Liu Xiu killed an official and rebelled, proclaiming the restoration of the Han and gathering 7 to 8 thousand locals from the nearby counties in the Chungling Uprising, forming the Red Han Army.
They quickly seized Caiyang County, destroyed three Buddhist temples there, ordered monks to return to secular lives, regulated the evil gentry, and distributed the land of the temples and gentry to the poor farmers.
Thus, many oppressed farmers took the initiative to join the Red Han Army, continuously boosting its size.
Apart from Caiyang County, war also erupted in other counties like Wancheng and Xinye in Nanyang Commandery.
Among them, Li Tong and Deng Yu seized Wancheng, while Liu Xiu's brother-in-law, Deng Chen, in collaboration with the Deng and Yin families, took over Xinye County.
