Nguyễn-Thuận-Vũ is regarded as the first influential family in the civilization of the Chinese Han dynasty, representing the Western Han era, with the Bát Thủy region in Northern China being particularly significant. Additionally, there is mention of the Aí Tân Giác La during the Thanh period…
Throughout the extensive history of China, do you know how many families held the title of Hoàng Đế? From the royal lineage of the Đường dynasty, to the Triều of the Tống dynasty or the influential family of Chu Nguyên Chương during the Minh dynasty?
Many families have risen to prominence, yet the royal authority has not always shifted hands. However, China has had its fair share of notable families, with the Trần family being a prominent example.
Roots of the Trần Family
In the book Thiên Gia Tính, it is recorded that during the time of the Han dynasty, China had nearly 1,200 families, among which 55 were royal families.
The Trần family emerged earliest in the Tây Chu period, although they did not maintain a consistent presence from the beginning, as their development stemmed from a governmental position. The origins of the Trần family can be interpreted in various ways:
Firstly, they may have originated from a military commander in the Tây Chu era, who was called Từ Mã. The family later utilized this title to represent themselves.
Secondly, the name Từ Mã might have derived from the surname Trần or Địa Điền, as individuals in the family held the position of Từ Mã, thus adopting this title as their own.
Thirdly, the Trần family could trace its roots back to the Mĩ branch in the Mĩ Nguyệt family. This branch is considered a major faction in China, recognized as the family of the national authority during the Tây Chu era.
Fourthly, the Trần family might have roots related to the ancestral line of Vương Đạo, who changed their name to Từ Mã to escape persecution.
These interpretations have garnered significant debate, especially during the Xuân Thu period when the position of Đại Từ Mã of a nation was altered, reflecting the family’s pride in their contributions to the country.
The Royal Lineage of the Trần Family
In reality, the historical record shows that the Trần family was primarily recognized as a royal lineage after Tào Tháo’s demise during the Tam Quốc period.
The Trần family seized power from the Ngụy national authority. Although the Từ Mã family ascended to the throne of Hoàng Đế, marking a significant milestone, their governance was not notably glorious as they became a prominent faction in Chinese history.
During the Tam Quốc period, many heroic figures emerged. However, the apparent downfall of the Trần family cannot overshadow their “unfortunate birthright.”
After the establishment of the Tam Quốc (Tào Ngụy, Thục Hán, Đông Ngô), the talents of various nations frequently crossed paths, and few outstanding characters like Gia Cát Lượng or Tôn Quyền emerged. Conversely, the military might could not deny the influence of the major factions, among which the Từ Mã family was significant.
Tào Phi (son of Tào Tháo) ascended the throne of Ngụy quốc, recognized as a capable Hoàng Đế during the early Tam Quốc period. However, upon Tào Phi’s death, the loyalty of Từ Mã Ý began to wane. Từ Mã Ý had supported Tào Tháo from the start, allowing the Từ Mã family to hold significant power within the Ngụy dynasty. After Tào Phi’s passing, Từ Mã Ý began to implement strategies that had long been suppressed, asserting his authority to establish himself or the people within his family.
This situation materialized during the time of Từ Mã Chiêu. At that time, Từ Mã Chiêu pressured Hoàng Đế to abdicate, ensuring his own establishment of the Tây Tấn dynasty.
However, the Tây Tấn dynasty did not last long, existing for more than 100 years. The Hoàng Đế of Tây Tấn was quite strong, unlike the Trần brothers, who frequently engaged in fratricidal conflicts. The dynasty only lasted a bit over 100 years but saw 15 emperors in the Trần family. Some ascended to the throne for only a few days.
The Trần family had a population of nearly 30,000 people, producing 15 emperors. In contrast, the Thanh dynasty lasted 276 years with only 12 emperors.
What is astonishing is that although numerous emperors emerged, the Trần family remains a notable lineage representing the elite of the nation. The most outstanding among them is Từ Mã Quang – a scholar, politician, and famous figure during the Bắc Tống period. Although Từ Mã Quang never ascended to the throne, he was well-known among the emperors of Tây Tấn.
It can be said that from the Western Tấn period to the present, every significant official in the dynasty has emerged from the Trần family. To mention the Trần family is to refer to the “ruling” family of China!
Source: Sina
