Following Lu Xun’s taxonomy and claim, many modern literary historians have regarded The Scholars (Rulin waishi, c 1750) as China’s first and only satiric novel This paper broadens the definition of satiric novel by reconsidering the appropriate parameters and making them more flexible. I argue for the inclusion of a number of novels hitherto excluded from this genre; I include some novels of “admonition,” some novels formerly classified under other categories, and some novels written in the classical language. I also demonstrate that The Scholars is neither the first nor the sole traditional Chinese satiric novel, but is rather one of the many in this genre. Viewed from this fresh perspective, the birth of the Chinese satiric novel should be placed in the Ming (1368-1644). Questioning the rigid generic categories found in so many histories of Chinese fiction, I suggest that multiple listing could conceivably be allowed for some of the novels that are “medley” in subject matter and treatment. A reconsideration of the rationale behind genre-making and a relaxation of rigid classification would allow future critics to broaden their scope to examine more sadly ignored novels, “rediscover” familiar works, trace more influences among novels, and better map out the history of Chinese fiction.