They had not engaged in large-scale clashes because they were afraid of the Ouyang troop from the east and the Duanmu troop from the west.
The two troops were observing the clash, and the southern and northern troops both understood that their counterparts from the east and west would never join. Otherwise, the east and west would surely reap the benefits gained from the clash.
After more than a month of prolonged anxiety, almost two months of minor clashes happened. Eventually, the fight came.
This time, after the first gunshot reverberated through the air, Country X was no longer peaceful.
After the war, Country X would likely be reformed into one large country.
Everyone wanted to be the leader governing the entire Country X. However, in order to do so, he had to retain his troops and life.
This led to the current state of deadlock.