In the late Qing Dynasty, foreign powers knocked on the door of the Qing Dynasty with guns. The Qing dynasty, which had been closed to the outside world for many years, was forced to face the world, and it was too weak at that time.
After being defeated by foreign powers many times, people who were originally blind and arrogant finally realized the difference between them. People of insight realized that they had to learn advanced technology from the West to arm themselves. Western ideas were introduced into China, which is known as "Western learning spreading to the east".
At that time, families with a little foresight, while continuing the traditional education in China, also exposed their children to western ideas. Even some upper-class aristocrats will hire English teachers for their children.
As the last emperor, Puyi later abdicated, but education was still not backward. For example, he also has a foreign teacher named Johnston.
Johnston, a Scot, graduated from Edinburgh University and Oxford University. After fierce competition, he got the opportunity to work in the British colony of Hong Kong. Because he speaks Chinese well, he was promoted in Hongkong and England, and later he was sent to work in Ahava.
Zhuang Shidun's opportunity to be a Puyi teacher lies in the departure of another Puyi teacher. 19/kloc-Xu Shichang, the teacher of Puyi in 0/8, resigned as the "imperial teacher" because she wanted to be the president of the Republic of China.
On the recommendation of Li Jingmai, the son of Li Hongzhang, Xu Shichang personally negotiated with the British Embassy to hire Johnston as the teacher of Puyi.
Johnston himself is full of interest in China culture. Since he came to China, he has been learning more. On the basis of understanding China culture, he will also teach Puyi advanced western thoughts.
Under the guidance of Johnston, Puyi put on glasses, cut off the whip and installed a telephone in the palace. Today, let's look at old photos. Some people will find photos of Puyi and Wanrong riding bicycles. Puyi riding a bike is also the influence of Johnston.
Puyi came into contact with western ideas through Johnston, went to China, entered the Forbidden City, and put down her prejudices and got in touch with eastern ideas.
Facing the oriental culture, Johnston maintained great love and respect. When some westerners face some customs in China, they despise discrimination, while Johnston mostly defends the traditional customs in China. Even from their own standpoint, they strongly criticized western countries for trying to change China through the religious influence of missionary work.
Johnston accompanied Puyi through his last stage in the Forbidden City. Later, Puyi was driven out of the Forbidden City, and Johnston resigned from the imperial censor and returned to work in the British consulate.
In the days of getting along with Puyi, Johnston had hoped that Puyi could be successfully restored, and then a constitutional monarchy would be implemented to open a new era. However, when Puyi became a puppet of Japan and became an emperor, Johnston was deeply disappointed.
It was also at this time that Johnston chose to leave Puyi, refused Puyi's retention and left China.
Johnston later published his stay in China as dusk in the Forbidden City, which set off a craze in the west. Later, he bought an island in Scotland with royalties and enjoyed his old age.
The rooms on the island were named Ahava Hall, Emperor Hall and Songzhu Hall respectively by him, which shows that Johnston is reluctant to part with his time in China!