Ding Baozhen (1820-1886) was born in Niuchang Town, Pingyuan, Guizhou Province (now zhijin county, Bijie City, Guizhou Province). Minister of late Qing Dynasty, salt reformer. In the third year of Xianfeng (1853), 33-year-old Ding Baozhen was admitted as a scholar. Since then, he has served as Jishi Shu, editor of the Imperial Academy, 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 Machinery Manufacturing Bureau, the first government-run industrial enterprise in Shandong, and established Shangzhi Academy and the first official bookstore in Shandong. During his career as an official, Ding Baozhen was brave, honest and upright, and devoted all his life to serving the country and loving the people. In the 12th year of Guangxu (1886), Ding Baozhen died at the age of 66. The imperial court posthumously presented Prince Taibao, posthumous title "Wen Cheng", and entered the Temple of Immortals, and built shrines in Shandong, Sichuan and Guizhou.

Ding Baozhen's anecdote: kung pao chicken

Kung Pao Chicken was originally called kung pao chicken, and this dish was invented by Ding Baozhen. It is said that Ding Baozhen has a good knowledge of cooking, and likes to eat chicken and peanuts, especially spicy food. When he was governor of Sichuan, he created a delicious dish which was made of diced chicken, red pepper and peanuts. This road was originally Ding Jia's "private kitchen", but later it became more and more widely known.

The so-called "Gong Bao" is actually the honorary title of Ding Baozhen. In recognition of his achievements, the Qing court posthumously presented the "Prince Taibao". "Prince Taibao" is one of the "palace treasures", so the dish he invented was named "kung pao chicken", which is also a memorial to him. Times have changed. Many people don't know what "Gong Bao" is, so they take it for granted that "kung pao chicken" is written as "Kung Pao Chicken". Although it is a word difference, it has changed the original intention of commemorating Ding Baozhen.

Reference to the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-Ding Baozhen