Cần Vương movement
At that time, French extended their control in Tonkin. Trị stood by the Vietnamese Nguyễn dynasty. He responded with Tôn Thất Thuyết's Cần Vương movement together with Nguyễn Văn Giáp and Ngô Quang Bích. Thuyết had sought for political refuge in Muang Lay, however, Thuyết did not trusted him. Later, Thuyết fled to China.