Don’t bow to the Song messenger

Statue of Emperor Le Dai Hanh at Hoa Lu
(photo source: kienthuc.net.vn)

In the second year of Hung Thong (1), the Song dysnaty sent the envoy Song Gao (2) to Dai Co Viet (3). Emperor Le Dai Hanh (4) exposed his troops and received guest himself. Song Gao demanded Le Dai Hanh to kowtow but the Emperor opposed:

- I have went to fight the Man (5) agressors, tumbled down the horse and was sore in my leg.

At the party, the Emperor Le Dai Hanh told Song Gao:

- Later, your national letter will be delivered at the frontier. Your messengers will not come to Hoa Lu (6) anymore.

Song Gao returned and reported this opinion, the Song Emperor had to listen to it.

Annotation:

(1) Hung Thong: year label used by Emperor Le Dai Hanh, from 989 to 993.

(2) In sino-vietnamese: Tống Cảo, in chinese: 宋 杲.

(3) Dai Co Viet: country name used by the Dinh, Early Le and Ly dynasties in 86 years, from 968 to 1054.

(4) Le Dai Hanh: first Emperor of the Early Le dynasty, named Le Hoan, ruled from 980 to 1005.

(5) Man: term refered the ethnic minorities.

(6) Hoa Lu: capital of Dai Co Viet, today belong Ninh Binh province.