Phu Dot, in the scenic area of Trang An near Tam Coc Ninh Binh – Also known as Trinh Temple, worships the four royal pillars (Nguyen Bac, Dinh Dien, Trinh Tu, Luu Co) and the two generals who died loyally to the Dinh Dynasty.
In the Year of the Dragon (968) Van Thang Vuong Dinh Bo Linh ascended the throne, proclaimed himself Emperor Dai Thang Minh Hoang De, named the country Dai Co Viet, the era name was Thai Binh, with the meaning of the great Vietnamese country, Thai Binh, building an independent and self-reliant foundation, on par with the Northern feudal dynasties. When King Dinh considered rewarding people with meritorious services, Mr. Dinh Dien was awarded the title of First Public God “in the Four Courts of the Court, there are four men: Dinh Dien, Nguyen Bac, Trinh Tu and Luu Co”. He was appointed to hold the position of Outer Armor (regarding external affairs), according to the Divine Genealogies, he held the position of Introductory Supervision of Dai Tu Tu, General of the Military Nation, and in charge of national affairs (Prime Minister).
In the year of the Rabbit (979), King Dinh Tien Hoang and his eldest son, Nam Viet Vuong Dinh Lien, were poisoned and murdered, and the court honored the 6-year-old Dinh Toan to the throne; Le Hoan worked together as the Regent, then proclaimed himself Deputy Vuong, all important matters were decided by Le Hoan’s hands. Thinking that Le Hoan had the intention to usurp, he discussed with Nguyen Bac, Pham Hap and a number of other loyalists, leaving the mandarin to stay in hiding to plot to prepare for the big event; then joined forces with Nguyen Bac and Pham Hap to bring two armies from Ai Chau (Thanh Hoa) to Hoa Lu citadel near Tam Coc Ninh Binh to kill Le Hoan and return the mountain to the Dinh dynasty. But Le Hoan took advantage of the strong southeast wind, fought a fire attack, burned all boats, soldiers of Dinh Dien and Nguyen Bac also disintegrated, Dinh Dien was killed in battle. The people were extremely merciful, considering him a loyal servant, because of his selfless devotion, they collected his remains and brought him to Truc Lam pagoda, where he practiced before for burial. Not long after, Nguyen Bac and Pham Hap were also defeated by Le Hoan, captured and killed.
According to the book “The Legend of Dinh Do” in Dinh Dien temple next to Thap pagoda, Yen Lieu Ha village, Khanh Thinh commune, Yen Mo district, Ninh Binh, after having a disagreement with Le Hoan, Dinh Dien took his wife Thuong Tran Truong. The princess returned to Kieu Moc, Zen master Luong Tuan, withdrew to the village of Tent (Yen Lieu Ha) to build a temple to practice, but in fact built a base, hoarded grain, and recruited soldiers to fight Le Hoan. He established 9 barracks, later 9 villages have temples to worship him: Yen Luu Thuong, Yen Luu Ha, Phuc My, Yen Thinh, Yen Bac, Yen Pho, Van Giap, Yen Lu, (Yen Xuyen); Dinh Dien often lives in the villages of Tent and Yen Lu, his mother’s hometown.
And Nguyen Bac withdrew his troops into Asia (Thanh Hoa), combined with Dinh Dien, to prepare to attack Hoa Lu citadel near Tam Coc Ninh Binh. At that time, Tent village was a newly accreted land, about 20 km from Hoa Lu citadel, near Trinh Nu river. From here, you can easily retreat to Asia through the Than Phu pool gate, and you can also quickly attack the Hoa Lu citadel near Tam Coc Ninh Binh. Currently, there are a number of places related to Dinh Dien such as: Tent Village is where Dinh Dien set up tents for troops, Pig village (later changed to Luan village) is a place to raise pigs, Van Giao field is a place for forging and casting. and store swords and spears… Legend has it that Dinh Dien built a three-chambered pagoda, later called Thap pagoda on an area of 7 sao wide. He planted a 17-acre surrounding land, a 30-acre field, named “Than Dien”, now in Khanh Duong commune, Yen Mo.
Regarding the time of the battle and the death of General Dinh Dien, historical sources have different accounts: The unified history records that this took place at the end of 979; the genealogy in Ninh Binh recorded took place on April 20, Canh Thin year (June 5, 980); Some other theologians believe that he and his wife, Mrs. Phan Thi Moi Nuong, lost the battle and the army was completely destroyed, so they committed suicide together on November 20, the year of the Rabbit (December 12, 979). not be killed.
