Illustrated Gazetteer of the Maritime Kingdoms: Volume 5

Southeast Oceans: Coastal Kingdoms

[Page 7]

Yet there still remain over 400,000 believers This likely refers to the significant population of Catholic converts in Vietnam during this period, which was a point of both internal and international tension. Tonkin Tonkin (Dōng jīng): the northern region of Vietnam, centered around Hanoi produces gold and iron; the establishment of mines and factories there yields an annual silver revenue of over 200,000 taels A tael is a weight of silver used as currency, roughly 37 grams. Champa Champa (Zhàn chéng): historically a kingdom in central and southern Vietnam, by this time annexed by Annam produces an abundance of rice, as well as sugar, betel nuts, and nutmeg. Chinese merchant ships original: 唐船 (Táng chuán); literally "Tang ships," a common term for Chinese vessels abroad are most numerous here. At Gucheng original: 古城 (Gǔchéng); literally "Ancient City," likely referring to a specific coastal trading hub, the people rely on the silk trade; those living along the rivers and the sea make their living by fishing.

The people of Annam are short in stature and wear long tunics and trousers. They wrap their heads in cloth and their clothing is typically a dark, brownish-black color A traditional Vietnamese style where fabric was often dyed using the củ nâu root; only the noble and wealthy wear silk and satin. The common people appear unkempt, neither washing their clothes nor bathing their bodies. However, in their temperament, the people seem refreshed and cheerful; their faces are full of smiles, they appear high-spirited, and they peacefully follow the orders of their superiors. Yet, due to many consecutive months of corvée labor Corvée (yáoyì): a system of forced, unpaid labor imposed by the state, the commoners are impoverished and weary.

The King resides in a grand palace in great majesty, protected by a guard of thirty thousand men. He has established a Grand Secretariat Grand Secretariat (Nèigé): the highest administrative body, modeled on the Chinese system and the Six Ministries Six Ministries (Liùbù): the traditional departments of Personnel, Revenue, Rites, War, Justice, and Works. The various officials, both in the capital and the provinces, follow laws and methods very similar to those of China. Each province is governed by high officials such as Governors-General and Governors. The books they study are the same as those in China, though their pronunciation of the characters is vastly different referring to the Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese characters. Regarding military preparations, the King has invited French military officers to teach Western-style drilling and martial arts.