Ba Trieu, also known as Trieu Trinh Nuong, was born and raised in Cuu Chan district (Thanh Hoa). In 248, at just 22 years old, she and her brother led soldiers to raise the banner of rebellion against the Wu invaders in the Ngan Nua mountains.
The image of the Queen wearing a short golden armor, a golden turban, pointed shoes, bravely riding a one-tusked elephant, waving a golden flag and commanding her troops became a terror to the invaders. Ba Trieu's reputation as a commander led the enemy to call her "Le Hai Ba Vuong" (the beautiful Queen of the sea region).
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At 19, when asked about marriage, she boldly replied: “I want to ride the strong winds Trample the fierce waves Slaughter the giant whales in the East Sea Drive out the Wu invaders Regain our country Break free from slavery I refuse to bow down and be a concubine to anyone.” |
Although Ba Trieu's rebellion did not drive the Wu army out of the country like the Trung Sisters, it showed the indomitable will and refusal to be enslaved by the girl from Quan Yen mountain. When reading about Ba Trieu's rebellion, King Tu Duc commented: "Many women in our country are extraordinarily heroic."
Quan Yen village is where Trieu Thi Trinh was born. Tung mountain is where the Queen passed away. And the Ngan Nua range, chosen as the base for the rebellion, still retains traces of the Drum and Gong Hill, the stone table stream of Bai Bo... recalling the time Ba Trieu trained her army. Ba Trieu's elephant footprints have been imprinted on every mountain and field in Thanh Hoa.
(*) Images were taken at the thousand-year-old Ba Trieu Temple, in Phu Dien, Trieu Loc, Thanh Hoa.
