Kiều Thạc Nhu's Northern Campaigns
Kiều Thạc Nhu's Northern Campaigns, or Kiều Thạc Nhu's War against Thành Bắc and Rach Liêu, are a series of three campaigns undertaken by the newly proclaimed Kiếm Hoà Dynasty under the leadership of Kiều Thạc Nhu. These were the first series of military initiatives that Nhu would set forth to consolidate her rule over the Quenminese mainland and the first of her wars of conquest.
After the Dynasty was formed with Nhu declared empress, the Count of Thành Bắc Nguyễn Thủ Khoan and the Duke of Rach Liêu Trần Lãm Thạc set forth to challenge her legitimacy. Agreeing to an alliance, the Count and Duke raised armies numbering 10,000-17,000 on each side and encroached on the Dynasty's border. Hearing of this, Nhu raised an army totaling 15,000, along with 5,000 troops provided by Phạm Khuê, Duke of Cà Bí and 7,000 by Ngô Bạch Xí, the Marquis of Nha Tàu. Nhu and Khuê held off the Rach Liêu army while Xí had trouble handling that of Thành Bắc's.
Securing victory against the Khoan and Thạc, Nhu launched a campaign against the Rach Liêu Duchy two weeks later. Nhu was able to defeat Thạc with an army of 20,000. To ensure her position was not in jeopardy, Nhu ordered the full occupation of the Duchy and left Khuê to oversee it. Subsequently, Nhu launched a third campaign to subjugate Khoan's county that lasted a year. Seeing the prowess of Nhu was unstoppable, Khoan surrendered on March 1273. Being merciful and respecting their combined resilience, Nhu let Khoan and Thạc keep their offices as long as they swore unswerving loyalty to her and the Dynasty. Agreeing to this, Nhu then integrated their territories into the Dynasty.