Top 10 Best Essays Retelling the Story of 'An Dương Vương and Mị Châu - Trọng Thủy' with an Alternate Ending (Grade 10)

After Triệu Đà's victory over An Dương Vương, although he became a national hero, Trọng Thủy could not escape the torment of his conscience for deceiving his beloved wife, Mị Châu. As he remembered her, he became sad and went to the well – the place where Mị Châu used to bathe – to recall memories of her. One day, he saw Mị Châu’s shadow in the water, waving at him. He gazed into her large, dark eyes, feeling a deep longing... Trọng Thủy jumped into the well, hoping to meet Mị Châu, seeking her forgiveness for his past wrongdoings. But it was only an illusion, a figment of his imagination born from constant thoughts of her. Realizing his mistake, he didn’t regret it, surrendering his fate to the heavens. He wished to die to atone for his sins against Mị Châu.

As for Mị Châu, after her death, she was helped by the Golden Turtle to live in the Dragon Palace. Though surrounded by luxury, her memories of Trọng Thủy never faded... Every night, she cried, mourning for her lost love, missing her homeland, and feeling anger towards Trọng Thủy for betraying her. She wept for the foolishness of her love, knowing that her actions had made her a traitor to the nation. Sometimes, Mị Châu felt hopeless and sorrowful for her fate, but with comfort from An Dương Vương, the Golden Turtle, and Princess Thủy Linh (daughter of the Dragon King), her heart eased... Yet, each time she thought of Trọng Thủy, the pain surged again, and tears flowed from her eyes.

The Golden Turtle saw the deep bond between Mị Châu and Trọng Thủy and decided to intervene. Trọng Thủy’s body drifted to the East Sea, and his soul followed the wind. The Golden Turtle merged with him, granting him the ability to live underwater and guided him to the Dragon Palace. What awaited him was an awe-inspiring, magnificent palace unlike anything he had ever seen. The entrance was heavily guarded by a strong army. Trọng Thủy stood there, gazing up, and before he could speak, two water deities stopped him, asking:

- Who are you? What is your business here? Do you know this is the sacred Dragon Palace?

Trọng Thủy, frightened but determined to see his wife, replied:

- I am Trọng Thủy, and my wife is Mị Châu. I came here because the Golden Turtle told me she resides in this place.

He then shared the story of his betrayal and love for Mị Châu. Just as he finished, Princess Thủy Linh was leaving the palace and recognized him. She said:

- He is my friend. Let him enter.

Trọng Thủy was led by Princess Thủy Linh to Mị Châu. Inside the Dragon Palace, the scene was breathtaking. Schools of fish swam joyfully, and coral reefs of all colors painted a surreal, otherworldly landscape. Suddenly, Trọng Thủy found himself in a peaceful, beautiful place. In the distance, he saw a girl with long, silky hair playing a sorrowful tune on the zither. He recognized her immediately as Mị Châu! He cried her name and rushed towards her, but Mị Châu, startled, fled. She ran from the man who had betrayed her. Trọng Thủy chased after her, eventually catching up. Mị Châu remained silent, staring at him with a mixture of hatred, resentment, and longing. Trọng Thủy understood and spoke:

- Mị Châu, why do you run from me? I know I have wronged you, betrayed you, but please understand that I had no other choice. As a son, I had to obey my father's orders. I know I was wrong. But do not think I never loved you, and please don't believe I married you as part of a plot to invade.

Despite Trọng Thủy’s sincere apology, Mị Châu said nothing. She silently observed the man she had once loved, now the one who had betrayed her. Her heart ached, unsure of what to do to reconcile the brokenness of their past.

Trọng Thủy spoke again:

- Please, do not remain silent. I know I have caused you great pain, and that saddens me. You can scold me, but please don't stay silent.

As Trọng Thủy explained, Mị Châu secretly watched him. He looked weak and frail, worn down by the guilt and sorrow he had carried. She also wished to return to him, but fear held her back. Tears filled Mị Châu's eyes as she spoke:

- Trọng Thủy, I know you speak the truth. A true man must prioritize duty. But the vengeance between us remains. I am now a traitor to my people. If I return to you, my sin will be even greater.

- After everything that’s happened, I’ve realized my mistakes. Let’s go together to meet your father and the Golden Turtle. I will ask them to let us live together in happiness, no matter the hardships we face. I want to spend my life with you, until old age. At first, Mị Châu hesitated, but she agreed. The two of them went to meet her father. There, An Dương Vương and the Golden Turtle were playing chess. After hearing their story, An Dương Vương didn’t know what to say. The Golden Turtle, seeing his uncertainty, spoke:

- Then let’s go to the Jade Emperor. If he agrees, you two will get what you wish for. If not, Mị Châu must remain here with her father. The two of them, guided by the Golden Turtle, met the Jade Emperor. After hearing their tale, the Queen was moved and asked the Jade Emperor to forgive them. But what of their crimes? The Jade Emperor decreed:

- Though your love still lingers, your crimes cannot be pardoned. You must go to the mortal realm and perform good deeds for three years. After that, you may be reincarnated and live together. Whether you find happiness or not depends on you.

Before they could say their goodbyes, the Jade Emperor sent them down to the mortal realm. Mị Châu was reincarnated into a wealthy and beautiful family, her heart stronger and kinder. She helped others, performing good deeds. Trọng Thủy became a hardworking, kind-hearted fisherman. Time passed quickly, and three years later, their time to meet again arrived. Mị Châu found Trọng Thủy, and they embraced, their tears washing away all past wrongs. They married and lived happily ever after. As for Triệu Đà, missing his son, he fell ill and died.

The love between Mị Châu and Trọng Thủy remained as pure and enduring as the pearl washed in the well, where Trọng Thủy had first seen his wife’s reflection. Their story is truly moving.

The legend tells that King An Dương Vương had been constructing Loa Thành, but each time it neared completion, it collapsed. He then held a ritual, praying to the gods for help. On the seventh day of the third month, a mysterious old man appeared from the East and approached the gates of the city. The old man looked at the city and sighed, saying, “What a waste of effort by so many people!” The king joyfully welcomed the old man into his palace, performed a ritual, and asked him why the construction was always failing. The old man explained that a messenger from Thanh Giang (a sacred river) would come to assist him. With that, the old man bid farewell to the king.

True to his word, the next day, the king met the messenger from Thanh Giang. The messenger was none other than the Golden Turtle (Kim Quy), the sacred deity of the Vietnamese people. The Golden Turtle helped the king finish the construction of the city in just half a month. The city, built in a spiral shape, was over a thousand meters wide and was named Loa Thành (also known as Quy Long Thành or Côn Lôn Thành). The Golden Turtle stayed for three years before departing, and the king thanked the deity and asked for advice on how to defend the kingdom. The Golden Turtle gave him a claw, which was used to craft a magical crossbow trigger, saying, “The rise and fall of a kingdom is determined by fate, but people can extend their prosperity by cultivating virtue.”

The claw was fashioned into a trigger for a powerful divine crossbow that could shoot a thousand arrows at once. This weapon helped defeat many invasions by Triệu Đà, who was forced to seek peace. Soon after, Triệu Đà requested a marriage alliance, and King An Dương Vương married his daughter, Mị Châu, to Triệu Đà's son, Trọng Thủy, in hopes of strengthening relations between their two kingdoms. However, this marriage was part of Triệu Đà's secret plan to invade. After marrying Mị Châu, Trọng Thủy persuaded her to secretly show him the crossbow, then secretly made a replica trigger to replace the original. He later returned to the North, taking the new trigger with him to Triệu Đà. Before leaving, he warned Mị Châu that if trouble arose, she could mark the way with goose feathers on her garment.

Upon returning to the North, Triệu Đà launched an invasion of Âu Lạc. King An Dương Vương, relying on the divine crossbow, initially paid no heed to the approaching army. But when he tried to use the crossbow, he discovered the trigger was missing, and he immediately understood the situation.

The king turned to Mị Châu with anger, and Mị Châu, realizing her mistake, knelt down to beg for punishment. Not wanting to kill his daughter, the king ordered her to flee on horseback while he quickly gathered his troops for a final stand. As the battle reached the seaside, with the enemy too strong to resist, King An Dương Vương called out: “Where is the messenger from Thanh Giang? Help me now!” The Golden Turtle appeared, parting the waters and leading the king to the underwater palace.

Triệu Đà captured Loa Thành, and Trọng Thủy, following the trail of goose feathers, reached the shore. He saw Mị Châu waiting, holding a sword. Approaching her, Mị Châu raised her sword and said: “You betrayed your duty for the country. I loved you with all my heart, but I placed my heart where my mind should have been. Yet I swear, my loyalty remains true to my father and the kingdom. If I ever betray this, let me become food for fish. But if my heart is pure, let me become a pearl in the East Sea.” With that, she plunged the sword into herself.

Trọng Thủy took Mị Châu’s body back to Loa Thành and buried her. Overcome with regret and sorrow, he jumped into a well to end his life. The following generations retrieved pearls from the East Sea and placed them in Trọng Thủy's well, and the pearl shone brightly. Moved by the love Trọng Thủy had for his wife and Mị Châu’s loyalty, the Golden Turtle brought the souls of both to reunite in the underwater palace. After hearing that Mị Châu was there, Trọng Thủy searched day and night to find her. After much hardship, he reached the palace, but two water guardians blocked his way and asked:

- Who are you? What business do you have here? This is a peaceful realm; we do not allow the living to disturb it.

- I am Trọng Thủy, and after my wife’s death, I was heartbroken and followed her spirit, believing I saw her in the well, so I leaped in to join her. I was saved by the Golden Turtle, who told me that Mị Châu was here. Please allow me to enter and find her.

Moved by Trọng Thủy’s sincere words and knowing that the Golden Turtle had forewarned them, the guardians allowed him to pass. Inside, Trọng Thủy was amazed by the beauty of the underwater world, which surpassed even the royal palace. He saw fish swimming happily and a garden full of wondrous flowers. There, he found Mị Châu. Upon seeing her, Trọng Thủy called her name, and the love they shared reignited. But Mị Châu, unable to believe that he could have found her, responded:

- Why have you come here? You deceived me and betrayed your country. I am of no use to you anymore.

Hearing this, Trọng Thủy was filled with sorrow and regret.

- My love, the gods can bear witness to my sorrow. I regret betraying you, but I had no choice. My father and my people pressured me into this. It was my duty, and I couldn’t refuse.

Moved by his words, Mị Châu’s eyes filled with tears, and she spoke softly:

- I believe in your love, but as a man, you must prioritize your country. If I stay with you, I will be cursed for eternity. I have already given the kingdom to the enemy because of my love for you.

After trying to convince her without success, Trọng Thủy decided on a bold course of action.

- I swear, I will never deceive you again. If you still do not trust me, let us go to your father and ask for his forgiveness. If possible, we will seek the heavens to ask for permission to be together.

Mị Châu hesitated, but ultimately agreed:

- My fate is in the hands of heaven, and now I must trust its will.

The two set out to meet King An Dương Vương, who was playing chess with the Golden Turtle. The Golden Turtle was pleased to see them together, while the king, though angry, still felt love for his daughter. Without waiting for Mị Châu and Trọng Thủy to explain, he said:

- It is hard for me to forgive you, but if it is the will of heaven, I have no choice but to accept it.

Trọng Thủy and Mị Châu thanked him and asked the Golden Turtle to take them to Heaven. Before the gods, they spoke in unison:

- We are Trọng Thủy and Mị Châu. We acknowledge our mistakes and are deeply remorseful. We vow to cultivate virtue to make up for our wrongs. Please forgive us and allow us to be together.

The god pondered for a long time before responding in a voice that was both authoritative and thunderous:

- You have sinned, but you have repented. I am moved by your love, but your crime is not easily erased. Therefore, I will punish you to be apart for three years, during which you must cultivate virtue, before you can be together again.

Trọng Thủy and Mị Châu thanked the gods and descended back to the mortal world. Three years later, they reunited and lived happily ever after.

An Duong Vuong struggled to build the Co Loa citadel, and no matter how much he tried, it kept collapsing. With the help of the mythical turtle god Kim Quy, he finally completed it. Before parting, the turtle god gave him a claw to craft a magical bow. Once completed, the bow was capable of shooting with perfect accuracy. At that time, General Trieu Da from the north planned to invade the kingdom of Au Lac, but because of the magical bow, he was forced to retreat and bide his time for a better opportunity. Trieu Da then arranged for his son to marry Mi Chau, and once he earned her trust, Trong Thuy asked her about the secret of the magical bow. He later used the excuse of visiting his father to steal the bow. When Trieu Da attacked Au Lac again, the magical bow failed to work as it had before, leading to the fall of the kingdom. An Duong Vuong fled with Mi Chau towards the East Sea, but the enemy forces were in pursuit. The turtle god warned the king about the enemy being close, and he swiftly killed Mi Chau. After her death, the Water King took pity on her and kept her alive in his underwater palace, adopting her as his daughter. Trong Thuy, upon hearing of Mi Chau's death, regretted his actions and jumped into a well to end his life. His soul wandered for days before eventually finding its way to the underwater palace where Mi Chau resided.

Trong Thuy arrived at the palace just as the Water King was celebrating his birthday. Seeing a stranger, the king ordered his servants to apprehend him. When brought before the king, Trong Thuy was shocked to see Mi Chau sitting next to the Water King.

The Water King asked:

- Who are you? How did you come here?

Trong Thuy replied:

- I am Trong Thuy, the son of Trieu Da, the King of the state of Trieu. In my previous life, I committed many wrongdoings, and so I ended my life. Now, I have wandered seeking my wife, Mi Chau, but I ended up here by accident. Please forgive me.

The Water King, surprised, turned to Mi Chau:

- Mi Chau, do you know this person?

Mi Chau wiped away her tears and responded:

- Yes, father. I know him well. He deceived me and stole a national treasure to give to his father. His father, Trieu Da, then led an invasion against my kingdom. Now, I ask that you allow me to speak with him privately to resolve this issue.

The Water King ordered his servants to release Trong Thuy, and a guard was assigned to follow them to prevent trouble. The two stood in silence for a long time, and finally, Mi Chau spoke:

- Isn't it enough that you betrayed and harmed me when we were alive? Now, you follow me here?

Trong Thuy, looking regretful, responded:

- Mi Chau, you misunderstand me. Since your death, I have always blamed myself. Meeting you here, I only wish to offer my apologies.

Mi Chau glared at him angrily:

- You think a simple apology is enough? How can I forget the pain of losing my country, the dishonor, the betrayal? Every day, it felt like a thousand arrows piercing my heart.

Trong Thuy reached for Mi Chau's hand, saying:

- I know that no apology can undo my wrongs. But let me end my own soul, to atone for my sins toward you.

He then destroyed his own soul. Mi Chau, in shock, caught him as he collapsed. Tears fell from her eyes as she held him.

- Why did you do this? We can never return to how we were before.

Trong Thuy smiled faintly and said:

- I know we cannot go back, but after my death, I searched for you everywhere. Now that I have found you and apologized, I no longer regret anything. I only ask that you live well, and promise me that.

Mi Chau, though in great pain, agreed. With that, Trong Thuy's soul slowly dissipated.

After receiving the throne from the 18 generations of Hung Kings, An Dương Vương Thục Phán led the people to successfully repel tens of thousands of invading Qin soldiers. He immediately renamed the country to Âu Lạc and moved the capital from Nghĩa Lĩnh Phong Châu to Phong Khê, now known as Đông Anh, Hanoi.

An Dương Vương began building a fortress to protect the people, but despite working hard every morning, by nightfall the walls would collapse. This situation caused him great concern, so he ordered his officials to perform a ritual to seek divine assistance. On the seventh day of the third month, an old man with a white beard appeared from the east, walking with a bamboo cane. He lamented in front of the gates of the city, saying: “At this rate, how long will it take to finish the fortress?” An Dương Vương, overjoyed, invited the old man into the palace and eagerly asked, “Why has this construction been so difficult?” The old man replied, “A messenger from Thanh Giang will come to help you build the city, only then will it be successful.” With that, the old man departed.

Just as predicted, the next morning a large turtle surfaced in the water, claiming to be a messenger from Thanh Giang. It told An Dương Vương that in order to complete the city, he must first eliminate the troublesome monsters. After the Golden Turtle helped the king defeat the monsters, the fortress was completed in just half a month. The city, shaped like a snail shell, was over a thousand feet wide and was named Loa Thành. The Golden Turtle stayed for three years before departing. When they parted, An Dương Vương asked, “Thanks to your help, the city is finished. But if an enemy comes, how will we defend it?” The Golden Turtle removed one of its claws and gave it to the king, saying, “Use this as the trigger for the divine crossbow, and no enemy will dare approach.” With those words, the Golden Turtle returned to the Eastern Sea. The king ordered his general, Cao Lỗ, to forge a crossbow trigger from the Golden Turtle’s claw, naming it the divine crossbow of Kim Quy.

Soon after, Triệu Đà led his forces to invade Âu Lạc. An Dương Vương used the divine crossbow to shoot and kill thousands of enemy soldiers. Triệu Đà, terrified, withdrew his forces. The people of Âu Lạc celebrated the great victory of their wise king.

Realizing he could not defeat Âu Lạc through direct conflict, Triệu Đà devised a cunning plan. He sent his son, Trọng Thủy, to marry Mị Châu, the beloved daughter of An Dương Vương. Without suspicion, the king arranged the marriage, and Trọng Thủy moved into Loa Thành.

At his father’s command, Trọng Thủy secretly searched for the secret of the divine crossbow. Trusting her husband, Mị Châu led him to the hidden location of the weapon. Trọng Thủy then crafted a replica of the divine crossbow trigger. Once his task was complete, he planned to return home. Before he left, he asked Mị Châu, “How can we recognize each other if the two countries become divided?” Mị Châu innocently replied, “I have a goose feather coat. If we are ever separated, I will scatter feathers at crossroads to mark our way.”

Trọng Thủy returned to his homeland, and Triệu Đà immediately launched an attack on Âu Lạc. Despite the advancing enemy forces, the king remained calm and continued playing chess, saying, “Does Đà no longer fear the divine crossbow?” When the enemy forces reached the gates, the king ordered the crossbow to be fired, but it no longer worked. An Dương Vương, realizing they were doomed, fled with Mị Châu toward the sea. But no matter where they went, the enemy followed. At the edge of the sea, An Dương Vương, desperate, called out, “Where is the messenger from Thanh Giang? Help me now!” At that moment, the Golden Turtle appeared from the water and said, “The enemy is right behind you.” In a fit of rage, the king drew his sword and killed Mị Châu, then jumped into the sea to follow the Golden Turtle. Upon arriving, Triệu Thủy found Mị Châu’s lifeless body in a pool of blood. Devastated, he cried out in sorrow and took his own life.

According to the legend: King An Duong Vuong faced many difficulties in building Loa Citadel. Each time the construction seemed near completion, the walls collapsed. In desperation, he conducted a ritual to ask for divine help. On the seventh day of the third month, a mysterious old man appeared at the city gates. The old man looked at the collapsing walls and sighed, "Such effort wasted!" The king welcomed him, asking why the construction was failing despite the tireless efforts. The old man foretold that a divine messenger, Thanh Giang (from the sacred Blue River), would help. With that, he departed.

The next day, as foretold, the king met Thanh Giang, who revealed himself to be the Golden Turtle (Kim Quy), the sacred guardian spirit of the Vietnamese people. Golden Turtle helped the king complete the citadel in just half a month. The citadel was massive, more than a thousand meters wide and shaped like a spiral, earning it the name Loa Citadel (also known as Quy Long Citadel or Con Lon Citadel).

After staying for three years, Golden Turtle bade farewell, but not before giving the king a claw. The claw would be fashioned into a trigger for a magical crossbow. The king was instructed: "The fate of the land, its prosperity or peril, lies in the heavens. But men can earn blessings through virtue." The claw was used by General Cao Lo to craft the famous crossbow that could shoot thousands of arrows in one shot, helping An Duong Vuong repel countless invasions by Triệu Đà.

Triệu Đà, frustrated by his failure to conquer Âu Lạc, sought to forge an alliance through marriage. He proposed that his son, Trong Thuy, marry An Duong Vuong's daughter, Mi Chau, in hopes of creating a peaceful relationship. Little did the king know, this marriage was part of Triệu Đà's grand plot. After marrying Mi Chau, Trong Thuy secretly learned the secret of the divine crossbow and secretly crafted a similar trigger, swapping it for the real one made from the Golden Turtle’s claw. He then returned to the North, taking the crossbow trigger with him, and asked Mi Chau how to find her if they were ever separated. Mi Chau, trusting her husband, told him to leave behind goose feathers as a trail.

Back in the North, Triệu Đà launched an invasion. Confident in the power of the magical crossbow, An Duong Vuong remained calm even as enemy forces neared. But when he tried to use the crossbow, he realized that the divine trigger had been replaced. Understanding the betrayal, he turned to Mi Chau, who fell to her knees, begging for forgiveness. Unable to kill his own daughter, An Duong Vuong ordered her to flee on horseback while he prepared for battle. But when the forces clashed by the sea, defeat was imminent. An Duong Vuong, cornered, called out: "Where is Thanh Giang? Come to my aid!" Golden Turtle rose from the water and guided the king to safety in the underwater realm.

Triệu Đà soon captured Loa Citadel. Trong Thuy, following Mi Chau's instructions, found her by the sea, where she awaited him with a sword. Mi Chau, heartbroken and betrayed, confronted her husband: "You have forsaken me for your duty, and I have given my heart to you despite knowing my duty to the kingdom. But I swear my heart remains loyal to my father and my land. If I have betrayed, may I be fish food; if not, may I become a pearl in the East Sea." With that, she ended her life with her sword. Trong Thuy, consumed by guilt and sorrow, buried Mi Chau in the Loa Citadel and then took his own life in despair.

Afterward, pearls from the East Sea were brought to the well where Trong Thuy had died. The pearls, upon being washed, glowed with an extraordinary light.

An Dương Vương was the king of the Âu Lạc kingdom, named Thục Phán. He ordered the construction of a fortress in Việt Thường, but the project was progressing slowly. He held a ritual to seek the help of deities, and soon an elderly man from the east appeared. This man claimed that a messenger from Thanh Giang would come to help the king build the fortress. The next day, the king waited by the eastern gate and saw a Golden Turtle that could speak, introducing itself as the Thanh Giang messenger. The king quickly welcomed the turtle into the city. The turtle explained that the delay in building the fortress was due to the presence of an evil spirit, and only by eliminating it could construction proceed. Afterward, the Golden Turtle helped An Dương Vương defeat the spirit and complete the fortress.

In just over two weeks, a magnificent fortress over a thousand feet high was completed, shaped like a spiral, and it became known as the Loa Fortress, also referred to as Côn Lôn or Qủy Long Fortress. After three years, the Golden Turtle bid farewell to the king to return to its mission. Before leaving, it gave An Dương Vương one of its claws, instructing him to use it as the trigger for a magical bow. The turtle assured him that it would repel any invaders. Years later, the military leader Triệu Đà invaded with his forces. The king used the divine bow to defeat the enemy, and they were forced to retreat and seek peace.

However, Triệu Đà, being cunning, sent his son, Trọng Thủy, to marry Mị Châu, An Dương Vương's daughter. The king saw no reason to be suspicious and agreed, even allowing Trọng Thủy to stay with them. Unbeknownst to him, Trọng Thủy was a spy for the enemy. He lived with Mị Châu for a while, gaining her trust, and eventually persuaded her to secretly show him the divine bow. Though Mị Châu was hesitant, as the bow was a national treasure, she trusted Trọng Thủy and secretly handed it over. After examining the bow, Trọng Thủy swapped the original trigger with a counterfeit, then fabricated an excuse to visit his father and return to his homeland. Before leaving, he and Mị Châu discussed how they could find each other if war broke out between their nations. Mị Châu suggested that she would scatter goose feathers along the road so he could track her down, and they would be reunited.

Not long after, Triệu Đà launched another invasion. Confident in his divine bow, An Dương Vương remained calm, drinking tea and playing chess. When the enemy forces grew closer, the king tried to use the bow, only to realize that it no longer worked. In desperation, An Dương Vương fled with Mị Châu, heading south. As they traveled, Mị Châu dropped feathers along the road. When they reached the eastern sea, realizing they were at an impasse, the king called upon the Golden Turtle for help. The turtle emerged and identified Mị Châu as the traitor. An Dương Vương, filled with anger and disbelief, drew his sword to strike her, but hesitated, knowing he was also to blame for the tragedy. He threw away his sword and drowned himself in the sea. Meanwhile, Trọng Thủy arrived at the scene, finding Mị Châu crying while holding her father's sword. He stood frozen. Mị Châu, with tearful eyes full of resentment, looked at him and said, "I loved you with all my heart, but you heartlessly deceived me. I swear that in the next life, we will be enemies." She then turned to the heavens and prayed: "I have lost my kingdom, and my body carries an unspeakable shame. Let the heavens bear witness to my loyalty. If I die, my blood will turn into pearls. But if I have committed an unworthy act, I will never be reborn and will suffer in hell for eternity." After praying, Mị Châu bowed to the sea three times, then took her own life with her father's sword. Trọng Thủy, unable to stop her, could only hold her lifeless body, filled with regret. As she died, she still harbored hatred towards him, saying, "Do not let us meet again in the next life!" With that, she closed her eyes. Her blood flowed into the sea, and it is said that pearls, radiant and perfectly round, emerged from the sea, created by her blood. Her body turned into a beautiful jade stone, which Trọng Thủy held in his hands.

Trọng Thủy returned with the jade, wandering like a lost soul. He was consumed by guilt and shame, thinking back to the days when he had been happy. Now that he held power, he found no joy, as his actions had led to Mị Châu's death, taking her resentment with her to the underworld. The next day, people noticed that Trọng Thủy's hair had turned completely white, and he had become insane. Every day, he cried by Mị Châu's bathing well, holding the jade and apologizing. He lived in torment until his death. It is said that his tears fell into the well, and the pearls retrieved from the sea where Mị Châu died became even more beautiful when washed in that water. Some say that death is not the most painful, but living with regret and guilt is the true hell.

After completing the construction of Cổ Loa citadel, An Dương Vương was gifted a magical claw by the Golden Turtle God to craft a divine bow. With this bow, the king defeated the northern invaders. After his defeat, Triệu Đà retreated to plan his next move. Some time later, Triệu sent his son, Trọng Thủy, to propose marriage to Mị Châu, the daughter of An Dương Vương. Over time, Trọng Thủy won Mị Châu's trust and love, and used it to learn the secret of the divine bow, which he stole and brought back to his father. Armed with the bow, Triệu Đà launched an attack on Âu Lạc. An Dương Vương, confident in the power of the divine bow, was unprepared for defeat. He fled with Mị Châu towards the sea, but wherever they went, the enemy followed. In desperation, the king called for the Golden Turtle God’s help, who appeared and told him, "The enemy is behind you." Realizing his mistake, An Dương Vương drew his sword and killed Mị Châu before throwing himself into the sea. Trọng Thủy followed in search of Mị Châu’s body, found it, and filled with remorse, took his own life.

Trọng Thủy jumped into a deep well to end his life but miraculously survived. When he awoke, he found himself in a strange land. He wandered aimlessly until, exhausted, he saw a small house. He knocked on the door, and an old woman answered.

- Who are you? What brings you here?

Trọng Thủy replied:

- I am a traveler, lost and seeking a place to rest for a while.

The kind old woman invited him in and offered him water. As he sat, Trọng Thủy noticed a goose-feathered coat hanging on a chair, identical to the one Mị Châu used to wear. He asked the woman if there was anyone else in the house. She explained that she lived with her daughter, and Trọng Thủy asked to meet her.

The daughter entered, and to his shock, it was Mị Châu. She was equally surprised to see him. Seeing the pain and sorrow in her eyes, Trọng Thủy broke down in tears, his sobs full of anguish and regret. He kneeled before her and begged for forgiveness.

- My love, please forgive me! I had no choice, it was my father's orders! I knew you loved me, so I couldn't hide anything from you, but I betrayed that trust.

Mị Châu remained silent. Trọng Thủy's heart ached as he poured out his remorse.

- At first, I intended to deceive both you and your father, to betray your people, but after living with you, I truly loved you. My love was genuine, not for gain. I deeply regret following my father’s orders, but I could not do otherwise. My heart was conflicted, and in a moment of confusion, I made a decision I can't undo. Do you know the torment I’ve suffered? When I finally understood the cruelty of an unjust war, it was too late. I chose death to atone for my sins. Upon hearing this, Mị Châu’s eyes filled with tears, and her voice trembled:

- I trusted in your love, but you deceived me. The grudge of killing my father and stealing our kingdom can never be erased. We can never return to the way we were.

Trọng Thủy’s heart shattered at her words. He said to her:

- I am guilty, I sought death once but was spared, and now I beg for your forgiveness. I wish for nothing more than for you to live and forget the past pain.

Moved, Mị Châu softened but still could not forget the loss of her kingdom. She replied:

- While I can forgive your mistakes, we can never be together again. Please leave now, and never return.

Trọng Thủy, knowing Mị Châu’s decision was final, accepted her forgiveness and bid her farewell. From that day on, they never met again. As for Triệu Đà, upon hearing of his son's death, he fell ill from grief and died soon after.

After succeeding the 18th generation of Hung Kings, King An Dương Vương Thục Phán led his army to defeat fifty thousand Qin invaders, renaming the country from Văn Lang to Âu Lạc. He moved the capital from the mountains of Nghĩa Lĩnh, Phong Châu to the area of Phong Khẻ, later known as Loa Thành in Đông Anh, Hanoi today.

Determined to build a stronghold, An Dương Vương faced the frustrating issue of his walls collapsing every night, no matter how much effort was put into them. Seeking divine help, he ordered a ritual to summon the spirits for assistance. On the seventh day of the third lunar month, a white-haired old man appeared at the city gates, lamenting the impossible task of completing the fort. Eager for help, the king invited the old man to his palace and respectfully asked for his guidance. The man calmly answered, "A messenger from Thanh Giang will come to help you complete the fort." After his words, the old man departed.

The next morning, a giant turtle emerged from the water, introducing itself as the messenger of Thanh Giang. The turtle explained that to successfully complete the fort, all evil spirits must first be eliminated. With the help of the turtle, the king rid the area of the pests, and within half a month, the fort was finally completed. Its spiral shape was grand and expansive, leading to it being called the Ôc (Spiral) Fort. The turtle stayed for three years before returning to the sea, but not before giving the king a claw and advising him to use it to build a legendary bow for future protection. This bow would ensure that no enemies would dare approach. An Dương Vương instructed General Cao Lỗ to craft a mighty bow using the turtle's claw, which became known as the legendary nỏ thần (magic bow).

Some time later, Triệu Đà led an army to invade Âu Lạc. An Dương Vương fired the nỏ thần at the invaders, killing thousands with each shot. The enemies, terrified, fled to the Trâu Mountain but retreated shortly after. The people of Âu Lạc rejoiced in their king's victory.

Unable to conquer Âu Lạc through direct warfare, Triệu Đà devised a cunning plan. He sent his son, Trọng Thuỷ, to marry Mị Châu, An Dương Vương's beloved daughter. The king, unaware of the ulterior motive, consented and even allowed Trọng Thuỷ to live in the Loa Thành as a son-in-law.

Following his father's orders, Trọng Thuỷ secretly inquired about the nỏ thần's secret. Mị Châu, in her innocent love for her husband, unwittingly led him to the hidden location of the nỏ thần. Trọng Thuỷ carefully replicated the nỏ thần's trigger mechanism and swapped it out with the turtle's claw. Once his task was complete, he told Mị Châu, "I must return to visit my father. If our nations ever fall apart, I will come back and we will recognize each other through the sign of the goose feathers we leave at the crossroads." Mị Châu, unaware of his betrayal, agreed.

Trọng Thuỷ returned home, and Triệu Đà immediately launched a military assault on Âu Lạc. When news of the invasion reached An Dương Vương, he confidently sat playing chess, laughing, "Do they not fear the magic bow?" When the enemy reached the city gates, the king fired the nỏ thần, but this time, it failed to work.

The father and daughter fled southward on horseback, but wherever they went, the enemy followed, guided by the trail of goose feathers left by Mị Châu. When they reached the edge of the sea, with no way out, An Dương Vương called out for the turtle spirit. The turtle appeared, pointing at Mị Châu, saying, "The enemy is behind you!" Realizing the betrayal, An Dương Vương furiously drew his sword to strike Mị Châu. At that moment, Trọng Thuỷ arrived and threw himself in front of Mị Châu to take the blow. Suddenly, the sea parted, and the turtle appeared to take An Dương Vương to the ocean's depths. Mị Châu, tears streaming down her face, ran towards her father but was stopped by the raging waves. She collapsed beside her husband's lifeless body, sobbing uncontrollably.

Once upon a time, the state of Âu Lạc was ruled by King An Dương Vương, a wise and discerning monarch greatly trusted by his people.

The king decided to move the capital from the mountains to Phong Khê to strengthen the nation. He ordered his soldiers to build fortifications, but despite their efforts and careful planning, the walls kept collapsing. After consulting with his advisors, the king decided to perform a grand ritual, invoking the spirits of the land for assistance. On the seventh day of the third month, an elderly man with white hair appeared, claiming to have come from the East. He stood before the gates of the city and remarked, "This city will be difficult to complete." King An Dương Vương, overjoyed, welcomed the man and asked, "I have spent so much time and resources on this, yet it still collapses. Do you know why?"

The elderly man replied, "Soon, the emissary from Thanh Giang will arrive to help, and then the city will be completed." He left the king and his court, and the next day, word arrived that the emissary was on his way. The king quickly prepared a ceremonial feast to greet him. From the East, a golden turtle emerged from the water, declaring itself as the emissary from Thanh Giang, capable of communicating with the forces of nature and the divine. The king, thrilled, had a golden chariot prepared to escort the turtle into the city.

With the help of the Thanh Giang emissary, the fortifications were completed in just half a month. The city, strong and secure, was built in a spiral shape and over a thousand meters wide. It became known as Loa Thành, or Côn Lôn Thành in later periods.

After the city was finished and stability returned, King An Dương Vương invited the golden turtle to stay. The emissary agreed and stayed for three years, before preparing to leave. At that time, the king, still troubled by the constant threat of invaders, expressed his concern, "The city is built thanks to the help of the divine, but what will we do if the enemy comes?" The golden turtle calmly responded, "Whether a nation prospers or declines depends on its fate and the virtue of its people. If you live with honor and remain vigilant against threats, your kingdom will endure. If you seek to protect the land, I will not hesitate to assist."

The emissary then gave the king a powerful crossbow and instructed him, "If the enemy comes, use this to defeat them. You will have no cause for fear." The king had Cao Lỗ craft a divine crossbow, which was named "Lĩnh Quang Kim Quy thần cơ" in honor of the emissary's gift, a symbol of eternal gratitude.

In the years that followed, Triệu Đà invaded with his army, and a fierce battle ensued. As Triệu Đà's forces approached the city, King An Dương Vương used the divine crossbow to defeat them, forcing the invaders to retreat to Trâu Sơn, where they sought peace.

Not long after, Trọng Thủy, the son of Triệu Đà, came under the guise of a marriage proposal to Mị Châu, the daughter of King An Dương Vương. Believing in the peaceful intentions of Triệu Đà, the king agreed to the union. Mị Châu, trusting her husband completely, was deceived by his sweet words and, believing him, handed over the divine crossbow for him to examine. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Trọng Thủy secretly replaced the crossbow with a fake, then returned it to Mị Châu before leaving to visit his father in the North. Before he departed, he said, "Our bond is deep, and I cannot easily break it. If war breaks out, I will leave signs along the way to guide you and ensure our safety."

Trọng Thủy returned to his father, and the Đà forces soon launched an attack. Confident in the power of the divine crossbow, King An Dương Vương continued his leisure, even remarking, "The divine crossbow is invincible, why fear Đà's army?" But when the enemy forces drew near, the crossbow failed. In panic, the king and Mị Châu fled on horseback toward the South. Trọng Thủy, following the trail of goose feathers left by Mị Châu, pursued them. As they reached the shore, King An Dương Vương desperately called out to the golden turtle for help: "Our fate has turned. The kingdom is lost. Where are you, Thanh Giang, to save us?" At that moment, the golden turtle appeared, pointing to Mị Châu and revealing, "The enemy is not far, they are behind you." Both the king and Mị Châu realized the betrayal. Mị Châu, in anguish, turned to Trọng Thủy and cried out, "How could you betray me? You have broken my trust, brought my father and me to ruin, and led our people to suffering. A heart divided like yours is not worthy of my love. I have been a fool!"

Trọng Thủy, tears in his eyes, tried to explain, "Mị Châu, I love you truly, but I must honor my father's will and my duty to my people. If I did not obey, I would betray my country and my people. Please, understand, and forgive me. Come back with me, and we can live in peace."

Mị Châu, through her tears, responded, "Once trust is broken, it can never be restored. I cannot forgive you. You are not worthy of my love." She dismounted her horse, knelt before the golden turtle and her father, and said, "Father, let the golden turtle bear witness to my loyalty. I never intended to betray the kingdom. My mistake was placing my trust in the wrong person. To atone for my sins, I will give my life. If heaven hears my plea, let me become the precious pearl Mị Nương, to cleanse this shame." With that, she drew her sword and ended her own life.

King An Dương Vương, heartbroken at the death of his daughter, leaped into the sea, where the golden turtle led him to the Dragon Palace. Trọng Thủy, in despair over Mị Châu's death, came to her side, weeping bitterly. Consumed by guilt, Trọng Thủy could not bear the pain and plunged a dagger into his heart, ending his life alongside Mị Châu. Her blood, flowing into the sea, turned into pearls, while his body transformed into a well by the shore. The pearls, washed by the waters of the well, grew ever brighter, and it is said that in some distant place, Trọng Thủy and Mị Châu were reunited, their love forgiven.

Continuing the legacy of the 18 Hùng kings, An Dương Vương Thục Phán defeated 500,000 invading Qin troops, renaming the country from Văn Lang to Âu Lạc, and moved the capital from the mountains of Nghĩa Lĩnh, Phong Châu to the region of Phong Khê, also known as Kẻ Chủ, now modern-day Cổ Loa, Đông Anh, Hanoi.

After relocating the capital, An Dương Vương immediately set to work on constructing a fortress. However, no matter how much was built during the day, it would collapse each night. The king then ordered his officials to set up altars to pray to the gods for assistance. On the seventh day of the third lunar month, an elderly man appeared from the east and was invited by the king to speak. The old man said a messenger from Thanh Giang would arrive to help with the fortress and then left.

The next morning, a giant turtle emerged from the water, introducing itself as the messenger from Thanh Giang. It told An Dương Vương that in order to complete the fortress, all the troublesome monsters must be eliminated. With the help of the Golden Turtle, the construction of the fortress was completed within two weeks. The fortress had a spiral shape and was named Loa Fortress. Three years later, the Golden Turtle bade farewell. An Dương Vương, reflecting on the nation's defense, thanked the creature and said: 'Thanks to the gods, the fortress is built. But if invaders come, what shall we use to defend ourselves?' The Golden Turtle then removed a claw and handed it to the king, instructing him to use it as the trigger for a magical crossbow. When the enemy comes, just aim and fire, and victory would be assured. With those words, the Golden Turtle returned to the East Sea. The king ordered his general, Cao Lỗ, to craft a large crossbow using the turtle's claw as the trigger. This became the mythical crossbow known as Kim Quy.

Not long after, Triệu Đà brought his army to invade Âu Lạc. An Dương Vương used the magical crossbow, and each shot killed thousands of enemies. Triệu Đà's forces were soundly defeated, and they retreated in panic, returning to their homeland. The people of Âu Lạc rejoiced in the glorious victory.

Unable to conquer Âu Lạc through direct assault, Triệu Đà devised a cunning plan. He sent his son, Trọng Thủy, to Âu Lạc. There, Trọng Thủy met Mị Châu, the beloved daughter of An Dương Vương, and they fell in love. Trọng Thủy asked for Mị Châu's hand in marriage. Without suspicion, An Dương Vương gladly agreed and allowed Trọng Thủy to live in the palace as a son-in-law.

Feigning ignorance of the magical crossbow, Trọng Thủy expressed an interest in seeing it. Mị Châu, trusting her husband, naively showed him the weapon and explained how it worked. Trọng Thủy returned home, created an identical crossbow, and returned to Âu Lạc. When An Dương Vương and Mị Châu were asleep, Trọng Thủy stealthily switched the crossbows. The next day, Trọng Thủy said to Mị Châu:

- A husband's love should never be forgotten, and the love of parents cannot be severed. I must return to see my father, but if our two countries are ever at war, what shall be our signal when we meet again?

Mị Châu, trusting him, replied:

- I have a goose-feathered robe that I wear. If anything happens, I will scatter the feathers at crossroads to mark the way, so we can find each other.

Trọng Thủy returned, and immediately, Triệu Đà launched an attack on Âu Lạc. Hearing of the invasion, An Dương Vương, confident in his magical crossbow, calmly played chess. But when the enemy reached the gates, the king fired the crossbow, only to find it no longer worked.

Father and daughter quickly mounted their horses and fled south, but the enemy followed the trail of goose feathers. When they reached the seashore, An Dương Vương, realizing there was no escape, cried out: 'Messenger of Thanh Giang, come to save me!' At that moment, the Golden Turtle appeared and pointed to Mị Châu, saying: 'The one behind you is the traitor.'

Realizing the truth, An Dương Vương became enraged and drew his sword to strike Mị Châu. Just then, Trọng Thủy arrived and, seeing Mị Châu in danger, fired an arrow that knocked the sword from the king’s hand. In fury, An Dương Vương glared at Trọng Thủy, then followed the Golden Turtle into the sea. Mị Châu, on her knees, watched her father leave, tears streaming down her face. Her heart was filled with regret for her mistake. Trọng Thủy dismounted and tried to help her up. But Mị Châu, suddenly grabbing the sword at her feet, pointed it at him.

In agony, she asked:

- Why have you deceived me, deceived my father, and deceived the people of Âu Lạc? Have I wronged you? Or did my father treat you poorly? We trusted you completely, so why did you use us? You are a prince, and I am a princess of Âu Lạc. Why must you resort to such deceit to invade our land? You have caused the fall of Âu Lạc, turning me into a traitor. Now, you want to chase us to the end. How could the love between husband and wife turn so bitter?

Trọng Thủy, with a bitter smile, could not explain a single word. He had made Mị Châu suffer, even though she had been kind to him. He said:

- Mị Châu, now there is nowhere for you to go. Come with me, and I will make amends for all the wrongs I’ve caused...

- Go back? Where? I may not be a hero, but as a princess, I still have my dignity. Âu Lạc is gone, its people devastated, and my father doesn’t know what his fate will be. How can I act as if nothing has happened and live in luxury? – Mị Châu interrupted him.

She stood there in silence, her eyes flashing with pain but also determination. With a cry, she drove the sword into Trọng Thủy, ending their tragic tale.

- The loss of our country cannot be forgiven. Trọng Thủy, our fate is now sealed. I am a traitor, and I cannot live. You have led hundreds of thousands to destruction in war. I will avenge this. In the next life, we will never meet again.

With those final words, Mị Châu pulled the sword from her body and took her own life. Both she and Trọng Thủy fell, their blood spilling into the ocean...