The
Ho lasted for 7 years, from 1400 to 1407, with two kings:
- Ho Quy Ly (1400)
- Ho Han Thuong (1401 - 1407)
The struggle launched by peasants, serfs and slaves
in the later half of the 14th century weakened the Tran. Ho Quy Ly
was descendant of a high-ranking mandarin of the Le family. He was talented
and, as his two aunts married the king, he soon became one of the high-ranking
mandarins of the Court. Using clever tactics Ho Quy Ly quickly climbed to the
highest position in the Court.
Ho Quy Ly reorganised the rank of military
officials and grasped all political and military power in his hands. Having
founded a firm position, he decided on a number of reforms to rescue the shaky
State.
In 1396, he had paper money issued and
the circulation of bronze coins banned. In 1397, he had the policy on land
limits promulgated, stipulating the area of land to be owned by aristocrats,
mandarins and landlords. The land in excess would be given to the State.
In the next year, he ordered the measurement of
land in localities and, at the same time, reorganised the court examination
system, developed education, and reduced the number of monks.
In 1400, Ho Quy Ly dethroned the King Tran and
declared himself king. Thus the Ho was founded. In subsequent years, he
promulgated policies on the limit of serfs (providing the number of serfs to be
owned by certain people in society) and new taxation methods, etc.
Ho Quy Ly also had a new population census
conducted to serve as a basis for troop recruitment and labour mobilisation to
build projects for national defence. The Ho Court was resolute in opposing acts
of aggression of the Ming invaders.
Ho Quy Ly’s reforms had far-reaching impacts on
most social circles and activities politically, militarily, culturally and
educationally. These reforms, more or less, limited the concentration of land
in the hands of the aristocrats and landlords, and weakened the power of the
Tran family. The incomes of the central government increased considerably.
However, these reforms did not resolve the
imperative demand of the people’s lives and freedom. Serfs and slaves who had
been privately owned now belonged to the State. Peasants had to contribute more
than before while agriculture declined.
Paper money did not bring about desired convenience
for trade. The new tax policy made the people’s contributions more complicated.
In addition, Ho Quy Ly’s usurpation of the throne sowed alarm and discontent
among scholars and mandarins. The aristocrats of the Tran took advantage of
this to oppose Ho Quy Ly.