As a keyword of commentaries and creative writings or as the title of anthologies, the word qing-zhong [sentimental people] has been ubiquitous in the Late Ming Dynasty. This article uses different approaches to discuss qing-zhong as a metaphor and concept, scrutinizing writings of Zhang Qi of Wu-Lin [martial world] when examining works of Zhang's contemporaries, Meng Cheng-Shun in Zhejiang and Song Cun-Biao in Jiangsu. With the ambiguity of the word, the author analyzes the cultural elements it relates to, and attempts to make a contribution to the diversity of studies on literature and thought of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.