Liu Zhiji's Shi Tong and the Systematization of “Story” Concept: On the Relationship Between Story and History Rising in the Legend of the Tang Dynasty

Liu Zhiji's Shi Tongis a famous historical work as well as the first work with system concept of in China. He conformed to standard with historical narration and negatived the independent position of style, which in fact brought about advance in theory. He classified unofficial history and story into ten, which was for differentiated the style for the first time in history. He summarized the disadvantages of stories, which clearly showed the style characteristics. All these undoubtedly afforded the important theoretical preparations for the rise of style in Tang Dynasty.