XI.
The Ngo Family. The twelve Suquan. The
Dinh Dynasty. The former
 Le
Dynasty. - 940-1010 A.D.
The Ngo Family - 940-948.
NGO-QUYEN, an Annamese of the state of Ai-chao, was the
founder of this family, which held the reins of power for
eighteen years. Ngo-guyen took the name of TIEN-NGO-VUONG,
governing for six years, which were passed in continuous wars.
He left the crown to his son, a minor, under the regency of
TAM-CA, who usurped the throne, proclaiming himself king under
the name of BINH-VUONG. Tam-ca, however, was soon defeated
by another son of Ngo-guyen, called HAU, who in an
expedition against the rebels of TUAI-BINH was killed by
an arrow in 958.
During this period there is no record of the issue of any
coins in Annam.
The twelve Su-quan. - 958-968.
At the time of the death of Hau the country was divided into
twelve CHAU. Their Governors refused to recognize the
authority of the NGO Family, and each of them proclaimed himself
king in his own district This state of things lasted for ten
years.
The
Dinh Dynasty. - 968-981.
One of the above-mentioned Governors took into his service
DINH BO-LANH, an Annamese, who fought against, and finally
conquered the other eleven Governors, and in 968 proclaimed
himself king under the name of TIEN-HOANG, giving to his
kingdom the name of Dai-viet.
His reign lasted 25 years and was very glorious. He made a
commencement in the work of organizing the country, passed good
laws which were fairly administrated, kept up a regular army,
and coined cash. At his death the country again fell into a
state of anarchy. He had nominated as his successor his third
son HAN-LANG, but this prince was murdered by his elder brother.
The second brother TRIEU, aged six years only, then reigned for
a short time, under the regency of a General of the palace; but
soon this General found it more convenient to proclaim himself
king, thus putting an end to the DINH Dynasty.
No. 1. - Obverse:
THAI-BINH-HUNG-BAO.
Reverse: The character
DINH, the name of the Dynasty.
No. 2. - Obverse: same as before.
Reverse: plain. Coins made by the king TIEN-HOANG.
White copper.
The former
Le
Dynasty. - 981-1010.
General LE-HOAN ascended the throne under the name of
THIEN-PHUOC, and, following the policy initiated by his
predecessor, secured peace on the frontiers by successful wars
against China and Ciampa.
His son and successor, called LONG-VIET, was murdered by his
brother NGOA-TRIEU, three days after he had come to power.
This prince, whose conduct was extremely cruel and bad, soon
afterwards proclaimed himself king and committed every kind of
excess and crime, inventing new tortures and ruining the country
in every way. With his death the LE Dynasty came to an end.
No. 3. - Obverse:
THIEN-PHUOC-TRAN-BAO, or provincial coin of Thien-phuoc. At that
time, as some fifty years before in China, the provinces of
Annam were called
TRAN.
Reverse: The character
LE,
the name of the Dynasty.
No. 4. - Obverse: Only the character
LE
in the lower part of the square hole.
Reverse: plain.
The above two coins were cast in the 5th moon of the 5th year
of DAI-HAN (986). They were made principally of white
copper, and are rather smaller than the ordinary Chinese cash.
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