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The Tale of Kieu – Through the Eyes of Mindfulness, Talk 11
After Sister Giac Duyen bid farewell and left the Tu Minh Son region, Tu Hai and Thuy Kieu, within three or four days, took over five districts and a coastal area of the Ming kingdom, establishing an independent nation with Tu Hai as the Great King and Kieu as his consort. During five years of peace, Thuy Kieu served as an important political and military advisor, and her voice was always respected by Tu Hai.
The Ming court assigned Governor Ho Ton Hien the task of leading a special mission, bringing gifts and troops to offer amnesty. Kieu was influenced by two maidservant spies, who presented her with lavish gifts and persuaded her with words about filial piety and loyalty, expressing the hope of family reunion. She persuaded Tu Hai that surrender could bring about:
- an end to war, putting a stop to the countless nameless bones piled as high as one’s head
- national unification, fulfilling both public and private duties
- the opportunity to return to her homeland with the promise of a high title
Trusting Kieu’s words, Tu Hai agreed to set a date for disarmament, but as soon as the ceremony of surrender and the signal cannon sounded, the court’s army ambushed them—three ceremonial battalions in front, weapons behind. Tu Hai, alone, fought to the death, struck by dozens of arrows, and died standing firm like a bronze statue. Thuy Kieu threw herself to follow the great king in death, but was saved by the soldiers. Thus, Ho Ton Hien’s mission was fulfilled, suppressing the rebellion.
