China’s last emperor ended up becoming one of history’s strangest political pawns, and ended his life as an avowed communist. How did a man born into unimaginable wealth end up penning a memoir about the evils of the landlord class? And was his disavowal of his privileged upbringing genuine, or was he the victim of a justice system that perfected the art of brainwashing prisoners?
Featured image: A photograph of Puyi taken in the 1930s or 40s. (Image source)
Puyi at the beginning of his reign as Chinese emperor. He’s standing on the left. His father, Prince Chun, is holding his younger brother. (Image source)
Young Puyi in his robes. (Image source)
Puyi alongside Hirohito, Stalin, and Chiang on cover on Time Magazine in 1936. (Image source)
Puyi wearing his Mǎnzhōuguó uniform in the 1930s or 40s. (Image source)
Puyi in prison in 1945. (Image source)
Interesting post, it reminds me the of the Forbidden City and the Last Emperor, Pu Yi who said “As I cried, screaming that I did not want to leave my parents, I was forced into a palanquin that took me back to the Forbidden City. ”
I tried to write a blog about Pu Yi, hope you also like it : https://stenote.blogspot.com/2018/09/an-interview-with-pu-yi.html