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1. Essay Reference 4
2. Essay Reference 5
3. Reference Paper No. 6
Brilliantly shining like a Khuê star in the soul and heart of the "patriotic age" - profound, sharp, and versatile in political strategy; gentle yet graceful and poetic in his verses about nature, Nguyễn Trãi carved his name into the nation's identity. While fate may separate us in life and death, time cannot erase the eternal values. The enduring legacy of Nguyễn Trãi's name alongside the Vietnamese land is a testament to this. If Nguyễn Trãi was the greatest political writer of all time, his "Bình Ngô Đại Cáo" remains his immortal masterpiece in Vietnamese literature. The work consists of four parts: the first part outlines the just cause, the second exposes the enemy's crimes, the third recounts the arduous and victorious journey of the uprising, and the fourth declares the results, affirming the righteous cause. The following article will focus on the second part of the work, which highlights the crimes of the Minh invaders.
After more than a decade of intense and arduous resistance, in January 1428, under the banner of Lê Lợi, the Vietnamese people drove the Minh forces out of the country. After their victory, Lê Lợi rewarded his generals and officially ascended the throne. Nguyễn Trãi, on behalf of the king, wrote the "Bình Ngô Đại Cáo" to announce the successful liberation of the nation. From that moment, the nation entered a new era - an era of peace.
"Bình Ngô Đại Cáo" is Nguyễn Trãi's proclamation declaring the defeat of the Ngô invaders. The ancient term "Ngô" referred to the northern feudal forces, and here Nguyễn Trãi refers to the Minh invaders.
The second verse is a powerful indictment, exposing the crimes of the Minh invaders. Taking advantage of the decline of the Hồ dynasty, the Minh forces invaded Vietnam, hoping to seize control, as Nguyễn Trãi made clear:
"The Hồ dynasty's troubles bred resentment among the people,"
"The wild Minh forces exploited the chaos, betraying the nation for personal gain."
In 1406, under the pretext of the Hồ dynasty usurping the throne from the Trần, the Minh launched an invasion with 200,000 soldiers, both land and naval forces, under the command of five generals: Chu Năng, Trương Phụ, Mộc Thạnh, Lý Bân, and Trần Húc. They split into two groups, one led by Trương Phụ entered through Lạng Sơn, and the other under Mộc Thạnh moved down the Red River.
Not stopping there, the Minh also sent envoys to the Champa kingdom to form an alliance and fight the Vietnamese at the southern border.
From 1407 to 1427, the 20 years of Minh occupation were marked by efforts to erase the nation's history of resistance and nation-building. They destroyed cultural heritage, including books, children’s school materials, and even stone inscriptions. Here, we see the undeniable crimes of the Minh forces against the people of Đại Việt.
The atrocities committed by the Minh invaders, as affirmed by the author, were "the destruction of justice, turning the earth and sky to ruin." Their invasion and ruling policies were cunning and malicious, not only plundering resources and labor but also destroying the environment and massacring people without remorse.
"Roasting the innocent on the flames of destruction,"
"Buried the children in the pits of suffering."
These two lines vividly encapsulate the indictment, blaming the Minh invaders. The innocent referred to here are the downtrodden, the poor, the direct victims of the Minh’s cruelty. We also see Nguyễn Trãi’s deep humanitarian spirit, as he writes with profound empathy, showing concern for the suffering of the people.
"How wicked! The South Mountain's bamboo can't capture the full extent of their crimes,"
"Filthy! The Eastern Sea's waters can't cleanse their foul stench."
The imagery of the South Mountain's bamboo and the Eastern Sea's waters emphasizes the unquantifiable nature of the crimes committed by the Minh forces, portraying them as monstrous beasts—bloodthirsty and indifferent to human suffering. The devastation they left behind was horrific, with families torn apart, villages destroyed, and the people in misery.
In the face of this brutal occupation, the Vietnamese people rose heroically under Lê Lợi's banner, driving the Minh forces out of the country.
To emphasize the invaders' crimes, Nguyễn Trãi uses a selective listing method, employing metaphor-rich verses with a dynamic narrative voice. At times, he expresses fury at the invaders' transgressions, and at others, he mourns the suffering of the Vietnamese people.
The last two lines are a definitive condemnation:
"Could Heaven and Earth forgive them?"
"How could the people endure such suffering?"
The author suggests that the Minh invaders' crimes went beyond the limits of heaven and earth, and their malicious actions were unforgivable by both gods and people. This is a powerful indictment of the Minh's 20 years of brutal occupation. To strengthen his argument, Nguyễn Trãi weaves together both abstract and concrete imagery, combining sweeping generalizations with vivid, concrete examples.
With his talent and integrity, Nguyễn Trãi made "Bình Ngô Đại Cáo" an eternal masterpiece of Vietnamese literature, one that remains revered even to this day.
4. Reference Example 7
While our nation recognizes the Nam Quoc Son Ha as a declaration of independence, Nguyễn Trãi's Bình Ngô Đại Cáo is an everlasting declaration of our nation’s sovereignty, a second proclamation. Through his remarkable literary and political talents, Nguyễn Trãi crafted a proclamation announcing the victory over the Ming invaders. The first and second parts of this proclamation assert the nation's independence and expose the Ming's invasion plans.
First, Nguyễn Trãi elevates the concept of 'humanity and justice' while affirming the independence of our country. According to him, humanity means:
“Humanity lies in keeping the people safe,”
“Punishing the oppressors should come before eliminating the evil.”
This concept of humanity, borrowed from Confucianism, emphasizes peace and prosperity for the people. To secure such peace, Nguyễn Trãi argues, we must eliminate internal and external threats, especially invaders.
After emphasizing humanity, Nguyễn Trãi confidently asserts our nation's sovereignty:
“Our Đại Việt has long proclaimed itself,”
“With a rich cultural heritage, strong and proud.”
“Our mountains, rivers, and borders have always been defined,”
“North and South have distinct customs.”
“Since the Triệu, Đinh, Lý, Trần dynasties, we’ve built independence,”
“While the Han, Tang, Song, and Yuan each ruled their own territories.”
“Though strength and weaknesses may vary, every era has its heroes.”
Our Đại Việt is a nation that has existed for countless generations, with a long-established culture. Our borders were clearly marked even in ancient times, with distinct customs. The author compares our history to that of China, underscoring our sovereignty. Nguyễn Trãi stresses that our country's sovereignty extends across culture, borders, and time. The art of comparison and parallelism in his writing highlights his message. Despite different strengths, every era has its heroes. To emphasize the presence of these heroes and the sovereignty of our land, Nguyễn Trãi references historical battles and defeats suffered by the invaders:
“Thus,”
“Lưu Cung’s greed led to his downfall,”
“Triệu Tiết’s ambitions brought his demise,”
“At Hàm Tử, Toa Đô was captured,”
“At Bạch Đằng, Ô Mã was slain.”
“These past events, their proof still endures.”
Lưu Cung, Triệu Tiết, Toa Đô, Ô Mã were key figures of the invaders, leading vast armies to conquer our land. However, unjust wars never end well. These greedy leaders were easily defeated, as seen in battles at Hàm Tử and Bạch Đằng, which became their graves.
Having firmly established our nation's sovereignty across various domains, Nguyễn Trãi moves to highlight the latest Ming aggression against our land:
“Recently,”
“The troubled Hồ Dynasty led to internal strife,”
“Allowing the Ming to exploit this to invade,”
“And traitors within our land to collaborate.”
The writer points out that the internal issues of the Hồ Dynasty gave the Ming an excuse to invade Đại Việt. Not only did foreign invaders plot, but internal traitors also sold out their own land, becoming pawns of the invaders.
The atrocities committed by the Ming invaders were numerous, pushing our people into unbearable suffering, stripping our land of its resources and the lives of our people:
“They roasted the common people on blazing fires,”
“Buried the children in pits of disaster,”
“Deceiving both heaven and the people with countless schemes,”
“Creating hatred and conflict for decades.”
“Humanity destroyed, the earth shattered.”
“Taxes heavy, stripping even the mountains bare.”
“People forced to dive for pearls in shark-infested seas.”
“Or search for gold in poisonous, deadly mountains.”
“They plundered resources, set traps, laid nets everywhere.”
“They tormented our people, setting snares for wild deer.”
“Leaving the widows and orphans in misery.”
The invaders roasted the common folk, burying children in pits to extract natural resources. They lied to both heaven and people, creating suffering to strip our land of all its wealth. Their actions violated humanity, devastating the earth and causing widespread resentment. They imposed crushing taxes and forced people into dangerous, deadly situations, from diving in shark-infested waters to searching for gold in poisonous mountains. Our resources, animals, and even plants were destroyed by their greed, leaving our people in misery, especially the widows and orphans.
Contrasting with the suffering of our people, the Ming invaders appeared as monstrous beasts, bloodthirsty and insatiable:
“With mouths wide open and sharp teeth bared, they devoured everything, never satisfied,”
“Building homes and digging land, forcing us to serve them endlessly.”
“Burdened by forced labor, we were stripped of our livelihoods.”
“How cruel! The atrocities they committed can’t be erased even by the vast Nam Sơn mountain,”
“How filthy! The stench of their evil can’t be washed away by the Eastern Sea.”
“How can heaven and earth forgive them? How can the people endure?”
The invaders were like terrifying, gluttonous beasts. With their monstrous mouths and sharp teeth, they forced our people to build their homes and work endlessly. The author uses inverted sentence structures to emphasize the cruelty and contempt for the invaders. Their crimes were so heinous that not even the vast Nam Sơn mountains could erase them, nor could the Eastern Sea wash away their foulness. How could heaven and earth forgive them, and how could the people bear this any longer?
Thus, the first and second parts of this proclamation have affirmed the sovereignty of the Đại Việt people and exposed the Ming's plans to invade. Their crimes have been revealed for all to see. These atrocities cannot be forgiven. The proclamation employs various artistic techniques such as contrasts, descriptions, comparisons, and free-flowing biền ngẫu style to clearly convey the author's message.
5. Reference Article 8
"Literature is not a means of escapism or forgetfulness; rather, it is a noble and powerful weapon we possess, used to expose and change a world filled with lies and cruelty." (Thạch Lam). Indeed, literature serves as a powerful tool in every era of history, unveiling the hypocrisy of society and condemning oppressive forces. The timeless literary work "Bình ngô đại cáo" in its second section boldly exposes the heinous crimes committed by the invading forces, crimes so filthy that they cannot be erased even years later.
The political literature of Nguyễn Trãi is composed of sharp, structured language, logically arranged to present arguments. Even when accusing the invading enemy, his arguments are firm and clear. First, the poet highlights the sinister motives and false pretenses of the enemy:
"...Recently:
The Hồ dynasty’s troubled rule
Fostered resentment among the people
The reckless Minh forces took advantage to cause disaster
Traitors sold out their country for fame…"
From the very opening lines, readers immediately grasp the enemy’s failed schemes and the deceptive, treacherous nature of the invaders. They used the pretext of supporting the Trần dynasty to remove the Hồ dynasty, with key players like Trần Thiêm Bình attempting to sway the Trần nobility to their side in order to dominate the country. Their policies were riddled with lies and manipulation:
"Deceiving the heavens and tricking the people with countless schemes
Inciting war and sowing hatred for twenty years"
Thanks to Nguyễn Trãi’s sharp pen, we see the inhumane nature behind the enemy’s devious plans. Unfortunately, justice never favors the cruel, and their crimes are beyond forgiveness:
"They lost all sense of righteousness, corrupting both heaven and earth
Heavy taxes, taking all, leaving no land for cultivation"
But more tragically, the crimes inflicted upon the people—the innocent peasants—are heart-wrenching. Under Nguyễn Trãi’s masterful writing, the image of the suffering people appears as painfully poignant, filled with bitterness and anger:
"Roasting the common folk over cruel flames
Burying children in pits of misfortune…"
The "common folk" and "children" were simple people who toiled away in innocence, devoted to their land, homes, and gardens. But they were mercilessly trampled under the filthy boots of the invaders. The personification and vivid descriptions by Nguyễn Trãi once again expose the brutal, savage crimes committed by the invaders, who treated human lives as expendable, ready to crush and devour them without remorse. The crimes committed by these invaders will be recorded for centuries to come; the heavens and earth will never forgive them. Moreover, the Minh invaders relentlessly plundered the precious resources of the land to satisfy their decadent desires for luxury and pleasure, exploiting the Vietnamese people, forcing them to hunt for treasures regardless of their own lives:
"People were forced to dive into the seas for pearls, despite the danger of sharks and crocodiles
Others were sent to the mountains to pan for gold, despite the treacherous, poisonous forests:
Collecting resources, trapping birds in nets, everywhere traps were set
Impoverishing the people, setting snares for deer, traps set everywhere…"
The technique of listing is used here, emphasizing the grim, bloody crimes of the reckless, arrogant invaders, who were no better than beasts. The writing conveys the boiling anger and desperation of the author as he reflects on the people’s suffering, being torn apart under the cruel and savage boots of the invaders.
Their monstrous crimes, full of anger and resentment, not only cause the people to suffer, but even nature itself seems to rise up in fury, wanting to destroy these wild invaders to restore justice:
"How cruel, the Nam Sơn bamboo cannot record all their crimes.
How filthy, the waters of the Eastern Sea cannot wash away the stench…"
These two lines, with their balanced structure, show the unforgivable, malevolent nature of the invaders, while evoking a painful period in history when the people, the innocent peasants, were trapped in the whirlwind of unjust wars.
With sharp and powerful words, Nguyễn Trãi once again vividly exposes the inhumanity, immorality, and brutal savagery of the invading forces.
6. Reference Article 9
If the first section emphasizes righteousness and affirms national sovereignty, the second part of "Bình ngô đại cáo" focuses on exposing the crimes of the Ming invaders during their occupation of our country. The author discusses the weakening of the Hồ dynasty, which allowed the Ming to exploit the pretext of "supporting the Trần to destroy the Hồ" to sow discord within the country, incite rebellions, and seize control of our land.
"The Hồ dynasty's governance was flawed
Causing widespread discontent among the people
The reckless Ming forces seized the opportunity to bring calamity
And traitors sold out the country for fame"
The foreign invaders were truly devious, with their brutal, inhumane policies akin to genocide, murdering the innocent: "Roasting the common folk on cruel flames—burying children in pits of misfortune," imposing excessive taxes with the goal of seizing as much wealth as possible, and exploiting the people to gather resources even at the risk of death: "Forcing them to dive into the seas for pearls," facing the dangers of sharks and crocodiles, "or to pan for gold in the poisonous mountains," where many lost their lives.
It wasn’t only people they harmed, but "They destroyed even insects, plants, and trees," wreaking havoc on the environment.
This destruction led to families being torn apart, societies broken, and the people suffering in extreme poverty.
In this section of "Bình ngô đại cáo," Nguyễn Trãi condemns the Ming’s savage crimes so extensively that "the bamboo of Nam Sơn cannot record all their sins" and "the waters of the Eastern Sea cannot wash away the stench," expressing a profound sense of anger and injustice. These crimes reflect the suffering of the poor, and witnessing such brutality, how could the heavens and earth forgive them?
How could the heavens and earth forgive them?
Who would say the people could endure this?
The second section of "Bình ngô đại cáo" is a powerful denunciation of the Ming’s cruelty and tyranny as they trample upon our land. When there is oppression, there will always be resistance and uprisings, and it is certain that justice will ultimately prevail.
7. Reference Article 10
Nguyễn Trãi was a man dedicated to his people and his country, a figure marked by compassion and a deep concern for others. He was highly skilled in uncovering the deceptive schemes of the Ming invaders and exposing their cruel actions against our nation. His life's work is an eternal testament to the unyielding power of truth. Nguyễn Trãi’s legacy and the endurance of Vietnam stand as powerful proof of this. If Nguyễn Trãi is considered the greatest political writer of all time, then his work 'Bình Ngô đại cáo' is a timeless masterpiece in the history of Vietnamese literature.
Nguyễn Trãi's life and legacy are intertwined with that of the Vietnamese people. His destiny, marked by both triumph and tragedy, proves that time cannot erase the everlasting values he stood for. His name, alongside the land of Vietnam, remains a resounding testament to his greatness. In the realm of political writing, Nguyễn Trãi stands unrivaled, and 'Bình Ngô đại cáo' remains a literary cornerstone of Vietnamese heritage.
“The Hồ family’s governance brought disorder
Causing the people to despise them
The reckless Ming army seized the opportunity to bring disaster
These traitors sold their country for personal gain”
Taking advantage of the Hồ dynasty’s downfall, the Ming army mobilized an army of 200,000 soldiers to invade Vietnam. They divided their forces into two armies that traveled down the Red River. Over the course of twenty years, they imposed numerous harsh policies and strategies on our land.
“Roasting the innocent on blazing fires
Burying the young in the pits of disaster”
The Ming invaders, who had long harbored plans to conquer Vietnam, used the pretext of 'restoring the Trần dynasty' to deceive the public and mislead our people, creating a false justification for their invasion. Their treachery knows no bounds, as they sold their national pride for fleeting personal gain, opening the door for the invaders to massacre our people. There is no human being more heartless than these traitors.
Since the Ming invaders arrived, our people have lived in constant torment. They slaughtered our people, aiming to wipe out any resistance with barbaric methods, akin to bloodthirsty demons. Phrases like 'Roasting the innocent on blazing fires' and 'Burying the young in the pits of disaster' illustrate their monstrous cruelty. These invaders continuously deceived and oppressed our people for nearly twenty years, exploiting and torturing them to the brink of slavery, forcing them to extract the nation’s resources to serve the invaders.
Plundering our land, destroying lives, the atrocities of the invaders are indescribable:
“How evil they are, even the Nam Sơn bamboo cannot list their crimes
How filthy they are, even the East Sea cannot wash away the stench”
The author uses the endless bamboo of Nam Sơn and the vast East Sea to symbolize the infinite nature of the invaders’ crimes. Their evil knows no bounds, and the consequences of their actions are horrific: families torn apart, lives destroyed, the environment ravaged, and our people suffering in unimaginable ways.
To highlight the severity of their crimes, the author employs a method of selective listing, using vivid imagery and a dynamic tone that shifts between anger and sorrow for our people. The final two lines deliver a powerful condemnation:
“How could heaven and earth allow this?
Who dares to say the people will endure this?”
The crimes of the Ming invaders have surpassed the limits of what is morally acceptable. Their actions are so vile that they cannot be forgiven. From the standpoint of justice, this passage is filled with blood and tears, a strong expression of hatred for the enemy.
In stark contrast to the suffering and despair of the people, the Ming invaders are portrayed in an entirely different light, 'Mouths gaping, teeth bared, their bloodied bellies still hungry.' While the invaders feast and revel, our people are forced to toil relentlessly, building houses and digging ditches, with no end in sight. The cruelty of the Ming invaders is compared to the boundless forces of nature, as the endless bamboo of Nam Sơn cannot fully record their sins, and the vast East Sea cannot cleanse the stain of their cruelty. Their crimes are so numerous that they will be remembered for all eternity in the annals of history. Nguyễn Trãi’s anguished and vengeful cries—'How could heaven and earth allow this? Who dares to say the people will endure this?'—reflect his belief in the divine justice that will ultimately punish the invaders for their atrocities against the land of Đại Việt. His words serve as both a lament and a warning, signaling the beginning of the Lam Sơn uprising.
With a voice full of sorrow and profound grief, Nguyễn Trãi exposes the invaders' plans while revealing their monstrous cruelty toward our people. At the same time, he emphasizes his deep sense of justice, standing firmly with the people, denouncing the invaders' crimes, and expressing his deep sympathy for the people whose right to live is trampled by foreign invaders. The second part of this text serves as a powerful indictment, marking the immediate cause of the Lam Sơn uprising that followed.
8. Reference Article 1
"Literature is not a means of escape or forgetting; rather, it is a noble and powerful weapon we possess, to expose and change a false and cruel world..." (Thach Lam). Indeed, literature serves as a vital tool in every era to uncover the hypocrisy of society and condemn oppressive forces. In this regard, the timeless piece 'Binh Ngo Dai Cao' in its second part reveals the atrocities of the invading forces, which remain unforgiven by time.
The political literature of Nguyen Trai is marked by sharp, layered language, following a logical structure of argumentation. Even when accusing the enemy, the reasoning remains powerful and precise. First, the poet exposes the nefarious motives and the hypocritical nature of the invaders:
"...Recently: The Hồ family’s affairs caused turmoil
And the people’s hearts grew full of resentment
The crazed Ming army took advantage to create chaos
The treacherous betrayers sold the nation for glory..."
From these opening lines, the reader immediately sees the enemy’s failed plot and uncovers their deceptive, treacherous face. They used the pretext of supporting the Trần family against the Hồ family to recruit nobles and establish their control over Vietnam. Their policies were steeped in lies and manipulation:
"Lying to the heavens, deceiving the people with countless schemes
Instigating wars and creating enmities over two decades"
Thanks to Nguyen Trai’s sharp pen, we recognize the inhuman, unjust nature behind their malicious plot. Sadly, justice never favors the heartless, and their crimes will not be forgiven by either heaven or earth:
"The betrayal of humanity shattered both earth and sky
Heavy taxes ravaged the land, leaving no refuge"
But what is even more painful are the crimes they committed against the people, the common folk who suffered horribly. Under Nguyen Trai’s pen, the suffering of the common people is depicted with sorrow, anger, and deep indignation:
"Roasting the common folk over blazing flames of cruelty
Buried the innocent under the pit of misfortune..."
The common people, the simple-hearted folk who toil year-round for an honest living, bonded with their land and homes, were crushed under the invaders’ filthy boots. Through personification and vivid imagery, Nguyen Trai reveals the heinous, brutal crimes of the invaders, who viewed human life as worthless, trampling and devouring it without remorse. Their atrocities, recorded in history, will never fade, and neither heaven nor earth will forgive them. The invaders also plundered the resources of our land to satisfy their lustful desires, forcing the Vietnamese to search for treasures at the risk of their lives:
"People were forced to dive into the sea to search for pearls, only to be met with sharks and eels
Others were taken into the mountains to sift for gold, with the peril of poisonous waters and dense forests
They stripped the land of its resources, trapping birds with nets
Exploiting the people, setting traps for deer, laying snares everywhere..."
The enumeration technique is used to emphasize the horrors, adding to the vivid depiction of the invaders’ arrogance, which was more beastly than human. The writing conveys the writer’s boiling anger and sense of urgency as they reflect on the people’s suffering under the invaders’ cruel and brutal heel.
The invaders' colossal crimes, full of fury and hatred, not only made the people lament, but also angered nature itself, which seemed to scream for the destruction of these ruthless invaders to restore justice:
"So vicious, the bamboo of Nam Son cannot record all their crimes.
So filthy, the waters of the East Sea cannot cleanse their stench..."
These two lines, with their balanced structure, reflect the invaders’ unforgivable, wicked actions, and evoke a sorrowful period in history when the common people were driven into the abyss of an unjust war.
With a sharp, forceful style, every line filled with emotion, Nguyen Trai once again exposes the inhuman and wicked nature of the invaders.
9. Reference Article 2
Nguyen Trai, a renowned national hero of Vietnam, made countless contributions in defending the country. His love for the nation burned like an eternal fire, growing stronger during the period of war and destruction, forging in him an unwavering patriotism. Not only known for his dedication to his country, Nguyen Trai was also celebrated for his literary talents, creating numerous notable works.
Most of his works explore deep patriotism, noble ideals, and, most notably, exposing the crimes of the enemy. This is vividly illustrated in his famous work 'Binh Ngo Dai Cao', particularly in the second section, where Nguyen Trai denounces the crimes committed by the invading Ming forces. 'Binh Ngo Dai Cao' is considered a legendary literary piece that records the atrocities of the Ming invaders. Written after Vietnam’s victory over the Ming army, it underscores the importance of patriotism and the bitter hatred of the invaders in the official proclamation:
"The Hồ family’s troubles stirred the nation’s anger
Leading to widespread resentment among the people
The wild Ming army seized the opportunity to bring disaster
The treacherous ones sold out the country for glory"
When the Ming army invaded Vietnam, they devised cowardly schemes, taking advantage of the internal turmoil caused by the Hồ family overthrowing the Trần dynasty, to launch their invasion. The instability created a perfect opportunity for the Ming to carry out long-planned schemes. For nearly two decades, the Ming forces attempted to erase Vietnam’s culture and history, even targeting schoolchildren, showing just how cruel and brutal they were.
However, the people of Vietnam never surrendered. Despite the long, exhausting days, the people rose to fight back against the invaders. The Ming army sought to control Vietnam, intending to alter its policies and force the nation into submission. Over time, the cruelty of the Ming became even more apparent, as they began exploiting the people and even damaging nature itself.
"Roasting the innocent on the blazing fire of brutality
Buried the children in the pit of misery"
The innocent, powerless people were subjected to extreme oppression by the invaders. The more vulnerable they were, the more they were attacked and exploited. The crimes committed by the invaders were so heinous that even nature could not forgive them. These two lines strongly emphasize the scale of the Ming army’s crimes and serve as a powerful indictment of their actions.
Nguyen Trai referenced the Nam Son bamboo and the waters of the East Sea to highlight the enormity of the Ming's offenses:
"So cruel, the bamboo of Nam Son cannot record all their crimes
So filthy, the waters of the East Sea cannot wash away their stench"
The invaders were focused only on immediate gains, never considering the long-term consequences. By referencing 'Nam Son bamboo' and 'East Sea waters,' Nguyen Trai underscores that the Ming’s crimes are too great to fully catalog. Their greed and cruelty led to the destruction of families, the suffering of the people, and the endless chaos that plagued the country.
Nguyen Trai used artistic techniques, including vivid examples and detailed imagery, to show the scale of the Ming’s crimes against Vietnam. The closing lines of this passage are a stern warning:
"How can heaven and earth forgive them?
Who dares to say that the gods will tolerate such acts?"
The countless crimes committed by the Ming invaders will never be forgiven, as they caused the loss of the country and the destruction of families. With a powerful, incisive style, Nguyen Trai conveyed the deep frustration and anger of not only himself but also the people of Vietnam towards the Ming forces during that time.
Through 'Binh Ngo Dai Cao,' Nguyen Trai delivered a profound message about the love of the nation. Even in the most difficult and brutal times, the Vietnamese people stood strong, united to defeat the enemy and bring glory to the nation.
10. Reference Article 3
Nguyen Trai has engraved his name into the very identity of the nation. Fate may tear individuals apart, but time cannot erase the eternal values he represents. The lasting legacy of Nguyen Trai's name and Vietnam’s landscape is a testament to this truth. If Nguyen Trai is regarded as one of the greatest political writers of all time, then 'Binh Ngo Dai Cao' stands as his immortal work in the history of Vietnamese literature.
"The Hồ family caused troubles in the kingdom
Stirring resentment among the people
The reckless Ming army seized the opportunity to wreak havoc
Traitors sold the country to seek glory"
Using the pretext of the Hồ family seizing the throne from the Trần dynasty, the Ming mobilized an army of 200,000 soldiers to invade Vietnam. The Ming forces split into two wings, advancing along the Red River. Over twenty years, they imposed various policies and strategies to dominate the country.
However, despite their efforts, the unity and patriotism of the Vietnamese people prevented their conquest. History has recorded the crimes of the Ming invaders, and 'Binh Ngo Dai Cao' once again denounces their transgressions.
Nguyen Trai firmly asserted that the Ming’s crimes were so great that they "ruined justice and shattered the heavens," recounting their savage actions. They plundered not only the material wealth, human labor, and resources of the people but also destroyed the environment, killing insects and plants. Even more shocking, they slaughtered people without any remorse:
"Roasting the innocent on the cruel flames
Buried the helpless in pits of misery"
These lines, both specific and symbolic, serve as an indictment of the invaders' crimes. The innocent people, referred to as "common folk," were the most vulnerable members of society. They were the victims of the horrific acts perpetrated by the invading forces. It is clear that these lines were written with the blood and tears of a national hero.
The invaders ravaged the land, murdering innocent lives, and their crimes were too great to be fully described by mere words:
"So cruel, the bamboo of Nam Son cannot record all their sins
So filthy, the waters of the East Sea cannot cleanse their stench"
By invoking the imagery of Nam Son bamboo and the waters of the East Sea, the author emphasizes the extent of the Ming’s crimes, likening them to bloodthirsty demons who destroyed the very people of Vietnam to their core. The consequences were devastating: mothers lost children, wives lost husbands, children were left orphans, and all forms of life were destroyed. The suffering of the people was immense.
To fully reveal the crimes of the invaders, the author used selective listing and vivid imagery, changing the tone of his writing to match the emotions of anger and sorrow. At times, his words expressed intense outrage, while at others, they conveyed deep sadness for the people. The final lines deliver a powerful judgment:
"How could heaven and earth forgive them?
Who dares to claim that the gods will bear with this?"
The Ming’s crimes have crossed the limits of morality and divine justice. Their actions were so vile that they cannot be forgiven. From a perspective of righteousness, this passage represents blood and tears, embodying the national outrage towards the enemy.
In conclusion, this passage is a sharp indictment of the Ming invaders, documenting their twenty-year occupation of Vietnam. In order to enhance the persuasive power while maintaining the concise and profound nature of literary language, Nguyen Trai skillfully combined general and specific imagery, as well as vivid descriptions. Through his talent and passion, Nguyen Trai has created a work that is not only a source of pride but also a piece of literature that future generations should honor and celebrate.
