On November 14, 1906, a childish cry broke the silence in the Forbidden City.
This cry that resounded in the sky came from the newborn baby Puyi.
At that time, he didn't understand the heavy responsibility he shouldered, and he didn't know that he was destined to experience a magnificent and legendary life.
In this once-in-a-lifetime prosperous era of the Qing Dynasty, the 2-year-old Pu Yi was established as the emperor, and the era name was Xuantong. However, the good times did not last long, and in 1911, when Pu Yi was only 6 years old, the Xinhai Revolution was in full swing.
The Qing Dynasty was already in turmoil and was about to fall. In this turbulent tide of the times, the young Pu Yi could not escape the torrent of history.
He still vividly remembers that cold winter day in 1912. At the age of 6, his face was solemn, holding the "Edict of Abdication", announcing that the Qing Dynasty had entered history since then.
When he got rid of the emperor's shackles, Pu Yi only felt relieved. He can finally live the life that an ordinary child should have.
In an instant, Pu Yi seemed to be reborn. He experienced China's historic leap from feudal monarchy to republic, and his legendary fate witnessed the great changes in China.
Despite his young age, Pu Yi could sense that the country was undergoing a sea change. In this turbulent course of history, his life will be rewritten.
In 1917, at the age of 11, Pu Yi met Johnston, who would change his life. This teacher from the UK not only taught him English, but also opened a window to the world.
At first, Pu Yi kept his distance from the mild-mannered new teacher. Gradually, Mr. Zhuang won the favor of Xiao Puyi with his profound knowledge. Mr. Zhuang took him to experience Western civilization and broaden his horizons.
Inspired by Mr. Zhuang, Pu Yi began to put on a well-fitting suit and walk out of the Forbidden City to experience this newer and larger world.
The trend of emancipation of the mind also affected Puyi. He found that he knew very little, that the world was much bigger than he had imagined. Pu Yi began to read all kinds of Western books and periodicals, dabbling in new trends of thought.
He was no longer satisfied with just being a frivolous child of the royal family, but thinking about how to reform society and achieve national prosperity.
Through Mr. Zhuang, Pu Yi saw a whole new world. He realized that the days of divine imperial authority were gone. A new era is coming, and he must follow the trend of history and change himself.
In 1924, at the age of 18, Pu Yi officially moved out of the Forbidden City, which had existed for more than 300 years. He can't wait to experience the outside world. The moment he finally stepped out of this ancient palace, Pu Yi was excited.
As soon as he left the palace, Pu Yi was like a wild horse on the loose, devoting himself to a lavish social life. He sang and sang all night long, often staying up all night dancing, gambling, and drinking.
His friends took him for a spin in a sports car and went to the best nightclubs. Pu Yi also indulged in all kinds of social parties and made friends with celebrities from all over the world.
Although the superficial extravagant life brought Pu Yi a sense of freshness, it also made him feel empty after a long time. He would often be alone after being drunk, gazing at the stars and moonlight in the night sky.
Pu Yi finds that he is still unable to fill the loneliness in his heart, and he is looking for a spiritual belonging.
All the excitement turned into fireworks, and Pu Yi was still the confused teenager. He lost himself in pleasure and gradually lost his positive heart. Pu Yi realized that he needed to find a new direction in his life, and that he should not continue to waste his time.
In 1937, the Japanese army occupied Beiping, and Pu Yi tried to seize the opportunity to restore it. Unexpectedly, he was just used by the Japanese to play the role of a puppet emperor.
At the beginning, Pu Yi was still immersed in the joy of "returning to the throne". But he soon discovered that in Manchukuo he was nothing more than an empty emperor.
The power is on the sidelines, and it is the Japanese who are really in control.
Pu Yi is once again a prisoner of others, but this time his fate is beyond his control. Under the watchful eye of the Japanese army, he became cold and cruel, showing no mercy to the enemy.
When the death warrant was signed, Pu Yi's heart was like a knife, and he couldn't calm down for a long time.
Pu Yi, who is trapped in the palace all day long, misses the joy of driving in his youth and the laughter of his childhood. He knew that he was passively caught up in the maelstrom and paid a terrible price for his mistakes.
Pu Yi looked at himself helplessly, trying to find a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair.
In 1950, Pu Yi was escorted back to China for reform. At first, he was uneasy and frightened by the unknown new life.
After entering the labor camp, Pu Yi found that the people here lived a simple life, but they had found the meaning of life. He is no longer the destined emperor, laboring, reforming, and learning Xi like everyone else.
At first, his hands and feet were clumsy, but Pu Yi did not complain, he just wanted to adapt as soon as possible.
Gradually, he realized the joy and value of labor. With only a small salary every month, Pu Yi felt more fulfilled than ever. He realized how arrogant and lascivious his past self was.
And now, he has found a new focus in life - serving the people.
This was the most important change in Pu Yi's life. The labor camp transformed him into a new man, an ordinary new Chinese citizen. He made up his mind to atone for his sins with his labor and serve the motherland with practical actions.
After the renovation, Pu Yi came to the Beijing Botanical Garden and started a new work and life. At first, he was not very accustomed to the daily life of a civilian.
One day, Pu Yi went to a nearby barber shop to get a haircut, and for the first time he saw something new like a hair dryer. Out of curiosity, he innocently asks the barber if he blows or cuts his hair first.
This innocent question drew laughter from those present.
Pu Yi didn't feel embarrassed, but he just lamented that the times were changing too fast, and he really couldn't keep up with the pace of his new life. As the laughter subsided, he recalled his father's teaching to learn Xi new things.
This little episode reminded Pu Yi that it is important to maintain a humble and cautious mindset.
After the haircut, Pu Yi thanked him with a smile on his face, determined to continue adjusting to his new life. He knew he had turned a new page in his life. Pu Yi should be grateful for the current life and cherish the new opportunities.
This episode became a joke story in Pu Yi's later years. But it also represents his path to adaptation to his new life. Pu Yi has experienced too many ups and downs, he has seen the ups and downs of fate and learned to find joy in the simple daily life.