The particle 之
The particle 之 is the same as the particle 的, but it is used in literary language.
How to use it
The particle 之 
is common in literary Chinese. It is used in two ways: to indicate possession and to combine with a determiner.
is common in literary Chinese. It is used in two ways: to indicate possession and to combine with a determiner.
Using a determiner with 之
If a determiner consists of two or more characters, the particle 之 is placed between the determiner and the defined word.
Scheme
determiner
之
defined word
A determiner can be expressed by a word, a phrase and or a whole sentence.
Examples
供应的菜肴之丰盛
An abundance of food is served
gōngyìng de càiyáo zhī fēngshèng
所购之物不合意
All of the purchased items do not meet the requirements
suǒ gòu zhī wù bù héyì
他认识她，但未过肌肤之亲
He knew her, but he never had a close relationship with her
tā rènshi tā, dàn wèi guò jīfū zhī qīn
Using a possessive form with 之
The particle 之 is used to indicate,whom an item belongs to. This particle is placed after pronouns, nouns and names.
Scheme
whose
之
who/what
Examples
老舍之小说
Lao She’s tale
lǎoshě zhī xiǎoshuō
景色之美简
the beauty of landscapes
jǐngsè zhī měi
我们之所失即他们之所得
Our loss is their acquisition
wǒmen zhī suǒ shī jí tāmen zhī suǒdé