Preparing the essay 'Vũ trung tùy bút' by Phạm Đình Hổ

1. Commentary on Examination Matters as discussed by Phạm Đình Hổ in Vũ trung tuỳ bút

Phạm Đình Hổ (1768 - 1839) was an eminent scholar from Bắc Hà, renowned for his vast knowledge. Although only holding a scholar degree, he was appointed by Emperor Minh Mệnh of the Nguyễn dynasty as the National Academic Supervisor.

He left behind numerous works of research on language, culture, history, geography, etc. His most famous literary work is the book 'Vũ trung tuỳ bút,' consisting of 88 short anecdotes about family, self, friends, and various phenomena, depicting individuals in Vietnamese society from the late Lê - Trịnh period to the Tây Sơn era and the early Nguyễn dynasty.

The author has a concise and impressive writing style about events and people, offering profound and subtle insights with a range of emotions, demonstrating a talented pen and a heart full of compassion and empathy.

'Vũ trung tuỳ bút' is a remarkable literary work. 'Examinations' is one of the 88 short anecdotes extracted from 'Vũ trung tuỳ bút.' Through this page, the author discusses some aspects of the examination system during the Lê dynasty to select talents, criticize, and satirize the absurdities of the examination system in the feudal regime during its decline.

Firstly, the author notes that during the Lê dynasty, in the Thuận Thiên era, essays were used for student examinations, resulting in 'many talented individuals being selected'. He praises the refined essays of Võ Duệ and Lương Thế Vinh as 'deep and wide-ranging, not something that later scholars could easily imitate'.

However, from the Trung hưng era (during the Lê - Trịnh period) onwards (1533 - 1788), the examination system 'became increasingly biased'. Officials assigned exam topics specifically to make them difficult. Exam topics were prepared by officials who held the title of đồng tiến sĩ. Because these officials only passed the exams with low scores, they set extremely difficult topics. Many exams did not even select enough candidates; sometimes only two or three candidates were chosen. Examinations (especially the hội exam) were meant to select talented individuals for the nation, yet the officials responsible for setting exam topics had poor character and narrow minds, making it difficult to promote Confucianism! Faced with this phenomenon, the author of 'Vũ trung tuỳ bút' sadly criticizes and satirizes: 'Oh, the sorry state of the examination system.' Literary skills and Confucianism are increasingly declining. Truly lamentable.

Furthermore, the author reveals that during the Lê Trung hưng era, in addition to the Hương and Hội exams, there were also Đông Các exams. Candidates were officials ranked at the level of quan tam phẩm or lower, who had passed the Đình nguyên, Hội nguyên, Hương, or higher exams, or those who had passed the preliminary selection exam. The Đông Các exam was a 'specialized exam,' providing 'special privileges for successful candidates, giving them more opportunities than the regular doctorate exams.'

Phạm Đình Hổ uses the most flattering words to praise Phạm Khiêm Ích, who passed the Đông Các exam, for his magnanimity in exempting the poor from fees and providing them with houses made of rare wood, with three rooms and tiled roofs. Therefore, when he passed away, the villagers continued to honor him. The author profoundly expresses his insight into life and humanity: 'Consider this, only when you see someone's kindness do you remember it forever.'

We have learned the lesson 'Talent is the lifeblood of the nation,' and know how King Lê Thánh Tông honored scholars. Here, the author of 'Vũ trung tuỳ bút' also reveals: 'The Lê dynasty treated students very generously, providing delicacies like trâm, hốt, hoa bào, du nhai, tứ yến, while also honoring parents and providing for children and grandchildren, bestowing silk robes upon the villages, a great honor indeed.' He criticizes actions that burdened the people, such as building private homes and forcing the common people to serve in the grand ceremonies of new officials. He highlights the absurdities of the officials' actions. Some had to 'scramble to borrow money' to host celebratory feasts. Others 'only had eyes for the wealthy daughters and abandoned their wives.' Some 'sneakily borrowed money at high interest rates and risked their family's fortune.' He strongly condemns these malicious acts, attributing them to the deep-rooted corruption and decay of the feudal system during the late Lê dynasty: 'Such practices have been entrenched for so long, hence the saying 'The husband is laden with debt, the wife buys a husband;' how can we expect officials to govern with integrity and not engage in corruption?'

There is a proverb: 'Stone tablets wear down after a hundred years - But mouths remain barren after a thousand years.' The author highlights some typical events and characters that have left a stain on the mouths of the people.

The story of Phạm Tiến passing the Đinh Sửu examination in 1757, but being 'impeached by the court for disrespectful behavior towards his mother-in-law,' as he 'would always precede his wealthy wife during ceremonies,' leading to his mother-in-law filing a complaint to the court.

Võ Tôn Diễm and Nguyễn Bá Tôn passing the Nhâm Thìn examination in 1772 led to a series of comical and tragic events due to their decision to marry additional wives from prestigious lineages. Võ Tôn Diễm's first and additional wives 'refused to yield to each other, leading to the division of the household into two.' Nguyễn Bá Tôn's first wife 'became so angry she became mentally unstable' because she couldn't defeat the additional wife!

Nguyễn Quốc Ngạn passed the provincial examination in the year of Ất Mùi (1775). He was admired by the wife of the district magistrate Võ Độ from Yên Thái, who 'fell in love' and arranged for her beloved daughter to marry him under the condition that she would provide financial assistance, and 'all the expenses during the wedding ceremony were covered by the new bride'. Such insatiable greed inevitably leads to ruin. The new bride schemed with her mother to borrow eight hundred quan from the government, 'pocketing the money in secret within the household. Only after the government officials were replaced was Nguyễn appointed as the Deputy Governor of Sơn Nam province'. More than two hundred years later, we now understand the practice of buying titles and trading power that has been prevalent in ancient society! The greed of the times led to the downfall, and the 'sale of titles' by the new bride ended in 'total loss'. This story recounted by the author of 'Vũ trung tuỳ bút' leaves a bitter taste and serves as a lesson for those who seek fame and fortune in life:

Shortly after Nguyễn assumed his new position, he fell ill and died. Not long after, the district magistrate's wife also passed away, and the family's fortune diminished day by day. Even after the Lê dynasty fell, the debt of the new bride still lingered on.

The tragic tale of the new bride and her son mentioned by Phạm Đình Hổ is not an uncommon story. Those who have read Phạm Đình Hổ's works should reflect carefully; those who haven't should urge each other to read to learn about the rampant corruption in society that still exists today!

Reading 'Examinations,' we learn about the organization of examinations, the test questions during the Hương and Hội exams in the Lê period. We see both commendable practices and corrupt practices in the examination system. Phạm Đình Hổ's writing is both specific and comprehensive. Through typical events and characters of the late Lê period, he briefly comments or deeply praises or criticizes, leaving a lasting impression on readers.

The examination still holds significant contemporary relevance for us as society grapples with the negatives in the country's education sector.

2. Reflection on Phạm Đình Hổ's Autobiographical Writing in Miscellaneous Writings

'Autobiography' is a profound and open-hearted piece extracted from 'Miscellaneous Writings', truly reflecting the sentiments of a distinguished and gracious individual. The pronoun 'I' evokes a sense of intimacy, tranquility, and ease, making readers feel as though they are directly listening to the heartfelt thoughts and confessions of Mr. Tế Đan Loan.

In the first passage, the author recounts his upbringing and aspirations. He reveals that he was born in the year of Mậu Tý (1768) during the prosperous reign of the Lê dynasty. Coming from a noble official family, by the age of five or six, his paternal grandfather had risen to become the Governor of Sơn Tây. Despite living in luxury and abundance, he did not enjoy revelry or indulgence in games such as playing with toys or birds. He lived with a sense of purpose, considering the pursuit of 'moral cultivation and filial piety' (centrality to Confucianism) as the duty of a young man; 'to be known through famous literature as belonging to one family or another.' Recognizing his son's aspirations, his paternal grandfather and grandmother were very pleased, 'both praised him highly.'

Orphaned at an early age, with the family declining day by day, living amidst turbulent times, he longed for his parents, wishing to emulate the exemplary Tu Lu of old, but to no avail. His words echo the lament of many:

'In the blink of an eye, over 20 years have passed, yet the teachings of my parents still ring in my ears. Now, at the end of the road, burdened with misfortune, I wonder for whom do I still carry this rice? I can only lament with the endless sky, unsure where to place my heart!''.

Recalling the tale of Tu Lu, a poor but studious disciple of Confucius, who once carried rice to support his elderly mother, Dong Ya Tieu expressed his deep filial piety, always wanting to repay his parents' kindness but unable to do so anymore.

In the second passage, the author of 'Miscellaneous Writings' candidly reveals some of his own 'flaws' that he deeply regrets.

In his childhood, he was quite mischievous, often wearing his father's hat and playing around, 'even if forbidden, playing mischievously couldn't be avoided'. A nostalgic memory of innocence.

He mentioned how in his youth he 'covered his ears and refused to listen' when invited to play games of chance and gambling. Despite learning a bit of history, he didn't understand much of the Nôm script; poetry and music didn't interest him because he 'didn't understand anything'. In the year of Giap Thin (1784), at 16 years old, his older brother taught him chess, but being inexperienced, he 'always lost to anyone'. Gambling and fortune-telling were not his cup of tea, as he felt that his 'nature, given by heaven, had a bit of darkness, unable to learn these playthings'. In a humorous and sincere manner, he neither dared to criticize others nor indulged in such pursuits himself.

He self-criticized and self-condemned himself for 'falling into the addiction of drinking tea' since his vagrant days. Despite the shortage of cups and not enough money to buy tea, he remained addicted. He bought and tasted all kinds of fragrant teas; wanting to quit but unable to. Remembering his mother's admonitions from earlier days, he deeply regretted, hoping to 'make efforts to change'. Reading the following passage, one is deeply moved by Phạm Đình Hổ's sincere heart:

'I still remember when my mother was still alive, she forbade things like gambling and drinking tea, but now that I'm over thirty years old, I've violated three of those prohibitions. In the quiet night, filled with regret. I still hope to make efforts to change and not to defy the ancestral teachings.''.

One might think the author is opening up his heart to advise young people - the children in families should take heed regarding alcohol, tea, gambling, strive for self-improvement, and avoid indulgence and downfall.

Today, in our country, there are too many autobiographies, memoirs, reminiscences,... Almost all authors of these 'works' are painting their own portraits, boasting in a pretentious manner. Reading Dong Da Tieu's 'Autobiography', one can better appreciate the qualities of humility, authenticity, sincerity,... that truly shape a cultured personality.

In the third passage of the 'Autobiography', the author speaks about his interests and cultural lifestyle since his youth. At the age of 9, he studied Chinese classics for four years; learned both male and female studies from his father; only began studying Confucian classics after his father's passing. Possessing a literary talent and an early inclination 'towards famous poetry and prose', he eagerly read ancient books, classical poetry, 'never leaving them aside'. For many years staying at home to take care of his elderly mother, he lived with books as companions. Every day after breakfast, he went to the guest house to read. Every night, he stayed up until the roosters crowed (reading). This diligent self-study, research, laid the foundation for the scholarly stature of Mr. in the future, to proudly receive the royal decree from King Minh Menh to serve as the National Scholar Instructor of Liquor and Sacrificial Rites.

Born into a noble family, Pham Dinh Ho grew up in an ideal environment, a luxury enjoyed by very few people at that time. The spacious mansion: a seven-room main house, a five-room guesthouse, an internal chamber. In the guesthouse, 'stacked several shelves of books, freely choose which one to read'. The flower garden, ornamental trees as beautiful as a park. The square pond in the west of the guesthouse filled with pink and white lotuses; green willows and orange trees planted around the edges. Jasmine, roses, marigolds, peonies planted on five hectares, a few clusters inside the courtyard. In the distance is the village field, beyond the bamboo fence, faintly visible is a simple tavern. Every evening, as the sun set, the sound of singing, the sound of reed pipes from the village field blew 'ti toe'. The distant singing on the field suddenly awakened the daytime sleep. The gentleman, the son of a mandarin, felt nostalgic, moved by the 'spirit of the Tang Dynasty', by the 'singing of fishermen' echoing at the head of the Nhuoc Gia pier. Beautiful moonlit nights in the homeland transport the author into a dreamland. Taking a stroll around the pond to admire the scenery when the moon rises. Reciting a few Tang poems. Leaning against a coconut tree, plucking a few flower buds to play with as the branches fluttered in front of him. Then, lost in thought returning to the guesthouse when 'the fragrance of moonlight and flowers still lingered on the letters, the brush'.

The concluding passage of the 'Autobiography' is as beautiful as a poem. The soul of the scholar seems to be perfumed by flowers, illuminated by the moonlight over the fields, lulled by the rhythmic breeze. It serves as the source of inspiration for Pham Dinh Ho to embellish and convey on the poetic pages that enchant readers in 'Random Notes',...

But then, such tranquil life is not to be maintained forever amidst chaotic times, as the family situation deteriorates day by day with loved ones passing away one after another. The son of a mandarin from Son Tay Provincial Office, once every day steps further into the wandering world. All that remains are memories; the more beautiful the memories, the more sorrowful they become. Dong Da Tieu's essays resonate with so much emotion, soaked with tears:

'At the end of that winter, my second brother returned from afar, once again spending early mornings and late nights with me in our beloved countryside. Now my second brother has passed away, the family scene is desolate, and I wander the world, gazing at the misty mountains and rivers, unable to hold back tears.'

Pham Dinh Ho's 'Autobiography' leaves us with many impressions and emotions. Impressions of a mandarin's son nurtured and educated in a Confucian environment. Impressions of a filial child, whenever mentioning parents, expressing deep feelings of love, reverence, and gratitude. Impressions of a person with an early inclination towards self-improvement, diligence in learning, determined to make a career for the glory of parents and family.