Racing Up the Political Ladder: Passing the Civil Service Exam and Turning My Life Around

Li Jin'an had planned to be a laid-back town-level civil servant, but a benefactor came along and changed his life. Since he couldn't lie flat, he might as well make the most of his climb through the ranks.

From building roads and attracting investment to breaking deadlocks and pushing reform, he navigates the space between political maneuvering and ideals, stirring up the world of officialdom as he rises from a low-level functionary.

Life is a game of chess, and once a move is made, there's no taking it back. Officialdom is a game, and the victor takes all.