 The hostages – which included Bian Zhang, the former Prefect of Xin'an (); and Han Sui, Attendant Official of Liang Province () – were then persuaded to join the rebels' cause.The addition of such reputable and influential men gave the rebellion wider popular support, and the two men were to play more prominent roles in the rebellion as the course of events progressed.The rebels then besieged Zuo Chang's headquarters in the county of Ji (冀; south of present-day Gangu, Gansu).