Zhang Xianzhong was a Chinese rebel leader during the late Ming dynasty, known for his violent campaigns in Sichuan province. The slaughter of Sichuan refers to the mass killings and destruction that occurred under his command from around 1644 to 1646.
Several factors contributed to Zhang Xianzhong's extreme actions:
1. **Desperation and Survival:** Zhang Xianzhong rose to prominence in a period of great instability, marked by the collapse of


