In the annals of history, few tales capture the imagination like that of Truong Hien Trung, the peasant leader who rose to prominence during the tumultuous end of the Ming Dynasty. Truong Hien Trung’s exploits as the self-proclaimed King of the West and his establishment of the Dai Thuan government left an indelible mark on the historical narrative. However, it was his actions in Sichuan in 1644 that would stain his legacy with infamy, as he engaged in murder and robbery on an unprecedented scale.
The Robbery of Sichuan
Historical records from the Qing Dynasty recount the audacious exploits of Truong Hien Trung as he led his army into Sichuan. The notorious leader spared no one, robbing rich merchants of vast sums of money, totaling tens of thousands of taels of gold. His ruthlessness extended to murder, as he sought to eliminate any who might challenge his claim to the province’s wealth. By the time he was done, Sichuan’s assets were firmly under his control, making even Emperor Sung Trinh’s wealth seem trivial in comparison.
Scene of the excavation of Truong Hien Trung’s treasure at Man Giang River. Image: Kknews
The Dou Bao Congress and Lavish Displays of Wealth
Truong Hien Trung’s ostentatious display of wealth reached its pinnacle with the Dou Bao Congress held in Chengdu. The event showcased 24 rooms filled with rare treasures, gold, and silver bars. Some estimates suggest that in today’s currency, his assets would be equivalent to a staggering 3 billion yuan. The scale of his opulence was a testament to the immense wealth he had amassed through conquest and plunder.
Jiangkou site – where Truong Hien Trung’s sunken treasure was found in the river. Image: Sina.
The Disappearance of Truong Hien Trung and His Treasure
Truong Hien Trung’s fate took a decisive turn in 1646 when he was shot and killed by the Qing army on Phoenix Mountain in Sichuan. His treasure, amassed through nefarious means, also vanished. Before evacuating Chengdu, he devised a cunning plan to hide his wealth. Hiring workers, he built an embankment on the Jinjiang River, drained the river, and buried his treasure in holes three meters deep. He then released water to deceive pursuers.
Golden seal of Great Marshal Vinh Xuong. Image: Kknews
The Quest for the Treasure
Over the centuries, the search for Truong Hien Trung’s hidden treasure has become the stuff of legend. The nursery rhyme “Stone dragons against stone tigers, the amount of silver is ten thousand five” has inspired countless adventurers, archaeologists, and even thieves to seek the elusive wealth. The mention of dragon- and tiger-shaped rocks in the rhyme has led treasure hunters to river sections in search of the submerged riches.
Coin “Western king rewards merit” – Document engraved on gold by Truong Hien Trung. Image: Kknews
Discoveries and Artifacts
In 2013, a resident named Tong Mo stumbled upon a golden tiger and a gold seal with the inscription “Marshal Vinh Xuong.” Subsequent excavations in 2014 revealed a 12kg gold plate in a nearby estuary, and in 2015, an estuary stone dragon was uncovered in Pengshan district. Fishermen in Jiangkou town also contributed to the treasure hunt, finding coins with the inscription “Western King’s reward” hidden in strangely shaped pieces of wood.
The location of the “stone dragon” has been confirmed on the Man Giang River, this is where the archaeological team conducted the excavation. Photo: Kknews
The Archaeological Triumph
By 2017, the archaeological team in Bang Son district, Sichuan, made a significant announcement. More than 20,000 artifacts, including gold and silver bars, were discovered submerged in the Man Giang River. The relics, piled up at the river’s bottom, were confirmed as Truong Hien Trung’s submerged treasure, valued at a staggering 3 billion yuan. These artifacts are now on display at the National Museum of Antiquities, providing a tangible connection to a chapter of history steeped in wealth, deceit, and cunning strategies.
Conclusion
Truong Hien Trung’s legacy remains a complex tale of ambition, ruthlessness, and hidden wealth. The ongoing discoveries in Sichuan serve as a reminder of the enduring allure of historical mysteries and the lengths people will go to unearth the secrets buried beneath the sands of time.