Pu Yi was ashamed of his posterity, his image was expose.d for the first time, there was something strange on the bed?

Aisin Gioro Puyi, the last emperor in Chinese history, abdicated on February 12, 1912, ending the rule of the Qing Dynasty. However, after his abdication, Puyi and his concubines and palace maids were still allowed to reside in the Forbidden City.

He retained his imperial title and was treated nominally by the Republican government as a foreign emperor living in the Republic of China. However, Pu Yi's presence in the palace sparked royalist plots to restore the monarchy. Concerned about this threat, the military governor Feng Yuxiang ordered Lu Zhonglin to expel Pu Yi from the Forbidden City. This was to ensure the stability of the young government and prevent any attempts to restore the feudal system.

On the morning of November 5, 1924, Pu Yi's sleep in the Yangxin Hall was interrupted by a eunuch's call. He was informed that Feng Yuxiang's army had surrounded the Forbidden City and demanded that the entire imperial family leave within three hours. Panicked by the situation, Pu Yi sent people to negotiate to stall for time while hastily packing his luggage. The image of the chaotic dragon bed shows the urgency and unexpectedness of the situation at that time.

Feng Yuxiang's army quickly sealed off Qianqing Palace. The doors and windows were sealed. Under the supervision of the army, the palace staff busily prepared their luggage. The amount of belongings that Puyi brought with him was said to be more than 80 boxes of belongings.

On the same day, Pu Yi was officially expelled from the Forbidden City under the supervision of Lu Zhonglin and Zhang Bi. Lu Zhonglin was led by Shao Ying, the Minister of the Interior, and Aisin Jiao Luo Bao Xi, to inspect the Yongshou Palace. The image recorded Pu Yi leaving the palace, marking the end of his imperial life.

Eunuchs and palace maids were also forced to leave the palace and find their own livelihoods. Many of them chose to become monks in monasteries. At Shenwu Gate, guards carefully checked the luggage of palace maids leaving Shoukang Palace to ensure that no imperial treasures were taken out.

Before leaving the palace, Pu Yi gave each eunuch 10 yuan and each maid 8 yuan as travel expenses. With more than 470 eunuchs and more than 100 maids, the scene was chaotic with cries and complaints. Some eunuchs gathered in front of the government building to demand an increase in their allowances.

After leaving the Forbidden City, Pu Yi and Empress Wanrong moved to Zhangyuan in Tianjin. A photograph of Pu Yi posing with Canadian Governor General Freeman Freeman-Thomas, Marquis of Willingdon, reveals a new chapter in the former emperor's life.

Over time, the precious photos of the Forbidden City are not only valuable historical documents but also evidence of the decline of the Qing Dynasty. Each photo is a historical story. Nowadays, many photos are still preserved by later generations, recording images of the royal family and ancient palace architecture. These precious old photos not only help future generations to better research historical documents but also witnes.s the rise and fall of a bygone era.

Photo of the central throne of the Huangji Palace in the late Qing Dynasty. The Huangji Palace was built in the 28th year of the Kangxi era (1689), and was originally called the Ningshou Palace. In the 37th year of the Qianlong era (1772), the Ningshou Palace was renamed the Huangji Palace, where Emperor Qianlong continued to hold court and receive birthday celebrations after his abdication. He once held a "Thousand-People Birthday Banquet" here, entertaining seniors aged 90 and above, with more than 5,000 officials, elders, and those without seats. In the 20th year of the Guangxu era (1894), Empress Dowager Cixi held a birthday celebration for her 60th birthday here. After Cixi passed away, she was also laid to rest and given a funeral at the Huangji Palace. In the 30th year of the Guangxu era (1904), Emperor Guangxu received envoys from nine countries, including the United States and Austria-Hungary, here.

This is a photo taken by a palace photographer of Empress Dowager Cixi and others on a junk on July 16, 1903.

During this outing, there was also a photo of Cixi dressed as Guanyin. This photo shoo.t was recorded in the records of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the 29th year of Guangxu (1903): "On July 16, take a photo at sea, on a flat boat, no need for a canopy. Si Ge Ge plays the role of Shancai Tongzi, wearing a lotus shirt and headband. Li Lianying plays the role of Wei Tuo, remember to bring helmet and Wei Tuo's costume. Third and Fifth Misses play the roles of the boat rowing fairies, wearing conical hats and plain white shirts, remember to bring costumes. Red or green is fine. The boat needs two oars. Prepare more than ten bamboo trees with leaves in the royal garden."

The shocking truth behind the Qing Dynasty Emperor's meal, is it different from the movies? Nguyễn Tuyết17:59:21 14/02/2025Many historical documents and memoirs have recorded the dining etiquette of the emperors in the Forbidden City. Were these meals really as lavish as in the movies?