Legendary heroes in Ninh Binh: King Ly Thai To (Ly Cong Uan)

Ly Thai To is the king who founded the Ly dynasty, moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long citadel, drove out foreign invaders, and protected the country’s borders.

King Ly Thai To was the emperor who founded the Ly dynasty. He made great contributions to the history of the Vietnamese people. Thanks to his wisdom in stabilizing politics, and diplomacy and suppressing civil wars in the country, the Ly dynasty lasted for 216 years.

Background

King Ly Thai To, whose real name was Ly Cong Uan, was born in 974 and was from Co Phap village (now Dinh Bang Ward, Tu Son City, Bac Ninh Province).

Many historical books record the origin of Ly Cong Uan, but they all have mysterious features. There are also many myths about his origin and birth. One of them says that from the moment he was born, a light was emitted around him with a red line of writings about his destiny to rule the country. There is a legend that Ly Cong Uan was orphaned by both father and mother when he was little, but another anecdote says that he lived with his mother until he was three. However, all the legends, anecdotes, and historical books have one thing in common when they say that he was adopted by Abbot Ly Khanh Van when he was little and named Ly Cong Uan. Master Ly Khanh Van was the abbot of Ung Tam Pagoda. A legend told that the day before welcoming Ly Cong Uan to the pagoda, the Dragon God had appeared in Master Ly’s dream and notified: “Tomorrow the King will come”. 

His adoptive father Ly Khanh Van wholeheartedly cared for and taught Ly Cong Uan, so Ly Cong Uan showed intelligence and cleverness from a small age. At only six or seven years old, Ly Cong Uan was well-versed in the classics and history, but he was very naughty. Master Ly Khanh Van realized that Ly Cong Uan was grown, so he sent Ly Cong Uan to study with Master Van Hanh at Luc To Pagoda in 981.

Master Van Hanh soon saw in this extraordinary child the seed of a great man and devoted himself to educating him. After more than 10 years of cultivating his mind and character, studying under the Buddhist roof, and being trained by Master Van Hanh, Ly Cong Uan became a learned and intelligent person, proficient in literature and martial arts, with great patriotism and compassion. 

Career

In 994, when Ly Cong Uan was just 20 years old, Ly Cong Uan was recommended by Van Hanh to the court to hold a military position. Being intelligent, healthy, and ambitious, Cong Uan was increasingly trusted by the court, later becoming the commander of the palace and becoming a pillar of the Former-Le dynasty. 

Therefore, right after King Le Long Dinh had died, all the courtiers realized that Ly Cong Uan was a tolerant, forgiving person and was adored by the people, so the transition from the Former-Le dynasty to the Ly dynasty took place peacefully and smoothly. History books record that it was Master Van Hanh, along with military general Dao Can Moc, who assisted and supported Ly Cong Uan to ascend the throne and found the Ly dynasty. 

On November 21, 1009, Ly Cong Uan ascended the throne, opening a new dynasty of Dai Co Viet, taking the reign name Thuan Thien, and establishing the capital in Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh).

Ly Thai To was a benevolent king who cared deeply for his people. As the founding emperor of the dynasty, the king first of all cared about building the dynasty and consolidating the central government. During his nearly 20 years as King (1010 – 1028), in addition to his great contributions to the Ly Dynasty in terms of economy, culture, and strengthening the nation’s independence and autonomy, he made an outstanding historical contribution in moving the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long, opening a new period of decisive significance to the national destiny of Thang Long in particular and the whole country in general.

Since ascending the throne, Ly Cong Uan has implemented many policies to govern the country with a spirit of altruism, charity, and noble humanism. Perhaps that comes from his Buddhist origins, deeply influenced by his Buddhist ideology. From a wise choice to move the capital by Ly Thai To in the 11th century, Vietnamese history entered a new period with prosperous developments.

In conclusion, King Ly Thai To was a wise king, making many great contributions to the nation, opening an era of independence, self-determination, peace, and prosperity for the Vietnamese people.

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Image source: Internet