Introduction to Zhang Zhidong: Zhang Zhidong (1837-1909), courtesy name Xiaoda, was a Han nationality and a native of Nanpi, Zhili Province (now Nanpi, Hebei Province) in the Qing Dynasty. He called himself Baobing in his later years. From 1867 to 1873, he served as academic administrator of Hubei. From 1874, he served as academic administrator of Sichuan and governor of Shanxi. When the Sino-French War broke out in 1883, he was appointed governor of Guangdong and Guangxi because of his strong advocacy of resistance. In July 1889, he was transferred to governor of Huguang and acted as governor of Liangjiang for many times. In 1906, he was promoted to minister of military aircraft. During his 17 years in charge of Hubei, Zhang Zhidong opened new schools, reformed military and political affairs, and revitalized industry, making Hubei the center of China's late Westernization New Deal. Zhang Zhidong, Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang, and Zuo Zongtang were known as the "Four Famous Officials" of the late Qing Dynasty.