Empress Dowager Liang announces in 150 that she is retiring and returning imperial authority to Emperor Huan.

Later this year, she dies.

Emperor Huan then honors his mother as an empress dowager.

However, Liang Ji remains powerful—and perhaps even more powerful than before, without his sister curbing his power.

He becomes increasingly violent and corrupt, stamping out all dissent with threats of death.

He even expels his humble and peace-loving brother Liang Buyi from the government.