 Chinese literature during the Song period contained a range of many different genres and was enriched by the social complexity of the period . Although the earlier Tang dynasty is viewed as the zenith era for Chinese poetry ( particularly the shi style poetry of Du Fu , Li Bai , Bai Juyi ) , there were important poetic developments by famous poets of the Song era , with the flourishing of the ci form being especially being associated with Song poetry . Song developments in poetry included the works of the social critic and pioneer of the " new subjective style " Mei Yaochen ( 1002 – 1060 ) , the politically controversial yet renowned master Su Shi ( 1037 – 1101 ) , the eccentric yet brilliant Mi Fu ( 1051 – 1107 ) , the premier Chinese female poet Li Qingzhao ( 1084 – 1151 ) , and many others . Although having roots in the Liang dynasty ( 502 – 557 AD ) , and further development during the brief existence of the Southern Tang immediate preceding the Song , the ci form of Chinese poetry found its greatest acceptance and popularity during the Song dynasty , and was used by most Song poets . The high court Chancellor Fan Zhongyan ( 989 – 1052 ) , ardent Neo @-@ Confucian Ouyang Xiu ( 1007 – 1072 ) , the great calligrapher Huang Tingjian ( 1045 – 1105 ) , and the military general Xin Qiji ( 1140 – 1207 ) were especially known for their ci poetry , amongst many others . The great ci poet Li Yu ( who ruled the Southern Tang under the name Li Houzhu ) wrote some of his most famous works during his time as a prisoner at the first Song court , following the demise of his former kingdom : Li Yu is an important transitional figure , sometimes considered to be the first major Song poet , and sometimes acclaimed as the last major Tang poet . 
