Chapter 234: Guangwu Destroys Buddhism and Demons Cause Chaos
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.
Then, they combined forces with Liu Xiu’s Red Han Army, brandishing the banner of "Slay Wang Mang, eradicate Buddhist monks, strike down evil gentry, and restore the Han dynasty," and expanded rapidly across Nanyang like a wildfire.
They were like a spark that instantly set the seemingly prosperous era of the Xin Dynasty ablaze, stirring up turmoil everywhere and prompting the rise of local militia forces all over.
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Liu Xiu’s uprising against Wang Mang and Buddhism resonated throughout the land.
This news reached Wang Mang, who was both furious and panicked because this rebellion was unlike any before.