The Wen-Zhi Debate had a significant impact on the formation of the core concept of “faithfulness” in traditional Chinese translation theory. A review of the development of traditional Chinese translation theory reveals the evolution of this concept through the viewpoints of representative translators in different historical periods. The development of the core concept of “faithfulness” in traditional translation theory has traversed four key notions, namely, unhewn translation, sincerity and fidelity, similarity in form, and faithfulness. By tracing the origins and evolution of the concept of “faithfulness”, this study aims to offer new theoretical insights for the study of the main thread of traditional Chinese translation discourse.