In 1935, a British newspaper once made such a report: there is a small island in Britain, which belongs to the jurisdiction of the Qing Empire, hanging the flag of the Qing Empire, and the buildings on the island are also imitating the style of the Qing Dynasty.
Later, it was found out that the island owner of this island was named Johnston, who served as a professor of Chinese at the University of London, was once a teacher of Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and was also a strong admirer of Chinese culture.
Born in Edinburgh in 1874, Johnston graduated from Oxford University in his early years, and later, with his excellent working ability, he went to Hong Kong to work as an assistant to the Governor of Hong Kong, and later, he was sent to Weihaiwei as governor.
Johnston came to China, although it was to safeguard the interests of Britain, but I have to say that after he came to China, he quickly became fascinated by Chinese culture, especially loved Chinese poetry and songs and the Hundred Sons and Hundred Families, and immersed himself in learning Chinese Buddhism, traveling all over China's mountains and rivers, and visiting the ancient temple of Mingyue.
In 1919, Puyi wanted to find a foreign teacher to learn English, and the Ministry of The Interior immediately thought of Johnston, there was no more suitable candidate than him, proficient in Chinese culture, and from England, who knew pure English. Later, after negotiations with the British Embassy, Johnston officially entered the Forbidden City and became Puyi's teacher.
This year, Puyi was 13 years old and Johnston was 45 years old.
Johnston mainly taught Puyi English, as well as foreign history, geography, humanities, etc., but he liked to teach Puyi Chinese culture more often, which surprised Puyi.
How much does Johnston know about Chinese culture? According to the people in the palace at that time, if Johnston took the Chinese imperial examination, he did not dare to say that he would win the title, at least there would be no problem in entering the top three.
Because Johnston strongly admired Chinese culture, although the Qing Dynasty was gone at that time, Johnston still treated Puyi according to the etiquette of the Qing Dynasty, and his biggest dream was that the Qing Dynasty could be restored, of course, this was a dream that he could never achieve.
Puyi was influenced by Johnston, his mind became more and more open, cut off his braids, learned to ride a bicycle, used a telephone, and also learned to use a camera, completely out of the trap of a feudal royal teenager, and became very fashionable.
In 1922, Puyi and Wanrong got married, and on the day of the great joy, he did not forget the "canonization" and awarded Johnston the "one pint to wear", which was almost the highest honor that the former Qing officials could enjoy.
Puyi also specially asked people to make him a set of official uniforms and official hats, and Johnston was so excited that he burst into tears and specially took some photos and sent them to relatives and officials in Britain.
This set of clothes, Johnston has always kept, as mentioned earlier, he specially bought a small island, modeled on the system and architectural style of the former Qing, hung the flag of the Great Qing, whenever anyone came to visit the island, he would wear the official uniform that Puyi gave him, and often said: "I have been a person of the Great Qing in my life, and I am a ghost of the Great Qing." ”
After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, there was such a "loyal" foreigner, which may not have been expected by everyone.
In 1924, Puyi was expelled from the Forbidden City by Feng Yuxiang and was once homeless, thanks to Johnston's intervention, contacted the British Embassy, and finally let him settle down in the Japanese jurisdiction of Tianjin. From then on, Johnston left Puyi and returned to the British Embassy, and soon after, he returned to England to teach at the University of London.
Later, when Puyi was in puppet Manchukuo, Johnston also visited him twice, and Puyi advised him to stay and assist him, but Johnston politely refused.
After Johnston returned to England, he concentrated on teaching, and recalled the bits and pieces in China, began to write books, and successively wrote "Twilight of the Forbidden City", "Buddhist China", "Confucianism and Modern China", "Chinese Drama" and other works, of which "Dusk of the Forbidden City" caused quite a stir, very popular, he was relying on the book's fee, bought the island.
Johnston died on the island in 1938 at the age of 64.
Unfortunately, Johnston never married, had no heirs, and died alone.
History Inn Author: Desert Sand