The Wagang Uprising was one of those first uprisings that occurred in 611. It was led by Zhai Rang, a former low-ranked official in Dongjun county who had been sent to jail due to some crime but was then arbitrarily released by a prison guard named Huang Junhan. After being released, Zhai Rang went to Wagang, a small village and fort on a hill, and stayed there with a group of outlaws and refugees. With great personal charm, Zhai Rang became their leader. In 611, when Zhai Rang learned of the massive peasant uprisings breaking out in Shandong, he decided to follow the trend by establishing the Wagang Army.
