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Pham Ngu Lao (1255-1320)

Pham Ngu Lao was a native of Phu Ung village, Duong Hao district (Currently belonging to An Thi district). He was born in 1255 and died in 1320.

When he was small, he was agile and excellent in martial arts. In his essay "Notes taken on rainy days", Pham Dinh Ho (His another name) described the meeting between him and Tran Hung Dao as followed:

On that day, Hung Dao Vuong and his entourage were on the way to the royal capital. There was a man sitting by the side of the road weaving a basket. When the vanguards approached to clear the way, he continued sitting calmly as if he did not notice anyone. When they used their lances to stab his thigh, he continued sitting without stirring. Seeing that, Hung Dao Vuong stopped and asked him a question, he then answered that he was thinking of a sentence in a military manual, so he did not notice anything. Knowing that he was a talented man, Hung Dao Vuong let him sit with him in his palanquin and left for the royal capital. Since then, he became a special guest of Hung Dao Vuong, and thanks to his talent, he was let to marry Hung Dao Vuong’s adopted daughter. He also recommended Pham Ngu Lao to the royal court. In the two resistance wars against the Nguyen invaders (1285-1288), Pham Ngu Lao made many contributions.

In the reign of Tran Nhan Tong King, he was in charge of the right back army. In the reign of An Tong King (in 1924), he followed Thuong Hoang to fight Ai Lao troops in the Dao Long River.

He took the position of Kim Nghiem Chief General in 1298 and Than Ve General in 1299. In 1301, he defeated the Ai Lao troops in Muong Lai and was promoted to Than Ve Chief General. In the reign of Minh Tong King, in 1318, Chiem Thanh army invaded the country; he led the army to defeat the enemy. He died in 1320 at the age of 66. The King ordered a five-day recess of court to mourn over him.

Pham Ngu Lao is an excellent general who trained his troops with strict disciplines. In his military career, wherever his troops came, their enemies were frightened. His career was renowned in the Tran dynasty. In "Tang thuong ngau luc", Pham Dinh Ho wrote about Pham Ngu Lao as followed: “When alive, Pham Ngu Lao was a chief general. When he died, he was titled of a good genius. A temple of his worship was set up to replace his own house. He had a famous poem:

Hoanh soc giang son cap ky thu
Tam quan ky ho khi thon Nguu
Nam nhi vi lieu cong danh trai
Tu thinh nhan gian thuyet Vu Hau.

(Practicing lance-dancing throughout the longevity of the country
The army was strong enough to swallow the Buffalo star
As a man, I have not completed my position and fame
I am ashamed when listening to the story of Vu Hau)

This poem was evidence of his strong mettle.”

His works include:

-          Thuat hoai (Extracted from Viet’s full poem collections).

-          Funeral oration for Hung Dao Vuong (A god story of Phu Ung commune)


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