The Rebel Den of Nung Trí Cao: Loyalty and Identity along the Sino-Vietnamese Frontier

Conventions

Conventions I have attempted to remain as historically precise as possible when naming kingdoms and periods through various time periods and political shifts. However, some ofthe language I have used may not satisfy every reader. Prior to the twentieth century, modem names for the countries examined in this book and modem names for their inhabitants would not be relevant. In his recent study of East Asia to the tenth century, Charles Holcombe noted, "It is critical to a clear understanding ofthe origins ofEast Asia to realize that none of the modem nation-states of the region existed yet as such - not even "China" in a modem sense, although the limitations of our vocabulary may at times force us to use the modem English names."t Mindful of Professor Holcombe's prudent admonition, I have used the following modem English terms in this study. I have chosen "Vietnamese" and "Vietnam" as terms to describe persons and places associated with political power situated in the vicinity of the Red (H6ng) River delta. I have rendered the Chinese characters for these persons and places in their Vietnamese (qu6c ngfr) readings. Moreover, I have used the term "Chinese" to describe persons and places associated with courts and political centers north of the Red River delta, and I have rendered the characters for these persons and places in their modem (Mandarin) Chinese readings. This practice circumvents the issue of Tai names, but I do not mean for these terms necessarily to indicate modem ethnic identity. The terms "Tai" and "Tai-speaking" are used primarily as linguistic distinctions to mark the Sino-Tibetan language family spoken by the communities of indigenous people who claim descent from the powerful frontier clans in the period under study. Wherever possible, I have used dynastic terms to indicate a person's political affiliation. t Charles Holcombe, The Genesis ofEast Asia: 221 B.C.-A.D. 907 (Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2001), 166. The Rebel Den of NiIng Tri Cao ...