s life and a candid acknowledgment of the limitations inherent within the dynasty. Despite Tu Duc’s discerning recognition of his own fallibility, the inscription also exposes his adherence to conservative ideologies and the inherent contradictions within his governance. His reign was characterized by multifaceted challenges, including socio-political upheavals, external aggressions, internal familial discord pertaining to succession, and the monarch’s personal health afflictions, notably his failure to produce a legitimate heir. Furthermore, the inscription not only holds intrinsic historical value but also offers invaluable insights and lessons for posterity. It serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the complexities and vicissitudes of dynastic rule, while also shedding light on the topics of leadership, governance, and self-reflection. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s historical trajectory and provides a foundation for future research in this field.

KeywordsTu Duc, Khiêm Cung ký, Khiêm mausoleum, Nguyen dynasty, historical sources, confessions
Received06.10.2024
Publication date27.10.2024
Number of characters30039
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1 REVIEW OF King Tu Duc’S LIFE and Khiêm cung ký
2 Tu Duc (1829–1883), whose birth name was Nguyen Phuc Hong Nham, ascended to the throne as the fourth emperor of the Nguyen dynasty. He was the second son of Emperor Thieu Tri (reigned for 7 years before his death) and Pham Thi Hang (Tu Du). Tu Duc’s reign, which lasted from 1847 to 1883, stands out as the longest in the history of the Nguyen dynasty.
3 In October 1847, at just 19 years old, Hong Nham ascended the throne as Tu Duc. He was known for his scholarly pursuits. His governance aligned with Confucian principles, grappling with challenges, notably interactions with the West, particularly France. Despite resistance efforts, Vietnam gradually succumbed to French dominance. [Khám phá Huế, 2017]
4 In 1871, Tu Duc composed the Khiêm Cung Ký text and had it engraved on a stele. This stele, reflecting the style of the Nguyen dynasty, has the largest character count among all Vietnamese steles and is the heaviest among similar ones in the dynasty’s tomb complex.
5 The Khiêm Cung Ký stele is kept in a tall pavilion surrounded by four decorative pillars, adding to its impressive appearance within the grandeur of the Khiêm mausoleum complex1. Standing at 4 meters tall with a 1-meter base, the stone block holds the meticulously engraved text of precisely 4,995 classical Chinese characters, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. 1. Khiêm mausoleum is a historical monument within the complex of the former imperial capital of Hue. It is the burial site of the fourth emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, Emperor Tu Duc (Nguyen Phuc Hong Nham) [National Archives Centre N1, 2022]
6 Khiêm Cung Ký differs from typical Nguyen dynasty steles as it expresses King Tu Duc’s personal sentiments rather than glorifying his accomplishments. Unlike other steles that praise deceased emperors, Tu Duc self-assessed his merits and faults, inscribing both his father’s and his own during his lifetime.
7
image1

Khiêm Cung Ký is comprised of five sections: detailing Emperor Tu Duc’s tomb construction, describing the tomb’s landscape, expressing the emperor’s sentiments toward the country, and exploring his personal life. It starts with his childhood, moves to his governance, describes the tomb’s structures, reflects his thoughts, and reveals his innermost feelings, actions, mistakes, and sincere words. This distinctive content on the Khiêm Cung Ký stele (Fig. 1) stands alone without any overlap with other steles.

8 Fig. 1. Khiêm Cung Ký stele [To quoc].
9 Khiêm Cung Ký stands out among Nguyen dynasty steles as it presents Emperor Tu Duc’s personal confessions, justifying previously criticized actions. Tu Duc avoids self-praise on the stele, acknowledging unresolved problems during his reign and prioritizing the preservation of his imperial rule.
10 After Tu Duc’s approval, the construction of the Van Nien Tomb began in the winter of November 1864, during Tu Duc’s 17th year of reign2. It took over three years to complete, but it had not been until 1871 that Tu Duc personally composed the inscriptive text for his stele. He provided the engravers with the copy to be inscribed onto the stone as late as 1875 [Quoc su quan trieu Nguyen, 2003, p. 267]. 2. The Đại Nam thực lục chính biên (Veritable Records of the Great South) notes that in the 17th year of Emperor Tu Duc's reign (1864), the king “selected the site for the Van Nien Tomb (the tomb for his afterlife) in a mountainous area, located in the Duong Xuan thuong commune, Huong Thuy district”. He appointed an official with the responsibility to initiate the construction, naming it Khiêm palace (construction began in the winter of November) [Quoc su quan trieu Nguyen, 2006, p. 899].
11 The Content of Khiêm Cung Ký and Historical Issues
12 In Khiêm Cung Ký, Tu Duc notably dedicates a significant portion to the story of his ascension to the throne, a previously controversial matter. As the second son of Emperor Thieu Tri, he was preceded by his elder brother, Hong Bao (1825–1854). In the feudal system, passing over the eldest to anoint a younger son as the heir was unconventional and raised questions among both ruling class and common people. Thus, Tu Duc’s succession after Thieu Tri’s death raised doubts for many.
13 Of course, the official records of the Nguyen dynasty present Tu Duc’s ascension as a reasonable choice because “Among our sons, Hong Bao, despite being the eldest, was lacking in intelligence and had little education, being more inclined toward indulgence and not fit to inherit. The second son, Phuoc Tuy cong (Hong Nham), on the other hand, was intelligent and dedicated to learning, resembling us. He was more worthy of ascending the throne” [Quoc su quan trieu Nguyen, 1998, p. 351]. Nevertheless, such historical accounts did not entirely quell widespread suspicions. In addition to debate within the country, some foreign observers of the time also posed similar questions. According to them, the decision to bypass the eldest and anoint a younger son was influenced by the machinations of Tu Du, particularly with the considerable influence of two powerful court dignitaries [Gosselin, 1904, p. 181], Nguyen Tri Phuong3 and Truong Dang Que4. In a letter dated January 15, 1852, Priest Galy stated with certainty: “It was indeed Hong Bao who was set aside, all orchestrated by Que. Therefore, he often said he would become king for just one day to entice Que into a trap. Que schemed to switch positions, putting Hong Bao in difficult circumstances and leading him to a tragic end. Que set a trap for Hong Bao, making it appear as though there were reasons to execute him”5. Researcher Pham Khac Hoe (1902–1995) wrote: “With Thieu Tri closing his eyes, the powerful Truong Dang Que removed Hong Bao and installed Tu Duc as the king...” [Pham Khac Hoe, 1986, p. 65]. Many slanderous stories emerged from the inner court to defame Tu Duc, suggesting that he was Truong Dang Que’s son. Que’s wife brought the child (Tu Duc) into the palace and switched him with Thieu Tri’s child, or Truong Dang Que had an affair with Tu Du, who then gave birth to Tu Duc [Do Bang, 1986, p. 133]. 3. Nguyen Tri Phuong (1800–1873) was a notable Vietnamese scholar and military strategist of the Nguyen dynasty. He led resistance against French invasions in Da Nang (1858), Gia Dinh (1861), and Ha Noi (1873). Despite being captured after Ha Noi’s fall, he rejected French medical aid and never collaborated with them until his death [Nguyen Quang Thang, Nguyen Ba The, 1992, p. 664].

4. Truong Dang Que (1793–1865) was a teacher and influential figure at the court of Emperor Thieu Tri, and he held significant power within the royal court. He had conflicts with Hong Bao [Pham Van Son, 1962, p. 13–16].

5. Quoted from [Pham Van Son, 1962, p. 16].
14 However, Hong Bao’s exclusion triggered intense internal conflicts within the Nguyen dynasty’s court when Tu Duc assumed the throne. Kieu Oanh Mau’s book, Bản triều bạn nghịch liệt truyện, vividly portrays the tragic scene of Thieu Tri’s abdication decree and Tu Duc’s coronation at Can Chanh Palace. The account describes Hong Bao's furious reaction, collapsing in anger before the decree’s completion, needing assistance to stand during the coronation ceremony [Kieu Oanh Mau, 2023, p. 183].

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