Zhang Jue
The rebellion was led by Zhang Jue (also referred to as Zhang Jiao, known to his followers as the "General of Heaven") and his two younger brothers Zhang Bao (張寶) and Zhang Liang (張梁), who were born in Julu Commandery. The brothers had founded a Taoist religious sect in present-day Shandong. They were healers, usually accepting patients "pro bono" who could not afford to pay them. The brothers saw how the local government abused the peasants through harsh labour and heavy taxes, leaving them overburdened and hungry.