Trịnh Giang

Trinh Giang ruled Vietnam from 1729 to 1740. He ruled with the title "Uy Nam Vuong". He was one of the Trinh Lords who ruled Vietnam. He was a bad ruler, being wasteful, inept, and callous.

History

Trinh Giang was one of the worst of the Trinh Lords. During his years in power he spent money on luxuries and did little about the growing problem of landless peasants in the countryside. Also, a series of natural disasters struck, floods caused ruin for many villages and yet Trinh Giang did nothing to relieve the suffering. Instead he obtained (through rich gifts) a new title from the Yongzheng Emperor of China, Supreme King of Annam (in Vietnamese: An Nam Thuong Vuong). This foolish action provoked a rash of revolts as the people felt he was usurping the title of the Le King.

By 1737, his government had run out of money and had to put public offices up for sale.

A mandarin could gain a step in rank by the payment of six hundred strings of cash, and the commonest man in the kingdom was able to obtain the highest rank by the payment of two thousand eight hundred strings. [http://art-hanoi.com/toda/16.html Annam and its Minor Currency - Chapter 16]

In the midst of revolts and bankruptcy, Trinh Giang turned the government over to a favored eunuch in 1738. Two years later he was deposed and Trinh Doanh took over.

As far as the Le Dynasty was concerned, the king, Hon Duc Cong (1729-1732), was put in prison shortly after assuming the throne and was then murdered after three years. He was replaced by Lê Thun Tông (1732-1735) who was in turn replaced by Lê Y Tông (1735-1740).

ee also

* Le Dynasty.
* List of Vietnamese dynasties

Sources

*Encyclopedia of Asian History, Volumns 4. 1988. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York.
* [http://art-hanoi.com/toda/16.html Annam and it Minor Currency] Chapter 16 (downloaded May 2006)