1500 â `` 1582 ) , courtesy name Ruzhong ( æ å ) , was a Chinese novelist and poet of the Ming Dynasty . 1505 â `` 1580 or 1500 -- 1582 ) , courtesy name Ruzhong ( æ å ) , pen name `` Sheyang Hermit , '' was a Chinese novelist and poet of the Ming Dynasty , best known for being the probable author of one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature , Journey to the West .