This study examines the existing research on the compiler, completion year, and comments in “a collection of narratives in literary language”(wenyan xiaoshuo ji), titled “Qing shi lei lüe,” from the Ming Dynasty. Preliminary research on the compiler focuses mainly on the authorship of the novel’s two prefaces (namely, Long Ziyou of Wu and Jiangnan Zhanzhan Waishi). And based on Feng Menglong’s works included in Qing shi and the use of pen names in Feng Menglong’s other works, to explore whether the compiler is Feng Menglong. Research on the year of establishment mainly narrows down the scope of publication time by examining the works collected in Qing shi. The question of comments summarises the current research direction of investigations of Qing shi. The present analysis of the existing research provides a general understanding of the current research on Qing shi and identifies future research topics.