Puyi was the last emperor of China. When Japan invaded China he sold out, and approved whatever orders they put in front of him. After the war he was captured, forced to see the damage he had done and talk to the relatives of the people he had executed, etc. He apologised and was given a new job as a gardener. He was clumsy (since he was used to other people doing everything for him) but tried to learn gardening. He met and married an 'ordinary' woman - a nurse, if I remember correctly. Many years later he confessed that he was happier as a gardener than he had been as the emperor.

[–] fox@hexbear.net 8 points 3 days ago

Emperor Puyi wasn't executed, he was stripped of all titles and property and integrated into the proles

[–] GrouchyGrouse@hexbear.net 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Rehabilitation. Puyi was the last emperor of China

[–] anotherspinelessdem@lemmy.ml 8 points 3 days ago

Pretty much this. When the CPC took over they reeducated Puyi, the last Emperor of China. They informed him of the things that had been done under his reign, some of which he wasn't even aware of, most of which he was completely detached from. In the end I believe he was a gardener and custodian, which ended up being oddly liberating for him.

It's not talked about much, partially because of the number of people who suffer significantly more on the other end of it, but it can be argued that privilege is inherently abusive. It gives people a highly distorted view of the world, such that when it inevitably crumbles people under its influence can find themselves unable to function properly. Puyi had servants all his life and even literally wiping his ass, so when he was brought to reality he had difficulty adjusting and performing even basic functions.