Cúk Hiạ́w

Cúk Hiạ́w (September 16, 1897 - March 3, 1981), born Pùng Ving Hwā was a Dieuese revolutionary, nationalist, political leader, military leader, and freedom fighter. He served as the Emperor of Vietnam from its independence in 1946 to 1959, and as the first Emperor of Daidieu from 1959 to his abdication in 1964. He is called the Father of the Nation in Daidieu, and is revered in both Daidieu and Vietnam for his work fighting against the French and Japanese.

His birthday, September 16, is Kwạk Fo Ri, meaning "founding father's day" in Daidieu.

Early life
Cúk Hiạ́w was born Pùng Ving Hwā on September 16, 1897, in the town of Thǎu Hwā (now the city of Ving Hwā) in (now Daidieu). When he was 17, he saw his father, a hairdresser, refusing to fight in World War I. So the soldier took out his gun and shot and killed his father, and was not punished. That was what sparked Cúk Hiạ́w's fury against imperialism and colonialism.

Pùng Ving Hwā moved to Hong Kong when he was 19, and studied at the. He met fellow Dieuese anti-imperialists Trạ̀n Kít and Hwàng Hàng Ming. The three of them formed the Dieuese Revolutionary Army (ARD) when they returned to Daidieu in 1920 and very quickly many Dieuese and Vietnamese, angry with the French, joined.

Lụk Jǎ Uprising
The ARS planned its first uprising in Lụk Jǎ on July 18, 1922. Inspired by the, the ARD attacked and looted Lụk Jǎ, an area with strong French support. However, the French had superior weapons and armor, and on July 19, the ARD left.

Exile in Bonaparte-Mariot and life overseas
The French forcibly exiled the three ARD leaders to colonies of "imperialist" countries on March 24, 1923. Trạ̀n was exiled to Japan (he would be a victim of the ), Hwàng to Singapore, and Pùng to the French Talasides, a colony notorious for the poor treatment of non-Europeans. While in Bonaparte-Meriot, the city he was exiled to, he met with other Western/Japanese anti-imperialists and funded uprisings and rebellions back in Daidieu, a notable one being the Kim Kụ́ Rebellions of 1925.

After his exile ended, Pùng and Hwàng both traveled to Paris, where they met other nationalists and activists such as Lý Văn Trụng, Trạ̀n Nyit Hǎu, and. He also became acquainted with. He additionally traveled to London, where he was inspired by the British monarchy and government, and became supportive of a monarchy.

Popularity with the Dieuese
Pùng joined the Party of Independence of Vietnam (PIV) in 1930. He quickly became a popular anti-colonial figure, and became the leader of the Vietnamese Liberation Front, the military wing of the PIV that operated as a guerilla army, before becoming the PIV's leader in 1939. In addition, he would also collaborate with the (later creating the  coalition) and the  in the Vietnamese independence movement, establishing a de facto united front.

However, the relationship between the three would be rocky. They were ideologically different, with the PIV and VNQDD supporting anti-communism, and Pùng was put off by Ho's left-wing and anti-monarchist views.

War of Liberation and creation of the Kingdom of Vietnam
During the Dieuese War of Liberation, Pùng became the most powerful Dieuese leader and led attacks on the French.

Following the declaration of the in March 1945, he applauded Emperor  for "being the first step to a free Vietnam" despite the Empire of Vietnam being a Japanese puppet state. Bảo Đại abdicated in August 1945, and the Viet Minh declared the soon after. Not wanting to be under a communist state, PIV and VNQDD members, led by Pùng, declared the Kingdom of Vietnam on January 1, 1946. He became Emperor and changed his name to 祝好, meaning "good luck" He was coronated on July 2 of that year.

Emperor of Vietnam (1946-1959)
The Kingdom of Vietnam was an absolute monarchy. The imperial family controlled everything, and the government ministers/officials were appointed by Cúk Hiạ́w himself. His reign was described as "totalitarian" and restrictive. Under his rule, there were no political parties, no legislative body.and elections were illegal. Only media approved by the Emperor could be seen, and colonial propaganda was illegal.

Emperor of Daidieu (1959-1964)
Following Vietnamese attacks on Laos and the construction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the Kingdom of Vietnam relinquished all claims to Vietnam, and changed its name to Daidieu on May 5, 1959.

However, Dieuese enjoyed prosperity and luxury, as Cúk Hiạ́w believed that all Dieuese should have equal opportunity. So almost every person in Daidieu had a television when it arrived there in 1963.

Abdication
People were getting tired of the monarchy controlling everything, and wanted to speak out and participate in democracy. Cúk Hiạ́w didn't want the monarchy losing power, but in fear of unrest, he decided there was no choice and willingly abdicated in the afternoon of October 6, 1964. He and his family did the abdication ceremony on the evening news. Then he read out his abdication statement which began: 僕皇帝古蘇海， 悶内浪僕契空離於𨑗𡾵黃姅. meaning "I, the Emperor of Daidieu, want to say that I will no longer be on the throne."

Later life
Cúk Hiạ́w was given the title Sanh Wan after his abdication, meaning "".

During the communist regime, due to his health, Cúk Hiạ́w could not lead rebellions against the communists, but the he and the imperial family funded troops and students for attacks against the communists while in exile in Tseng. Suffering a stroke on February 15, 1981, Cúk Hiạ́w was rushed to the Wuqiao Hospital in Tseng City, Tseng. The doctors could not fix his condition, and he died of a heart attack on March 3, 1981.

Legacy
Like other Dieuese nationalists, Cúk Hiạ́w remains a major yet divisive figure, in modern contemporary history. The Kingdom of Daidieu and its citizens widely praise the legacy of Cúk Hiạ́w, being viewed as a hero, who saved Daidieu from the assimilatory tactics of French Indochina.