In a shocking turn of events, Trịnh Duy Sản, leading a faction of imperial guards, orchestrated the assassination of Emperor Lê Tương Dực. The incident unfolded in Thăng Long, the capital of Vietnam, a city that was politically and culturally significant at the time. The guards, motivated by dissatisfaction with the emperor's rule or perhaps influenced by rival factions, took the dramatic step of murdering the sovereign, an act that would plunge the region into instability.

After committing the murder, the guards fled the city, leaving Thăng Long undefended. This reckless act not only marked a violent power struggle within the Vietnamese court but also left the capital exposed to potential invasions and rebellions. Families, officials, and citizens were left in disarray, uncertain about their future and the implications of the emperor's untimely demise.

As news of the murder spread, it instigated a broader examination of loyalty, governance, and the delicate balance of power within the Le Dynasty. This incident would not only reshape the political landscape but also set off a chain of events that would see various factions vying for control and influence in the wake of the vacuum left by the emperor's death, marking the beginning of a more tumultuous chapter in Vietnamese history.