Tong-cheng group of literatures in Qing dynasty was once commended as "With so many high social ranks notable persons who appear all over the capital. And their literary works are among the best in the world”. In the history of Chinese literature, the general perception on the achievements of Tong-cheng varies. The appraisals are quite different all in all even quite a few with positive remarks, whereas there’re still some with opposing viewpoints. Thus, the value of their literary status deserves to be reviewed and re-examined based on the scholarly concerns. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the representative writers of Tong-cheng from a series of their works and literary creations. All aspects of Tong-cheng’s such as its origin, forerunners and apprentices, spread of collateral branch, development and evolution, as well as its fall into decline were included in the current study through a systematic explorations and investigations.
It started from the extensive search for works from the pioneer, Dai Ming-Shi, and the three progenitors of Tong Cheng: Zeng Guo-Fan of Xiang Xiang faction and Zhang Hui-Yan and Yun Jing of Yang Hu faction…etc., as the primary materials for study. Besides, thoughts from their disciples and apprentices together with expositions of those literati afterwards were served as corroborating evidence. In addition to the quest of ancient books, the plenteous biographies once housed in Academia Historica of Qing Dynasty and bountiful research results since the founding of the Republic of China were also adopted for the research. All these materials are re-evaluated, conducted, compared and analyzed. Every issue discussed was taken with profound analyses and discussions and was studied as special topics while their close interconnections were also covered in-depth.
For tracking back to the origin, the study began with a total recall of the ancient Chinese classical writings of all past dynasties, and outlined the development and course changes of classical genre. Secondly, by sequentially clarified the Tong-cheng's development processes and those literary criticism from various writers. Those with the major influence resembling "The speech is good enough to predominate over the generation” were taken into appreciation and review. Besides, the relationship regarding the inheritance and advancement among them as well as the distinguishing features for each of them were also clarified. Furthermore, the evolution of academic thought of Tong-cheng’s was discussed together with their attitudes and contributions at the moment when the western civilization drifted into the East. Lastly, the spread of Tong-cheng’s literature through the academies of classical learning and the essence of their publications were investigated. With the systematic approach, proper understanding and fair evaluation, it is expected to have given Tong-cheng group an objective and accurate examination for their rise and fall, transitions and status in the history of Chinese literature.