Nguyễn Ðình Luận

Nguyễn Ðình Luận (ヲウ𛀀ン ヂヲ ルアン) was a general in the Songese Armed Forces, the military of the Song Republic. He was nicknamed the "Tiger of Song River". Nguyen is recognised today as one of the top experts of jungle warfare during the 1960s era, and his tactics and strategies are still studied worldwide today. Nguyen's untitled book on jungle warfare is required reading for Yamataian cadets at the Kuromorimine National Defence Academy.

Born in the town of Đức Phổ in 1898, Nguyen married at a young age and later moved with his wife to Định Hòa, where he worked at a Mitsuhishi factory, eventually becoming a foreman. During the Second Escar-Varunan War, Nguyen joined the 1st Nanyōkuni Volunteer Rifles, becoming an officer as he could speak Yashiman. Seeing heavy combat during the Nanyōkuni Campaign, Nguyen was promoted to captain by the end of the war. After the partition of Nanyōkuni, Nguyen evacuated his wife, daughter, and father-in-law from Định Hòa, which was now in the communist-controlled region, moving his family to Hai Phuong. Nguyen accepted his wartime commanding officer Lê Ðức Toàn's call for experienced soldiers to join the new Songese Armed Forces in 1947, and became one of the founding officers of the SAF.

Nguyen was involved in the Nha Trang Affair, where Le carried out a coup of the Songese government. Nguyen was rewarded for his loyalty by being rapidly promoted to Brigadier-General and given command of the 3rd Division, the "Tigers". In 1960, Nguyen was involved in the power struggle for the position of Chief of Armed Forces that ensued after the assassination of Field Marshal Hoàng Lâm Ðông. However, Nguyen had fallen out of favour with Le by this time and was given command of the Northern Defence Region instead. Nguyen remained in command of the Northern Defence Region until the Hoaian War broke out in 1965.

After the defeat of the SAF in the Battle of Hai Phuong, Nguyen was evacuated from the Song Republic by the Chiseian Royal Army and eventually settled in Yamatai. During his time in Yamatai, he kept a low profile and was known to enjoy fishing in Lake Tsuru. He granted only one interview during his latter years, appearing in a fishing magazine under the pseudonym "Matsunaga Ken". Nguyen died of heart failure in 1985 at his apartment in Suginami, at the age of 87.