Zhang Garden

　　Zhang Garden is a luxurious Western-style classical residence. Its main building faces west and is built with a brick-and-wood structure. It is connected to a Western-style bungalow that faces north, forming a T-shaped grand reception hall. A corner tower juts out from the northwest corner of the building. The exterior walls, window frames, and baseboards are surfaced with cement stone, featuring multiple horizontal moldings. The wall itself is made of exposed red bricks. The building is surrounded by corridors, and the courtyard contains pavilions, rockeries, and a lotus pond. Water was channeled in, and flowers and plants were transplanted. It was originally named "Luxiang Garden," but because it was the residence of Zhang Biao, it became commonly known as "Zhang Garden."

　　On February 24, 1925, on the traditional lunar date of "Dragon Raises Head," Puyi escaped from Beijing’s Qianmen Railway Station in disguise under the escort of the Japanese Consul General in Tianjin, the police chief, and plainclothes agents, and fled to Tianjin. Upon disembarking, he was welcomed by Toshio Shiratori, the Japanese Consul General in Tianjin, who arranged for him to stay temporarily at the Yamato Hotel in the Japanese Concession before he later rented Zhang Garden. Empress Wanrong and Consort Wenxiu chose not to leave with him at the time, fearing that traveling together would draw too much attention and lead to their discovery by the authorities.

　　In Zhang Garden, Puyi and Wanrong lived on the second floor, while Wenxiu stayed in a room to the south of the first-floor reception hall. At the time, many former Qing officials and loyalists in Tianjin came to pay their respects, including Zhang Renjun, former Viceroy of Liangjiang; Tie Liang, former Minister of Revenue, Minister of War, and Grand Councilor; Lü Haihuan, former Minister of Works, Minister of War, and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Hua Shikui, Liu Jiachen, and Zhu Yifan, who visited frequently; and Li Zhun, former Viceroy of Guangdong Navy, who “presented” his mother-of-pearl inlaid hardwood furniture for imperial use. Scholars such as Luo Zhenyu, Zheng Xiaoxu, Zhu Ruzhen, and Prince Zaitao waited daily in the garden. Various attendants, former officials, journalists, and visitors filled the pavilions and towers, making the once quiet villa bustling with activity. Additionally, to provide better lodging for Puyi’s entourage and staff, Zhang Biao built four connected bungalows on the right side of the garden for their use. He also bought one of the newly available radio receivers on the market to “offer” to Puyi. He personally tended the garden, demonstrating his utmost loyalty. In early 1927, Zhang Biao fell ill with cancer and stayed at his residence at No. 8 Hongji Lane behind Zhang Garden. Puyi personally visited him and arranged for a “royal physician,” a Russian doctor, to treat him, but it was too late. On his deathbed, Puyi bestowed upon him the words “Loyal and Respectful” as a token of “imperial grace.” Zhang Biao passed away on September 13 of the same year. Puyi gave Zhang Biao a plaque inscribed with “Heart as Firm as Gold and Stone.”

　　Aisin-Gioro Puyi (1906~1967)　　Emperor Xuantong, Aisin-Gioro Puyi (February 7, 1906 – October 17, 1967), courtesy name Yaoshi, art name Haoran, was the last emperor and the final ruler in Chinese history. Puyi was the grandson of Prince Chun Yixuan. He ascended the throne in the 34th year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign. After the outbreak of the Xinhai Revolution, he abdicated, ending the rule of the Qing Dynasty. Following the Mukden Incident, he became the “Kangde Emperor” of the puppet state of Manchukuo. After Japan’s defeat, Puyi was repatriated to China, where he underwent study and reform at the Fushun War Criminals Management Center. In 1959, Mao Zedong granted him a special pardon, and he became a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Puyi died in 1967 of uremia, and his ashes were interred at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing... Details+

　　Gosunlungga Wanrong (1906~1946)　　Wanrong (November 13, 1906 – June 20, 1946), courtesy name Muhong, art name Zhilian, pen name Rong Yuehua, was an ethnic Daur and the empress of the last emperor, Aisin-Gioro Puyi. In 1922, with the insistence of Jin Concubine (Duan Kang Concubine) and the permission of the Republican government, Wanrong became the nominal empress, and later the empress of Manchukuo. According to *My Former Half-Life*, Wanrong developed an opium addiction and had an affair with a guard, resulting in the birth of a daughter who died shortly after. Wanrong became increasingly frail and passed away in 1946 in a prison in Yanji, Jilin Province, and was buried outside the Western Qing Tombs at Hualong Imperial... Details+

　　Erdet Wensiu (1909~1953)　　Erdet Wensiu (December 20, 1909 – September 17, 1953), also known as Huixin, Fu Yufang, and Daxiu, was an ethnic Mongol and originally a concubine of the last emperor, Puyi. In 1924, when the Puyi family was expelled from the Forbidden City and moved to Tianjin, Puyi sought to restore the Qing monarchy with the help of Japan, but Wensiu disagreed with his approach, leading to growing estrangement between them. In August 1931, Wensiu publicly divorced Puyi through a newspaper announcement—this event became known as the “Concubine with the Dagger Revolution.” The divorce was officially finalized in October. Wensiu led a difficult life afterward but refused to submit to the Japanese. In 1947, she married Liu Zhendong in Beiping (now Beijing), and in 19... Details+

　　Zhang Biao (1860~1927)　　Zhang Biao (1860–1927), courtesy name Huchen, was from Zuo Fu Village, Yuci County, Shanxi Province. He rose to prominence with the help of Zhang Zhidong and served as Commander of the Hubei Banner, Military Governor, and Commander of the Eighth Brigade stationed in Wuchang. Zhang Biao was born on December 28, 1860, in Zuofu Village, Yuci County, Shanxi Province. Zhang Biao lost both parents at a young age and was raised by his uncle. In his early years, he went to Taiyuan with his uncle to make a living, learning skills such as seal carving and paper mounting. Later, he studied martial arts under Master Liu from Mount Wutai for many years and earned the title of Martial Arts Juren (successful candidate in the imperial martial examination). In 1882, Zhang Biao was hired by Zhang Zhidong, then Governor of Shanxi, as a personal attendant. Later, he followed Zhang Zhidong to Hubei, where he was promoted to patrol officer and company commander of the Patrol Battalion. At the time, there were frequent civil unrests... Details+