Ding Baozhen And Local People's Well-being (1867-1886)

Ding Baozhen is a provincial governor of late Qing Dynasty, who is one of most famous Local Governors and Grand Coordinators. When he was in his office in Shandong province and Sichuan province, he worked heartily for people earnestly and industriously and his contribution for the development of those two provinces was honored by the natives. Being centered on the aspects of People's well-being, this article is to discuss how to resolve the issues of People's well-being by Ding on the basis of his main achievements in Shandong and Sichuan.This article is mainly divided into four parts:The first one mainly narrates the reasons why Ding had concern about people's well-being: traditional feudal education, grim social reality and influence of Fan Zhongyan, and these factors made Ding experience people's lives and care for people's hardnesses.The second part mainly narrates that Ding and people's well-being of Shandong province. He set out remedying the damages by wars and making the people's living; having harnessed the Burst of the Yellow River, he tried to alleviate the pains caused by the flood; and he himself visited the disaster areas to get to know the practical situation of calamity, and relieved the burdens of victims.The third part mainly narrates that Ding and people's well-being of Sichuan province. Facing the deteriorating situation of Sichuan province, by seriously dealing with corruption of administration of local officials, he attempted to change the bad social morality. The reform of Salt Policy led by Ding not only increased the revenue, but it also decreased the price of salt in the local markets. Furthermore, he paid attention to agricultural development and peasant's bread and butter.The last part of this article shows the features of the Ding's policy about people's well-being, such as surveying himself the local areas, being good at making best use of personnel and his justice and impartiality, so these features above are of importance for his success.In conclusion, Ding Baozhen is an influential and brilliant provincial governor, who did lots of good things for local population and relieved their burden during holding his office in Shandong and Sichuan.