Top 6 Best Summaries of the work 'Old Stories from the Trinh Lord's Palace' by Pham Dinh Ho

After defeating rival factions vying for power, Trinh Sam indulged in luxury, commissioning the construction of numerous temples and often surrounded by a large entourage of concubines and soldiers.

The lord also organized many absurd spectacles while amassing all the rare and valuable items from the common people. Eunuchs exploited the situation, seizing any household with beautiful plants or items, accusing them of hiding royal offerings. Wealthy households with prized plants or objects had no choice but to either appeal for mercy or destroy their possessions to avoid punishment.

The Trinh Lord (Trinh Sam), known for his extravagant lifestyle, ordered the construction of numerous palaces and temples, leading to significant expenditures.

Every few months, Trinh Sam would visit the Thuỵ Liên Palace by West Lake to enjoy the scenery, accompanied by a large entourage of soldiers and officials. Wherever the Lord went, everything from rare birds and exotic animals to ancient trees were taken by force, and his soldiers were ordered to carry them back to the palace for display. Eunuchs exploited the situation, sneaking into people's homes at night to steal flowers, potted plants, and other valuable items. They would then accuse the families of hiding court treasures and demand bribes, forcing the citizens to either pay or destroy their gardens to avoid punishment.

The story from the Trịnh Lord's palace recounts the life of Trịnh Sâm, whose real name was Thịnh Vương. After eliminating rival factions vying for power, he indulged in excessive pleasures, leading to extravagant spending. Trịnh Sâm had a fondness for lanterns and lights, often constructing grand pavilions and embarking on tours around Tây Hồ.

Trịnh Sâm frequently visited Tây Hồ for leisure, accompanied by a large entourage of soldiers and officials. These soldiers were sometimes forced to disguise themselves as women selling goods by the lakeside, while the lord's boat docked for trade, creating a market-like atmosphere. Occasionally, musicians in the bell tower played songs that enhanced the festive mood. Trịnh Sâm also enjoyed collecting rare and exotic delicacies, which he would display in the royal palace, taking anything of value for the emperor's collection.

Under the corrupt officials' orders, they took advantage of the situation by spying on local people during the day to gather rare goods, while at night, they would rob citizens' homes, stealing plants and flower pots. They would accuse people of hiding tribute offerings to the lord, forcing the citizens to pay bribes or destroy their gardens to avoid punishment.

Lord Trịnh (Trịnh Sâm) suppressed peasant uprisings and led military campaigns. However, he eventually became decadent, a ruler whose passion for indulgence led him to build lavish temples and palaces for his own satisfaction. Whenever he ventured out, he was always accompanied by a large number of soldiers and servants. The massive projects funded by Trịnh Sâm drained the resources of the common people.

Trịnh Sâm had a peculiar hobby of collecting rare and exotic foods, bringing them to his private collection. The corrupt officials would scout for these delicacies during the day and steal valuable plants and flower pots at night. Anyone who resisted was accused of hiding offerings for the lord. The frightened populace had no choice but to bribe the officials or destroy their plants and gardens to avoid further trouble.

In the years Giáp Ngọ and Ất Mùi (1774–1775), Trịnh Sâm, a lover of indulgence, frequently resided in the palaces around Tây Hồ, Tử Trầm Mountain, and Dũng Thúy Mountain. He ordered soldiers and civilians to construct vast recreational areas, with numerous palaces and pavilions scattered throughout.

Wherever he went, his soldiers and attendants followed, and when his boat arrived, officials loudly praised him. The surrounding scene was one of excess and frivolity. To satisfy his lust for pleasure, Trịnh Sâm ordered the hunting of rare plants and exquisite flower pots from the common folk. The corrupt officials, enjoying the lord's favor, became tyrannical, robbing while loudly boasting of their actions. By day, they scouted for rare plants and prized birds, and by night, they would raid and falsely accuse the citizens of hiding tribute offerings. The people, fearing for their safety, could only bribe the officials or destroy their plants and flowers to avoid trouble.

Around the year Giáp Ngọ, Lord Trịnh Sâm, who had a fascination with lanterns and lights, often resided in his various palaces. He commissioned the construction of numerous pavilions and temples. During this time, the palace attendants, dressed in women's clothing, would disguise themselves to sell various items for profit. On occasion, musicians were invited to play on the bell tower of Trấn Quốc Pagoda.

Whenever rare animals or exotic plants were found, Trịnh Sâm would claim them for his own collection. Seeing this, the corrupt officials took advantage of the situation, instilling fear among the people. They would target wealthy homes with beautiful plants or items and accuse their owners of hiding royal tributes. People would beg desperately to avoid punishment. The author’s household also had a pear tree and two pomegranate trees in bloom, but they had to be cut down for fear of being accused as well.