Monday, September 8, 2008

Li Jue (Three Kingdoms)

Li Jue was a military general under the warlord Dong Zhuo during the Three Kingdoms era of China. He took command of Dong Zhuo's army after the latter was assassinated by Lü Bu, and with the help of Fan Chou, Guo Si, and Zhang Ji he managed to take control over Chang'an, and secure power within the Imperial Court.

Like his predessesor, Li Jue bullied the emperor and abused his power in the court. He managed to scare the emperor into giving him the titles of General of the Chariots and Cavalry, Lord of Chiyang, Commandand of the Capital Districsts and was granted the battle axe of military authority.

After defeating the western army of Ma Teng and Han Sui by starvation, Li Jue and Guo Si began bickering over the issue of Li Jue and Guo Si's wife having an affair. They began fighting inside the city, with each killing thousands of soldiers and civilians. After a year of fighting, the two were finally put at ease when Li Jue received the rank of Regent General.

After moving the capital back to the ruins of Luoyang, Cao Cao marched on Li Jue on a secret Imperial Decree and defeated him. Li Jue and Guo Si ran into the western mountains and began to live as bandits and died later at the hands of their own followers.

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