 Within a few weeks, the rebels attacked and captured Yuanya (允吾), the capital of Jincheng Commandery (), making the commandery their main stronghold for rebel operations.The rebels were helped by the fact that the local governor Zuo Chang (), Inspector of Liang Province (), had embezzled the funds allocated for the defence force, making no relief possible.The Grand Administrator Chen Yi () went to the rebels' camp to negotiate for the release of hostages, but the rebels killed him.