Who is Dai Viet's concubine twice defeating the Angkor Empire?

Although the official history only briefly records about Ly Cong Binh defeating the mighty Angkor empire twice, the people of his hometown still remember and forever transmit his story as an infinite pride and gratitude.

The first doctor in the land of Ha Nam

Thanh Nghia village (in Don Xa commune, Binh Luc district, Ha Nam today) was formerly located in a geographical position, charming scenery, simple and pure people. During the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong, there were grandparents Nguyen Danh Khang and Truong Thi Nguyet who were known for being gentle and helpful to others.

On a cold winter day in October 1081, Nguyet gave birth to a son. The grandparents were happy to name their son Cuong Cong . At the age of 7, Cuong Cong was able to go to school, was a bright child, learned one to ten.

The king appointed Ly Cong Binh as Thai deputy commander of the Dai Viet army against the enemy. (Illustration by artist Sy Hoa, Binh Phuoc Online newspaper).

In 1125, the Imperial Court held an exam, Cuong Cong attended and passed the university, becoming Ha Nam's first doctor since the Ly court opened the exam in 1075. The people of Thanh Nghia and Ha Nam villages were proud of themselves. Proud to have contributed a talented person to serve for Giang Son Xa Tac.

Became a virtuous son-in-law, given the nationality of Ly Cong Binh

Cuong Cong as an official showed his talent. When King Ly Than Tong saw that he was handsome, graceful, poise, and profound in knowledge, he was happy to marry Princess Lan Hoa .

After Cuong Cong became Pho Ma, the King granted him nationality, from then on he was called Ly Cong Binh.

Shortly after, Ly Cong Binh's parents died, he was in mourning at home, and Princess Lan Hoa also followed him.

During this time, the princess taught the villagers crafts, guided them to farm, and spent money on repairing roads, building more bridges, and opening markets. Soon Thanh Nghia village has green fields, convenient traffic, and people are full.

Twice led the army to defeat the Angkor Empire

At this time, the Khmer dominated Southeast Asia, the conquests everywhere helped the Khmer to dominate a vast land of 1.2 million km², including Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and the South region. The ministry belonged to present-day Vietnam, forming the vast Angkor empire.

Meanwhile, the area of ​​Dai Viet under the Ly Dynasty was less than 111,000 km². Compared to the area, Dai Viet is too small, but compared to civilization, the civilization of the Ly Dynasty belongs to a period of brilliant development in Vietnamese history, with belief as a solid foundation.

On December 4, the year of the Goat, 1127, King Ly Nhan Tong died, and Ly Than Tong ascended the throne when he was 12 years old. Hearing the news that King Dai Viet had died, the new king was still young, King Suryavarman II thought that the time had come, he quickly set up his army to conquer Dai Viet. Suryavarman II was the most famous King of the Angkor empire, successful with conquests everywhere.

In February 1128, when the Court had not yet celebrated the new King, the Khmer army attacked Nghe An. The Dai Viet army tried to defend and give information about the Citadel. The court quickly called the concubine and the princess to return to discuss fighting the enemy. The king appointed Ly Cong Binh as Thai deputy commander of the Dai Viet army against the enemy.

This event is recorded in the Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu:  'Going down to the interior for Deputy Ly Cong Binh to bring the imperial officials and the Nghe An Europeans to fight.'

Less than a month later, Ly Cong Binh defeated the Khmer army, captured hundreds of troops and the enemy's generals, and the good news was reported to the Citadel. In February 1128, when the mandarins were offering a banner to celebrate the new King's enthronement, the news of victory came from Nghe An.

After defeating the enemy, Ly Cong Binh was rewarded by the King and allowed him to establish a hamlet in Ly Nhan palace. After a while, Princess Lan Hoa suddenly passed away, causing everyone to mourn. Ly Cong Binh returned to Thanh Nghia village to set up a temple to worship the princess and then wrote the tablet himself (the temple worshiping the princess is now located on Street 974, northwest of the communal house of Thanh Nghia village).

During this time, the Angkor Empire attacked Dai Viet twice more, but each time it was defeated.

At the end of 1135 to 1136, the main pillars of the Court, Thai lieutenant Duong Anh Nhi, Thai monk Truong Ba Ngoc, and Luu Khanh Dam died, respectively, and the governor of Nghe An, Mau Du Do, was dismissed.

Realizing this was a good opportunity, King Suryavarman II again ordered General Po To Lang to attack Dai Viet, ordering Chiem Thanh to send troops to coordinate. But Chiem Thanh was too tired from the war, so at the last minute, he did not send troops to fight.

In 1137, General Po To Lang and the Khmer army advanced to Nghe An.

King Ly Than Tong sent Ly Cong Binh to lead the army to fight the enemy, the Khmer army suffered a catastrophic defeat, General To Pha Lang had to send his army back.

In 1138, King Ly Than Tong died, King Ly Anh Tong succeeded, Ly Cong Binh became the first great minister of the dynasty, taking care of the government.

Tribute

According to the story of Thanh Nghia villagers, on October 10, Tan Dau year (1141), Ly Cong Binh and his servants came to admire the scenery on the top of Linh Son mountain, suddenly it rained heavily, and Ly Cong Binh disappeared. The servants who followed thought that he was an epiphany, and rushed back to report to King Ly Anh Tong.

The King named Ly Cong Binh the 'Superior God of Blessing' . He also became the Thanh Hoang of Thanh Nghia village. People respectfully called Thien Cuong Dai Vuong Ly Cong Binh.

The communal house to worship Ly Cong Binh was built with a very unique and beautiful architecture. Especially, the front looks out to the lake with many old trees shading. In 2009, Thanh Nghia communal house was ranked as a national historical relic.