A Highly Intelligent, Strategic Prince in a Historical Novel Like The Nation-Founding Prince Consort 高智商，高谋略，历史文，如镇国驸马爷，的皇子

1. 51 寒 The Scholar from a Poor Family 寒门状元 Gentleman of the Green Mountain青山君子Historical2.1M WordsOngoing After transmigrating into the family of a common farmer, Ye Xuanmo arrives just as his paternal cousin passes the imperial examination. To revitalize the clan, his cousin invites a teacher to the family to educate the children. In an age when “all trades are base, and only studying is noble,” Ye Xuanmo wants nothing more than to pass the exams and change his family’s circumstances… 3.4kReads8.9Score314Shelves

   Reader note

   No need to say more

2. 52 大 The Great Zhou Order: I Became Famous Across the Land by Copying Poems from the Start 大周令：开局抄诗就名扬天下 A Peerless Beauty from the South南方有佳人绝世Eastern Fantasy1.1M WordsCompleted After his soul transmigrates into the body of a low-ranking county magistrate in the Great Zhou, he copies a poem famous throughout the ages from the start, triggering a celestial phenomenon and slaying the invading enemies. The ancient greats of Earth are terrifyingly powerful. The Great Zhou Dynasty spans a vast territory, and its foreign tribes are powerful. This world is home to Confucianism, Buddhism, martial arts, Daoism, immortal sects, demons, and the supernatural. Confucian cultivators 18.3kReads8.8Score1.1kShelves
3. 53 中 Party Struggles Throughout Chinese History 中国历代党争 Wang Tongling王桐龄Historical151k WordsCompleted Chinese Factional Struggles Through the Ages is a history of power struggles between factions, between factions and imperial authority, and between individuals. Using strategy as its thread and history as its fabric, it recounts a host of tangled stories. Covering three thousand years of factional strife, from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods through the Qin, Han, Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, the book details major events, rises and falls, triumphs and humiliations, and 296Reads7.7Score100Shelves
4. 54 布 A Commoner Conquers the Nine Provinces 布衣镇九州 Cai Bibi菜比比Historical2.3M WordsCompleted Zhao Ce transmigrates to the Ming Dynasty, becoming an impoverished scholar with a terrible reputation. He also discovers that he borrowed money to get married, then squandered it all, and ended up buying a pitiful little cripple on the way back to make up the numbers. The little cripple has mismatched eyes and is treated like a monster. Zhao Ce: What kind of miserable life is this? A disastrous start? But when he takes another look at the little cripple, so tiny and thin, blinking those big eye 25.9kReads9.2Score2.7kShelves
5. 55 岳 The Legend of Yue Fei 岳飞传 Lord of the Pearl-Returning Tower还珠楼主Historical161k WordsCompleted A historical epic novel by Huan Zhu Lou Zhu. Based on the life of Yue Fei, the famous Southern Song general who fought against the Jin, it begins with Yue Fei learning martial arts as a boy and vowing to serve his country. It vividly depicts how he formed the Yue Family Army, fought the Jin forces, and won one victory after another, until he was framed by treacherous officials and met a tragic end. The novel celebrates his unwavering loyalty and devotion to his country. 884Reads9.6Score—Shelves
6. 56 崇 Chronicles of the Chongzheng Era 崇正风云录 Three-Call Cat三叫猫Ancient Romance261k WordsCompleted [Multiple male leads | Political intrigue and passion | An ensemble cast in an ancient setting] The usually gentle emperor thundered, “Between you and this imperial robe stands I. Between you and me stands death.” Amid the mountains of power and seas of desire, they are now beset on all sides… The shrewd prince hides his blade up his sleeve, confident of victory. The emperor’s younger brother, whose origins are unknown, consumes him in bed, his true nature impossible to discern. The young mast 6Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   I recommend this fictional political intrigue novel; it gets better gradually and is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

7. 57 大 Great Formless Temple 大无相寺 Three-Call Cat三叫猫Mystery130k WordsCompleted [Urban | Mystery | Crime | Cunning Protagonist | Revenge | Villain] Beneath Chongqing’s neon lights, the rain falls harder and harder… A corpse resurfaces, the wealthy hide their filth, and everyone is drawn into the game… A refined, low-key gentleman controls the killings; a taboo-shunning assassin kills at every turn; a powerful man with unusual appetites hides a blade behind his smile; a beautiful stepmother advances one calculated move at a time; and a figure lurking high above keeps their —Reads—Score—Shelves
8. 58 大 The Glory of Great Qin 大秦荣耀 Zeng Weibing曾畏冰Historical366k WordsCompleted The Qin swept across the six states, its iron cavalry unmatched beneath the heavens. Are nobles really born to rule? Is a hero defined by the law, or by martial prowess? Which is more righteous, the individual or the collective? The Qin rose through the rule of law and fell when it abandoned the law. Its rise was swift, and its fall sudden... Several Legalist thinkers shaped the rise and fall of the dynasty; countless wandering knights debated right and wrong. Though now the subject of idle talk 893Reads9.5Score108Shelves

   Reader note

   These are all good books that I painstakingly found during my reading slump. I personally don't like mindless wish-fulfillment novels, so these are more suitable for readers who appreciate truly traditional novel writing.

9. 59 漕 The Ancient Canal Town 漕运古镇 Wang Zifu王梓夫Historical315k WordsCompleted This is a full-length novel and a fine example of Beijing-style fiction. The Canal Town is the major work of renowned author Wang Zifu, who has spent years devoted to researching canal transport culture and has made significant achievements in the field. It is a companion novel to Canal Wharf. The canal town is both a wharf for canal transport on the Grand Canal linking Beijing and Hangzhou and a martial-world port where various factions vie for territory. Its colorful stories turn the town into 190Reads9.4Score—Shelves
10. 60 大 Great Qin: I Became a Butcher, and the First Emperor Begged Me to Stop Killing 大秦：化身人屠，祖龙求我别杀了 The Five Black Categories黑五类Historical1.1M WordsCompleted [Conquering new lands] [Improving people’s livelihoods and technology] [Ruthless and decisive] After transmigrating to the time when Ying Zheng had just ascended the throne, E Fu discovered that his strength increased dramatically once every year. Thus, the Great Qin gained a god of slaughter even more ruthless than Bai Qi, the Lord of Wu’an! He killed Lao Ai, wiped out Lü Buwei, and swept across the Six Kingdoms, always charging at the very front! Known as Great Qin’s honey badger, he spent eve 859Reads8.8Score224Shelves

    Reader note

    The novel opens cleanly and concisely, immediately immersing the protagonist in the complex political environment of the Qin Dynasty. The protagonist, acting as a "living Yama" (a powerful and influential figure), handles government affairs and fiercely battles various factions. The plot is tightly woven, with each event linked to the next. The thrilling palace coups and the tense crisis of border wars constantly captivate the reader, drawing them into the story. This novel is unique, beginning with the protagonist's time travel to become Cao Ang and "intercept the Zou family," breaking away from traditional Three Kingdoms narratives. Within the well-known framework of Three Kingdoms history, it focuses on the less explored Cao Ang, altering his key experiences to create a completely new storyline and a distinctive perspective on the Three Kingdoms. The author breaks free from the constraints of the original work, re-planning the development of Liangshan from the perspective of a reborn individual, aiming to build the strongest lineup. The reborn protagonist, familiar with the original work, meticulously plans and works with the Liangshan heroes to overcome various challenges. This highly creative work integrates modern elements into a Stone Age setting, opening the story with the dramatic plot of "accidentally taking the school beauty to the Stone Age," breaking the conventional tropes of time travel and providing a completely new reading experience.

11. 61 兴 The Rise and Fall of Empires 兴亡云烟事 Wood and Stone Cube木石立方Historical1.1M WordsCompleted This alternate-history novel sets out to offer a sweeping portrayal of warfare in the age of cold weapons. At a time when six kingdoms stand against one another, a low-ranking general from a small state survives and grows stronger amid endless campaigns. Heroes rise on every side, battles break out across the land, and kingdoms rise and fall as men chase fame and glory. Mount up, take your blade, and fight alongside your brothers to conquer all directions and unite the realm. Save the people fro 193Reads—Score—Shelves
12. 62 穿 Transmigrating as Cao Ang: Dad, Stop Calling Me Your Founding Master 穿越曹昂：老爹，别叫我祖师爷 Jiang Buche姜不车Historical500k WordsOngoing After transmigrating, Cao Ang finds himself in Wancheng, where his father Cao Cao has already brought Zou Shi home by force. Cao Ang is at his wit's end... With danger closing in, Cao Ang has no other choice but to step forward and roar, “Father, stand back! I'll handle this!” Cao Cao: “My dear Zixiu, what a dutiful son you are!” Dian Wei: “Don't worry, Young Master. I'll protect you!” 43.7kReads9.2Score8.7kShelves
13. 63 徐 The Chronicles of Lord Xu: The Beacon Fires of Dunhuang 徐公记之敦煌传烽录 Ji Yufeng纪玉峰Historical598k WordsCompleted Historical mystery, not fantasy. This is a historical mystery novel set during the Zhou dynasty under the rule of Wu Zetian. It is divided into three parts: The Shadow of Dunhuang, Turmoil in Kucha, and Looking East to Chang'an. As fierce fighting rages in the northwest, General Pei Rugui, whom Wu Zetian sent to inspect Longyou Circuit, vanishes without a trace. The virtuous minister Xu Gong (Xu Hongmin, courtesy name Yougong), now retired to the countryside, receives an imperial order to lead D 210Reads8.2Score—Shelves
14. 64 水 Water Margin: Reborn, Who'd Still Accept an Imperial Pardon? 水浒：都重生了，谁还招安啊！ Han Yu寒羽Historical3.3M WordsCompleted Trade height for insight from the start! Ren Yuan transmigrates into a minor character in Water Margin, determined to forge his own legend in the martial world at the end of the Northern Song dynasty! Wherever the banners of the Liangshan army fly, the land belongs to the Han people! I’ll save the people the Great Song won’t save, and fight the enemies the Great Song won’t dare to fight! Jin Wushu: Ren Yuan, stay away from me! 66.5kReads9.1Score5.3kShelves
15. 65 大 Great Qin: Fusu Never Kneels, Threefold Pupils Rule the World 大秦：扶苏绝不跪，三重瞳定乾坤 Chang'an of the Ruins归墟长安Historical398k WordsOngoing A forged imperial edict from the Dune of Shaqiu orders Fusu to die. Fusu refuses to kneel. He splashes a cup of wine in the envoy’s face, awakening his three pupils on the spot! The red pupil commands war, and 300,000 cavalry bow to his will. The green pupil sees through schemes, exposing at a glance the plot Zhao Gao spent three years devising. The brown pupil brings resolve: atop the palace tower in Xianyang, Fusu no longer stands alone. With the Jiuyuan cavalry at his command, Fusu immediat 3Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A forged imperial edict ordering his execution at Shaqiu arrived, but Fusu refused to kneel, even unto death! He threw wine and tore silk in court, his three pupils suddenly awakening—red pupils commanded slaughter, commanding the obedience of ten thousand armies; green pupils excelled in deduction, turning the tide of battle; brown pupils held benevolence, winning the hearts of the people. Commanding 300,000 iron cavalry from Jiuyuan, he rose in rebellion against the edict, marching south. Zhao Gao cut off the grain supply? He opened up the salt and iron mines, filling the national treasury. Zhang Han led an army to besiege him? A banquet, a three-day agreement, and he subdued his enemies without a fight. His iron cavalry trampled Xianyang, purging the eunuch faction and imprisoning the incompetent ruler. He drove back the Xiongnu in the north, pacified the Baiyue in the south, and forged the eternal spirit of Qin. The story is ready to be devoured; there's no frustrating part, so jump right in! 👉 Click to see Fusu defy fate and rewrite the ending of the Qin Dynasty's demise!

16. 66 南 Love on the Antarctic 南极绝恋 Wu Youyin吴有音Urban88k WordsCompleted Antarctica. A plane crashes, and after the disaster, only Wu Fuchun, the owner of a wedding-planning company, and Jing Ruyi, a physicist who studies high altitudes, survive. Carrying Ruyi, whose leg is injured, Fuchun crosses six mountain ranges until they find an apple-shaped shelter where they can take refuge. Their struggle to survive in Antarctica begins: endless snow and ice, skuas that fear no humans, and the apple shelter’s supplies and food sources slowly running out... In an extremely h 5.2kReads9.8Score761Shelves
17. 67 三 Three Kingdoms: The Cavalry King 三国之骠骑国君 A Lone Moon Shines Upon the Cold Pool显一轮孤月射寒潭Historical514k WordsCompleted [A Note to Readers (Content Warning): This is not a power fantasy or a harem story. Transmigrating is like taking an open-book history exam: you can still fail~~Some say, “If you can copy the answers, how could you still get them wrong?” Others think open-book exams are the hardest ones to ace…] The great sage holds his mirror high, And hears the palace bells resound. He keeps his principles, casts Qin’s mirror aside, And sets Chu’s bow among the orchids and reeds. The Yue girl’s song fades int 749Reads8.2Score112Shelves

    Reader note

    Above-average IQ, historical text, comments welcome!

18. 68 表 Rejected After Confessing My Love, I Transmigrate to the Primitive Era with the Campus Belle 表白被拒，校花跟我穿越原始时代 Jinx's Fishbone金克斯的鱼骨头Historical1.3M WordsCompleted Just after Chen Feng gets rejected while confessing his love, he and four campus beauties transmigrate to a desert region in a primitive world. But what's so appealing about campus beauties when you can farm? Starting from a small oasis in the desert, he ventures out to conquer the primitive tribes at the source of a great river. He crafts all kinds of tools and weapons by hand, domesticates livestock, and begins farming. Armed with superior weapons, he heads east, conquering the tribes along th 1.3kReads8.6Score103Shelves
19. 69 雍 Emperor Yongzheng: The Nine Princes' Struggle for the Throne 雍正皇帝·九王夺嫡 Er Yuehe二月河Historical364k WordsCompleted A major work by Er Yuehe, hailed as “a milestone in twentieth-century historical novels about Qing emperors.” An authoritative, vivid historical novel that enlightens and inspires. 1.1kReads9.5Score118Shelves
20. 70 龙 Dragon Hidden in the Nine Heavens: The Ninth Prince's Comeback 龙潜九天：九皇子的逆袭 Dark Messenger暗黑使者Historical501k WordsCompleted Tang Yi. In his previous life, he was a top Chinese special forces soldier known by the codename "Lone Wolf," skilled in hand-to-hand combat, firearms, tactics, reconnaissance, infiltration, psychology, and even basic first aid and wilderness survival. He was tough, calm, and decisive, but also had his own principles and limits. After transmigrating, he becomes Tang Yi, the useless Ninth Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty. Follow the protagonist as he rises to become emperor in a royal court rife w 3.6kReads8.1Score401Shelves

    Reader note

    Luck is the effect, preparation is the cause; everything has a cause and effect.

21. 71 雍 Emperor Yongzheng: The Carved Bow and the Celestial Wolf 雍正皇帝·雕弓天狼 Er Yuehe二月河Historical385k WordsCompleted This is the second volume in the historical novel series The Yongzheng Emperor. After the nine princes vie for the throne, Yongzheng wins by a narrow margin, and the Forbidden City welcomes a new emperor. But the trees may long for peace while the wind refuses to die down: danger still lurks inside and outside the imperial city, from the capital to the far south. The Eighth Prince’s faction is not yet truly defeated, and its members press aggressively to seize power. General Nian Gengyao, comman 413Reads9.5Score—Shelves
22. 72 让 They Sent You to the Palace as a Spy, Not to Flirt with the Empress 让你进宫当卧底，没让你去撩女帝 King's Hunter王者猎人Eastern Fantasy3.5M WordsCompleted Fantasy power fantasy + lighthearted + guaranteed sweetness + no frustrating plot twists + no angst + no dragging things out + no do-gooder heroine + invincible Leng Huainian's soul transmigrates into the Crown Prince of Qinglan. He thinks he's reached the pinnacle of life, only to find himself in a hellish situation from the start: his country has fallen, his family is gone, his father is dead, and he's being hunted. How does it feel to be sent into Weiyang Palace as a eunuch while the woman yo 44.2kReads9.0Score4.1kShelves

    Reader note

    A harem novel with Cao Cao as the central figure—a 9.9/10 Masterpiece in my heart! The protagonist, Feng Ling, is unparalleled in his charm and growth. Throughout his adventures, not only does his strength skyrocket until he becomes invincible, but he's also surrounded by beauties, with constant ambiguous relationships. The plot is both sweet and exhilarating—a true favorite! 💖😎✨

23. 73 雍 Emperor Yongzheng: The Waters of Hate Flow East 雍正皇帝·恨水东逝 Er Yuehe二月河Historical425k WordsCompleted A major work by Er Yuehe! Authoritative and vivid, it offers wisdom and insight. A classic contest of wits and lust for power, it has been hailed as “a milestone in twentieth-century historical fiction about the Qing emperors.” The Yongzheng Emperor is a classic work in Er Yuehe’s “Emperors” series. Spanning several decades across the reigns of the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors, it vividly portrays the turbulent life of Emperor Yongzheng. The book is divided into three volumes: Nine P 281Reads9.5Score—Shelves
24. 74 肇 The Founding of Huaxia 肇造华夏 Flowers Bloom Late著花迟Historical9.5M WordsOngoing “Your Highness, please calm down. I only think of her as a younger sister. Don't get the wrong idea.” “How many younger sisters like that do you have?” “Your Highness, you know me. I come from a respectable family!” “Oh? Respectable enough to gather phoenixes and summon luan birds?” “Your Highness, I offer my greetings!” “You heartless man! Why weren't you so courteous when you were pursuing me?” “Your Highness, please mind your image!” “Would you like to be regent?” I'm doomed. I'm surrounded b 27.7kReads8.5Score2.7kShelves

    Reader note

    This is the best-written book I've ever read so far [crying emoji]

25. 75 废 The Useless Prince: Once I Got My Fief, I Stopped Playing It Safe 废物皇子：到了封地就不苟了 Expert at Winning by Doing Nothing躺赢专家Historical556k WordsCompleted [No dragging things out, no padding, quickly takes up his fief, thrilling and hilarious] He transmigrated here two and a half years ago. Now that his power has grown immensely, he can no longer keep a low profile, and he can’t stay in the capital either. His only choice is to move to his fief and build his power there. His fief, Jiuzhou, is a province that has been carved up again and again, abandoned by the imperial court. Yet he arrives without hesitation. From that day on, Jiuzhou rises to pr 5.5kReads8.5Score256Shelves
26. 76 沙 No Way Out of the Sea of Sand 沙海无门 Wu Youyin吴有音Historical96k WordsCompleted In the first year of Jingyou under the Northern Song, east of the Kumtag Desert and west of Dunhuang lay a vast stretch of desert and Gobi known since the Tang Dynasty as the Great Calamity Ghost Mire. Zhang San, a Song soldier, flees westward. All he wants is to earn enough money to go home, buy five mu of poor farmland, and live an ordinary life with his wife and children. But fate brings him face-to-face with Li Yuanhao, the fallen founder of Western Xia. Two men, one horse, a waterskin, and 635Reads9.5Score117Shelves
27. 77 枌 The Grass and Trees of Fengyu Grow Tall 枌榆草木长 Ni Ergou倪二狗Historical2.6M WordsCompleted [Signed for print publication: ensemble cast + rival nations vying for supremacy + political intrigue and strategy + patriotism and national pride + original poetry + memorable supporting characters] [This is a fictional setting, and some historical references should not be taken as fact. This is not a mindless wish-fulfillment story. The plot is carefully developed, the logic is rigorous, and the cast and scope are large. There is no System or golden finger. There are no brainless villains or c 24.2kReads8.9Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    It meets all your requirements; this is definitely a good book.

28. 78 穿 Transmigrating to Great Yan: Starting as the Useless Seventh Prince 穿越大炎，从废物七皇子开始 Cao Yueban曹月半Historical3.0M WordsCompleted After transmigrating as a good-for-nothing prince, Qin Zheng puts all kinds of advanced knowledge to clever use as he contends with the various powers. One day, he will rise to the pinnacle of the world, sleep with beauties at his side, and wield all power over the realm! 3.3kReads8.3Score454Shelves
29. 79 朕 I Am Hongli, Building a Golden Age for the Qing Dynasty 朕是弘历打造大清盛世 Third Aunt from the Farm农家三姑Historical1.4M WordsOngoing [Political Intrigue + Harem Rivalries + Factional Strife + Romance + Emperor] Hongli ascended the throne at twenty-five and ruled for sixty years, making him the longest-reigning and longest-lived emperor in history. He governed with diligence, excelling in both civil and military affairs, and led the Qing to the height of its golden age. Yet factional strife raged through the court, conflicts in the deep palace never ceased, and danger lurked behind the splendor. In the end, the golden age ga 15.8kReads8.3Score437Shelves

    Reader note

    That was amazing!

30. 80 我 With My Blood, I’ll Save These Mountains and Rivers 我以我血挽山河 Black-Hearted Little Beaver黑心小海狸Historical1.6M WordsCompleted [Not a Power Fantasy + Slow Burn + Multiple Storylines + No Golden Finger + Passionate Conquest of the Song] At the end of the Northern Song dynasty, Bianjing was under siege, and the realm was falling into enemy hands. After his soul traveled nine hundred years through time, Gu Yuan found himself on the snowy plains outside Bianjing, where he and a band of fleeing soldiers happened to rescue the reborn Princess Zhao Yingluo. Through careful planning at every turn, he rose to become the era’s gr 34.1kReads9.2Score3.4kShelves

    Reader note

    Starting as the son of a salt merchant, he bought his way into the position of councilor, only to find himself besieged by 120,000 Jin troops in Bianjing. Through sheer passion and resourcefulness, he carved out his own path to success…

31. 81 慈 Empress Dowager Cixi and Her Three Favored Eunuchs 慈禧皇后与她的三个宠爱太监 Farmer Third Young Master农家三少Historical3.7M WordsCompleted [Eunuchs + Palace Secrets + Empress Dowager Cixi + Court Intrigue] From the time Empress Dowager Cixi entered the palace to the day she ruled from behind the curtain, she shared an unusual relationship with three eunuchs: An Dehai, Li Lianying, and Xiao Dezhang. They were like master and servants, like friends, and more than anything, like old companions. She doted on the three eunuchs, who relied on her favor to do as they pleased, throw their weight around, and take part in court affairs. This 50.2kReads9.0Score3.1kShelves
32. 82 流 The Exiled Prince Builds a Modern Technological Empire 流放皇子，打造现代科技帝国 Fortune Cat's Fish招财猫的鱼Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Synopsis [Alternate history, transmigration, no System, farming, slow burn.] Nothing is more ruthless than the imperial family! In the struggle for the throne, fathers and sons, brothers and sisters turning on each other is commonplace! He is a loser: his father has abandoned him, and his older brother wants him dead! His fief is a living hell, where he must outwit corrupt officials! When you lack power, you can endure humiliation. Once you grow strong, strike decisively! As the saying goes, “A 3.1kReads8.6Score218Shelves
33. 83 十 The Sixteen Kingdoms: The Greatest God of War 十六国：第一战神 Four-Cornered Cat四角猫Historical381k WordsCompleted [Updates promptly every day at 9:00 and 9:10 a.m.] What dynasty came between the Three Kingdoms and the Northern and Southern Dynasties? How devastating was the Uprising of the Five Barbarians? How did the Murong clan rise from a small tribe to dominate the north? How did it fall, and how did it attempt to restore its rule? At thirteen, he was already renowned as the bravest warrior in the army. Through his own efforts, he changed Chinese history several times, earning the title “The Greatest Go 1.2kReads6.5Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    We've seen it during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and the Sui and Tang Dynasties. [Sending hearts][Sending hearts][Sending hearts]

34. 84 废 The Discarded Prince Becomes King 废子为王 I Don't Want Hot Pot不想吃火锅Historical1.1M WordsCompleted The people of the entire city have lost all hope of surviving, and the city’s commander has ordered everyone to die fighting when the walls fall. Just then, a tiger’s roar thunders across the sky. One black flag after another appears on the horizon. “B-black flags! It’s the Seventh Prince! The Seventh Prince is here! We’re saved...” Hold Jin’an at all costs, drive out the Japanese pirates, unify the Central Plains, sweep across the land... 1.2kReads8.9Score162Shelves
35. 85 大 Great Tang: The Two Heroes 大唐：双雄 Four-Cornered Cat四角猫Historical334k WordsCompleted The Tang Empire rose from nothing and went from glory to greatness thanks in no small part to the hard work and bold reforms of Li Yuan and his son Li Shimin. We invite all fellow history enthusiasts to join the two heroes of the Tang Dynasty and explore the thorny road they traveled to build their empire. 66Reads—Score112Shelves
36. 86 冒EN Impostor of the Langya Clan 冒姓琅琊 Eastern Zhou Young Master Nan东周公子南Historical1.6M WordsOngoing (Also known as “The Matter of Me Pretending to Be a Nobleman of the Southern Dynasties”) To transmigrate isn’t a dinner party. It’s a deadly game at every turn. The south is beautiful, yet lofty ambitions often fade away. Since ancient times, the Southern Dynasties have been weak, their heroes short-lived. No golden finger, no System, and no second chance at life. Everything starts from zero! Original owner’s memories: none! Identity: none! Supplies: none! When transmigration becomes reality, ho 497.6kReads9.7Score72.9kShelves

    Reader note

    We've covered the Sixteen Kingdoms, the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and the Sui and Tang Dynasties. 💕💕💕

37. 87 大 Great Ming: Reborn as the Chongzhen Emperor, I Choose to Give Up 大明：开局穿成崇祯，我选择摆烂 Ka Ka Ka Ka Bu卡卡卡卡布Historical513k WordsOngoing (No System!! Not a naive protagonist!! Not a wish-fulfillment novel!! Read at your own risk!! This is a story about Chongzhen transmigrating into the late Ming, firmly rooted in historical fact!! By the time you finish, all you'll feel is pain! So much pain!!!) (Absolutely no System! Don't believe the fake reviews posted by the Blackie Studio! They've been targeting this book!) History's dead ends are never something a transmigrator can rewrite with a casual stroke of the pen. Yuan Chonghuan' 1.9kReads6.1Score119Shelves

    Reader note

    The first hundred chapters of this book are heavily realistic, brutal, and heavy, making for a depressing and tiring read. History is indeed like this, and it should be. However, to consider the reader's experience, the pacing will be adjusted after chapter 100, unfolding grand war scenes and incorporating exciting plot points for balance. We kindly ask that you be patient and continue reading.

38. 88 大 The Ming Dynasty (2 Volumes) 大明王朝（共2册） Liu Heping刘和平Historical653k WordsCompleted The novel of the hit drama Ming Dynasty 1566, rated 9.5 on Douban, is essential reading for Taiwan’s political circles and a political reference book for Singapore’s cabinet. It is the celebrated work of Liu Heping, screenwriter of Yongzheng Dynasty and author of No War in Peking. Centered on the downfall of the powerful official Yan Song, the book tells the gripping story of a complex anti-corruption campaign in the Ming Dynasty. It uncovers the mystery behind Jiajing, one of the most unconvent 43.8kReads9.6Score8kShelves
39. 89 锦 The Splendor of the Tang Dynasty: My Father Is Li Shimin 锦绣盛唐：我的父亲是李世民 The King Sent Me to Eat Vegetarian大王叫我来吃斋Historical4.1M WordsCompleted My surname is Li, my given name is Tai, my courtesy name is Huibao, and my childhood name is Qingque. I am the legitimate second son of Emperor Taizong of the Great Tang. My mother is Empress Wende, and my uncle is Zhangsun Wuji. I was favored above all the princes from a young age, and as I grew up, I proved to be exceptionally talented and brilliant. My useless elder brother, the crown prince, ruined himself and lost his position. Naturally, I am the most suitable, reasonable, and legitimate h 2.1kReads9.2Score269Shelves

    Reader note

    These few books seem pretty good, you can give them a try.

40. 90 大 The Great Qi Marquis of One Step 大齐一步侯 A Single Thought of Nothingness一念无Historical846k WordsCompleted [Alternate history, airtight logic, a treat to listen to, multiple heroines, lighthearted daily life, the jianghu and court politics, love and hate, national and family vendettas...] A modern-day criminal investigator transmigrates into the body of a minor official in the State of Qi. At first, his only dream is to stay alive. But when foreign barbarians invade the Central Plains, slaughtering and pillaging until the kingdom falls and families are torn apart, he has no choice but to enter the fr 17kReads8.2Score1kShelves

    Reader note

    A historical fiction novel of exceptionally high quality, perfect for both listening and reading. Clear logic, well-developed characters, rich plot, and tight writing. Not a formulaic, fast-paced read. Please enjoy! 👍

41. 91 天 Fish of the World 天下游鱼 Happy Acorn开心橡果Eastern Fantasy7.5M WordsCompleted By the Canglan River, a young man wears a straw raincoat and bamboo hat, holding wine in one hand and a fishing rod in the other. His heart has no place in the world, yet he finds himself in the jianghu... I come from a place beyond knowing. I want to see this world, just as unknown to me... 91.4kReads9.0Score8.9kShelves

    Reader note

    The protagonist, Jiang Fan, transforms from a reclusive youth into a pivotal figure who stirs up a storm in the world. He navigates between various forces, navigating the complexities of master-level experts, and even shocking powerful figures like the King of Wei and Marshal Xiahou. The story boasts a grand backdrop, featuring both the fantastical setting of a cultivation world and nuanced character portrayals. The interactions between Jiang Fan and characters like Bai Xiaocui and Wang Tong are particularly compelling.

42. 92 汉 Emperor Wu of Han: A Game of Power 汉武帝：权力的棋局 One Who Hears the Wind and Rain听风闻雨者Historical1.1M WordsCompleted Some call him a tyrant; others say he was a great ruler. He doesn't care. He knows only one thing: the blade in his hand must be fast and ruthless enough to drag the Han dynasty out of the mire. He ascended the throne at sixteen with a terrible hand dealt to him. Over fifty-four years, he drove the Xiongnu so far back they dared not look south, dismantled the feudal lords until nothing remained but ashes, and reforged the very backbone of his people. He honed himself into that blade as well. In 7.3kReads7.6Score377Shelves

    Reader note

    When he ascended the throne at sixteen, the Xiongnu raided southwards year after year, and the Han Dynasty could only exchange women for peace. Thirty years later, there was no royal court south of the Gobi Desert, the Hexi Corridor returned to Han territory, and the Chanyu fled to the far north. Wei Qing won seven battles in a row, Huo Qubing sealed the Wolf-Dwelling Mountain, and Zhang Qian opened up the Western Regions. The iron cavalry of the Han Dynasty marched from Chang'an all the way to the Qilian Mountains, creating an unprecedented territory. In his later years, he issued an edict of self-reproach, saying, "Since my ascension to the throne, my actions have been reckless and perverse." But the Xiongnu knew—that name was their eternal nightmare. Those who love bloody battles and territorial expansion, charge!

43. 93 大 The Great Xia Empire's Number One Tyrant 大夏第一暴君 Demon Blade妖刀Historical9.7M WordsCompleted He transmigrated to Great Xia and became emperor, only to face one crisis after another: powerful ministers held sway, the treasury was empty, and foreign tribes watched hungrily from the borders. Qin Yun had no choice but to raise his butcher’s knife and become a tyrant for the ages! Those who follow me prosper. Those who defy me perish! 1.4kReads8.8Score200Shelves
44. 94 辽 The Mad Dragon of Liaodong 辽东狂龙 Cooking Green Plums in a Dream梦煮青梅Historical607k WordsCompleted On that rainy night on Shuangdao, Mao Wenlong, a wronged soul who had lingered for fifteen years, was reborn. When he used the imperial sword in his hand to cut off Yuan Chonghuan's head, he knew that nothing would ever be the same again... 144Reads9.4Score105Shelves
45. 95 西 Fierce as Xifeng Liquor 西凤烈 Cooking Green Plums in a Dream梦煮青梅Historical1.2M WordsCompleted A modern special forces instructor dies heroically on a mission. When he opens his eyes again, he has become Liu Qi, the son of a military family in the Northern Song dynasty. The story starts at full throttle: a bloody battle at Zangdi River, where the heavily armored Iron Kite cavalry charges forward like a steel torrent, crushing the Song army. Just as the commander’s banner is about to fall and the commander’s son lies near death, a soul from a thousand years in the future quietly awakens. T 7.3kReads9.2Score886Shelves
46. 96 权 The Alluring Powerful Minister 权臣妖娆 Minced Meat and Fried Egg肉沫跑蛋Ancient Romance960k WordsCompleted Also known as The Female Top Scorer and The Female Imperial Tutor. He was a celebrated, charmingly elegant top scorer, showered with every favor under the heavens. Only after the Du family was destroyed and he hanged himself in prison did the world learn that “he” was a woman! After her father's death, the family's good name was ruined. Dozens of loyal servants starved to death. The beautiful women of the household were either made into servants or reduced to playthings for officials. Reborn, Du 3.3kReads9.1Score435Shelves

    Reader note

    I think all of these books are very good. Most importantly, the male and female protagonists in these books are all very intelligent, progressing step by step towards their goals. They're not the kind of mindless, wish-fulfillment novels where everything is just fluff and no substance. The male and female leads in these books are almost all very strategic and wise, and they all grow and mature gradually. They're definitely worth investing in.

47. 97 大 Great Tang's Number One Menace 大唐第一祸害 The Song Is Not Yet Finished一曲未完Historical2.3M WordsCompleted His Majesty Li Er was furious. “My machine-gun company has been lured away by that little menace again?!” A minister replied carefully, “Your Majesty, the Japanese envoy was a month behind on his liquor tab at Wangfujing, so the Crown Prince… the Crown Prince just…” Li Er looked disdainful. “Nonsense! Japan is a friendly neighbor of our Great Tang. They’re only a little behind on payment. Would he really go that far?” The minister answered cautiously, “Your Majesty… the debt is 108,000 strings o 50kReads8.4Score3.7kShelves

    Reader note

    "The Number One Scourge of the Tang Dynasty" is a completed novel with over 2 million words. The protagonist transmigrates and enters scourge mode, wreaking havoc on everyone he encounters, even himself. The main theme is "Life and death are nothing to fear, just fight anyone who dares to challenge you..." Come on, let's hurt each other! [Sending hearts][Sending hearts][Laughing][Laughing][Sending hearts][Sending hearts]

48. 98 科 Imperial Exam Triumph: The Strongest Female Grand Secretary 科举逆袭：最强女首辅 Dressed in Splendor宝妆成Ancient Romance1.8M WordsCompleted After finally becoming the first female heir in her family, she opens her eyes and finds herself back before the revolution. Her father is dead from the start, leaving her with a frail mother and three beautiful older sisters. She is the only son who can carry on the Cheng family line... Cheng Qing looks down at her slightly developed chest, wondering what on earth went wrong. Surrounded by scheming wolves, Cheng Qing, now with a new soul in her body, sets herself two small goals: First, keep pr 8.5kReads9.5Score1.3kShelves
49. 99 汉 Han Cavalry: A Warrior's Unwavering Heart 汉骑：戎马丹心 Zhang Shanfeng Can Do Tai Chi张山峰会耍太极Historical2.3M WordsOngoing [Transmigration + Passion + Ensemble Cast + Political Intrigue + War + Farming + A Powerful Han Dynasty + Not a Power Fantasy + No System] This book starts a little slowly, so please give it a chance. The early chapters spend too long on development, but from the middle to the later chapters, after chapter 141, it becomes a power fantasy! Main characters: Zhao Ji, Liu Che, Wei Qing, Huo Qubing A thousand years pass in the blink of an eye, yet the palaces of the Han still stand! Modern young ma 21.7kReads8.5Score1.5kShelves
50. 100 关 Tales of the Northern Song Dynasty 关于北宋的那些事 Can't Cry哭不得Historical2.1M WordsOngoing A new work is here! I hope you'll head over to Tomato Novel to read it. I hope you enjoy it. Your support is what keeps me writing, and I'll do my best to tell every story well! 9.4kReads8.4Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    This book accurately recreates the grandeur of the imperial court and the vastness of the common people during the Northern Song Dynasty a thousand years ago; it's excellent!

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