The king's treasure in a wooden box over 100 years old in Ha Tinh

Two royal decrees granted by King Khai Dinh to a mandarin in the Nguyen Xuan family (Loc Ha, Ha Tinh) have been carefully preserved and kept in wooden boxes by generations of descendants of the family for over 100 years.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Su (57 years old) - the patriarch of the Nguyen Xuan family (Dong Son village, Mai Phu commune, Loc Ha district) said that for over 100 years, generations of descendants of the Nguyen Xuan family have followed their ancestors' instructions to carefully look after, preserve, and worship the relics left by their ancestors - a rectangular wooden tray painted with red lacquer and gilded gold.

Video: 2 royal decrees granted by King Khai Dinh to an official in the Nguyen Xuan family.

"From birth, the descendants of the family were told by the previous generation not to open the wooden box to look at it. Perhaps the ancestors made such a rule because they wanted the descendants to preserve the precious object longer, because opening it to look at it too much would soon cause it to deteriorate and fade away," said Mr. Su.

The patriarch of the Nguyen Xuan family said that only later did the descendants of the family open the wooden box and discover that inside were two pieces of paper of different sizes, preserved by being rolled up in a wooden tube with a lid. Even though hundreds of years had passed, the two ancient pieces of paper were still almost intact.

The royal decree for the mandarin of the Later Le Dynasty is kept by the descendants of the Nguyen Xuan family.

“On the pieces of paper were lines of writing, drawings, and decorative patterns, but at that time, no one in the family understood what was written on them,” Mr. Su said.

In early 2023, while preparing for the full moon of January, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hai (a descendant of the family currently living in Hanoi) opened the wooden box to see. Wanting to know the meaning of the relic left by his father, he contacted the Ha Tinh Historical Science Association and was introduced to send it to the Institute of History (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) for research.

As a result, the two pieces of paper that the Nguyen Xuan family is keeping are two royal decrees bestowed upon a mandarin in the family who had contributed to expanding the territory during the Later Le Dynasty.

According to the translation of Dr. Phan Dang Thuan - Institute of History (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences), the first royal decree was issued by King Khai Dinh on March 18, the second year of Khai Dinh's reign in 1917 to Mr. Le Dynasty Quan La Don Dien Deputy Envoy Nguyen Phu Quan Chi Than.

The first edict reads: "Now, I am receiving a great mandate, remembering the good deeds of the god. I specially confer the title of Winged Guardian of the Trung Hung Linh Palace. I authorize the local people to worship the god. Please protect and defend my people. I respect you!"

First decree.

The second edict was issued by King Khai Dinh on July 25, the 9th year of Khai Dinh in 1925. In the translation, King Khai Dinh wrote: “Edict to confer on Trieu Son village, Vinh Luat commune, Thach Ha district, Ha Tinh province. Previously worshiped him, originally awarded the Duc Bao Trung Hung Linh Phu Le Dynasty Quan La Don Dien Deputy Envoy Nguyen Phu Quan Than. The god has protected the country and helped the people many times. During major festivals, he has been granted an edict allowing the villagers to worship him. Now, on the occasion of the great celebration of my 40th birthday, I have issued a precious edict to bestow grace. According to the ceremony, there are rewards, and the Doan Tuc Ton Than is awarded, especially allowing the local people to worship him according to the old rituals. Recorded in the national holiday and the national worship book. Respectfully!"

Second Ordination

According to the family genealogy, the historical figure who was granted the two royal decrees by King Khai Dinh had the real name Nguyen Xuan Toan, who held the position of Deputy Envoy of the Le Dynasty (a person who promoted agriculture, recruited people to reclaim land and expand the territory).

Even though hundreds of years have passed, the descendants of the Nguyen Xuan family still preserve and maintain intact the two precious royal decrees.

It is known that the Nguyen Xuan family has 3 branches with nearly 100 members and successful descendants. The family temple - where these 2 royal decrees are kept - is also hundreds of years old and has been regularly repaired and renovated since 1910.

The discovery of two royal decrees bestowed on the historical figure of the Nguyen Xuan family is not only a source of excitement and pride for the family but also for the whole locality. We will closely coordinate with the units in the process of establishing scientific records of the relics, and at the same time, plan to protect and promote the cultural heritage values ​​left by our ancestors.

Mr. Pham Ba Huy

Vice Chairman of Mai Phu Commune People's Committee

Ngan Giang

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/nui-hong-song-la/bau-vat-vua-ban-trong-trap-go-hon-100-nam-o-ha-tinh/258788.htm