The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 49: Kiều Persuaded Từ Hải to Surrender
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 49: Kiều Persuaded Từ Hải to Surrender 

But Kiều, having an honest heart, easily trusted people.

Abundant gifts and sweet engaging words helped to sway her mind.

She thought that she’s like a water fern, 

and had lived a drifting life with many misfortunes.

“Wouldn’t it better to become the sovereign’s subject?”, she thought, 

“The big road is wide enough to move one’s status to cloud’s height. 

It’d be good for the family and also fullfill her duties to the State. 

Then gradually, we will find a way to return to my hometown.

I would officially be a grande dame. 

I can feel proud of myself when with others,

and my parents would enjoy the public honors. 

Duties to the State and to the family are both fulfilled. 

First is filial piety and second is faithfulness to the sovereign.

This’s much better than a floating raft, that would have to worry

about the ocean waves turning it upside-down.”

During a discussion of the consequences of submission,

Kiều took the opportunity to speak her opinions.

She said, “The  king’s benevolence is profuse.

It’d poured everywhere, and permeated everything deeply.

Merits for his works of pacification dated back a long time. 

They have everyone’s gratitude in the land. 

Reflect on what happened since you started warfare.

Piles of human bones along the “Vô Định” river

have reached the height of a man. 

Why do this and leave a bad name for posterity?

For thousand of years, no one had ever praised the rebel leader, Huang Chao.

Wouldn’t the position of a high-ranking official be much better?

Who would turn away from the only route to fame and honor?”

Từ was persuaded by her sweet and persuasive words.

His army on the offensive changed to a surrender position.

He made arrangements to meet the Governor’s emissary. 

They set a date for disarmament and terms of dismissal of his army.

Believing in the promises of the peace settlement, 

flags were left unheeded, and night watches slackened.

Từ’s neglect of proper defense measures

were observed by spies from the imperial army.