The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

Chapter 245 Funeral

"Father!" The room was filled with cries.

The news of Shen Hu's death first reached Gu Hongming. Since Shen Lian and Wang Kaiyun were no longer in Shandong, he was in charge of most of the provincial government's affairs.

Shen Hu was in poor health, and everyone was prepared for that. In the past, everything would have been done according to the rules, but things were different now.

With Shen Lian's ascension to the throne imminent, Shen Hu will undoubtedly be made the Retired Emperor. Now that the Retired Emperor has passed away, it's not the same as the death of an ordinary person.

Gu Hongming immediately led a large number of officials to handle the funeral arrangements and simultaneously informed Shen Lian. Everyone had originally planned to go to the capital to attend the enthronement ceremony, but now that the retired emperor had suddenly passed away, they wondered if it would affect the emperor's ascension.

Upon receiving the telegram from his hometown, Shen Lian collapsed onto his throne. Although Shen Hu wasn't his biological father, after spending so many years together, Shen Lian had long considered him his father.

Originally, I thought that although the old man was terminally ill, he had managed to hold on until now, and I hoped that my ascension to the throne would bring him some joy. Who knew that he couldn't accept such great news!

Thinking of the old man's care and love for him over the years, two streams of tears unknowingly flowed down Shen Lian's face.

"Your Majesty! Please accept my condolences!" Upon receiving the news, Wang Kaiyun hurriedly arrived with a group of officials.

All the officials wore solemn expressions. They had been busy preparing for the enthronement ceremony. Now, the sudden death of the retired emperor had left everyone feeling uneasy.

"Mr. Wang, my father has suddenly passed away. What should we do now?" Shen Lian asked, wiping away his tears. He had never experienced anything like this before and had no idea what to do.

"Your Majesty, we should immediately select a minister to oversee the funeral arrangements for the Emperor Emeritus in Jinan!" Wang Kaiyun said, bowing slightly.

"My mind is a mess right now. Mr. Wang, who do you think would be a good candidate to host this?"

"I request to serve as the Minister in charge of the funeral arrangements and go to preside over the proceedings!" Wang Kaiyun said, raising his head.

"The affairs of the capital are currently very demanding, and we cannot do without you, sir. Let's choose someone else!" Shen Lian waved his hand. The affairs of the capital are now entirely managed by Wang Kaiyun, so how could he leave?

“Then let Mr. Licheng preside over it! Mr. Licheng is well-versed in both Eastern and Western learning, and of noble character. He is an excellent candidate to preside over funeral affairs. He happens to be in Jinan right now!” Wang Kaiyun said after thinking for a moment.

He didn't want to leave the capital either, with so many important matters to attend to! But with the Emperor's passing being such a momentous event, as Shen Lian's top minister, he had no choice but to step forward and make a statement.

It is well known that the ancients placed the utmost importance on filial piety, and no one dared to neglect Shen Hu's funeral. Even Shen Lian, as the emperor, would not have done so, otherwise he would have faced doubt and contempt from the people of the world.

“Mr. Wang, I want to go back to Shandong in person to see my father one last time and keep vigil for him!” Shen Lian suddenly said.

"Your Majesty's filial piety is well understood by us, but the enthronement ceremony is only a few days away. It must not be changed!" No one dared to stop Shen Lian from going to fulfill his filial duty.

However, the date for the coronation ceremony had already been set for January 1st of next year. With only a few days left, this matter was more important than anything else.

"I will return as soon as possible, and I will make sure the enthronement ceremony is not delayed!" Shen Lian waved his hand. The officials had no choice but to agree.

"Xuewen, hurry up and prepare the train. We need to leave as soon as possible!" Shen Lian immediately instructed Shen Xuewen. Fortunately, there is now a railway, making travel to and from Shandong much faster.