The Attitude of the Ming Dynasty Toward the Mạc Dynasty in the Early Sixteenth Century

Abstract

Upon learning that the Mạc had replaced the Lê, two opposing tendencies emerged within the Ming court: one advocating military intervention in Đại Việt and one opposing such involvement. The group supporting intervention consisted of high-ranking central officials, while those objecting to intervention were local officials stationed near the Đại Việt border. In response to this situation, the Mạc dynasty gradually implemented measures that were both flexible and principled in order to avoid a Ming-Đại Việt military conflict.