Nguyễn Nhạc

Nguyễn Nhạc (Vietnamese: [ŋwĩəŋ ɲâːk̚] Hán tự: 阮岳, died 1793) was the founder of the Tây Sơn dynasty, reigning from 1778 to 1788.

From 1778 to 1788, Nguyễn Nhạc proclaimed himself Emperor Thái Đức (Vietnamese: [tʰǎːj ɗɨ́k̚] Hán tự: 泰德). In 1788 after his younger brother proclaimed himself Emperor Quang Trung, Nguyễn Nhạc resigned his Emperor title and declared himself as King of Tây Sơn. Nguyễn Nhạc and his brothers, namely Nguyễn Lữ and Nguyễn Huệ, known as the Tây Sơn Brothers, ended the centuries-long civil war between the two feudal families, the Trịnh Lords in northern Vietnam and the Nguyễn Lords in southern Vietnam, seizing reigning power from these groups and the Lê dynasty.[1]

Born in Tây Sơn District, Quy Nhơn Province (modern Bình Định Province). Vietnamese historian Trần Trọng Kim described him as a courageous and clever man.[2] He had two younger brothers: Nguyễn Lữ and Nguyễn Huệ. Their talents are highly appreciated by their martial arts master, Trương Văn Hiến.

Tây Sơn brothers lived by trading betel. Legend stated that Nhạc got a magical sword from barbarians, so he was respected by many people. Later, Nhạc became a tax-collector of Nguyễn lord. He robbed off all tax he had collected, and distributed to poor farmers. He had to flee with his brothers, and became an outlaw. Hiến encouraged Nhạc to revolt against Nguyễn lords: “The prophecy says: ‘Revolt in the West, success in the North’.[note 1] You are born in Tây Sơn District, you must do your best.” Nhạc agreed with him.

At that time, the lord of Cochinchina Nguyễn Phúc Thuần was young, the regent was a corrupted official, Trương Phúc Loan. Loan was so unpopular that people compared him with Qin Hui. There were rumors that Loan changed the former lord’s will and throned the young prince Thuần. In 1771, Nguyễn Nhạc, Nguyễn Lữ and Nguyễn Huệ rebelled against Nguyễn lord. They took Tây Sơn District as base camp, aimed to overthrow Loan and enthrone Nguyễn Phúc Dương, the eldest grandson of the former Nguyễn lord. The rebels became famous for their policy: “fair, no corruption, only looting the rich, and help the poor.”[note 2][3] Soon they were widely supported by poor people. Ethnic minorities in Cochinchina, including Montagnards, Chams and Sino-Vietnamese, also took part in the rebellion.

The rebels grew rapidly and government troops were unable to put down. One day, Nhạc sat in a prison van, ordered his men to take him to Quy Nhơn. The governor, Nguyễn Khắc Tuyên (阮克宣), was very happy, and threw him into prison. At night, Nhạc escaped from prison and opened the city gate. Quy Nhơn was taken by Tây Sơn army, and used as the new base camp. Then Tây Sơn army marched to Quảng Nam,[2] Nguyễn army was defeated by the rebels. Nguyễn lord sent his main forces to Quảng Nam, but failed to drive the rebels out of this province.[4]