It was Beijing’s ruinous salt tax that forced the Sichuanese to use chili peppers to flavor their food. A major source of income was taxing salt. It’s demonic in its evilness. Either pay the sky-high price or have food with no taste. Salt is an important nutrient that is essential in our cells, which is why we are rewarded for consuming it with the sensation of good taste. So they were forced into using peppers, which let’s just be clear here, hurt. The government forced people to hurt rather than eat bland, flavorless food. Demonic.