包拯自39岁重登仕途直至64岁病逝,其间仕宦26年,任职多次变化,主要职掌过地方守臣、御史、谏官、三司官、监司官、军政官等。职掌内容涉及地方和京师军政、中央监察、谏诤、财政、军政等。他在宋代的人格特征是清廉刚正,主要表现在直言敢谏、公正严明、关心民众、廉洁自律诸方面,由此赢得朝野人士的普遍尊敬,当时人便敬称他为“包公”。胡适认为民间传说中 Bao Zheng from 39 years old re-enrolled until his 64-year-old died, during which official career 26 years, serving many changes, the main occupation over the local courtiers, Censor, remonstration officer, three sergeant, supervisor officer, military officer and so on. Competent areas involving the capital and the Beijing Military Region, the Central Supervision, remonstrance, finance, military administration and so on. His personal character in the Song Dynasty was honest and fair, which was mainly manifested in respecting respect and impartiality, being fair and impartial, caring for the public, and self-discipline and self-discipline. All of these won the universal respect of the ruling and opposition parties. Hu Shi believes folklore