Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Zhang Xianzhong" in English language version.
In a major research essay, Hu Zhaoxi disputes the common view that Zhang Xianzhong depopulated Sichuan. Many accounts exaggerated the number killed, created a nonexistent massacre, doctored the famous stele of "seven kills", ignored that most of Zhang's victims were Ming nobles, rich landlords, and other "counter-revolutionary" elements, and obscured that Zhang was in the province only three years while South Ming, Qing, and Wu Sangui's armies ravaged the area for twenty-four.
In a major research essay, Hu Zhaoxi disputes the common view that Zhang Xianzhong depopulated Sichuan. Many accounts exaggerated the number killed, created a nonexistent massacre, doctored the famous stele of "seven kills", ignored that most of Zhang's victims were Ming nobles, rich landlords, and other "counter-revolutionary" elements, and obscured that Zhang was in the province only three years while South Ming, Qing, and Wu Sangui's armies ravaged the area for twenty-four.
