Battle of Tot Dong
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Tot Dong (Tot Đồng) was a battle between the Ming Dynasty
and Dai Viet during the Lam Sơn uprising
. The Annamese forces under command of Le Loi inflicted a horrible defeat upong Ming generals Liu Shan
and Wang Tong
. Afterwards, Wang Tong was captured and Liu Shan executed.
following the Battle of Bach Dang River (938). In 1405, the Chinese Ming Dynasty
invaded Annam
and quickly occupied it. Soon, wealthy landowner Le Loi began a rebellion
against the Chinese. Le Loi set up a guerrilla base in the mountains, from which he attacked isolated Chinese garrisons. The Emperor of China considered making peace, but his imperial advisors encouraged him to send an army under command of General Liu Shan
numbering 100,000 troops to attack the Annamese and supress the revolution.
general named Wang Tong
arrived in the Red River Delta
. However, Vietnamese forces were able to cut supply lines and control the countryside, leaving Chinese presence totally isolated in the capital and other citadels. During this period, General Nguyễn Trãi sought to undermine the resolve of the enemy and to negotiate a favorable peace by sending a series of missives to the Ming commanders. In the battle, Le Loi used his elephants to rout the cavalry, while the rest of the Ming Chinese forces fled for their lives. The Battle of Tot Dong was the decisive battle of the uprising.
where it was surrounded and destroyed in a series of battles. All told, the Chinese army lost over 70,000 men. Also, Wang Tong agreed to give Vietnam independence in order to be freed by Le Loi, who declared himself emperor the following year.
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
and Dai Viet during the Lam Sơn uprising
Lam Sơn uprising
In 1405 the Chinese Ming Dynasty invaded Dai Viet in northern Vietnam on the pretext of settling a succession dispute. Within a year the previously independent kingdom had been reduced to a province of China...
. The Annamese forces under command of Le Loi inflicted a horrible defeat upong Ming generals Liu Shan
Liu Shan (Ming Dynasty)
Liu Shan , died 1427, was a general of the Ming Dynasty era of Chinese History. The Emperor of China called upon him to lead a massive army to crush the Lam Sơn uprising in Vietnam, led by the landowner Le Loi. After the defeat of the Chinese armed forces at the Battle of Tot Dong, he took command...
and Wang Tong
Wang Tong (Ming Dynasty)
Wang Tong was a general of the Ming Dynasty of China during the 15th Century. In 1426, Wang Tong was dispatched with 100,000 troops to invade Annam and crush the Lam Sơn uprising. At the Battle of Tot Dong, his force was surprisingly crushed by the rebels under Le Loi...
. Afterwards, Wang Tong was captured and Liu Shan executed.
Background
Dai Viet became independent from ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
following the Battle of Bach Dang River (938). In 1405, the Chinese Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
invaded Annam
Annam
Annam may refer to:* A name of Vietnam used prior to 1945.* Annam , a former subdivision of French Indochina, now the central region of Vietnam*Annam , a female given name of Arabic origin...
and quickly occupied it. Soon, wealthy landowner Le Loi began a rebellion
Lam Sơn uprising
In 1405 the Chinese Ming Dynasty invaded Dai Viet in northern Vietnam on the pretext of settling a succession dispute. Within a year the previously independent kingdom had been reduced to a province of China...
against the Chinese. Le Loi set up a guerrilla base in the mountains, from which he attacked isolated Chinese garrisons. The Emperor of China considered making peace, but his imperial advisors encouraged him to send an army under command of General Liu Shan
Liu Shan (Ming Dynasty)
Liu Shan , died 1427, was a general of the Ming Dynasty era of Chinese History. The Emperor of China called upon him to lead a massive army to crush the Lam Sơn uprising in Vietnam, led by the landowner Le Loi. After the defeat of the Chinese armed forces at the Battle of Tot Dong, he took command...
numbering 100,000 troops to attack the Annamese and supress the revolution.
Battle
In 1426, the army of a ChineseChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
general named Wang Tong
Wang Tong (Ming Dynasty)
Wang Tong was a general of the Ming Dynasty of China during the 15th Century. In 1426, Wang Tong was dispatched with 100,000 troops to invade Annam and crush the Lam Sơn uprising. At the Battle of Tot Dong, his force was surprisingly crushed by the rebels under Le Loi...
arrived in the Red River Delta
Red River Delta
The Red River Delta is the flat plain formed by the Red River and its distributaries joining in the Thai Binh River in northern Vietnam. The delta measuring some 15,000 square km is well protected by a network of dikes. It is an agriculturally rich area and densely populated...
. However, Vietnamese forces were able to cut supply lines and control the countryside, leaving Chinese presence totally isolated in the capital and other citadels. During this period, General Nguyễn Trãi sought to undermine the resolve of the enemy and to negotiate a favorable peace by sending a series of missives to the Ming commanders. In the battle, Le Loi used his elephants to rout the cavalry, while the rest of the Ming Chinese forces fled for their lives. The Battle of Tot Dong was the decisive battle of the uprising.
Aftermath
The Chinese general, Liu Shan, was captured and executed by the Vietnamese. Then the Vietnamese lured the Chinese army into HanoiHanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
where it was surrounded and destroyed in a series of battles. All told, the Chinese army lost over 70,000 men. Also, Wang Tong agreed to give Vietnam independence in order to be freed by Le Loi, who declared himself emperor the following year.