what are some good ancient chinese novels?

36 Stratagems of Ancient China.

If you like the Art of War, look up 7 "Seven Military Classics of Ancient China" by Ralf Sawyer. Though the 7 classics also contain The Art of War, it also includes: T’ai Kung Liu-t’ao (Six Secret Teachings), Ssu-ma Fa, Wu-tzu, Wei Liao-tzu, and Huang Shih-kung San-lueh (Three Strategies).

Also look up Sun Bin Military Methods.

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Though all these books are considered Articles of war, not exactly novels. If you are interested in actual novels of China regarding war, Water Margin All men are Brothers, and Three Kingdoms are very famous novels about times of conflict.

The Art of War and the Secret History are not novels, and the Secret History was not written by a Chinese person.

Some of the classic Chinese NOVELS are: The Water Margin (sometimes also titled All Men Are Brothers); the Jin Ping Mei (or The Plum in the Golden Vase); and the Dream of Red Chambers (or Dream of Red Mansions). They aren't all that ancient, but there really aren't many classic novels (as opposed to other kinds of books) from ancient China.

Please learn what the word "novel" means.

Tho not as old as Sun Tzu, take a look at 'The Secret History of the Mongols' (The Secret History of the Yuan Dynasty)