Story Summary
Discover the tragic Vietnamese legend of My Chau and Trong Thuy, a classic tale of a magic crossbow, misplaced trust, and the fall of the ancient Au Lac kingdom.
King An Duong Vuong ruled the kingdom of Au Lac, protected by the magical Co Loa Citadel and a divine crossbow trigger gifted by the Golden Turtle, Kim Quy. This weapon allowed him to defeat any invader. Seeking peace, the rival King Zhao Tuo sent his son, Trong Thuy, to marry An Duong Vuong’s daughter, My Chau. The two fell deeply in love, but Trong Thuy had a secret mission: to find and neutralize the magic crossbow. My Chau, blinded by love and trust, showed her husband the sacred weapon. Trong Thuy secretly replaced the divine claw with a fake and returned to his father. Zhao Tuo immediately launched an invasion. When An Duong Vuong went to fire his crossbow, it failed. Realizing he was betrayed, he fled toward the sea with My Chau behind him. Along the way, My Chau dropped goose feathers from her cloak to guide Trong Thuy to her. At the water's edge, the Golden Turtle appeared, declaring, 'The enemy is right behind you!' Realizing his daughter's accidental betrayal, the King executed her before disappearing into the sea. Trong Thuy, finding his wife dead, was consumed by grief and drowned himself in a well. Legend says her blood turned into pearls, which shine brightest when washed in the water of that very well.
The Moral
National security and duty must never be sacrificed for personal affection, and one must remain vigilant even toward those closest to them.
“The enemy is right behind you, sitting on your horse!”
Fun Fact
The Co Loa Citadel, where this story takes place, is a real archaeological site near modern-day Hanoi, known for its unique spiral-shaped fortifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of My Chau and Trong Thuy?
The story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of protecting state secrets and the dangers of misplaced trust. it teaches that romantic love should not cloud one's judgment or responsibility to their country.
How did Trong Thuy betray My Chau?
Trong Thuy abused My Chau's trust by asking to see the kingdom's secret weapon, the magic crossbow. He then stole the divine turtle claw and replaced it with a fake, allowing his father's army to conquer Au Lac.
What is the significance of the goose feathers?
My Chau wore a cloak of goose feathers and dropped them along the path as she fled with her father. She did this so Trong Thuy could find her, unintentionally leading the enemy directly to the King.
Who is the Golden Turtle in Vietnamese mythology?
The Golden Turtle, or Kim Quy, is a powerful deity who protected the ancient Vietnamese kingdoms. He provided the magic claw for the crossbow and warned the King of betrayal.
What happened to My Chau and Trong Thuy at the end?
My Chau was executed by her father for her unintentional treason, while Trong Thuy, overwhelmed by guilt and the loss of his wife, committed suicide by jumping into a well.
What is the legend of the pearls in this story?
Legend says that My Chau’s blood flowed into the sea and was eaten by oysters, which then produced beautiful pearls. These pearls are said to become exceptionally radiant when washed in the water from Trong Thuy's well.
