The Legend of Mị Châu and Trọng Thủy is one of the most well-known myths in Vietnamese culture, highlighting themes of loyalty, betrayal, and divine intervention. The story takes place during the reign of King An Dương Vương of Âu Lạc, a kingdom in ancient Vietnam. This tale is a powerful symbol of the consequences of misplaced trust and the destructive power of betrayal.
The Rise of An Dương Vương and the Divine Crossbow
King An Dương Vương ascended to the throne of Âu Lạc, a kingdom located in what is now northern Vietnam. After building the Cổ Loa Fortress, the King received a divine gift from the Golden Turtle God, a claw that was fashioned into a powerful crossbow. This Divine Crossbow allowed An Dương Vương to defend his kingdom with deadly accuracy. With each arrow fired, he could kill thousands of enemies, and no one could defeat him in battle.
When the warlord Triệu Đà of Nam Việt attempted to invade Âu Lạc, the Divine Crossbow devastated his army, forcing him to retreat and seek a way to destroy it.
The Betrayal of Mị Châu
Knowing that An Dương Vương had a beautiful daughter, Mị Châu, Triệu Đà sent his son, Trọng Thủy, to propose marriage. Mị Châu, smitten by Trọng Thủy's good looks, quickly fell in love with him. Despite the growing tension between the kingdoms, An Dương Vương consented to the marriage.
Trọng Thủy, however, had a hidden agenda. He cunningly persuaded Mị Châu to show him the Divine Crossbow. Trusting her husband, Mị Châu retrieved the weapon from her father’s secret storage, where Trọng Thủy broke its mechanism and replaced it with a faulty part. Trọng Thủy pretended to return to his homeland, but before leaving, he asked Mị Châu, "If our kingdoms ever fall out, how will we find each other again?" Mị Châu replied, "I carry a silk mattress with me, and I often drop goose feathers along the paths to mark my way."
The Tragic Downfall
Trọng Thủy informed Triệu Đà of the crossbow’s destruction, and soon, Triệu Đà's army marched toward Âu Lạc. When An Dương Vương tried to use the crossbow, it failed. The enemy army advanced, and An Dương Vương, realizing the betrayal, fled with his daughter.
Following the trail of goose feathers, Trọng Thủy tracked them to the coast. In a moment of desperation, An Dương Vương called upon the Golden Turtle God for help. The turtle appeared, advising the King, "The one riding behind you is the enemy. Why not kill him?" In anguish, An Dương Vương drew his sword to strike Mị Châu. Before her death, Mị Châu prayed, "I was loyal and faithful, deceived by others. I wish to transform into a pearl to avenge this humiliation."
An Dương Vương struck Mị Châu, and her blood spread across the water. Oysters swallowed it, turning it into a precious pearl.
The Heartbroken End of Trọng Thủy
Upon discovering Mị Châu's death, Trọng Thủy was devastated. He returned to Loa Thành to bury her body, which turned into a jade stone. Unable to move on, Trọng Thủy returned to their former meeting place, where he continued to mourn. Overcome with grief, he jumped into a well and died.
The Legacy of the Legend
The Legend of Mị Châu and Trọng Thủy remains an iconic story in Vietnamese mythology, teaching valuable lessons about the consequences of betrayal and the power of loyalty. The pearl formed from Mị Châu's blood continues to be a symbol of purity and tragic love. Additionally, the well water where Trọng Thủy ended his life is believed to enhance the brilliance of the jade, further emphasizing the connection between love, loss, and redemption.
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