In a strict sense , the Chinese novels (particular the long ones ) arose rather late. Initially there were myths and legends . Then in the Wei-Jin Southern-Northern Dynasties period there were tales of the supernatural . Then in the Tang Dynasty there were tales of the marvelous . Only in the Song Dynasty did earliest novels in the colloquial language started to appear in China . In the Ming and Qin Dynasties , when the feudal economy was well developed and rudimentary capitalist production started , and when the townspeople class came into being , did the novels flourish and form a mighty current in literature . The novels were a lively and free literary form . The language of the novels was simple and easy to understand , well appreciated by the populace .
The Romance of the Three Kingdoms , The Water Margin and The Pilgrimage to the West were the “three wonderful novels” in the Ming Dynasty .
The “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” was valued as the earliest long Chinese novel written , by Luo Guanzhong based upon the historical book of the “Records of the Three Kingdoms” and popular stories . The novel had a massive scope and a complex plot describing the military , political and diplomatic strifes among the various feudal warlord blocs at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty and throughout the entire Three Kingdoms period . Reading through the novel is as seeing a scroll of historic scenes . The portrayal of the protagonists of the novel , Liu Bei , Zhuge Liang , Guan Yu , Cao Cao , etc ., was excellent . However , the basic inclination of the novel of “affirming Liu Bei and opposing Cao Cao” revealed the feudalist orthodox conception of the writer . And the description of the personalities of the various characters , was somewhat stereotyped .
The “Water Margin” written by Shi Nai’an was based on the background of massive peasant uprising , and told stories of the many outlaw with admiring attitude . Lin Chong rushing to Mount Liang for refuge at a snowy night , Lu Zhishen boxing Zhen Guanxi , Wu Song killing Xi Menqing and Wu Song beating Jiang Mensheng in drunkenness , etc ., all the narrations disclosed the dark side of the feudal society and the reality of “officials driving the people to rebel” . The characters were portrayed 
vividly . The plot and the use of language of the novel attained a very high level .
The “Pilgrimage to the West” was an outstanding romantic work . The whole book was full of superb fantastic tales , such as Monkey King causing havoc in the Heavenly Palace , Pigsy taking wife at Gaolao Village , Monkey King assaulting thrice the White-Bone Ghost , crossing the Flaming Mountain , etc ., which are all lively , unpredictable and thrilling . By way of telling tales of deities and spirits , Wu Chen’en , the writer of the novel , exposed the darkness and corruption of the feudal society and criticized and the social realities . Thus , the novel embodies progressive , profound ideas .
