Originally a religious leader within the Tiandihui, she later had 500 female soldiers under her command.
Born in Qiaoxu, Guixian County, Guangxi Province, her husband was an opium addict, so she was in charge of supporting her family, preparing and selling sweets in the local market.
Tired of corruption and abuse by the authorities, in the fall of 1849 she joined the Red Turban Rebellion (1854–1856) and learned martial arts.
Qiu Ersao decorated her sword with red pompoms.
She died in a confrontation with a local militia in the fall of 1853, when she fell from her horse after being struck by enemy fire.