The compiling style of the traditional Chinese legal code had come through many reformations. From Qin, Han dynasty to Northern and Southern Dynasty, Lu (律) was given first place and Lin (令) was given assist place. In Sui, Tang and Five dynasties, mainly in accordance with Ge (格), Shi (式), and. This was the first significant reformation. The Xing Tong (刑統) was for the most part and the Bian Chi (編敕) was secondary from Later Zhou to Song dynasty. This was second reformation. In Yuan, Ming and Ch'ing dynasty, Lu (律) was in chief and Li (例) was less important. This could consider as third reformation.
In the middle Tang dynasty, a brand-new compiling style of legal code-the Kai Yuan Lu lin Shi Lei (開元格式律令事類) had appeared. This could be considered as predecessor of The Xing Tong. After that there were several legal codes, such as the Da Chung Xing Lu Tong Lei (大中刑律統類). And then appeared the Da Zhou Xing Tong (大周刑統) and the Song Xing Tong (宋刑統). The compiling style of The Xing tong had formed gradually. The Da Zhou Xing Tong played a critical role in the develop process of traditional legal history. There are fifteen imperial edicts dated back to July 7th in 958. All these edicts should be record on The Da Zhou Xing Tong and show imperial power rose in Shi Emperor in Later Zhou dynasty.
