Chu Dong Tu

The tale of one man's glorious ascent to heaven, despite being caught with his pants down Long ago, there lived a king called Hung Vuong. His wife gave birth to a daughter named Tien Dung (literally, Beautiful Fairy) who well deserved her name. The princess was courted by kings and princes from all the neighbouring countries.

However, indifferent to love, she rejected all marriage offers and passed her time on lonely walks. She was fond of aimless wandering and often walked through picturesque landscapes around the capital.

As she was the king's only child, she was everything to him and whenever she asked her father's permission to go for an excursion far from the palace, the answer was always: "As you like, my dear child!"

Early one spring morning, a procession of royal boats, each one scented with the fragrance of flowers, glided along the clear water of the river. Beautiful music filled the air as the royal barge brought Tien Dung out of the city and down to the countryside.

The sun was setting, when the princess and her maids came to a pleasant place. The princess ordered the boats to stop. Not very far from this spot was the village of Chu Xa, lying quietly amidst green grass and bamboo trees. A small section of beach was quickly staked out and curtained for the princess' bathroom.

In the midst of her bath, the water she was pouring washed away the sand, revealing a naked man lying beneath her feet. The princess stood in dumb astonishment and blushed with shame.

The man, frightened and confused, was very young and handsome. He did not dare to get up, but lay there motionless, only turning his head to beg for pardon and tried to explain his presence. "My name is Chu Dong Tu," he said.

"I lost my mother when I was a small boy, and lived with my old father in a little cottage until the day it burned to the ground and left us homeless. We had but a single loin cloth left between us and we were forced to wear it by turns.

"After a while, my father fell seriously ill and when his death drew near, he told me to bury him naked so that I might have something to cover my waist. I could not find the heart to make myself obey. That piece of cloth was his only shroud.

"Since then, I have had to fish by night and in daylight I remain up to the waist in the water. I sell fish and crabs to the travellers passing by here on boats. When I heard the drumbeat and saw your boats with banners and flowers, I hid myself here, but unfortunately you chose this place..."

Tien Dung interrupted him: "I did not want to get married, however, in such a situation, we are bound to follow the order of Destiny." She then gave orders to clothe him. The handsome man was brought to the royal barge. A banquet was held in his honour and the wedding took place on that very night on the river.

When news reached the king's ears, he became enraged and forbade his daughter to enter the capital again. Since it was impossible for Tien Dung to return to the royal palace, she settled with her husband in the village of Chu Xa where they earned their livelihood by trading.

Their affairs flourished. Houses sprouted up on the banks of the river, and soon there appeared a busy city. It was greatly animated with the comings and goings of traders from various parts of the country.

Some time later, a commercial trip took Chu Dong Tu away from home. One evening, he found himself far out in the country when a severe storm arose. He rushed to take shelter in an old pagoda at the foot of a little mountain.

Living there was a hermit, who immediately recognised signs of immortality in the young stranger. The hermit offered to reveal the secrets of his science to the passerby and Chu Dong Tu was delighted to accept the proposal. He cancelled his trip and stayed in the pagoda for more than a year.

Before parting with his disciple, the hermit handed Chu Dong Tu a red bamboo stick and a conical hat as presents and urged him to keep them forever by his side.

Upon returning home, Chu Dong Tu commenced to teach his wife what he had learned from the hermit. Some time later, Tien Dung left all her properties and belongings and set forth with her husband in search of the "Force".

One evening, the couple arrived at an unfrequented and remote place. They drove the stick into the ground.and crowned it with the palm hat. Then they lay down to sleep upon the grass. At midnight, a miracle took place.

A citadel sprang up. Within its walls appeared emerald and jade palaces filled with priceless treasures.

Flocking around Tien Dung and Chu Dong Tu were courtiers, guards and maidens who were very careful that the young couple should want for nothing.

In the morning, the inhabitants of the surrounding areas, unable to believe their eyes, came with incense and flowers.

They crowded about the citadel as though it was a holy shrine, but incredible as it seemed, the spectacle was real.

Once again, the king was informed of what had happened. He charged Tien Dung and Chu Dong Tu with rebellion and sent an army against them.

As the armed troops were coming nearer and nearer to the citadel of the newly appeared kingdom, Tien Dung's subjects asked her to send them forth to fight.

Yet the princess forbade them to act and calmed them down. "Everything has been built by heaven and I'm responsible for nothing. Heaven will decide my fate. How can I defy my father? Let him do what he wishes."

It was growing dark when the royal troops pitched their camp on the slope of a hill, not very far from the citadel, and waited the sunrise to launch an attack.

At midnight, a violent storm arose. Branches were torn away and trees uprooted. The wind whirled round and round and suddenly the city of Tien Dung was blown up to heaven by one enormous gust. Next morning the people found, at the site of the city, a very large blue lake.

The king then realised his mistake. He ordered a temple built and the cult of Chu Dong Tu and Tien Dung to be perpetuated. Many years later, King Trieu Viet Vuong was desperately fighting against the Chinese invading troops. He had to retreat to the surroundings of the temple.

His forces were about to sink in defeat when the sight of the lake reminded him of Chu Dong Tu. He set up an altar and prayed for help. The following day, he succeeded in routing the enemy troops and killing their chief.

Since that day, incense is burned day and night in the temple in the memory of Chu Dong Tu, whose name, people say, is inscribed on the list of the Genius in Heaven.

(Every year, a festival dedicated to Saint Chu Dong Tu is held at Yen Vinh Commune, Chau Giang distric, Hung Yen province from 10th-13th of the second lunar month)