More than a year had passed since Dong Zhuo's rebellion was quelled. Peace had gradually returned to the provinces, commanderies, and counties, but those with insight could all see the turbulent undercurrents. Who knew how much baleful qi and killing intent were gathering within them, or when the flames of war would flare up again in an instant, then sweep across the Great Han's thirteen provinces and even all the Xia states?
The former generals of Western Liang had initially trembled with fear and apprehension. Later, realizing that the Feudal Lords across the land had done little to denounce them, they gradually set their minds at ease and began stirring restlessly.
Li Jue and Guo Si occupied the Three Adjuncts, but their ability to govern was utterly abysmal, and their political maneuvering was outrageously poor. As a result, the Dukes and Ministers and aristocratic clans, who had possessed virtually no power, gradually began encroaching on their authority.
Though Li Jue and Guo Si lacked brains, their noses were keen, and they soon became aware of this. Thoroughly alarmed, the two naturally knew nothing of balancing powers, so they chose the classic tyrant's method: wholesale slaughter.
Chang'an and the Three Adjuncts, which had been relatively peaceful, instantly ran with rivers of blood.
The aristocratic clans of Guanzhong fell into utter despair and migrated with their entire clans to Liangzhou, Yizhou, and the Three Rivers.
In an age when aristocratic clans were heaven itself, humble families alone could not supply so many officials. Seventy to eighty percent of Guanzhong's grassroots officials hung up their seals and resigned, bringing the court's administrative apparatus throughout the Three Adjuncts almost to a standstill.
Li Jue and Guo Si naturally cared nothing for any of this. They merely felt that, at last, no one could threaten