I'm surprised that an article like this does not mention the long history of religious-revolutionary movements in China. Just a few:

0184 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Turban_Rebellion

1351 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Turban_Rebellion

1794 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Lotus_Rebellion

These rebellions usually have a frame story of an ancient way of life founded on people's harmony with nature and one another. Because the government operates at variance with this harmony, the government is not legitimate and must be replaced.

Francis Fukuyama talks at length about the "Mandate of Heaven" concept and its impact on legitimacy in China in his recent books.