What was an intellectual novel?

Many editors said that China only had popular literature and no intellectual novels. Even a professor like Yi Zhongtian wrote popular works.
What is an intellectual novel? Is there a strict concept?
10 more points if no satisfactory answer is given by January 7th.

Answer 1

An intellectual novel is a novel that mainly describes the life, thoughts, and feelings of an intellectual. It usually has profound ideology and unique aesthetic value, but it also often pays attention to social reality and human destiny. The intellectual novels often explored human nature, morality, culture, history and other aspects and attempted to present the answers to these questions through literary works. In China, intellectual novels are usually regarded as one of the important branches of traditional literature and modern literature, and also an important part of the treasure house of Chinese literature.