In 1923, Reginald Johnston, Puyi’s British tutor, warned him about eunuchs smuggling treasures out of the Forbidden City and selling them to antique shops. In response, Puyi ordered an inventory of the imperial treasures. However, before the process could begin, a massive fire broke out in the Palace of Established Happiness (Jianfu Palace), which housed many of Emperor Qianlong’s art collections.

 

In his memoirs, Puyi accused the eunuchs of deliberately setting the fire to cover up their embezzlement, further fueling public outrage against his continued presence in the palace.