The real Bao did not have a black face or a crescent, but these things were created to show his selflessness and integrity.

But qualities of uprightness can also be found in the historical records of the time.

When he was an official who was responsible for supervising others, he was just and stern and even impeached prime minister Song Xiang, an uncle of emperor Zhao Zhen's concubine, Zhang Yaozuo and many other high officials.

According to the guide, a Lord Bao Temple can also be found in Zhaoqing, in South China's Guangdong province and Kaifeng, in Central China's Henan province, where Bao once worked. A 1,000 years may have passed, but Bao is still remembered for his integrity.

wangru1@chinadaily.com.cn