Top 10 Best Essays on An Dương Vương Recounting the Story of An Dương Vương, Mị Châu - Trọng Thủy (Grade 10)

After succeeding the 18th generation of the Hùng Kings, An Dương Vương Thục Phán defeated the invading army of 500,000 Qin soldiers. He renamed the kingdom from Văn Lang to Âu Lạc and moved the capital from the Nghĩa Lĩnh mountains, Phong Châu, to the region of Phong Khê, also known as Kẻ Chủ, which is now Cổ Loa, Đông Anh, Hanoi.

Despite his efforts to build a fortress, An Dương Vương faced constant setbacks as the walls collapsed every night. In desperation, he ordered the priests to hold a ritual to summon the gods for help. On the seventh day of the third lunar month, the king encountered an old man with white hair and a bamboo staff, who walked slowly from the East and lamented, “When will this fortress ever be finished?” Overjoyed, An Dương Vương invited the old man into the palace and respectfully asked, “Why does the construction keep failing?” The old man replied calmly, “Only when the emissary of Thanh Giang arrives and assists you will the fortress succeed.” After speaking, the old man departed.

The next morning, a giant turtle appeared in the water, claiming to be the emissary of Thanh Giang. It told An Dương Vương that in order to complete the fortress, the king must rid the land of the troublesome monsters. Indeed, after the Golden Turtle helped the king eliminate the beasts, the fortress was completed in just over half a month. The fortress, shaped like a spiral, was more than a thousand feet wide and was named the Spiral Fortress or Loa Thành. The Golden Turtle stayed for three years before departing. Before leaving, the turtle gave the king a claw and instructed him to use it as the trigger for a powerful crossbow. “When enemies come, simply fire, and you will not fear defeat.” The turtle then returned to the East Sea. An Dương Vương assigned his general, Cao Lỗ, to craft a massive crossbow using the turtle’s claw as the trigger, which became known as the Divine Crossbow of Kim Quy.

Not long after, Triệu Đà launched an invasion of Âu Lạc. An Dương Vương used the divine crossbow, and each shot killed thousands of enemies. The invaders panicked and retreated to the Trâu mountain, where they fought a few more days before retreating back home. The people of Âu Lạc celebrated their king’s great victory.

Seeing that direct confrontation was futile, 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 happily agreed and allowed Trọng Thủy to live in the Loa Thành fortress as a son-in-law.

Following his father’s instructions, Trọng Thủy secretly observed and sought to uncover the secret of the divine crossbow. Mị Châu, trusting her husband’s love, showed him the hidden weapon. Trọng Thủy crafted a replica of the turtle’s claw and swapped it with the original. Afterward, Trọng Thủy told Mị Châu, “We cannot forget our love, but we must also honor our parents’ wishes. I must return to visit my father, and if our kingdoms are ever at war, how will we recognize each other?” Mị Châu innocently replied, “I have a goose-feather coat I often wear. If trouble arises, I will scatter the feathers along the way as a sign so we can find each other.”

When Trọng Thủy returned home, Triệu Đà immediately mobilized his army to attack Âu Lạc. Upon hearing of the invasion, An Dương Vương remained calm and played chess, saying, “Does Đà not fear the divine crossbow?” As the enemy forces reached the gates of Loa Thành, the king finally ordered the divine crossbow to be fired, but it no longer worked.

Father and son fled south, but wherever they went, the enemy followed the trail of goose feathers. Reaching the shore, An Dương Vương, in despair, cried out, “Where is the emissary of Thanh Giang to save me?” Immediately, the Golden Turtle appeared and pointed at Mị Châu, saying, “The one behind you is the enemy.”

Understanding the truth, An Dương Vương, enraged, drew his sword to strike Mị Châu. At that moment, Trọng Thủy arrived and threw himself in front of Mị Châu, taking the fatal blow meant for her. Suddenly, the waters parted, and the Golden Turtle welcomed An Dương Vương into the sea. Mị Châu, crying uncontrollably, ran after her father, but the furious waves prevented her from reaching him. She collapsed beside her husband's body, sobbing bitterly.

The events happened a long time ago, but whenever I recall them, I can't help but torment myself for letting the kingdom fall into the hands of the enemy. Even now, the guilt and regret continue to haunt me.

In the past, I was the king of the beloved Âu Lạc, named Thục Phán. I attempted to build a fortress in Việt Thường, but every time I made progress, it would collapse. I was despondent and overwhelmed with disappointment. I performed rituals, praying to the gods for help. I desperately hoped that someone would assist me in completing this difficult task. Unexpectedly, on the seventh day of the third lunar month, an elderly man appeared from the east and lamented, “When will this fortress ever be completed?” I was overjoyed, recognizing that he was the person I had been waiting for. I immediately sent someone to invite him to the palace, where I welcomed him and expressed my concerns. I humbly explained, “I’ve tried to build this fortress many times, but it keeps collapsing. What is the reason for this?” The elderly man calmly replied, “An emissary from Thanh Giang will come and help you complete the fortress.” He then left without allowing me to ask anything further.

That night, I lay awake, thinking about the old man’s words. The next morning, I went out to the eastern gate and waited. Soon, I saw a golden turtle rising from the water, speaking fluent human language, and claiming to be the emissary from Thanh Giang, knowledgeable in the ways of heaven and earth, and the supernatural. I was filled with joy, realizing that the helper I had longed for had finally arrived. Just as the old man had foretold, the emissary from Thanh Giang had appeared. I immediately prepared the ceremonial rituals and had the turtle brought into the palace on a golden cart.

The fortress was completed faster than I had expected. In just half a month, it was finished. It was a magnificent sight. I still remember the fortress being over a thousand feet wide, spiraled like a snail shell, and thus named Loa Thành, or the Fortress of the Dragon. I was overjoyed by its completion, and I felt a sense of peace for the people of the kingdom. The Golden Turtle stayed with us for three years before it left. When it departed, I expressed my gratitude, saying, “Thanks to the divine help, the fortress is complete. But what if an enemy attacks us?” The Golden Turtle replied, “The fate of the kingdom is determined by heaven, but through virtue, you can prolong prosperity. I offer this without regret.” With that, the turtle gave me a claw and said, “Use this as the trigger for your crossbow. Aim at the enemy, and you need not fear them.” After speaking, the turtle returned to the East Sea.

I quickly ordered General Cao Lỗ to craft a crossbow, using the turtle's claw as the trigger. I called it the “Divine Crossbow of Kim Quy.” Not long after, as I had feared, the enemy arrived. Triệu Đà led an army to attack, hoping to seize the fortress. I took the divine crossbow and fired, hitting every target. The enemy was defeated and retreated to Trâu Sơn, where they built a defensive wall and dared not face us in battle. They sent a letter asking for peace.

Since then, the people lived in peace and prosperity. I had a beautiful, virtuous daughter named Mị Châu, who was at the age of marriage. At that time, Triệu Đà came to propose. I agreed without hesitation, not thinking about the old grudge. I believed it was a suitable match and that my daughter would have a happy life. But I was wrong. This was part of Đà’s scheme to steal my divine crossbow. At the time, I did not suspect a thing. Mị Châu was a dutiful and loving wife, and once, when she innocently showed Trọng Thủy the hidden crossbow, he secretly took it, returning to the North with it, under the pretense of visiting his father. At that time, I had no idea that my precious crossbow had been handed over to the enemy by my own daughter.

Not long after Trọng Thủy returned to the North, Triệu Đà invaded again. I didn’t realize that Đà still held a grudge for the past defeat. But with the divine crossbow in my possession, I remained calm, playing chess. I ignored Đà’s movements until his army approached the gates. Only then did I try to fire the crossbow. But… where was the divine crossbow? It was just a regular crossbow. Panicked, I realized the weapon had been stolen. I fled south with my daughter. Mị Châu, unknowingly, left a trail of goose feathers as she walked. We reached the shore, and in desperation, I cried out, “The heavens have betrayed me! Where is the emissary of Thanh Giang?” Just then, the Golden Turtle appeared and pointed at Mị Châu, saying, “The one behind you is the enemy.”

Stunned, I turned to my daughter, realizing that she had betrayed me. Without thinking, I drew my sword and struck her down, her blood spilling across the ground. I held the turtle’s horn, and the Golden Turtle parted the waters to lead me to the sea.

Now, I live in the underwater palace, but I still mourn the loss of my kingdom. I made mistakes, became overconfident, and failed to watch for the enemy’s treachery. When things went wrong, there was no turning back. I hope that others will learn from my mistakes and stay vigilant, so that no one else has to suffer as I did.

Today, I confess my fault, one that led to a war in Âu Lạc that should never have happened.

I am An Dương Vương, the king who built the impregnable Cổ Loa fortress and was gifted the divine trigger by the Golden Turtle, which ensured peace for my people. At that time, Triệu Đà attempted several invasions, but each time he failed against the power of the sacred crossbow. With just one arrow, countless of his soldiers would fall. In anger, he waited for the right moment; meanwhile, I became complacent, basking in my victories, failing to anticipate his cunning schemes.

One day, a trusted emissary of Triệu Đà arrived with peace offerings. I accepted immediately, not wanting to prolong the bloodshed. Since then, he sent his son, Trọng Thủy, to form a relationship with my daughter, Mị Châu. Trọng Thủy was a charming and refined young man, and he quickly won the hearts of both me and my daughter. Eventually, Triệu Đà officially proposed marriage, and Mị Châu, already in love with Trọng Thủy, had no reason to refuse. They married and lived happily together. However, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something about Trọng Thủy seemed unusual.

Some time later, Trọng Thủy asked to visit his father and soon returned. I hosted a feast for him, but he declined my drink and insisted on serving me instead, urging me to drink. Eventually, I grew drunk and faintly saw his shadow as I lost consciousness. When I awoke, Trọng Thủy was sitting beside me, bowing respectfully.

“Are you feeling better, father-in-law?” he asked.

“I’m fine. Why haven’t you gone to see Mị Châu?” I murmured.

“Your daughter is being cared for by her maid,” he replied gently.

“Very well, go and visit your wife,” I told him.

He respectfully bid me farewell and left.

All my previous suspicions melted away. Life seemed peaceful until unexpectedly, Trọng Thủy requested to return home, leaving Mị Châu heartbroken. Just a few days later, Triệu Đà led his army to invade. I was shocked but, confident in my divine crossbow, I sat calmly playing chess, waiting for the enemy to come closer before firing. To my horror, the crossbow no longer worked, and the enemy was already advancing into the fortress. Panic set in, and I couldn’t understand why it had failed. With no time to spare, Mị Châu and I fled east. No matter how far we ran, we could hear the enemy closing in. At a dead end, I called out to the Golden Turtle for help, and it appeared, declaring, “The enemy is behind you!”

I turned around to see only Mị Châu, her goose-feather cloak now completely bare. Suddenly, everything clicked. The enemy had followed the trail of feathers, and it was Mị Châu, my innocent daughter, who had unknowingly betrayed our kingdom by revealing the secret to Trọng Thủy. In despair, I drew my sword, killed Mị Châu, and was about to take my own life. But the Golden Turtle parted the waters, guiding me to the sea.

This is the true story of my life, the downfall of King An Dương Vương, who failed to see the enemy’s treachery and lost everything. I hope future generations learn from my mistakes and stay vigilant to protect what we hold dear.

In the treasure trove of Vietnamese folklore, while fairy tales are exemplified by 'Tấm Cám' and fables by 'The Blind Man and the Elephant', the legend of 'Me and Mị Châu – Trọng Thủy' holds a prominent place. A legend is an 'art of selecting events and characters to create artistic images, reflecting the history of a locality, nation, or people in the most concentrated way. While history attempts to reflect events and figures accurately, a legend focuses more on stirring emotions and beliefs of the audience after these events and characters.' This can be considered the first tragic tale in our national literature, one that has drawn tears and sparked anger in the hearts of readers. However, it is also from this tragedy that we have learned an important lesson: never be too complacent or underestimate the enemy, for it can lead to defeat. The legend 'Me and Mị Châu, Trọng Thủy', from the story 'Golden Turtle' in 'Lĩnh Nam Chích Quái', narrates my successful reign as the King of Âu Lạc—building the fortress, crafting the divine crossbow, and securing peace for the kingdom—while also telling the tragic love story of Mị Châu, which is tied to the downfall of my kingdom.

In the early days of building the nation, I made significant contributions to the people. I ordered the construction of Cổ Loa Fortress, hoping it would bring prosperity and happiness to the people. Despite many failures, I prayed to the heavens and kept my heart pure. This shows how much devotion I had for my people. With the help of the envoy Thanh Giang and my love for the nation, the fortress was completed in just half a month. I must have been overjoyed to see this success. I was also deeply concerned about the fate of the kingdom, sharing my worries with the Golden Turtle deity, who gave me a claw. I used this to craft the divine crossbow, capable of shooting thousands of arrows at once. Thanks to this, Âu Lạc lived in peace and prosperity. I believed I was a wise ruler, one who foresaw the future and was vigilant about potential threats.

But it was also this sense of complacency that led to my downfall. When Triệu Đà came to propose a marriage alliance, I agreed to marry my daughter, Mị Châu, to his son, Trọng Thủy. This marriage between two historically antagonistic nations was a forewarning of the dangers ahead.

'A pair of Vietnamese and Chinese,

Half love, half resentment.'

The marriage of 'a Vietnamese and a Chinese' was fraught with hidden danger, yet I paid no heed to it. I probably just hoped that the two countries could reconcile through this union, sparing the people from suffering. But little did I know, even though my enemies appeared humble, they were still dangerous. I thought only of the immediate benefits for the people and failed to see the hidden threats. As a result, I lost everything.

Complacency is a companion to failure. With the divine crossbow in hand, I felt assured of victory. The turning point came when I was informed that Triệu Đà was preparing to invade, yet I 'calmly sat playing chess, laughing and saying, 'Doesn't Đà fear the divine crossbow?'' I followed the same mistakes of the past, and when the moment of crisis arrived, I took out the crossbow only to realize it was a fake. I fled with my daughter to the South, only thinking about escape, with no other plan to confront the enemy. When we reached the Eastern Sea, I could not even tell who the enemy was. I called out to the heavens in confusion, not knowing what to do. It was then that the Golden Turtle appeared and said, 'The enemy is behind you!' I turned to see only Mị Châu, her goose-feather cloak now completely bare. I suddenly understood everything. The enemy had followed the trail of feathers, and it was Mị Châu, my innocent daughter, who had unintentionally revealed the secret to Trọng Thủy, leading to the downfall of our kingdom. In despair, I drew my sword and killed Mị Châu, before preparing to end my life. But the Golden Turtle parted the waters and guided me down into the sea.

This is the true story of my reign, the tragic fall of King An Dương Vương, who failed to see the treachery of the enemy and lost everything. I hope that future rulers learn from my mistakes and remain vigilant to protect our legacy.

Unlike fairy tales, the endings in legends are not always happy. They force us to reflect deeply. We must prioritize the greater good over personal interests, especially in times of war. We must also be cautious in love, not letting emotions cloud our judgment, as Mị Châu did. Her actions, driven by love, ultimately cost her the kingdom. The story blends philosophy and the complexities of human existence, as Tố Hữu wrote in 'Tâm sự':

'Still here, the broken stone statue,

Its missing head makes it more alive,

The severed head reminds of the flowing blood,

Two thousand years later, it still flows.'

And just like this, I remind myself of Mị Châu's fate.

After founding the state of Âu Lạc and establishing the capital at Phong Châu, I learned that Triệu Đà had not given up his plans to invade. Immediately, I ordered the construction of the Cổ Loa citadel to defend against any attacks. Thanks to the dedication of my officials and the people, the fortress rose within just a few months. However, to my surprise, the entire structure collapsed overnight in a mysterious way. Over the course of several years, despite repeated efforts, the citadel kept falling down, causing immense suffering for the people. Frustrated, I suspected sabotage and asked the people about any unusual occurrences. They revealed hearing strange, heavy footsteps in the night, as if an army was marching. It turned out to be the Kê Tinh spirit, who descended from the mountains each night to destroy the construction out of vengeance. With guidance from the divine turtle Kim Quy, I was able to eliminate the Kê Tinh.

From then on, the construction of the fortress proceeded smoothly, becoming sturdy and unshakable. Soon, it was completed—walls as solid as stone, resistant to storms and rain, and impenetrable by enemy forces. The divine turtle Kim Quy even gifted me a claw to make the trigger for a powerful crossbow to protect the city. According to the turtle's instructions, a crossbow with a trigger made from its claw would always hit its target, and a single shot could kill thousands of enemy soldiers. I entrusted the task of crafting this divine crossbow to Cao Lỗ, one of my most skilled craftsmen. After several days of hard work, Cao Lỗ completed the massive and powerful crossbow, unlike any ordinary one—it required a strong man to even draw the bowstring. It was named the 'Linh Quang Kim Quy Divine Mechanism.' I cherished the weapon dearly and always kept it close by.

At that time, Triệu Đà ruled the Nam Hải region and had attempted multiple invasions of Âu Lạc, but each time, the power of the divine crossbow caused his forces to suffer heavy defeats. Realizing he could not win through force, Triệu Đà sought peace with Âu Lạc, sending his son, Trọng Thủy, to propose a marriage alliance. I had long wished for peace between the two nations to end the wars and bring relief to the people, so I agreed to the proposal. We also arranged a marriage between Trọng Thủy, Triệu Đà's son, and my daughter Mị Châu to further strengthen the bond of peace. Both Triệu Đà and I pledged not to engage in war so that our people could live in peace.

However, this turned out to be a grave mistake that led to the fall of the kingdom, the destruction of the dynasty, and suffering for our people. Trọng Thủy had arrived in Âu Lạc with the intent to betray us, seeking to steal the secret of the divine crossbow and destroy the kingdom. This was a treacherous plot by Triệu Đà. He tricked my daughter into showing him the crossbow, and secretly created a new trigger mechanism to replace the turtle's claw. He lied, claiming he was returning north to visit his father. My daughter, naive and trusting, revealed the kingdom's secret without suspicion.

Upon returning to Nam Hải, Trọng Thủy gave the turtle's claw to his father, Triệu Đà, who was overjoyed and declared, 'This time, Âu Lạc will be mine.' Just days later, Triệu Đà ordered an invasion of Âu Lạc. When I received the news, I relied on the power of the divine crossbow, believing it would protect us. Cao Lỗ advised me to prepare the troops and defend the city, but I arrogantly dismissed his warning, confident that Triệu Đà would never dare attack with the fear of the crossbow. When the enemy forces reached the gates, I ordered the crossbow to be fired, but to my horror, it failed to function. The enemy quickly breached the walls and flooded into the city.

Unprepared and desperate, I fled on horseback with my daughter, escaping through a back gate towards the East Sea. As we rode, Mị Châu, in panic, scattered goose feathers from her garment along the way. I thought she was simply seeking protection for us and the kingdom, but little did I know, this left a trail for Trọng Thủy to follow.

The mountain path was treacherous, and we rode non-stop for days until we reached Dạ Sơn, near the sea. Just as we were about to rest, the enemy was closing in. Seeing no other escape, I turned to the sea and prayed to the divine turtle Kim Quy for help. As soon as I finished my prayer, a fierce dust storm rose, shaking the entire mountain. The divine turtle appeared and loudly warned me, 'The enemy is behind you!' When I turned around, I saw nothing but the calm of the earth, with only my daughter, Mị Châu, in tears. At that moment, I realized the truth. With a heavy heart, I drew my sword and, despite the anguish, executed her. Mị Châu, now fully understanding the betrayal, spoke her final words of sorrow and accepted her fate. It was a painful decision, but for a traitor, there could be no forgiveness. Her blood spilled into the sea, mingling with the waves as the enemy forces closed in. The divine turtle ordered me to take the turtle's claw and follow it into the sea.

Meanwhile, Trọng Thủy, having taken the city, followed the trail of goose feathers to find Mị Châu's body near the shore. Overcome with grief, he wept uncontrollably. He gathered her remains and buried them in the city, then threw himself into the well and died. Although Trọng Thủy had been a traitor and caused the death of my daughter, he acted under Triệu Đà's command. His death was his attempt to honor his marital vows and atone for his sins against Mị Châu.

I am An Dương Vương, the king who lost everything simply because I placed my trust in my daughter and son-in-law. I know that, despite being saved by the golden turtle god and taking refuge in the underwater kingdom, my life will never be free of sorrow and regret. I could not protect my people, and I had to take the life of the daughter I loved more than anything. Today, I will recount the tragic tale of my life.

After defeating tens of thousands of Qin soldiers, I moved the capital to Cổ Loa and immediately set about building strong fortifications to defend the country. But every time construction was underway in the day, the walls would collapse by night. For years, this continued, and I became deeply troubled, despite having ordered a ceremonial sacrifice to the heavens to seek divine help. Then, on the seventh day of March, an old man appeared from the eastern side of the city and lamented, 'How long will it take to finish the city this way?' I invited him into the palace and respectfully asked, 'Why is the construction still not finished after all these years?' The old man looked at me and replied, 'Soon, a messenger from Thanh Giang will come to help the king build the city.' After speaking, he left, and I was half skeptical, wondering what this Thanh Giang messenger could possibly be.

But, not long after, a golden turtle emerged from the water, declaring itself to be the messenger of Thanh Giang come to assist with the construction. The golden turtle told me that in order to complete the city, I first had to eliminate the monsters that had been disturbing the area. Sure enough, within half a month, the city walls were finished. The golden turtle stayed with me for three years before returning to the Eastern Sea. Before leaving, I asked, 'What if the enemy comes? How should I defend the city?' The golden turtle then gave me a claw and advised me to craft a divine trigger for the crossbow. With this, a single shot would keep the enemy at bay.

I had Cao Lỗ craft a divine trigger from the turtle's claw. Soon after, Triệu Đà, with his malicious intentions, gathered tens of thousands of troops to invade Âu Lạc. But when they approached, all I needed to do was fire the divine crossbow, and the enemy would fall like leaves in the wind. Triệu Đà, terrified, withdrew his troops.

Later, he sent envoys to ask for peace and suggested a marriage alliance by offering his son Trọng Thủy to marry my beloved daughter Mị Châu, as a way to ease relations between our kingdoms. Trọng Thủy was a handsome and impressive young man, and he had won the affection of my daughter. Thinking well of him, I approved the union and welcomed him as a son-in-law in Cổ Loa. Their love was deep, and Trọng Thủy was respectful and kind to me. Trusting him completely, I gave him my full confidence. Little did I know, this trust would lead to unimaginable pain and guilt.

Trọng Thủy began to subtly ask Mị Châu about the secret of the divine crossbow — how a single shot could destroy tens of thousands of enemy soldiers. Believing in her husband, Mị Châu revealed the secret and showed him where the divine crossbow was kept. But, to my horror, Trọng Thủy crafted a replica of the crossbow and took it back to his father, Triệu Đà.

Not long after, Trọng Thủy asked to return home to visit his ailing father. Without suspicion, I agreed and reminded him to fulfill his filial duties. Mị Châu, missing her husband, was left behind, filled with sorrow. Little did I know, just days after Trọng Thủy returned to his homeland, the enemy marched toward Âu Lạc in full force, said to be a million strong. At that moment, I was relaxed, enjoying tea and playing chess with my generals. I thought, 'Triệu Đà must be afraid of the divine crossbow.' It was only when the enemy reached the gates of the city that I ordered the crossbow to be brought out. But to my dismay, the divine crossbow no longer worked.

I hurriedly mounted my horse, with Mị Châu riding behind me, and fled south. No matter where I went, the enemy followed. Reaching the shore, I called for the messenger from Thanh Giang to come and save me. Suddenly, the golden turtle appeared and pointed behind me, saying, 'The enemy is right behind you!' I turned, and to my shock, it was Mị Châu, my daughter. How could she betray me like this and harm the kingdom? Mị Châu, in her panic, didn't understand what she had done wrong until I noticed the goose feathers scattered on her gown. She had left a trail for the enemy to follow.

Overcome with despair, both from my own failure and from the devastating realization that my own daughter had betrayed me, I drew my sword and killed her — the daughter I had loved more than anything. Then, in my sorrow, I threw myself into the sea to follow the golden turtle.

This is the tragic story of my life. It all began with misplaced trust and overconfidence. In a single moment of neglect and misjudgment, I condemned my people to suffering, destroyed my own kingdom, and became a failed father. The guilt of killing my beloved daughter will haunt me for the rest of my days, and the pain will never fade.

I am An Dương Vương, the king of Âu Lạc, sitting under the sea, watching the fish swim, listening to the celestial maidens sing. Yet, my heart remains burdened with sorrow, for I remember the days of founding a kingdom only to lose it in the end.

After ascending to the throne, I decided to build a city. But, alas, the land of Việt Thường proved troublesome. Every time I made progress on the construction, the earth would collapse again. It was said that the spirits of fallen generals haunted the land, preventing the completion of the city. I performed rituals and prayed to the gods. On the seventh day of the seventh month, I saw an old man standing by the eastern gate, lamenting, 'How will this city ever be finished?' I invited him into the palace, and he told me, 'Soon, a messenger from Thanh Giang will come to help the king build the city.' The next day, I waited at the eastern gate, and to my amazement, a golden turtle surfaced from the water, speaking human language, introducing itself as the messenger from Thanh Giang. I welcomed the turtle with joy and brought it into the city. Thanks to the turtle’s guidance, the city was completed in just half a month. I named it Loa Thành, for its spiraling walls stretched over a thousand feet.

For three years, the golden turtle stayed with us, but eventually, it had to return to the sea. Before leaving, I expressed my gratitude and asked how I could protect my kingdom if invaders came. The turtle gave me one of its claws and instructed me to fashion a divine trigger for a crossbow. 'With this, you will have no fear of the enemy,' it said. I entrusted Cao Lỗ with the task of creating the crossbow, naming it 'Linh Quang Kim Quy Thần Cơ.' Later, when Triệu Đà's forces attacked, I used the divine crossbow to defeat them, causing them to retreat in terror.

Not long after, Triệu Đà sent a proposal of peace, asking for my daughter, Mị Châu, to marry his son, Trọng Thủy, and live with us. It was a mistake. I never suspected that my son-in-law would deceive Mị Châu, showing her the secret of the divine crossbow, only to steal it and take it back to the North.

With the stolen crossbow, Triệu Đà launched another attack. At first, I was unaware of the betrayal and continued to play chess, confident in the power of the divine crossbow. But when the enemy grew closer and I discovered that the crossbow was no longer effective, it was too late. The enemy was at our gates, and I had to flee south with Mị Châu.

But the enemy pursued us relentlessly. When we reached the shore, I realized we were trapped. I cried out, 'Fate has turned against me. Where is the messenger of Thanh Giang?' The golden turtle rose from the water and shouted, 'The one riding behind you is the enemy!' I turned and saw feathers scattered along the path. My daughter, Mị Châu, was holding a goose feather garment in her hands. In that moment, I understood the betrayal, and my heart filled with rage and sorrow. I drew my sword and killed Mị Châu. She cried out, 'If I betrayed you, I would become dust. But if I was deceived, my death will turn into pearls to cleanse the shame.' Though my heart ached, I could not forgive the traitor in my own family.

I followed the golden turtle into the sea. Mị Châu’s blood flowed into the water, and where it touched, pearls were formed. The ocean received her body, which was later found and buried at Loa Thành, where it turned to stone. Grieving, Trọng Thủy took his own life by the well. The waters of the well, touched by his sorrow, made the pearls of the East Sea shine brighter than ever.

This tale, passed down by the people, haunts me still. A single moment of carelessness led to the fall of my kingdom. It is a painful lesson, one that I will carry with me forever.

As autumn settled in, the world seemed to fall into a serene quiet, and with it, a strange sadness took hold of my heart. The stillness brought to mind a story from long ago – a story I wished I could forget, yet one that always caused me pain whenever I recalled it. This is my story:

I am An Dương Vương, the king of Âu Lạc, remembered for the tale of my daughter Mị Châu and her tragic fate with Trọng Thủy. In my prime, I was celebrated by the people for my success in building the Cổ Loa Citadel. Yet, it was not always so. At first, the construction faced countless setbacks. The earth kept giving way, and with each attempt, my hopes were dashed. But one day, a golden turtle appeared, claiming to be an envoy from Thanh Giang, skilled in the ways of heaven and earth, sent to help me. I was overjoyed by this divine intervention. Within weeks, the citadel was completed. It was a spiral fortress, magnificent and imposing, known as Loa Thành, or the Quý Long Thành.

Before leaving, the golden turtle gifted me one of its claws, advising me that while the kingdom’s fate is in the hands of the gods, humans could extend their fortunes by doing good deeds. It instructed me to use the claw to create a trigger for a crossbow to defend against invaders.

Following the turtle’s advice, I asked my minister, Cao Lỗ, to forge a divine crossbow, which we named the “Linh Quang Kim Quy Thần Cơ.”

Years passed, and I almost forgot the story of the golden turtle and the powerful crossbow. But then, Triệu Đà from the North invaded our land. Using the crossbow, we were able to defeat his army. Forced to seek peace, Triệu Đà withdrew.

Shortly after, Triệu Đà came to propose a marriage between his son, Trọng Thủy, and my daughter, Mị Châu. I made the grave mistake of agreeing. Little did I know the dark schemes that father and son had in mind.

After marrying Mị Châu, Trọng Thủy soon asked to return to his homeland. I agreed, unaware that during his stay in Âu Lạc, Trọng Thủy had deceived Mị Châu, stealing the secret of the crossbow and replacing the turtle’s claw with a counterfeit. Trọng Thủy returned home with the real weapon, and no one suspected a thing.

One fateful day, Triệu Đà launched another attack. Confident in the power of the crossbow, I believed victory was assured. But to my horror, the crossbow was useless. We had no choice but to flee south.

As we traveled, Mị Châu, following Trọng Thủy’s instructions, scattered goose feathers along the path to mark our route. The enemy quickly followed the trail. It was only then that I learned the painful truth from the golden turtle: the true traitor was my own daughter, Mị Châu. In my sorrow, the turtle struck her down with its sword. Before her death, Mị Châu swore that if she had betrayed me, her body would turn to dust, but if she had been deceived, she would become a pearl to prove her loyalty. With her last breath, Mị Châu threw herself into the river, her blood flowing into the sea. Strangely, the oysters that consumed her blood transformed it into pearls. She had not intended to betray us, after all. The turtle, pitying me, guided me down into the depths of the sea.

Years later, the people would tell the tale of how Triệu Đà and his son found only the body of Mị Châu by the shore. In his grief, Trọng Thủy cremated her body, and it turned into precious stone. Overcome with sorrow, Trọng Thủy took his life by jumping into a well, and from that moment, the stones washed in the well became more brilliant and beautiful.

My story has lived on as a cautionary tale, a warning to future generations about the dangers of complacency and the need for vigilance.

I would like to introduce myself as An Dương Vương, the king of Âu Lạc from long ago. As I reflect on the past, I realize that while establishing my kingdom was incredibly difficult, I ultimately failed to protect it. This has become a painful lesson I will never forget, leaving me with a deep and lasting sorrow.

I remember clearly the year I ascended the throne, thinking about the need to build a strong citadel. However, I faced countless setbacks. No matter how much I tried to build, the earth would always give way, causing great frustration. I was told that the land was haunted by the spirits of fallen generals from previous battles, and they would not allow the construction to succeed. In desperation, I held a grand ritual, praying to the spirits for a wise person to come and help me. Then, on the seventh day of March, an elderly man appeared at the gates, muttering, “How will this citadel ever be completed?” I was overjoyed and invited him inside to discuss how to overcome the construction difficulties. The old man told me, “A messenger from Thanh Giang will come to help you, and only then will the citadel be built successfully,” before departing.

The next day, as I waited eagerly, a golden turtle rose from the water, speaking human language and identifying itself as the envoy from Thanh Giang. Filled with joy, I welcomed the turtle into the city. Thanks to the turtle’s guidance, the citadel was completed in just half a month. It was vast, stretching over a thousand paces and spiraling in design. I named it Loa Thành, proud of its strength and grandeur.

The golden turtle stayed for three years before departing. Before leaving, it shared with me its wisdom: “If enemies ever come, you must be able to defend the kingdom.” It then gave me one of its claws and instructed me, “Use this claw to build a crossbow, and your enemies will be no match for you.”

Overjoyed, I followed the turtle’s advice and asked Cao Lỗ to forge a divine crossbow, using the turtle’s claw as the trigger. We named it the “Linh Quang Kim Quy Thần Cơ.” Soon after, Triệu Đà’s army invaded. I used the crossbow, and it struck fear into the invaders, forcing them to retreat and seek peace. The land was peaceful, and I no longer had to worry.

However, not long after, Triệu Đà proposed a marriage between his son, Trọng Thủy, and my daughter, Mị Châu. I made the mistake of agreeing to this union. I now deeply regret it, as it became the greatest mistake of my life. I never suspected that my own son-in-law would deceive my beloved daughter, Mị Châu, and steal the divine crossbow. With the weapon in hand, Triệu Đà launched an attack. I, unaware of the betrayal, remained calm, thinking the crossbow would ensure my victory. But when I discovered the crossbow was not the true one, it was too late. The enemy had already reached the gates, and I had no choice but to flee south with Mị Châu.

As we fled, I saw the enemy in pursuit. We eventually reached the shores, and I realized there was no escape. I called out in despair, “Where are you, Thanh Giang envoy? Help me!” The golden turtle appeared from the water and shouted, “The one riding behind you is the enemy!” I turned and saw the trail of goose feathers leading the enemy straight to us. In Mị Châu’s hands, I saw a coat of goose feathers. It all became clear. Overcome with rage and sorrow, I unsheathed my sword and struck Mị Châu down. She, in her final moments, said, “If I have betrayed you, I will turn to dust. But if I was deceived, I will become a pearl to cleanse my name.” Despite my heartbreak, I could not forgive her for her betrayal.

With the turtle’s guidance, I descended into the sea. Mị Châu died on the shores, her blood flowing into the water, and the oysters that consumed her blood turned it into pearls, just as she had predicted. When Trọng Thủy arrived and saw his wife’s death, he took her body to Loa Thành, where it transformed into precious stone. Heartbroken, he too took his life in the well, and the water from the well made the pearls even more radiant, a testament to Mị Châu’s innocence.

This tragic tale has been passed down through the generations, and I carry the burden of my mistakes, forever tormented by the loss of my kingdom. It was a bitter lesson learned too late, one that cost me everything, including the trust of my people.

I am An Dương Vương, the king of Âu Lạc, and I now dwell beneath the sea, aided by the golden turtle. Even now, I cannot forget how I lost my kingdom to the enemy. Let me recount this painful tale, one that will haunt me for the rest of my life.

After numerous efforts to construct a fortress, every time I built, the earth would collapse. One day, I encountered the golden turtle, who lent me assistance. With its guidance, I finally completed a strong citadel, naming it Loa Thành, also known as Cổ Loa.

The golden turtle stayed for three years before returning to the sea. Before leaving, it gave me one of its claws, saying, “Use this claw to create a divine crossbow to defend against invaders.” Grateful, I followed its advice and entrusted the task of crafting the crossbow to Cao Lỗ. Thus, I possessed the divine crossbow, which released a hundred arrows at once, striking down hundreds of enemy soldiers.

When Triệu Đà’s army invaded Âu Lạc, the divine crossbow helped me defeat them. Not long after, Triệu Đà proposed a marriage between his son, Trọng Thủy, and my beloved daughter, Mị Châu. For the sake of peace between our two nations, I agreed. At the time, I felt confident with the divine crossbow and believed the enemy could do no harm.

Trọng Thủy appeared to be a noble and handsome man, so I saw no reason to refuse. I only wished for my daughter’s happiness. But fearing that Mị Châu might not be treated well in her new home, I requested that Trọng Thủy stay as a son-in-law. Triệu Đà agreed, and I was unaware of the trap he was setting.

During his stay, Trọng Thủy pretended to be a good man, and I relaxed my guard. To my horror, he took advantage of my naive daughter, coaxing her into revealing the location of the divine crossbow and switching it with a fake. After achieving his goal, he asked to return to his homeland, and Mị Châu, heartbroken, reluctantly agreed.

Shortly after, Triệu Đà’s army attacked. Confident in the power of the divine crossbow, I continued to play chess. Only when the enemy was at the gates did I order the crossbow to be used. That’s when I discovered that the true crossbow was gone. It was then that I realized the treachery of my son-in-law, Trọng Thủy. With the situation dire, I mounted my horse, placing Mị Châu behind me, and fled south. We reached the shore, but the enemy pursued us. In desperation, I cried out, “Golden turtle, come to my aid!” The golden turtle appeared, warning, “The enemy is right behind you.” I turned to find my beloved daughter wearing a torn goose-feather cloak. In that moment, I understood the betrayal.

Though it broke my heart, I knew that to save the kingdom, I had no choice but to strike down my own daughter. With the turtle’s help, I descended into the sea, where I remain to this day. Later, I learned that Mị Châu had realized her mistake. She had said, “If I was deceived, may I turn into a pearl,” and after her death, her body turned to precious stone, and her blood became pearls. This symbolized her loyalty and sacrifice for the country. Trọng Thủy, devastated by the loss, also took his own life.

This painful lesson has taught me that one should never be complacent, underestimate the enemy, or trust too easily. We must always put the good of the people above personal interests, so we do not suffer the same regrets that I do.