Abstract: In the Ming Dynasty, Linchuan, in addition to Suzhou, Nanjing, and Hangzhou, is another important center of drama where Tang Xianzu is the core. The center formed around a family with remote village communities and the members include Xie Tingliang, Shuai Ji, Wu Shizhi, Zeng Ruhai, Zheng Zhiwen and Xu Fenpeng. These writers have different degree of social contact with Tang Xianzu, and tend to have similar creation and thought. It is reasonable to consider the Linchuan drama group during the period of the late Ming dynasty as an independent genre of drama. More importantly, to explore the activities of these dramatists from the perspectives of dramatic ecology and literary geography is of special significance for remapping these dramatists' genealogy and geographical affiliation and therefore for revaluating Tang's achievement and status in history of drama.

Key words: Tang Xianzu, Linchuan School, Drama in the late Ming Dynasty, genealogy of dramatists