[A Scandalous History of the Qing Dynasty Court] [100] (Complete) [Author: Xu Xiaotian]

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Chapter 100: Puyi's Visit to Tianjin, a Journey of Romantic Revelry – The Complete Book Concludes. The table of contents states that December 1st of that year, which was October 13th in the lunar calendar, was the auspicious day for the wedding of the deposed Emperor Puyi. On this day, a group of loyal former officials were naturally extremely busy. At midnight, the eunuchs issued an order to send the imperial palanquin to fetch the newlyweds. The procession exited through the Donghua Gate, proceeded along Beichizi Jingshan East Street, passed Di'an Gate, and was protected by military police along the way. Needless to say, the crowds watching were immense. Before the palanquin departed, a mounted security team and a patrol team led the way. Behind them was a large contingent of Beijing's military police, all riding tall horses, marching in unison. After the military police, a large contingent of fully armed infantry, led by an officer, also slowly passed by. Behind the infantry were armed police, dispatched by the Beijing Police Commissioner's Office. Then came a large contingent of police band, followed by the presidential palace band; all their uniforms were brightly colored and magnificent. Behind the band were the Qing imperial family members, all adorned with splendid plumes, wearing python robes and court beads, walking alongside
the band. At this time, a colorful palanquin carried by sixteen men, all the bearers in embroidered robes, followed by a yellow satin carriage with a gold-topped canopy, adorned with countless tassels, dazzlingly beautiful. After the carriage passed, dozens of eunuchs, riding fine horses, walked slowly, serving as the head horse of the procession. Behind this procession was a large banner embroidered with a golden dragon, about three zhang in size, followed by pairs of golden gourds and silver axes—this was the ceremonial guard of the ancient emperor's entourage. Behind them were a large yellow silk umbrella, a pair of square umbrellas, a pair of pheasant-tail fans, two pairs of crimson banners, a five-colored golden dragon banner, a jade pendant, a yellow dragon embroidered flag, a yellow satin canopy, a curved-handle five-colored jade canopy, a large red dragon and phoenix canopy, a canopy, a silver dragon flag embroidered with gold and curved handles, a five-colored curved-handle dragon and phoenix umbrella, a large yellow satin gold embroidered canopy, and a curved-handle phoenix banner, among other ceremonial regalia. A pair of officials with plumes passed by, followed by a Manchu prince, wearing a court robe with a three-eyed plume, a crown topped with jewels, riding a horse and holding a golden staff; dozens of eunuchs guarded the prince. Behind him were palace eunuchs, lined up in a goose-like formation. The first pair carried octagonal lanterns, the second pair carried golden dragon lanterns, a total of eighty-one pairs, which also passed by. Beyond the lanterns were palace eunuchs carrying incense burners; the incense smoke rising from the burners created a solemn atmosphere. After the eunuchs carrying incense burners, there was palace music, including sheng, xiao, guan, and dizi—everything was present. After the music came grand music, with gongs, drums, cymbals, and all other instruments. After this, the princes and ministers, representing the wedding procession, walked in procession, dressed in court robes and hats, leading the procession before the imperial palanquin. Then, the palanquin arrived! It was over ten feet tall, topped with a large golden phoenix; adorned with jeweled ornaments, embroidered curtains hung down, and tassels adorned its corners.
Thirty-two bearers, all dressed in red silk embroidered robes and red-tasseled hats with yellow plumes, carried it in perfect unison. Behind the palanquin were guards carrying long-tasseled spears, riding fine horses, their python robes and golden crowns adding to their imposing presence. Following the guards were a group of loyal ministers, also in court boots and hats, some wearing previously bestowed yellow riding jackets, all following behind the palanquin. In addition, the garrison commander Wang Huaiqing and the police commissioner Xue Dake, also in uniform, brought up the rear. This procession, welcoming the newlyweds, proceeded from the imperial city along the Anding Gate, through the crossroads, into the Dong'an Gate, and finally into the Donghua Gate. Military police led the way, stopping at the Donghua Gate, with military music continuing. The procession continued until it reached the Qianqing Gate, where it also ceased. The imperial carriage proceeded directly into the Qianqing Palace before stopping.
From the Qianqing Gate to the main hall, the floor was covered with red satin carpets, and the hall was brightly lit with candles, creating an indescribably magnificent scene. Sixteen guards stood outside the palace gates, each carrying a long-tasseled spear and a command sword. Beside the hall were large bells and drums, as well as musical instruments used by emperors in ancient ancestral temple sacrifices, all adorned with colorful silk. Several musicians, dressed in embroidered robes, stood and played music; above the bells and drums were smaller instruments such as sheng, xiao, guan, and di. Below the steps, two men dressed in yellow satin robes each held a gold-woven theatrical whip. The musicians' playing and stopping depended entirely on the movement of the whips; when the whips crossed, the music blared; when the whips separated, the music immediately stopped; there were also distinctions between the large and small musical notes played on the upper part of the whip and the smaller ones played on the lower part. Two eunuchs in yellow robes and hats, each holding a silencing whip, were present. This whip was used by the emperor in ancient times when he held court or ascended the throne. Old novels often say, "Three cracks of the silencing whip, and civil and military officials line up on both sides," which refers to this. Because once the emperor ascended the throne and the silencing whip had sounded, everyone, regardless of who they were, had to remain completely silent, not even daring to cough. A yellow silk canopy was placed in the Hall of Supreme Harmony; its raising and lowering signified the emperor's departure from the hall.
At this moment, the yellow canopy was raised, the silencing whips sounded three times, and silence reigned both inside and outside. Then, the usher announced the proper etiquette, the whips were lowered below the steps, and soft music played in unison; the chief master of ceremonies led Puyi to his seat. The welcoming ceremony was performed, the music played three times, the whips were raised, and grand music began again as Puyi withdrew. Then, the wives of Princes Zaixun and Zaizhen bowed and stepped forward. The officiant announced the arrival of the newlyweds in their carriage, accompanied by music. The whip cracked again, the music stopped, and the two wives led the newlyweds to their seats. The chief officiant then performed the ceremony, offering thanks and welcoming greetings. After the ceremony, music resumed. When the music stopped, the officiant chanted the rituals, and the officiant, along with eight eunuchs, carried lanterns and incense burners to guide the newlyweds to their seats. The chief officiant, using lanterns and incense burners, also guided Puyi to his seat. The officiant chanted the rituals, and Puyi and his wife stood side by side, performing the Heaven and Earth Ceremony, which was followed by music. The ancestral ceremony was then performed, with music again, which stopped. The chief officiant then chanted the Imperial Wedding Ceremony, including the capping ceremony, which was played three times. After the capping, the chief officiant chanted again, and the officiant led Puyi and his wife to their seats to perform the Emperor-Minister Ceremony. Only after the Emperor-Minister Ceremony was completed did the couple perform the mutual bowing ceremony. After the ceremony, Puyi and his wife took their seats and received the congratulatory greetings from the ministers and princes. At this point, the Manchu princes were the first to perform the traditional three kneelings and nine kowtows. The princes' wives and other officials were also guided by their attendants, with the chief master of ceremonies overseeing the rituals, until everyone had completed their rites. Only then were the Manchu and Han officials ordered to line up and pay their respects. Following the officials were the eunuchs and palace maids, who also kowtowed in unison. After the rites were completed, the chief master of ceremonies dismissed the attendants, and sixty-four palace eunuchs, each carrying a lantern, escorted Puyi and his wife into the palace. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the atmosphere solemn, like a lecture by deities, as they slowly made their way into the palace.
The next day was the day Puyi received foreign dignitaries. The morning ceremony was similar to the previous day: the whip cracked, then the whip snapped back to its original position; the canopy was raised, and Puyi and his wife ascended to the main hall together. At this moment, Puyi, dressed in a yellow satin embroidered robe, a gold-embroidered overcoat, and adorned with a golden sparrow-shaped crown, looked remarkably radiant. His wife, also dressed in a yellow satin embroidered robe, wore a satin hairpin and a phoenix hair ornament with silver hairpins, further highlighting her
elegant and graceful bearing. Behind her stood the wives of the two princes, Xun and Zhen. As the music played, the foreign guests lined up to offer their congratulations. Puyi, smiling, spoke in fluent English: “It is a great honor for us to be together with you all today! We are also very grateful for your congratulations. May you all enjoy peace and happiness together in the future!”
With that, he took a small sip of wine, shook hands with each of the foreign guests, and then the ministers of various countries took their leave. After the foreign guests departed, loyal Qing officials such as Chen Yucheng, Liang Dunyan, Lianfang, and Shixu lined up to kowtow at the foot of the palace steps. Gu Hongming, having arrived late, was not allowed to enter by the guards of the Qianqing Palace. Left with no other option, Gu Hongming knelt at the entrance of the Qianqing Palace, kowtowed, and wept bitterly before leaving. His actions suggested that his unwavering loyalty, unrecognized by his former master, left him with no outlet for his grief and indignation, only able to kowtow and weep. Although Puyi's wedding was not announced beforehand, it became widely known afterward, and some even considered it a spectacle. To witness such a grand monarchical wedding in the Republican era was a historical commemoration.
Time flies, and it was now the fourteenth year of the Republic. In the winter of the thirteenth year, because Cao Kun was bribing his way into the presidency, Wu Peifu and Zhang Zuolin fought a battle that year. Zhang Zuolin suffered a major defeat and retreated from the pass, whereupon he recuperated, determined to avenge his defeat. Last autumn, Lu Yongxiang launched an uprising in Zhejiang, fighting a bitter battle with Qi Xieyuan of Jiangsu for over two months. Zhang Zuolin then mobilized his troops to support Lu. Wu Peifu also mobilized the entire nation's forces to fight Zhang Zuolin. At this time, Feng Yuxiang, the leader of the National Revolutionary Army, received a secret order from Wu Peifu to send troops to Rehe. Unexpectedly, while outwardly agreeing, Feng secretly contacted Zhang Zuolin in Fengtian and formed a secret alliance with National Revolutionary Army division commanders Hu Jingyi, Yue Weijun, and Sun Yue. However, when Wu Peifu left Beijing to oversee the campaign, Feng Yuxiang returned from Rehe, besieged Beijing, imprisoned Cao Kun, and cut off Wu Peifu's retreat. As a result, Wu was forced to retreat to Tianjin and even went alone to Yueyang, where he spent his days on his warship. Having defected to Beijing, Feng Yuxiang then implemented a policy of closing the Qing Palace. He reasoned that with the Republic of China nearly fourteen years old and the Qing Palace still existing, it would be a joke to remain a puppet emperor behind closed doors, arbitrarily bestowing titles and honors. Now that we have a republic of five races, Puyi, though a Manchu, is also a citizen of the Republic of China. With the imperial throne removed, he is now a commoner, entitled to the same right to vote as Han Chinese. How can we allow him to act recklessly and become a little emperor? He should be eliminated. Furthermore, the artifacts in the Qing Palace belong to the people; now that autocracy is over, these public properties should be returned to the people.
As for the Qing imperial family's personal belongings, they were naturally taken away. However, the Qing palace contained hundreds of thousands of treasures and miscellaneous items. Separating public and private property was inevitable, requiring a thorough inspection. This action terrified the Qing imperial family members, who, like Shixu and Qishan, frantically tried to cancel the proposed closure of the palace. However, Feng Yuxiang swiftly dispatched Brigade Commander Lu Zhonglin with his guards, forcing the palace to close and ordering the formation of a Qing Imperial Family Aftermath Committee to inspect its contents. He also ordered the concubines and eunuchs to vacate immediately. Panic gripped the Qing palace. For one
thing, there was nowhere to house the more than two thousand eunuchs and palace servants; renting houses elsewhere wouldn't provide such spacious accommodations. However, due to the urgent pressure from the National Army, Shixu had no choice but to first provide funds to dismiss five hundred eunuchs from the outer palaces. In the chaos of the scramble, some eunuchs, unable to pack their belongings, left the palace empty-handed. Each received less than ten yuan in severance pay. These eunuchs, now crippled and accustomed to a life of leisure, had nowhere to go. What were they to do? Thus, over a hundred eunuchs stood before the palace gates, weeping bitterly, their appearance utterly pitiful. The palace maids, on the other hand, could find husbands and start families, unlike the eunuchs' destitution.
At that time, Puyi, seeing the Nationalist army's intention to close the palace, panicked. His English tutor, Reginald Johnston, hired a car and had Puyi, dressed in Japanese attire, speed towards the German embassy. However, the German embassy was not there. Johnston then ordered the car to go to the French consulate, but the French embassy refused to accept him. Left with no other option, Johnston went to the Japanese consulate, only to find the Japanese consul on official business. Puyi, seeing his efforts fail, grew anxious. Johnston then arranged for him to return to the Japanese barracks. His secretary called Minister Yoshizawa, who then traveled to the barracks, personally escorted Puyi to the embassy, and provided him with a room. Minister Yoshizawa promised to protect Puyi's safety. The next day, Puyi's wife was also brought to live with them. At
that time, a group of former officials, including Shi Xu, went to the Japanese consulate to kowtow and pay their respects to Puyi.
A few days later, on Puyi's birthday, Lian Fang, Liang Dunyan, Qi Shan, and others traveled by car to offer their former master birthday greetings. Although Puyi was the deposed emperor, if he had remained quietly in Beijing, he wouldn't have attracted attention. However, the constant requests for memorials, titles, and congratulations from his former officials created a chaotic atmosphere, making Puyi uneasy. At the slightest sign of trouble, he would flee and hide. In truth, he was just an ordinary citizen; who would want to harm him? What danger was there? The weeping and wailing of these former officials actually elevated Puyi's status, allowing him to maintain the appearance of an emperor. When Puyi arrived at the Japanese embassy, the Nationalist government questioned him about his escape. The Qing court replied, "There is probably danger." However, Puyi felt restricted and suspicious, being guarded outside by Nationalist soldiers, so he fled to the embassy.
But rumors in Beijing grew increasingly prevalent, all detrimental to Puyi. Still uneasy in the Japanese embassy, Puyi consulted with the Japanese consul, requesting protection from Beijing. Minister Yoshizawa agreed, immediately ordering a Japanese secretary to escort Puyi out of Beijing by train. With a long whistle, the young emperor of the fallen dynasty sped off towards Tianjin.
Meanwhile, the Nationalist army forced the Qing court to relocate, but the two imperial concubines, Jin and Yu, refused to leave. Consort Jin cried out, "Our country is destroyed, our family ruined, are we not even left with a palace? I'd rather die in the palace than leave!" Members of the Qing imperial family, princes, and ministers all tried to persuade her, saying, "This is an order from the Republic of China government. We are only temporarily leaving; we will have to return later." Consort Jin retorted angrily, "No matter what happens in the future, it is absolutely impossible for us to leave the palace now!" Consort Yu echoed this sentiment. After much persuasion from the imperial family, they finally managed to convince Consort Yu, but she refused to leave alone and insisted on going with Consort Jin. Then everyone went to persuade Consort Jin, explaining and even coaxing her until she finally came to her senses. They immediately chose an auspicious date and prepared to move out of the palace.
With this, the Qing dynasty was effectively eradicated.
The End

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[A Scandalous History of the Qing Dynasty Court] [100] (Complete) [Author: Xu Xiaotian]

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