Old photos of the "Gengzi Rebellion" in the Qing Dynasty: The streets are riddled with holes, why are foreign flags hung on the city walls?

Xibianmen with foreign flags. This is a set of old photos taken in the 26th and 27th years of the reign of Emperor Guangxu (1900-1901), recording the scene in Beijing during the Gengzi Rebellion. The photographer was a German officer. On August 15, 1900, the Eight-Power Allied Forces marched into Beijing, frightening the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu into fleeing to Xi'an in despair. They did not retreat until the "Xin-Chou Treaty" was signed in 1901. ?

The scene of Chongwenmen Street. After the melee between the Qing army, the Boxer Rebellion and the armies of the foreign powers, the capital was riddled with holes, and the originally lively and bustling neighborhoods were reduced to ruins. Judging from the photos, large areas of houses on both sides of Chongwenmen Street collapsed and were devastated. ?

The unobstructed Qingmen Gate. The Qing Gate has a strong symbolic meaning. The middle gate has been closed for a long time and can only be opened when the emperor and empress pass by. Civil and military ministers can only pass through the small gates on both sides, but ordinary people have no chance to approach this gate. Under the control of the Eight-Nation Allied Forces, all three entrances to the Great Qing Gate were opened, allowing everyone to pass through unimpeded, dispelling the majesty of the imperial power. ?

The German legation in ruins. From June 20, 1900 until the fall of Beijing, the Qing army and the Boxers besieged Dongjiaominxiang for nearly two months. During this period, the German legation was destroyed by artillery fire.

Buildings destroyed by cannon fodder near Dongjiaomin Lane. The building was blown up like this by artillery fire, which shows how fierce the fighting was at that time. These photos tell real history.

The temporary court is hearing the case. After the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded Beijing, they sent personnel and Qing ministers staying in Beijing to form a temporary court. The coalition forces captured a large number of people suspected of being members of the Boxer Rebellion, and the court sentenced these people to punishment in accordance with the will of the coalition forces. The ministers of the Qing Dynasty had no autonomy and acted entirely according to the appearance of the invaders.

A wedding procession passed on the muddy street. After the coalition forces invaded, a large number of people in the city fled, and those who stayed behind were frequently harassed by foreign soldiers, making it difficult to continue their normal lives. It's really heart-warming that there are people holding happy events under such circumstances.