Chapter 298 Self-Destruction of the Great Wall
After Murong Wuji's rebuttal, Liang Chongli was not willing to be outdone and argued convincingly.

"It is precisely because of the national crisis that severe punishments must be used. Otherwise, how would these soldiers know the majesty of the law? Duan Yihong has been a military commander for many years and was a famous general in Zhaowu. How could he be defeated by a few Li family brats? He is clearly secretly in contact with the Li family and colluding with the Western bandits, otherwise he would never be defeated so easily. Don't forget the Battle of Hulao not long ago. King Lingzhi led only more than 10,000 cavalry and defeated the 100,000 Wagang army like a landslide, and also caused Zhai Rang to drown. It has only been a short time since then, and he was defeated by the Li brothers, and all his elite troops were killed. How can such a great general win the support of the people? If he doesn't know his crime, how can he defend Luoyang?"

Liang Chongli made another impassioned speech, and Murong Wuji knew that now was not the time to argue, so he still had to persuade Murong Yang not to act recklessly.

But Murong Yang turned a deaf ear to Murong Wuji's words.

When Murong Wuji saw this, he felt disappointed, because he knew that Murong Yang really took the words of the man surnamed Liang to heart.

Because what Liang Chongli said actually makes some sense if you think about it.

After all, Duan Yihong was a famous general who had never lost a battle except during the Eastern Expedition.

As for why the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo failed, we have to ask Emperor Zhaowu Murong Ying. At least as one of the main generals of the Eastern Expedition, no ministers or generals in the court ever thought that the failure of the Eastern Expedition to Goguryeo had anything to do with Duan Yihong.

On the contrary, it was the battle that happened not long ago, the Battle of Yingchuan.

When the military strength of the two sides was not much different, Duan Yihong, as the main general, led the Central Army to fight against the Western Army, but suffered a crushing defeat.

If the opponent was Li Yuan, Murong Yang might have found it acceptable. After all, Li Yuan's fame and prestige at that time were far beyond the reach of his sons.

But Duan Yihong, the dignified Prince of Lingzhi and General of the Auxiliary State, had just led 15,000 cavalrymen on a long-distance attack to Hulao Pass and defeated the 100,000-strong Wagang Army in one fell swoop.

After the death of the old Prince of Wei Murong Ding, Duan Yihong actually became the top general in the army.

So after Liang Chongli said this, Murong Yang really felt that Duan Yihong must have let him win, otherwise the brothers of the Li family would definitely not be able to defeat him.

If he hadn't let the enemy win, he would have definitely won the battle in Yingchuan.
After all, even though Li Er had already been famous and powerful throughout the world, Li San and Li Si were also recognized as being proficient in military operations.

But it still couldn't dispel Murong Yang's doubts, and he even became more suspicious.

After waving his hand to let Murong Wuji and Liang Chongli leave, Murong Yang returned to the palace alone and became more and more confused. Finally, he ordered people to invite his cousin Wei Xiaoju.

"Cousin, how about I kill Duan Yihong?"

Wei Xiaoju was stunned. Are you kidding? Who are you going to kill?
"Your Majesty, are you joking?"

Murong Yang shook his head and said, "The defeat of Lingzhi Wang Duan Yihong in Yingchuan is too suspicious. The imperial army is evenly matched with the western bandits. Even if he cannot win quickly, with his military ability, he will surely be able to preserve the army and consume the western army. Instead, he underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly, and was taken advantage of by the Li brothers. This must be because he was concerned about his family there, so he colluded with the western bandits and ruined the army."

After listening to this, Wei Xiaoju was unable to refute.

Because it was the emperor himself who urged Duan Yihong and Lou Jushi to use troops as soon as possible. Now you say that these two veteran generals underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly?

Who was it that sent Murong Wuji to Yingchuan several times to summon the troops and urge them to move forward?
Besides, if Duan Yihong really colluded with the Western bandits, they would have directly sold Luoyang to the Li family. Now the Li family has already entered the city.

Can it still be blocked by Hulao Pass?

You must know that Duan Yihong brought the last of the troops back to Luoyang, which allowed Luoyang to still have some troops and be able to hold on.

But this cannot be said openly, as it would be too disrespectful to the emperor.

Moreover, Murong Yang was stuck in a dead end again, and reason would definitely not make sense at this time.

Therefore, Wei Xiaoju's plan was to appeal to people's emotions, with the emphasis on the fact that Duan Wuda and Duan Wuchen of the Duan family both had a deep friendship with Murong Yang, and General Duan himself had made great contributions and worked hard.

After much persuasion, Murong Yang's murderous intent was finally suppressed.

However, when Murong Yang met with Empress Dowager Wei the next day, the situation changed again. After listening to Murong Yang's words, Empress Dowager Wei actually agreed with Liang Chongli's idea and said something meaningful to him: "Remember, don't ask too many people about what you want to do. Most of them have their own ideas and concerns. Some things must be decided immediately."

After returning to the palace, Murong Yang thought about it and immediately summoned Liang Chongli.

"Minister Liang, I think what you said yesterday makes sense, but Duan Yihong has too much prestige in the court. If you want to kill him, it will inevitably cause opposition from all the court officials. If the news leaks out, it may also cause turmoil in the army. Minister Liang, do you have any careful plans?"

Liang Chongli heard this and immediately bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry too much. I think that although Duan Yihong has a high prestige, he is not in the army at this time, but in Luoyang City. Your Majesty only needs to order his father and son to attack and see you, and then take them down at the palace gate and deal with them immediately. The ministers in the court will have no chance to object if they want to. And Mr. Lou, he and Duan Yihong are old friends, and they should be killed together."

After hesitating for a while, Murong Yang asked Liang Chongli and the former King of Wu Sima Lushun to make preparations. All the people he mobilized were his former confidants when he was the King of Wu.

At this time, Duan Yihong was still lying on the couch at home. He was depressed about the defeat and his health was not very good. After returning to Luoyang, he was in a state of recuperation.

His eldest son Duan Wuchen, who came back with him, brought the medicine over. Duan Yihong frowned after seeing it, "Why are you drinking medicine again? Didn't you drink it this morning?"

Duan Wuchen laughed and said, "We had dinner yesterday, so don't we have to eat today?"

Duan Yihong sat up helplessly upon hearing this, picked up the medicine and drank it in one gulp. Duan Wuchen saw this and hurriedly took the empty medicine bowl and then handed over the water bowl.

Duan Yihong took the bowl of water and rinsed his mouth, then put it aside. Duan Wuchen took a small plate with candied fruit on it.

"Alright, Dalang, stop working. Is there no one to serve you in the mansion? I am a guilty person, waiting for your majesty to decide my fate. You should go back to the army and don't slack off."

Duan Wuchen said: "Aye failed to win the battle, so he is guilty. I also failed to win the battle, so am I not guilty too?"

Duan Yihong smiled helplessly upon hearing this, "Alright, don't try to comfort me. I'm just old and not as healthy as before. I can still withstand this setback. If the Western Army wants to enter Luoyang, they have to ask me for my consent. We won't be unable to defend the city after losing to the young men of the Li brothers in this field battle."

As soon as he finished speaking, a eunuch came to the Duan family and summoned Duan and his son to the palace for an audience.

Duan Wuchen was about to tell the eunuch who had summoned him that his father was not feeling well when he was stopped by Duan Yihong.

"Why would a defeated general still put on airs?"

So the father and son changed their clothes and entered the palace.

When the Duan father and son arrived outside the palace gate, they happened to meet Mr. Lou.

Duan Yihong greeted Mr. Lou, and the two thought that the emperor wanted them to enter the palace to ask for advice on how to defend Luoyang.

The two walked in front and exchanged some ideas as they walked, such as how to defend the eight passes of Luoyang and the defense system of Luoyang City itself. Duan Wuchen listened carefully from behind.
However, they never expected that as soon as the three ministers entered the palace, the palace gate was immediately closed.

Afterwards, Lu Shun and Liang Chongli came out with a team of fifty soldiers and surrounded the three men on the spot. Liang Chongli then announced the charges.

Duan Yihong and Mr. Lou were both very surprised. They had not expected that this time and this place would become their burial place.

Duan Wuchen wanted to step forward and capture Liang Chongli, but was besieged by dozens of armored soldiers.

Although Duan Wuchen was brave and strong, he seized the spear and fought back, stabbing and killing dozens of soldiers in succession, but he was outnumbered and was surrounded and killed. However, before his death, he shouted, "The unjust and incompetent monarch destroyed the Great Wall in the face of the enemy. The Li family will own the world!"

Duan Yihong and Mr. Lou were also hacked to death on the spot.

When the soldiers heard the news, they all cried for the two generals and held private memorial services.

When the Western Army outside Luoyang City heard this, they all celebrated.

(End of this chapter)