The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 59: Kim Heard News of Kiều in Lin-tzu
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 59: Kim Heard News of Kiều in Lin-tzu 

By imperial order, he was sent to work as an official in far Lin-tzu.

With his wife and children, they crossed many valleys and hills. 

In his new headquarters, he lived a life of leisure. Dawn and night,

he’d enjoy playing his lute and listening to the cranes’ soft cries. 

One spring night, while sleeping in her bedroom, 

Vân had a dream and met her sister. 

When she woke up, she told her husband.

Listening to the story, Kim’s mind was half-doubting, half-believing.

He thought, “The words: ‘Lin Ching’ and ‘Lin Tzu’

just differed by a word, and that may have been a mistake.

Kindred souls seeking each other in a dream -  

perhaps there may be some good news in this.”

In his office, Kim made inquiries from his staff.

An old secretary named Đô replied:

“This story had happened over ten years ago.

I knew clearly the names and faces of those involved.

Dame Tú and Scholar Mã went  and bought a girl from Peking and brought back here.

Kiều’s talents and beauty were incomparable.

She could play the lute; she knew poetry and literature. 

She was faithful and showed uncommon courage.

She dared to kill herself to preserve her virtue, but soon after

fell into a trap. Her stormy life had its full share of sufferings.

Later, she was married to Scholar Thúc. 

Thúc’s first wife was a cruel woman.

She kidnapped Kiều to Vô Tích and tried to break her spirit.

Kiều escaped from their house.

Unfortunately, she met a certain family surnamed Bạc. 

She was bought and then sold to a brothel.

Like a floating cloud, a drifting duckweed, she’d lived her life.

Then one day, she met a man.

His bravery and intelligence above others; his might shook the sky.   

He commanded over a hundred thousand elite soldiers.

They came here and crowded the citadel of  Lin-tzu.

With his power, Kiều settled all the scores of her past.

She punished her enemies, and repaid her benefactors.

Thus, she had a great reputation for justice and kindness.

Near and far, she was highly praised.

I do not know the name of her benefactor. 

For this info, you can ask Scholar Thúc.”

As Đô had said everything so clearly,

Kim immediately sent an invitation card to Scholar Thúc.

After greetings, Kim came directly to the point and asked Thúc:

“Where’s her husband now and what’s his name?”

Thúc replied: “In these wild times of war, 

I asked some questions in the camp and found out:

the chieftain’s name was Hải, his surname Từ.

He fought hundreds of battles; his strength stronger than thousands.

He met her while he was in the Thai District.

Nothing strange when sparks fly between a beauty and a genius.

He forced his way on the world for several years.

And shook the earth, startled heaven with his military might.  

His army camped in the eastern region.

But I hadn’t heard any news of them afterwards.”

After he heard Kiều’s story from root to branch,

his heart was filled with weariness and sorrow.

He felt sorry for her – she was a lonely leaf in the wind.

When could she ever shake of the foul dust of her fate?  

An ill-fated flower drifting downstream. 

Kim sorrowed for her up-and-down life, and grieved for their parting.

The oath of olden days had been broken, 

but the piece of incense still there, the lute string here,

but she’s nowhere to be found. 

The soul of the lute is absent, its strings made lifeless sounds.  

When could, if ever in this life, the incense flame rekindle the fragrance of their love?

While she’s wandering, like a drifting duckweed, in a distant land, 

how can I live a live of luxury and comfort with a serene heart!

He thought of surrendering his seal, resigned from his office,

then he’d cross rivers and mountains to find her.

He’d venture into battlefields, and perhaps, if he enter 

into life and death situations, he can find her.

But the world is vast and the abyss is deep,

where would one find the shadow of a bird, or a fish in the sea!