On the north side of Beijing's central axis, there is an inconspicuous alley - Painted Alley. The courtyard of No. 1 North Hutong Road was the home of Johnston, the last emperor Puyi’s English teacher.

"Imperial Master" The Chinese complex of Johnston

Beijing central axis to the north Di'anmen Nei Street , there is an inconspicuous alley west of the road - painted alley. The courtyard of No. 1 North Hutong Road was the home of Johnston, the last emperor, who was the English teacher of the last emperor Puyi . Now, although the houses in the courtyard have been demolished, the carved blue bricks in the gate hole and the painted caisson show the identity and treatment of the owner of the house: "Handling in Yuqing Palace", "Sitting on the shoulders of two people" (the sedan chair carried by two people), "giving the head to wear the top"... It is not difficult to feel the "friendship" between the "emperor" and the "imperial teacher".

Joston and Puyi

Joston are the first and last foreigner to hold the title of "Emperor Teacher", which comes from Puyi's learning of English. Since the failure of Zhang Xun to restore , the small court has felt great pressure. They were worried that Puyi would not live in the palace for a long time and might lose the title of emperor. If the Republic of China government abolished the preferential treatment of the royal family, the residual temperature in the clearing room would be completely cold. Therefore, Li Hongzhang, the fourth son of Li Jing, marched towards Zaitao (Puyi's uncle) and suggested that when taking this opportunity to take advantage of the peace, Puyi would learn English and natural science knowledge. Once the situation suddenly changes, studying abroad or doing apartments overseas is also the best strategy.

According to historical archives records, on February 22, 1919, Xu Baoheng of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of China and Li Zhongkai of the Qing Dynasty came forward to sign an employment contract with Johnston. The general meaning of the contract is: Johnston was specially hired as Puyi's imperial teacher to teach English, mathematics, Western history, museum, geography and other knowledge, with a monthly salary of 1 Chinese silver coins, a subsidy of 100 yuan, and a Chinese-style house is provided for free, with a three-year term, and a travel expenses paid for the return home after the expiration. If both parties agree, the contract can also be renewed (the contract will be renewed after the expiration of the period in 1922, and it will be stopped by Puyi being driven out of the Forbidden City in 1924).

Shortly after entering the Forbidden City in Johnston, the British government specially awarded Johnston the "High-level Lord of the British Empire" medal. This not only made Johnston himself overjoyed, but also built a bridge between the Chinese and British governments. Johnston said fluently in Guangdong Chaozhou and Beijing Mandarin, claiming to be authentic Chinese, so he traveled to most of China without any obstacles, visited famous mountains and ancient temples, visited high-ranking monks and scholars, and learned about Chinese customs and culture.

From then on, Johnston not only taught 14-year-old Puyi's English, but also used Western gentleman etiquette, lifestyle and even Western thinking to educate the little "emperor". As a result, Puyi, a young man who lived in the Forbidden City since childhood, also felt his backwardness and ignorance while broadening his horizons.

Joston (1st from right) took a photo with Puyi and Wanrong

First, Puyi examined his big braid, which was as ugly as a "pig tail". In particular, Johnston's ridicule of "pig tail" prompted Puyi a little sour and inferior. So, he did not hesitate to erect the "pig tail" and "pass the order" that all men in the palace must do the same. Despite the complaints from the court, thousands of braids were still removed by "ordering".

Secondly, during study and study, Johnston keenly realized that the emperor's eyes were likely to be myopic and needed to see a doctor for treatment. Concubine Duan Kang (Concubine Jin) firmly opposed letting foreign doctors examine the emperor's eyes, because how could the emperor's eyes move casually? But Johnston insisted on his own opinion and finally came forward to ask the famous ophthalmologist at Union Hospital to examine Puyi's eyes and match him with glasses.

Another thing is that when Puyi was invited to a banquet for Chinese and foreign people, the invited guests were drinking together at the palace for the first time, which changed the traditional old rules of Chinese men and women sharing banquets and became the "new rule" that set a precedent for a generation after the late Qing Dynasty. When they met an important person to entertain a banquet, Puyi and Wanrong were "waiting" to shake hands with the guests one by one in front of the banquet hall, showing the style of modern civilization.

At the same time, under the planning and recommendation of Johnston, Puyi also met with some foreign envoys, including the great Indian poet Tagore , and talked with Hu Shi on the phone and met with each other. This not only broadened Puyi's horizon, but also allowed Puyi, who had been closed in the palace since childhood, to breathe a different fresh air.When chatting in his spare time, Johnston also told Puyi what he saw and heard while shopping in the street, saying that there were many antique shops on Di'anmen Commercial Street, most of which were stolen by eunuchs in the palace and sold the stolen palace jewelry for money. Puyi was furious when he heard this and ordered most of the eunuchs to be fired from the palace. This shows the position of the "foreign master" in Puyi's mind.

In 1924, after the "Beijing coup", Puyi was driven out of the Forbidden City and returned to Prince Chun's house on the north bank of Houhai . Johnston was extremely anxious about this and hurriedly helped Puyi hide from a German hospital in the embassy area, and went to the British Embassy to mediate. Johnston had just left, and the pro-Japanese delegation came. Under Zheng's intimidation and coercion, Puyi moved into the Japanese Embassy. When Johnston contacted him and returned, the building was empty. From then on, Johnston's mission to the imperial sect ended.

After the work in China was over, Johnston returned to his country to focus on writing. In 1934, Johnston returned to China again and gave him the "Downhill of the Forbidden City" he wrote to Puyi, and asked him to write a preface.

"The Twilight of the Forbidden City" suddenly caused a sensation in Europe after its publication. Later, the Chinese and Japanese versions were released one after another, becoming an extremely best-selling book. Johnston earned royalties from this book, purchased a small island with beautiful scenery on Lake Craignech in western Scotland, England, and moved to the island to live. In the island room, various Chinese treasures, antique calligraphy and paintings and porcelains given to him by Puyi are displayed. Every morning, he would raise the triceratops of the Qing Dynasty on the flagpole of the small island, which shows that he would never forget his "homeland".

Joston on the Scottish island

"The Twilight of the Forbidden City" allows readers to see the mysterious and ancient China, opening a window for the world to understand China, and thus he became a well-known figure in the UK. After seeing this book, a lady named Elizabeth was deeply attracted by the legendary experience of Johnston, and she led her daughter to the island with great honor.

Ms. Elizabeth is 19 years younger than Johnston, and Johnston was in danger of being in his late life when he was "successful". Faced with the "little readers" who admired him so much, they completely ignored the other party's marital status, and the two soon fell in love.

According to Puyi's sister Yunhe , shortly after the publication of "The Twilight of the Forbidden City", he was suddenly diagnosed with bladder cancer . But the stubborn Johnston refused to be hospitalized for surgery. He even said, "I would rather die than operate."

On March 6, 1938, Johnston and Elizabeth were sleeping regretfully on the small island at the age of 64. His ashes were also scattered on his favorite island. (To be continued)