In 210 BC, Qinshihuang died during an inspection tour. His second son, Huhai, succeeded to the throne. He was so cruel that people were in enmity and the society was in a turmoil.

In 209 BC, over 900 poor farmers drafted to guard the boundaries were delayed by rain in Dazexiang - southeast of today's Suzhou in Anhui province, on their posts. According to the harsh Qin laws, they faced the death panalty, and in desperation, led by Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, they killed the officers escorting them, and rose in revolt. This was the beginning in the unified China.

In order to convince people of heavenly determination in their rebellion, they had a piece of silk, on which three characters "King Chen Sheng" were written, put into the belly of a fish. A frontier guard bought the fish, discovering the silk and was greatly suprised. They also had people imitate animals to cry "Da Chu flourishes, King Chen Sheng" to make people more astounded. Chen Sheng impassioned with the remark "Are all the kings and nobles born naturally?" The first great farmer uprising broke out in Dazexiang. Farmers army soon conquered several nearby counties, in no more than a month, army expanded into tens of thousands. Chen Sheng proclaimed himself emperor in Chendi - today's Huaiyang, Henan province, and the name of the state "Zhang Chu". Farmer army marched westward, and moved in Hanguguan Pass in September. When approached the capital of Qin, Xianyang, farmer army expanded several hundred thousand.

The Second Emperor was afraid of their revolt when he learned the army was almost at the gate. It was so urgent that he had to dispatch Zhang Han to defeat the main force by leading several hundred thousands of people who were constructing the Lishan Tombs at the moment. Soon, Wu Guang was killed by one of his soldiers, Chen Sheng was also assassinated by treachery. Although the rebel army was in war for almost half a year, it was finally surpressed.