Zhou Yuanli (1706-1782), whose style name is Bingzhong, was born in Lili Town. His hometown is Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. In the third year of Qianlong (1738), he became the candidate in the highest imperial examination and was appointed as the mayor of Li city in Hebei Province. He then became the mayor of Tianjin. In the thirty-sixth year of Qianlong, he was appointed as the governor of Shandong as well as the governor-general. During his working days, he dredged Tianjin Yongding River, Ziya River, and built the fiveriver gates of Jinmen. In the forty-five years of Qianlong, he was promoted to the highest official rank and be appointed as the minster of construction ministry. Qianlong is very fond of Zhou Yuanli because he is very careful and hard-working.
