Minister in late Qing Dynasty, salt reformer. Xianfeng three years (1853), 33-year-old Ding Baozhen was admitted as a scholar. Since then, he has served as editor of imperial academy Jishi Shu, magistrate of Yuezhou, magistrate of Changsha, governor of Shandong and governor of Sichuan.
During his tenure as governor of Shandong, he managed the Yellow River flood, founded Shandong Machine Manufacturing Bureau, the first government-run industrial enterprise in Shandong, and founded Shangzhi Academy and the first government-run bookstore in Shandong. During his ten years as governor of Sichuan, he has made outstanding achievements in reforming salt policy, managing bureaucracy, repairing Dujiangyan water conservancy project, establishing westernization to resist foreign aggression, benefiting Sang Zi and winning the hearts of the people.
During his official career, Ding Baozhen was brave, upright and upright, serving the country all his life and loving the people. In the 12th year of Guangxu (1886), Ding Baozhen died at the age of 66. Prince posthumous title of the imperial court, posthumous title "Wencheng", entered the immortal shrine and built shrines in Shandong, Sichuan and Guizhou. ?
Ding Baozhen's evaluation:
Ding Baozhen, he is honest, brave and has a strong sense of responsibility and mission. Politically, he advocated reform, carried out the New Deal, strengthened border defense and resisted foreign aggression. Economically, he advocates opening up, promoting trade and promoting modernization. Culturally, he advocated education, new learning and training talents.
Ding Baozhen's contribution is manifold. During his tenure as governor of Sichuan, he made important contributions to the development of Sichuan by rectifying official administration, reforming salt affairs, establishing a new army and defending the frontier. The Westernization Movement and Self-improvement Movement led by him promoted the modernization of China.
Generally speaking, Ding Baozhen is a visionary and courageous politician and reformer. His thoughts and contributions had a far-reaching impact on China's modernization process. He is a historical figure worthy of our respect and study.