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Task: Demonstrate Trần Quốc Tuấn's love for the country through the Poetic General
Demonstrating Trần Quốc Tuấn's patriotism through the Poetic General
Essay:
Throughout the ages, our nation has endured thousands of years of illustrious history, marked by bloodshed and tears of our forefathers. This fertile land has witnessed the oppression from the northern invaders and endured the bombings of colonial powers. Nevertheless, our resilient people persist, fueled by a deep-seated love for the country, an indomitable spirit passed down through generations. This patriotic fervor is eloquently expressed in Trần Quốc Tuấn's Poetic General, showcasing the noble heart of a military genius devoted to the nation and its people.
To begin with, Trần Quốc Tuấn rewinds the course of history, recounting selfless and courageous individuals who sacrificed themselves to assist and rescue their commanders. Figures like Kỷ Tín, Do Vu, Dự Nhượng, Thân Khoái, Kính Đức, and Cảo Khanh are revered heroes, loyal and devoted, acknowledged by both contemporaries and commanders. Trần Quốc Tuấn revisits these tales to emphasize a simple truth: 'Since ancient times, where can one find heroes and loyalists who did not sacrifice themselves for their homeland?' This challenges soldiers to understand that shrinking from duty and being entangled in trivial matters of love will not secure a lasting place in history or repay the nation's gratitude. It's a thought-provoking question that strikes deep into the hearts of the listeners, a brilliant psychological maneuver by Trần Quốc Tuấn. Not satisfied with persuasion alone, he narrates stories of the Song and Yuan dynasties, showcasing loyalists like Nguyễn Văn Lập and Xích Tu Tư, who aided their sovereigns in valiantly defeating enemies without fear of death. Their contributions have preserved the independence of those nations until now, making them even stronger. The deeds of these individuals are eternally cherished by the people.
Returning to the present state of Đại Việt, a country in turmoil, Trần Quốc Tuấn expresses his hatred for the invaders through phrases like: 'Seeing the enemy envoy strutting arrogantly, disrespecting the court as they swagger down the street, bending their tongues like deceitful kites to humiliate the ruling court, using the bodies of goats and dogs to bully the vassals.' In Trần Quốc Tuấn's eyes, the invaders are only worthy of comparison to vile birds of prey like hawks, akin to lowly livestock such as goats and dogs. This not only conveys disdain but also the author's anger as they shamelessly damage the national integrity and the royal court. What intensifies this hatred is the invaders' greed, plundering wealth for personal gain, behaving like hungry beasts. Trần Quốc Tuấn, with farsighted vision, foresees the vile machinations of the enemy and the destiny of the nation if not dealt with decisively.
That intense hatred only fuels Trần Quốc Tuấn's patriotic fervor, a burning dedication 'skipping meals, pounding the pillow at midnight, stomach aching as if cut'—a pain, a worry about losing food, losing sleep. Focused solely on an unrelenting hatred that desires to 'skin and flesh, swallow the enemy's liver, and drink their blood' to quench the anger. Love for the homeland, profound compassion for the people led him to willingly expose himself in the harsh wilderness, his body wrapped in horsehide on the battlefield, indifferent to the consequences. Sacrificing for the Fatherland, for the nation, is an honor beyond measure, pride beyond description. How could one shrink in fear and hide from the enemy's brutality on the sacred land where he buried his roots? His steadfast and patriotic heart is truly admirable and highly esteemed.
It is this deep-seated love for the country and unwavering determination to defeat the enemy that prompted him to compose a poem with sincere and intimate words. For 'One tree does not make a forest, but three trees together form a towering mountain,' so to conquer the enemy, one must have soldiers, must have a spirit brimming with the desire to kill the enemy. Despite being a high-ranking general among thousands, he remains humble, wholeheartedly caring for his soldiers, treating them with fairness. On the battlefield, he stands shoulder to shoulder in combat, during times of peace, he shares laughter and stories, fostering a close and friendly bond. However, he sternly criticizes the lax lifestyle of soldiers, witnessing the country being invaded while remaining indifferent, showing no concern for humiliation—this is disloyalty, injustice to the utmost. He condemns the carefree lifestyle, indulging in cockfighting, gambling, idling in fields and gardens, clinging to wives and children, or obsessively chasing wealth and hunting, neglecting the sword and shield of the military. Trần Quốc Tuấn continues to awaken his soldiers by revealing the consequences of negligence, negligence of military duties and national affairs, warning of impending dangers, with loved ones and family suffering, lands lost, ancestral graves trampled by northern invaders. At that moment, the shame of losing the country, the home, is beyond measure, condemning oneself to a lifetime of being labeled a traitor, enduring perpetual slavery. Such a righteous cause alone is enough to awaken the determination to eradicate the enemy within every soldier.
Yet, Trần Quốc Tuấn doesn't stop there. After encouraging the patriotic spirit and hatred of the enemy, he continues with words that genuinely motivate his soldiers. 'Set fire under the firewood pile,' 'keep watch over the boiling pot to cool the vegetables,' conveying the need to anticipate the worries of others, be vigilant in all circumstances, not to be complacent in times of peace. This advice urges soldiers to diligently train so that everyone is skilled, unafraid of a formidable enemy. When the enemy comes, be ready to step onto the battlefield to demonstrate courage, loyalty to the homeland of the Vietnamese. National peace leads to prosperity, abundance, and the well-being of wives and children, creating a legacy of gratitude and reverence from the people, lasting for generations. Trần Quốc Tuấn dedicates his heart and strategic prowess to create the Military Code, a guide for soldiers to study, training with a single goal—everyone mastering military tactics, having the strength, and the bravery to step onto the battlefield to eliminate the enemy, washing away the shame and hatred for the people, for the homeland.
Trần Quốc Tuấn's love for the country is profound and admirable. Although a military leader, he possesses literary talent, convincing words, and a high persuasive power. Listening to his poem, one would think that his genuine and heartfelt love for the country is spreading in the hearts of each soldier, awakening them from their dreams, evoking a love for the country, a pride in their nationality that no one can deny. In summary, he has only one desire: to ensure the independence of the homeland, the people living in peace.
