The article is devoted to the consideration of how Taoism, its history, as well as the role of Taoist clerics in relation with the supreme power are depicted in the official work of the Confucian author. The article takes into account the specific circumstances of the appearance of this work and reveals their historical context. The most important circumstance that led to its appearance was that the founders of the Tang Empire raised their family to Lao-zi, who during this period began to be considered by a part of the Taoists, as well asby representatives of the educated class as the founder of Taoism. The analysis of the work shows that the image of Taoism created by the author is based on the classical heritage, practically without the involvement of material taken from Taoist authors, but with the active involvement of ancient Taoist literature, which was also part of the classical heritage. The Taoists are regarded exclusively as interpreters of signs, but their teaching is equated with the teaching of the sages, that is, as a teaching close to Confucianism.