Abstract: In the Ming Dynasty, Li Dongyang made great achievements in literature and politics, but his action of compromise and retreat under Liu Jin's misuse of imperial power has sparked much controversy. Later generations constructed multiple images of Li based on their political positions and their different motivations. The changes of Li's image throughout history can be viewed in three perspectives: during Li's time, after Li's time and after Ming dynasty. A stylistic examination of the documents that portrayed Li helps to figure out the unique features of these documents and decide on their reliability. A discussion about Li's several controversial topics helps to restore a more accurate historical image of Li.