The chronicle of fiction theory in the Ming and Qing Dynasties is not a one-dimensional chronicle of fiction theory itself only, but an overall chronicle of various elements involved in the development of fiction theory. It will deal with the diversity and complexity of the history of fiction theory taking consideration of its historical specificities so that different delineations of the history may be possible. Such a chronolo gization requires a new way to cover a broader theoretical and historical materials than conventionally conceived and break through the boundaries of the historical materials of fiction theory.The paper observes that the evolution of fiction theory in the Ming and Qing Dynasties is not a result of linear influence within the theory itself, but the result of a comprehensive interaction of various factors, such as literati socialization, book production and sales, fiction writing and copying, official decrees and so on. The paper concludes that the chronicle of the fiction theory of the Ming and Qing Dynasties need to examine the inter-influences of the above aspects before presenting a valid and clearer narrative of the history of the fiction theory of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.