The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 46: Kiều Took Revenge
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 46: Kiều Took Revenge 

At the headquarters, on a relaxing day with Từ, 

Kiều leisurely told him her life story, her past misfortunes. 

The times when she was in Vô Tích and at Lin-tzu, where she was

the victim of cruel deceptions and had suffered horribly.

Now that she has a life with some ease,

there’s still gratitude and revenge in her heart.

Lord Từ heard her story from start to finish.

Angered at the injustice she suffered, 

his fury broke out like thunder. 

Troops were brought to attention, officers selected.

Under the flag, he gave the order for them to leave immediately.

Following their red flags, the troops moved swiftly.

One troop will go to Vô Tích, the other: Lin-tzu.

For those who were unfaithful to Kiều or dealt with her cruelly,

Từ gave the order to arrest and bring them in  for questioning.

Then he sent a herald carrying his arrow, a symbol of his power,

to protect and ensure the safety of the Thúc family.

An arrow-bearing herald was also sent to invite

Miss Hoạn’s housekeeper and the prioress, Giác Duyên, to come.

In a solemn ceremony, Lord Từ told the troops his wife’s story.

Hearts rose in indignation, all wanted to carry out his orders. 

The revenge of  Heaven’s justice is truly appalling.

All those that needed to be arrested were caught and brought in. 

The garrison was full of men holding big swords and long spears. 

Inside and outside, many lines of soldiers stood to attention.

All was ready with an imposing severity. 

Cannons crowded the place, flags’ shadows covered the courtyard.

The commander’s tent was erected in the middle of the camp.

Lord Từ sat next to his wife.

When the first round of drums just ended, 

a roll call had been taken of those arrested. 

Từ said to Kiều: “Favors and grudges between you and them, 

I’ll leave you all powers to act as you wish to honor justice .” 

Kiều replied, “Relying on your omnipotence, 

I’d like to first thank my benefactors.

Repay my gratitude first, then take revenge.”

Từ said, “Do as you please.”

A sword-bearing orderly was sent to summon Thúc-Sinh.

His face seemed to change color to indigo, and his body quivered. 

She said, “My debts of gratitude to you weigh a thousand mountains. Your old friend at Lin-tzu, do you still remember?

Like the two morning and evening stars, we cannot be united.

You know whose fault it was, as I would not let you down.

A hundred rolls of brocade, a thousand liangs of silver.

These gifts just show my gratitude, it’s not to repay what I owed you. 

Your wife’s devilish and wicked.

This time the thief and the old woman he robbed will meet!

The ant had not crept around the edge of the cup for long.

Her wicked plot I will repay in full. 

Looking at Thúc Sinh’s face at that moment, 

one can see his face drenched in sweat, as if he’d  been in the rain.

His heart felt both a joy and a dread that he couldn’t contain. 

He was joyful for Kiều’s situation, but felt a deep fear for his wife.”

The housekeeper and the prioress were called in next.

After introductions, they were invited to sit in places of honor.

Kiều held their hands, and showed them her face.

And said, “Slave Flower and Pure Spring are also me!

I remember my days of misfortunes. A mountain of gold can hardly

compensate the kindness and compassion you’d showed me. 

These thousand taels of gold are just a token of my gratitude.

No amount of gold can balance the scale of a mother’s heart.”

Startled, the two women did not know what to say.

They were half terrified, and half happy for her. 

Kiều said to them, “Please stay here for a while.

And watch how I take my revenge!”

Immediately, she ordered her soldiers to bring in the prisoners.

The lists of their offenses were also brought in. 

Under the flags, soldiers unsheathed their swords.

The main culprit had the name of Hoạn-Thư.

On seeing her, Kiều greeted, saying:

“Madam, so  you too have to come here today.

Among the women, very rare are those with several hands.  *

In the old days, very rare are those who wear multiple faces.  * 

And nowadays, very rare are those that have multiple livers.  *

A beautiful woman should be gentle and caring by nature.

The more wicked she is, the heavier her karmic debts.”

Fear took away Hoạn Thư’s soul and wits. 

She prostrated herself and carefully chose words to implore:

“I’m just a petty-minded woman.

Jealousy is just a common trait of a person. 

Please think of when I let you go to the shrine, 

and when you left the house, I did not pursue.

In my heart, I respect and admire you.

But sharing a husband, who would be easy to oblige who.

I regret that I had put thorns on your path.

Can your generous heart give me some mercy?”

Kiều praised, “You are a really smart and clever woman 

who knows exactly the proper things to say.”

Kiều thought, “If I forgave her, her life’s fortunate.

If I don’t, it would seem that I am a petty-minded person.

Well, if she already regretted her actions.”

Kiều then gave an order to free Hoạn Thư. 

In gratitude, Hoạn Thư  made her kowtows in the courtyard.

A  line of captives bounded together by chains was led in. 

Kiều said, “The High Heavens cast a wide net.

Those who harm people will be harmed. The cause is not from me.” 

* A person has only 1 face, 1 liver and 2 hands. Kiều was implying that no matter how clever or powerful (multiple hands), how deceitful (multiple faces), how daring, tough (multiple livers), Hoạn Thư is, she cannot escape her punishment. 

Firstly, Bạc Hạnh and Bạc Bà were brought forward.

On one side, it’s Hawk and Hound, on the other, Sở Khanh.

Then came Dame Tú and Scholar Mã.

These criminals deserved the fates that await them.

Orders were given to the executioner. 

What oaths they made, those punishments will be applied.

Blood flowed, flesh hacked to pieces.

Whoever saw was terrified.

Let it be known that everything is by the will of heaven.

Betrayal of trust is not worth it when the betrayed takes revenge.

The rogues and the cruel ones,

they reap what they sow, and no one will pity them.

The site of the executions was crowded with Từ’s troops.

The executions happened In daylight for everyone to see.

Seeing the revenges that Kiều took,

the nun, Giác Duyên, hurriedly, bid her farewell to return home.

Kiều said, “A rare chance, once in a thousand years.

Rare are the times that we old friends have a chance to chat.

We’ll soon be going our separate paths.

I would not know where you will be and how to visit you.”

The nun replied, “It won’t be long. 

In five years, we’d see each other again. I remembered the day

when I was taking a foot journey in a distant land,

I met the nun, Tam Hợp, who’s a prophet.

She  told me the times that we’ll meet again.

This year is one, the next five years from now.

We’ve seen that her prediction is not wrong.

The first part realized, the second must also be true.

We still have many ties together. 

Our relationship has not come to an end yet. No hurry.”

Kiều replied, “Prophecy of predestination.

Since she said it, it must be true.

If you happen to meet her again,

please ask her to foretell my fortune for me.”

Giác Duyên readily agreed,

then said farewell and left.