Back in the old days there were three boys, Tung, Truc, and Mai. Each of the boys was from a different region in Vietnam and by chance they were brought together to study under the same teacher. The only thing the young men had in common was how poor each of them was.

Their families were dirt poor but the parents were determined for their sons to have an education. For that very reason, all of them buried themselves in their books so their family's effort would not go to waste. Somehow they became friends.

When they became friends, the boys swore together that later on in life if one of the three became successful, he would not forget the others and their time in poverty. He would also promise to aid the other friends out of the lower class.

After a while, due to family circumstances all three boys had to quit school; they went their separate ways. Tung was the first fortunate one to have his luck turn around. With a bright mind and perseverance, Tung was very determined to pursue his studies.

Tung became a servant for an elderly man named Nghe in order to continue his studies. The old man recognized Tung's potential and determination and supported him like a son. For the next few years, Tung studied and he was finally able to obtain Tien Si (a person who passed all three examinations held by the government). With the Tien Si, Tung became an officer in the capital city.

From that point, Tung's life picked up its pace, its speed turned into a whirlwind that no one could catch up with. Even though he now lived in luxury, Tung still remembered his book friends from before. One day, Tung decided to find his friends so he took a leave of absence.

On Tung's journey to find his friends, he dressed as a commoner in order to avoid disturbances and being hassled by the guard soldiers around him. It did not take him a long time to find Truc's house, one of his two best friends back in the old days.

曾有三个叫东（Tung），特吕克（Truc）和麦(Mai) 的男孩。他们来自不同的地区，但命运安排他们师从于同一老师。

他们唯一共同点是他们都很穷。他们家徒四壁，但父母却下定了送儿子上学的决心。为了对得起家里的牺牲和付出，为了家人的希望不付诸东流，他们都埋头苦读。不知怎的，他们成了朋友。

而后，男孩们一起发誓说以后如果他们中的其中任何一个若是功成名就，肯定不会忘记其他两个伙伴和曾经受穷的岁月，并承诺帮助以后如还处于下层阶级的朋友。

不久之后，由于家庭原因，三个孩子不得不辍学，他们分道扬镳了。好运最先降到了东身上。聪明伶俐、坚忍不拔的他决定继续完成学业。 

为了继续深造，东为一个名叫纳喝（Nghe）的老人当仆人。老人看出了东的潜力和决心，像待儿子般的支持他完成学业。经过几年的苦读，东终于成为了“进士”（Tien Si）（注：通过了政府组织的三门考试的人）。之后，在首都当官。

 从此，他飞黄腾达，升官如旋风之势，无人能及。尽管过上了奢华的生活，他还是没忘记曾经的朋友。于是，东决定请假去找他的朋友。

为了避免扰民，他决定扮成平民。没多久，他就找到了特吕克的宅邸。