 Duyệt 's policy towards criminals and former rebels also courted conflict with Minh Mạng . In the early @-@ 19th century , the nascent years of the Nguyễn Dynasty were plagued by incessant revolts , particularly in northern and central Vietnam . This resulted in a large number of rebels being captured along with common criminals and bandits . Such people were usually internally exiled to the opposite part of the country , so a large number ended up in southern Vietnam . These included many former rebels who were spared the death penalty after being defeated by Duyệt in northern and central Vietnam during his pacification campaigns in the late 1810s , and had sworn loyalty towards the general personally . These men were sent south with their wives and children to remove them from potentially rebellious areas and to punish them , but another objective was to start military colonies to help develop southern Vietnam , which had only recently been acquired by ethnic Vietnamese . The convicts were given equipment to work on the land and some were later pardoned . Duyệt and Gia Long had employed surrendered Tây Sơn officers in positions of authority , and this policy had continued due a shortage of manpower until Minh Mạng came to power . Duyệt wanted to continue this policy and wrote to Minh Mạng for permission , but was rejected . The emperor replied that such a policy was " like releasing a monkey to climb up a tree " . For Minh Mạng , the placement of former convicts and rebels in positions of power was contrary to the Confucian system of order and debauched the prestige of the state , whereas Duyet was only concerned with practicality . 
