The famous naval general of the Tran Dynasty - Yet Kieu made many great achievements in the resistance war against the invading Yuan-Mongol army.
Most loyal
Yet Kieu's real name is Pham Huu The, born on February 13, Nham Dan year (1242) in a poor fishing family in the river area of Ha Bi hamlet, Truong Tan district, Hong road (now Ha Bi village, Yet Kieu commune, Gia Loc, Hai Duong). Living by fishing, Yet Kieu was good at swimming and diving, and knew the rules of the ebb and flow of the tides.
With his talent in using people, Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan recognized Yet Kieu's qualities and recommended him to the court. During the second and third resistance wars against the Yuan-Mongol army, Yet Kieu sacrificed himself to save his commander from the enemy's siege and participated in many major battles to defeat O Ma Nhi and Toa Do, and cleverly captured Pham Nhan.
In 1285, the Yuan-Mongol army massively invaded our country for the second time. The book "Complete Annals of Dai Viet" recorded that: When the Yuan-Mongol army arrived, Yet Kieu guarded the boat at Bai Tan, and Da Tuong followed. When the army withdrew, the navy was completely dispersed. Hung Dao Vuong intended to retreat along the foot of the mountain, but Da Tuong said: "Yet Kieu has not seen the King, so he will definitely not move the boat". The King arrived at Bai Tan, and only Yet Kieu's boat was still there. The King was very happy and said: "The flamingo wants to fly high, it must rely on its six wings. Without those six wings, it is just an ordinary bird".
Intelligence
At that time, the Yuan-Mongol invaders led hundreds of boats by sea to plunder Dai Viet. Yet Kieu, regardless of the cold winter, dove into the sea every night, lay at the bottom of the boat, and used sharp iron awls to puncture the boat. The enemy boats were flooded and sank immediately. The enemy soldiers were very scared. At first, they did not understand why. Later, the enemy set up a net to surround and capture Yet Kieu. They asked him: "How many people in your country are as talented as you in swimming and diving?" He replied: "There are many people in the South who are as talented as me in swimming and diving. Currently, they are still hiding under the sea to puncture the boat, only I was unfortunately captured. If you let me go, I will lead you to where they are hiding, so you can capture me." The enemy soldiers were delighted, they took a light boat to carry him away. Taking advantage of the enemy's carelessness, he jumped into the water, dived back, and continued to fight the enemy to save the country with our army and people. The enemy soldiers could only look at each other in anger.
One time, Yet Kieu led a group of soldiers to lie in ambush in the reeds along the riverbank, where the Yuan-Mongol fleet was anchored. Then he alone used a sharp drill to drill the bottoms of their boats. After each hole was drilled, he used a rag to plug it, tied one end of a rope to the other end of the rag, and floated it to the shore. He waited for the enemy to fall asleep. He pulled the ropes, and water rushed into the boat. The enemy woke up and panicked. Yet Kieu gave the signal to raise the army. He jumped onto the boat, grabbed the neck of General Pham Nhan, dragged him down the river, and dragged him to shore. The battle ended, the insurgents won, and Pham Nhan was beheaded at Kiep Bac swimming beach. Therefore, King Tran promoted Yet Kieu to the title of "First Commander of the Navy".
After his death, he was granted the title of Dai Vuong and appointed as Phuc Than. King Tran ordered the construction of a temple to worship him on the riverbank of his hometown Ha Bi village (the village of Quat). The Quat temple festival is held annually on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month to commemorate Yet Kieu. The festival has a very exciting rowing tradition of men and women right on the river in front of the temple.
Next: Heroic spirit spread
NGUYEN THAO