A leader of peasant rebellions in the late Ming and early Qing periods. Leading rebel forces amidst the famine and social unrest of the late Ming period, he fought in various regions. In 1643, he captured Wuchang and proclaimed himself "King of the West," and in 1644, he brought Sichuan under his control, establishing the Daxi regime and declaring himself emperor. While mass killings of inhabitants and destruction during his rule over Sichuan are recorded, the number of casualties and the full extent of the damage remain subjects of historical debate. In 1647, he died in battle against Qing forces invading Sichuan.

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