Real Political Intrigue Fiction: Nothing Shallow or Brain-Burning, That’s My Taste 真正的权谋小说（不尽兴，不烧脑，我吃食）

1. 501 出 After Cheating 999 Times, I Chose to Forgive My Wife 出轨999次后，我选择原谅老婆 Refined Ye Feng儒雅叶枫Urban100k WordsOngoing A reality show where contestants try out different professions becomes a global sensation. Chen Ping'an unexpectedly joins the show and is sent to serve as acting county magistrate in a remote, impoverished county. Its economy is stagnant and its people are a mixed bag. None of the previous magistrates managed to accomplish anything. Just when everyone expects Chen Ping'an to fail, he leads the county to become one of the nation’s top 100 counties. And so, a legend is born. Villager A: “Magistra —Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   The protagonist participates in a reality show and becomes the acting county head. Looking at the impoverished county, he gains exposure through social media, promotes the county's apples, and transforms the poor county into one of the top 100 counties.

2. 502 长 Eternal Immortality: A Jailor Hiding Out in the Heavenly Prison 长生万古：苟在天牢做狱卒 Qingfeng Riverside青峰浦上Eastern Fantasy1.1M WordsCompleted [Smart characters, no brainless plotlines]+ [No System]+ [Cautious survival]+ [Immortality]+ [No heroine]+ [A sly schemer]+ [Political intrigue]+ [Prudent and cautious] Zhang Wu transmigrates to a cultivation world and becomes a jailer in the Imperial Prison from the start. For officials, the end of the road is the Imperial Prison. For soldiers, it is dying on the battlefield. For those in the martial world, it is getting killed in a vendetta. None of them meet a good end. If he wants to survive 37.4kReads9.1Score3.1kShelves
3. 503 魂 Awakening of the Soul: The Song of the Rift War 魂觉醒之裂合战歌 Treading on Flowers踏花郞Historical163k WordsCompleted On the eighth day of the ninth month, in the autumn of the late Tang, chrysanthemums bloom and all other flowers wither. The setting sun drips blood, smoke from the beacon fires blots out the sky, and horses trample the cracked earth amid utter chaos. Everywhere, blades flash and refugees roam... A down-and-out young man with nowhere else to turn seeks refuge with a fellow townsman, hoping to make something of himself. Instead, he stumbles straight into his enemies' den and nearly loses his life 211Reads9.3Score—Shelves

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   A true power struggle culminates in a fabricated display of benevolence and favor, with the characters' fates fraught with peril. Fortunately, Li Keyong is magnanimous, and Li Cunxu is not petty or narrow-minded...

4. 504 开 The Open Era 开放时代 Old General of Guanzhong关西老将Urban1.2M WordsCompleted Li Yuanfang was reborn in 1990. Riding the tide of the reform era, he started out as a township civil servant, used his knowledge of the future to develop an export-oriented economy, and built a business empire. With his ingenuity and iron will, he rose from adversity, took charge of a region, and battled all kinds of powerful forces. He built water conservancy projects, roads, and schools, bringing benefits to the people and helping ordinary families achieve their dream of a stable, comfortable 788Reads8.1Score—Shelves

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   A very good novel about rebirth in the officialdom!

5. 505 日 The Sun and Moon Beneath One Sky: Princess Taiping 日月当空：太平公主 Shu Yao Jiu舒窈纠Historical587k WordsCompleted Princess Taiping was one of the most controversial and legendary female political figures in Chinese history, a thorny yet dazzling rose in the splendor of the High Tang. The most beloved daughter of Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi and Empress Wu Zetian, she married Xue Shao at sixteen in a wedding procession stretching ten miles, hoping for a peaceful life. But she was implicated in Xue Yi's treason case and watched her husband starve to death in prison, shattering her dreams. She put away her innocence 12Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Princess Taiping—the apple of Wu Zetian's eye, experienced the power struggles of five emperors… Unexpectedly, her husband was ordered to commit suicide by her mother, Empress Wu Zetian, and she herself died a tragic death—ordered to commit suicide by her nephew, Li Longji, whom she had personally supported… Based on history, with rigorous logic, it is worth reading!

6. 506 山 The Borrowed-Life Formation in the Wilds 山野借命局 Wonderful Blossoms妙齐生花Mystery84k WordsCompleted While working away from home, I get the news that my grandfather has passed away, so I return to the mountain village I left many years ago. I thought I was just coming back to clean out the ancestral home and take care of the funeral. But the moment I stepped into the village, I realized that something strange was going on everywhere. Footsteps circle endlessly outside the wall in the middle of the night. Gray-white hems quietly peek through cracks in the earthen walls. Behind the window pape —Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   It's definitely mind-bending.

7. 507 权 Notes on the Pinnacle of Power 权巅仕途笔记 The Lucky Little One Who Keeps Running犇跑的小幸运Urban3.4M WordsCompleted [Political power struggles + three generations + one female lead + climbing the ranks from the grassroots + fighting for the people + reaching the pinnacle of power!] Ye Zhenggang, the third generation of the Ye family, falls victim to a sinister scheme and spends one reckless night with Xu Xiaoqing, the cherished daughter of another top family, the Xus. Then he listens to a close friend’s instigation, runs from his responsibilities, and leaves for Bohai City. This indirectly leads to Xu Xiaoqin 35kReads8.9Score3.5kShelves
8. 508 老 I'm the King, the Regent King! 老子是王，辅政王！ Ling Yuntian翎云天Historical3.1M WordsCompleted [A superb 2026 complete novel, perfect for binge-reading!] One day, Xu Ce opened his eyes and found himself in Great Jing. Xu Ce had suddenly become the all-powerful Prince Regent of the Jing Dynasty. He was quite pleased with his new status. Sure, the powerful Shen family was stirring up trouble at court, and the Northern Rong were eyeing the realm from beyond the borders, but neither was a big problem. When the crucial moment came, he would step in! A prince should act like a prince. First t 12.5kReads8.1Score1.1kShelves

   Reader note

   The world is in turmoil as heroes rise and fall. The protagonist transforms into an ancient regent, controlling the court and gaining absolute dominance. He eliminates all those who oppose him and even teaches the young emperor to be a good ruler.

9. 509 墨 Ink-Boned Beauty: From Seedling Thinning to Selection, Every Step Is a Nerve-Racking Trial 墨骨天娇：从蹲苗到遴选步步惊心 Swearing an Oath East of the Yu River淯水东誓Modern Romance673k WordsOngoing [Ink-Boned, Edge Concealed | Clearheaded, Career-Driven Heroine | Rise Through the Ranks | Grassroots Cadre Selection | Workplace Mind Games] People say that boneless painting depicts a spirit and conceals a sharp edge. Xia Qing, a young female official sent to gain grassroots experience in a township, has made the principles of boneless painting the way she survives in the ruthless arena of officialdom. She has two brushes in hand: One brings flowers to life with every stroke, creating boneless 79Reads7.6Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   A true political intrigue novel, and by a woman no less! It's about weighing options, wits, the system, talent development, selection, and a two-way race! Highly recommended!

10. 510 官 The Realm of Officials 官家天下 Uncle Pie馅饼大叔Urban5.9M WordsOngoing First, this is a genuine political novel, written by one of the genre's most experienced authors. The story is logically sound and highly readable. Quality guaranteed! Second, the story starts at the prefecture-level city from the very beginning. The protagonist will not be sent down to the towns and villages. This book will not spend hundreds of chapters at the township level. Third, there is political maneuvering, economic development, satisfying revenge, and, naturally, personal life as well. 203.1kReads9.3Score16.8kShelves
11. 511 她 After She Ascends the Throne, She Takes a New Husband, Leaving Her Ex to Weep 她登基后换了夫，新夫不见旧夫哭 Rabbit Purple Moonrise兔紫月上Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (Power! It's a woman's second face! She loves it!) (1V2 + advancing the nation through technology + two men competing for her, only to end up regretting it) Lu Jichen: He is an ill-omened man. On the day his elder brother got married, they smeared dog blood all over his face and locked him in a cellar. Later, she brought him out, washed his hands, let him sit at the table, fed him, and paid for his education. Wei Chiyuan: He is the young lord of an aristocratic clan; she is a young widow. One sc 17.2kReads9.3Score2.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Each one is so captivating you won't be able to put it down; you won't understand it without thinking. These are truly powerful female protagonist novels filled with political intrigue.

12. 512 权 The Pinnacle of Power: A Young Eagle on the Official Path 权利巅峰之官道天骄 Sunshine in the Wind风中的阳光Urban2.4M WordsCompleted The long road through officialdom is riddled with deadly traps, but it also holds the most beautiful encounters. Reborn Jiang Wendong: can he evade those deadly traps and stride boldly onward? 27.8kReads9.3Score3.2kShelves

    Reader note

    A thrilling and satisfying novel about officialdom!

13. 513 零 Zero-Degree Showdown: Operation Blue Arrow 零度交锋：蓝捷行动 Windless Rainy Night雨夜无风Mystery2.3M WordsOngoing [Mystery and Suspense] [Espionage] [Crime Investigation] [Modern Urban] [Genius] [Strong Female Lead] [National Security] Twenty-three years ago, a separation tore the lives of twin sisters apart. The younger sister was trained by an overseas spy organization to become an elite agent. Sent back to China, she is ordered to assassinate her own sister, take her place, infiltrate Lanjie Communications, and steal the core secret, “Lanjie 9.” Caught between her mission and her organization's orders on 10.5kReads9.1Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    A multinational spy thriller with a grand scale! Breaking away from the old tropes of traditional espionage, it centers on the theft and protection of cutting-edge technological secrets. The plot is intricately linked, with deeply woven foreshadowing and an unexpected twist at the end. The intellectual battles are truly breathtaking.

14. 514 盟 The Mengjin Crossing 盟津渡 Facing South from the Mountain朝山南Historical267k WordsCompleted Also known as The Awakening of the Ferry Boy. Wu Heyuan, a young man from a Yellow River ferry crossing, suffers the massacre of his entire family, and his younger sister goes missing. After delivering a letter to the Weishui Alliance for a mysterious stranger, he becomes Jiang Shang’s disciple and embarks on a path of political intrigue. When his sister is trained to become an enemy nation’s assassin, when his beloved tastes poison to save him from the brink of death, and when his master gives —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is good; it has a grand scope and a tight plot.

15. 515 天EN The Heavenly Eye Feng Shui Master 天眼风水师 Light of the Dao道之光Urban1.3M WordsCompleted [A feng shui novel] [Featuring feng shui, Daoist medicine, psychology, and economics; read faces and phone numbers] [Practical insights] [Explaining the esoteric with science] My master hastily taught me the art of divination and passed down a few books. Before I even had the chance to formally begin my training in the mountains, he sent me down into the world to help people... Where can I even go to complain about that? Amid the mortal world, I help others and cultivate myself. 703.3kReads9.6Score149.7kShelves
16. 516 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 15.7kReads8.2Score942Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a historical fiction novel of exceptionally high quality, perfect for both listening and reading. It boasts clear logic, well-developed characters, a rich plot, and a tightly woven narrative. A non-clichéd, fast-paced read—please enjoy!

17. 517 一 A String of Suicidal Stunts, and the Reborn Heroine Doesn't Want to Live 一路作死，重生女主不想活 Watching the Falling Flowers with a Smile笑看落花Ancient Romance972k WordsOngoing Open your eyes, close them, and a day has passed! Close your eyes and never open them again, and a lifetime has passed! Close your eyes, open them again... and you're reborn! After a lifetime of deceit and rivalry, having repaid her debts, avenged her wrongs, and settled her affairs, Wang Yun happily went to her death... But when she opened her eyes, she was reborn! Wang Yingzhang came back to life furious. So you won't let me live in peace? Fine. Then don't blame me for being ruthless. In her p 2.3kReads9.1Score248Shelves
18. 518 穿 I Became the Tycoon's Dark Moonlight 穿成大佬的黑月光 Three Demons三妖Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted What do you do when your husband commits murder right in front of you? Asking for advice online. It’s pretty urgent! Xu Ning wakes up in the body of a poor girl whose father doesn’t care about her, whose mother doesn’t love her, and who has been abandoned by a scoundrel. To get revenge on him, she uses a trick to marry a lame scholar from Qingshui Village. The moment she opens her eyes, she sees her husband, the one she married by mistake, smashing someone’s head with a rock, blow after blow. Re 71.4kReads9.2Score9.4kShelves
19. 519 我 My Martial Arts Rank Second to Last in the World 我的武功天下倒数第二 The World's Mightiest Little Fox宇宙无敌小狐狸Eastern Fantasy132k WordsCompleted He is a swordsman known throughout the martial world as Gu Longfei, half man and half ghost, the greatest of sword masters. His swordsmanship is so fast that it’s impossible to see. Wherever he appears, corrupt officials and crooked villains all lose their heads. Never provoke him. Push him too far, and he can split into hundreds of clones to attack his enemies all at once. He is a terrifying swordsman, and his sword style is called the Yuqi Heavenly Sword, also known as the Living Dead Sword. I 69Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is worth watching.

20. 520 青 The Azure Blade Shines on Snow, Its Book Secures the Realm 青锋照雪书安山河 Yaoyao's Dream遥遥子梦Ancient Romance448k WordsCompleted Dark clouds loom over the Great Qian court. The loyal and honorable Duke of Zhenguo's household falls in a single night. Qin Zhenyue, Minister of War, is framed for treason, and his entire family is in grave danger. His daughter, Qin Shuan, has an unyielding spirit and a sharp sword. She refuses to let the loyal dead remain falsely accused, or to see their land fall into ruin. Disguised as a man and living under an assumed name, she presses forward through blood and hardship. With nothing but c 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    From a traitor to the master of the Xuan Tie Pavilion, the young man remains true to himself, and his growth is complete and natural.

21. 521 狂 The Knockout: Gao Qiqiang Calls Me the Godfather of Jinghai 狂飙：高启强叫我京海教父 Shaking the Heavens撼天阙Male-Channel Fanfiction3.2M WordsOngoing [A dark, satisfying story with a decisive lead and no tormenting the protagonist] Also known as [Godfather of Jinghai: Killing An Xin from the Start] Zhang Yaoyang is reborn into the world of The Knockout. Armed with his knowledge of the plot, he snatches Chen Shuting from under An Xin's nose from the start, kills An Xin, poaches Meng Yu, and makes full use of every resource in Jinghai. Using Jinghai as his base, he sets his sights on the whole world. PS1: Readers who favor saintly protagonists —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Wow, these two books are absolutely amazing, so well-written! Director Qi's book was even banned before, everyone should read it now!

22. 522 墨 Ink-Stained White Lapels 墨染素襟 Daoist Yifeng一风道长Historical305k WordsOngoing [Alternate Ancient Setting] [Forced into Government Service] [Political Intrigue and Revenge] [Corrupted by the Desire for Power] [Multiple Supporting Character Subplots] [Traditional Slow Burn] One night, disaster strikes. Blood stains the gates of a noble household, and the entire Yang family is brought down. The only son, Yang Su, narrowly escapes death. The pampered young man he once was sheds his innocence overnight, burying an ocean of hatred deep in his heart. He has no interest in fame o 12Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A fictional power struggle where the male protagonist is forced into officialdom, featuring numerous supporting characters, a rich plot, and a meticulous, step-by-step approach that doesn't compromise intelligence.

23. 523 破 Financial Ruin 破財 A Lowly, Taciturn Scholar鲰生寡言Xianxia154k WordsOngoing Dead... They're dead. The day the secret sealed away for nine years was revealed, everyone in Yunshui Town died! In the past, Cen Ziyu always thought the mountain demon that ate children was just a bizarre tale the adults had made up to scare them. Until one day, he uneasily remembered something. When he was little... he had eaten a person! Cen Ziyu and his grandmother depend on each other. Their life is hard, but the uncles and aunties in Yunshui Town have always been kind to them, ofte 286Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The secret, sealed for nine years, was revealed, and on the day it was unveiled, everyone in Yunshui Town died! Before, Cen Ziyu had always thought that the mountain demon eating children was just a bizarre story made up by adults to scare kids, until that day he remembered something. When he was a child… he had eaten people.

24. 524 官 Battling for Power in the Political Arena, Starting as a Female Leader's Male Secretary 官场争雄，从女领导的男秘书开始 Liangzhou Seven Miles 1凉州七里1Urban6.7M WordsOngoing The rules of this world are imposed by the strong upon the weak. A true powerhouse changes the rules, making them work in their favor! Love is like chess, politics is like chess, and life is like chess. When you make a move, never regret it. Take control of the pieces, and dare to believe you can outwit Heaven itself!!! 165kReads9.3Score9.2kShelves

    Reader note

    💫💫💫Over 400,000 reads! 💫💫💫The novel is very well written, with a tightly woven plot that is full of twists and turns, captivating the reader, and also reflecting some of the realities of urban life. 🌟🌟🌟The protagonist is resourceful and capable of accomplishing great things.

25. 525 我 My Fierce Dog, My Horse: I Do Whatever I Want 我的恶犬我的马，我想咋耍就咋耍 Jiu Chuang九创Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Strong female lead, powerful heroine, reborn female general, woman disguised as a man, duty to family and country, serious alternate-history drama, ensemble cast in chaotic times. If you mind a weak romance, don't read.] She died in the very year she was ennobled and made a general, crowned with glory. It turned out that even someone with no lingering resentment could be reborn after reaching the top. In her previous life, because of something her mother said, she took on the burden of her fami 11.4kReads9.5Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all my precious treasures, it's a pity some are still being serialized, but it's definitely worth the trip, don't miss it!

26. 526 无 Silent 1937 无声1937 Dreaming of the Corner梦知隅Urban741k WordsOngoing In his previous life, he met with an accident while carrying out a mission. When he opened his eyes, he had become Chen Shusheng, captain of a Juntong action squad, locked in an interrogation room and framed as a scapegoat. The Japanese spy wants him dead. His own men have set him up. His superior is happy to go along with it. On this path, one wrong word means death, and trusting the wrong person means ruin beyond redemption. He comes from the future and knows how much more suffering this natio 101.1kReads8.8Score9.1kShelves
27. 527 修 The Cultivation Investiture of the Gods 修仙封神榜 Light of the Dao道之光Fantastical Romance602k WordsCompleted In the Age of Declining Dharma, immortals and demons wage a great war. The Way of Heaven is the way of humanity. The survival of the Dharma realm rests in the hands of every one of us. This book is tagged as fantasy romance. The love in this story is the Way of Heaven's care for all living beings, and the righteous love that inspires them to work together to uphold its order. Cultivating immortality means cultivating humanity. The righteous path in this world is a rough one. 14.2kReads9.5Score2.7kShelves
28. 528 神 A Mastermind's Schemes, Beginning with Inheriting Dong Zhuo's Legacy 神谋鬼算，从继承董卓基业开始 Eats Fish, Shrimp, and Crab Raw生吃鱼虾蟹Historical300k WordsCompleted My new work is out! You can read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you enjoy it. Your support motivates me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 80Reads6.3Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    [Exploration][Screen-licking] Transmigrating to inherit Dong Zhuo's legacy, the protagonist not only has to deal with the open and covert struggles of various forces, but also develop his territory.

29. 529 古 Lessons from Ancient History 3 古史今鉴3 An Emperor Through the Ages of Clouds, Moon, and Spring云月春秋一帝Historical1.7M WordsOngoing The Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, followed by the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing. Beginning amid the Sixteen Kingdoms, the story ends with the fall of the Qing. A novel's surface, forged around the bones of true history. A tale of China's loyal heroes, carrying on the legacy of the Han people. In the early third century AD, the Three Kingdoms were reunited under the Jin dynasty, bringing the realm together. But this brief unity was merely the prelude to an even greater catastr 39Reads—Score—Shelves
30. 530 画 Drawing Eyes 画眼睛 Light of the Dao道之光Modern Romance304k WordsOngoing Most people are blind in both eyes and heart. They recognize clothes, not people; they see only profit and can’t see cause and effect. The blind are stubborn and foolish. Who will paint eyes for all living beings? 22.3kReads9.4Score3.8kShelves
31. 531 庶 The Concubine's Daughter Carved Her Flesh to Be Reborn, Killed Her Father, and Wiped Out His Entire Clan to Rule the World 庶女剜肉谋重生，弑父灭门掌乾坤 Noodles, Dumplings, and Rice面条饺子大米饭Ancient Romance681k WordsCompleted [Court intrigue and household rivalries + a lightly ensemble cast + wicked woman reborn to train a dog + male lead has been plotting for years + devoted to each other, mutual flirtation + sweet romance] Cold strategist VS ruthless minister Song Lingyi used her unparalleled intelligence to help her father rise to the highest ranks. She never imagined that becoming too powerful would plant the seeds of disaster. When the emperor fell gravely ill, the crown prince sought a woman whose birth charact 1.1kReads8.6Score121Shelves
32. 532 悔 I Broke Off Our Engagement When He Was Poor, but Now He's a Powerful Official Who Keeps Me as His Darling 悔婚穷书生他成权臣囚我做掌中娇 Yan Jingzhen盐景珍Ancient Romance873k WordsOngoing Historical fiction History seen through a young couple’s love and heartbreak The Xining and Yuanfeng Reforms of the Northern Song Dynasty, the fall of the Northern Song + the history of Zhejiang celadon (Yue kiln to Longquan kiln) 1. The New Policies among the people (the Song-Jiao war) 2. The Yun case in Dengzhou 3. Infighting among supporters of the New Policies (the Zhang Ruoji case in Xiuzhou) 4. The Chen Shiru case (the Yuanfeng reforms) 5. Su Shi’s poetry case at the Crow Terrace 6. Longqu 31Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Historical political intrigue [Attention][Attention][Attention]

33. 533 重 Being Reborn Is Fine, But Why Am I Facing the Execution of My Entire Family from the Start? 重生没问题，开局就来满门抄斩？ Crab Walk螃蟹步Historical398k WordsOngoing With his entire household facing execution from the start, he saves himself with a prophecy: "The tiger tally will be stolen tonight." From then on, he wields brush and ink as a blade and plays with memories as his pieces. But every time he wins, he loses a memory. The closer he gets to victory, the closer he comes to becoming a "blank slate." When he finishes rewriting history, will the history books record his own ending? 357Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    There are no mindless cheat codes; the game involves the interplay and strategic maneuvering of various factions, becoming increasingly complex and thought-provoking as you read. It doesn't aim for quick, satisfying viewing; many schemes and foreshadowing are subtly planted, making it unsuitable for binge-watching. It's best read slowly, pausing to analyze the characters' stances and underlying calculations to truly appreciate its depth.

34. 534 谈 Explosives Under the Negotiation Table: The Young Lady Storms the Imperial Court 谈判桌下埋火药，大小姐入朝杀疯 Yu Fu余弗Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [The heroine’s creed: Power and money are what let a woman live freely and boldly!] [Strong heroine + satisfying story + vying for the finest men in the realm] Jiang Yu thought she’d be content with a modestly comfortable life. But when she turned eighteen, one ridiculous twist after another came her way. First, the husband she had supported with her own money for years passed the imperial exams at the top of his class, then demanded a divorce so he could marry a noblewoman. Then the Duke’s mans 37.9kReads9.2Score5.5kShelves
35. 535 蝉 Cicadas Sing as the Sun Sets in the West 蝉声且送阳西 Rain Falls, Bamboo Turns Cold雨落竹冷Eastern Fantasy2.6M WordsCompleted [Wuxia + swordsmanship + political intrigue + scheming protagonist + comedy + multiple leads] The world’s great currents form a chessboard, and all living beings are its pieces. One player commands the black pieces, another the white. One person has double pupils and looks down coldly on mortal life, overturning heaven and earth with a single gesture. Another is refined and graceful, laying schemes one after another, each linked to the next. Another, though only at the second rank, takes one ste 7.5kReads9.3Score748Shelves

    Reader note

    These are the only two books I've read recently that fit the criteria.

36. 536 撑 Breaking Through the Transmigration and Rebirth Research Lab 撑破穿越重生研究室 Thorny Bougainvillea有刺三角梅Urban363k WordsOngoing Modern City + Multiple Social Classes + Multiple Female Characters + Campus Life + Inspirational + Political Career + Workplace + Two Male Leads To secure more research funding, Z University opened the world’s first “Transmigration and Rebirth Research Lab.” After finally passing the graduate entrance exam, Yi Lian became one of the lab’s first graduate students… Then Yi Lian discovered that they had become a living specimen… 148Reads7.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Powerful and resourceful,

37. 537 郡 The Commandery Princess Returns to the Capital, So Why Is the Entire Marquis’s Household Dead? 郡主一回京，侯府怎么死光了？ Dancing Sunflower跳舞的向日葵Ancient Romance607k WordsCompleted [Satisfying family-intrigue story + ruthless heroine + face-slapping the villains] Qu Ling was framed by her stepmother and left the Marquis's residence for six years. When she returned to the capital, happiness wasn't waiting for her. Instead, she was driven step by step to the brink of madness. In the end, she went mad and killed everyone in the marquis's household, paying for it with her own life. After coming back to life, Qu Ling took up her knife. She no longer needed to go mad to slaughte 33.1kReads9.2Score4.4kShelves
38. 538 凡 An Ordinary Man’s Official Career: A Police Chief at Twenty-Four 凡人官途，二十四岁的公安局长 Jiangnan Talent江南才子Urban2.1M WordsOngoing [A genuine political-intrigue novel] Cheng Bo was just starting his career and was thrilled to become an assistant to the town mayor. But after taking up the post, he discovered that he had also been saddled with a daunting mission! 44.8kReads7.9Score3.8kShelves
39. 539 离 After Our Divorce, My Boss Turned Around and Promoted Me 离婚后，领导转身就提拔了我 Jiangnan Talent江南才子Urban3.5M WordsCompleted His new book, The Number One Secret in Officialdom: From the Start, I Was Sent to an Asylum, is now available. Your support is welcome! Two paternity tests shattered Zhao Shu’s world: neither child was his! His wife had betrayed him, and he angrily divorced her! At the lowest point in his life, his ability and resolve happened to catch a superior’s eye, and he entered the world of officialdom. Fueled by the anger of betrayal, Zhao Shu cuts through every obstacle, rising from head of security to 11.6kReads8.9Score1.3kShelves
40. 540 假 The Fake Heir Is the Real Deal 假世子她真行 That Chatterbox那个话痨Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted A woman disguised as a man + light comedy + patriotism and the bond between ruler and subject + very little household intrigue (The main story is complete, so don't worry about the author going on hiatus!) Scene One: Zhi Xu walked into the hall and plopped down across from Old Madam Qin. “Grandmother, you've gotten quite overweight. You should eat more vegetables!” With that, she stood up and moved several plates of meat to her side. Old Madam Qin's face turned livid with rage. “You little wretc 5.8kReads9.0Score703Shelves
41. 541 辛 After Ten Years of Hard Work, the Emperor Wants Me Dead 辛苦十年，皇帝却要杀我 Gao Bailiu高白柳Two Male Leads123k WordsOngoing Wolf eyes gleam in the snowy night, while power plays throw the realm into chaos. Shao Shijin, Grand Preceptor of Great Qian, is a “good official” in the eyes of the people and the young Emperor Qian Yuan’an’s most trusted support. To the powerful of the three kingdoms, he is also the most dangerous madman. He dares to enter Southern Chu alone and stir up its court, to burn Northern Yi’s provisions and force back a hundred thousand wolf riders, and even to pin the emperor to his throne and teach 5Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    [Two male leads] + [Dark and insane protagonist] + [Power struggles and intrigue] + [Pre-planned plot twist].

42. 542 抄 After the Estate Was Confiscated 抄家以后 Snow Tea Woof Woof雪茶汪汪Ancient Romance252k WordsCompleted [A clever, levelheaded noblewoman vs. an honest, straightforward, fiercely loyal guard] [Historical Romance + Revenge + Healing + Political Intrigue + Love That Grows Over Time + Devoted Guard] Cheng Ming'an was the daughter of a general. On the eve of her wedding, the Cheng family was arrested and their assets confiscated for treason. Her father and brothers were executed, her eldest sister took her own life, and her married sisters were put through one hardship after another. Her fiancé change 11.5kReads9.5Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Hey girls, check this out! It's super good, a highly rated novel with 3000 reviews! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up] The female lead is incredibly intelligent throughout!

43. 543 开EN Blade's Edge: Rebellious Start in a Chaotic Jianghu 开局叛出镇抚司，我刀问江湖 Writer Number Seven七号写手Eastern Fantasy1.5M WordsCompleted [Court and martial world] + [Strong wuxia flavor] + [Following one's convictions] + [A story of growth] The dynasty was nearing its end. Regional princes carved up the realm, and chaos was about to descend. Great sects and hidden clans entered the world; monks and Daoists roamed the martial world. Barbarians, demonesses, foreign tribes, and demonic cults all took advantage of the turmoil. Shen Yi transmigrated into the role of a low-ranking guard in the Pacification Office. From the start, he ki 72.1kReads8.5Score5.9kShelves

    Reader note

    "Starting by Betraying the Garrison, My Blade Conquers the Martial World" is a godsend for martial arts fans! 🌪 The protagonist, Shen Yi, does something extraordinary right from the start—he kills his own superior! That's incredibly daring! 🔪 Then, armed with his martial arts superpower system, he embarks on a journey of escape from the martial world. The world-building in this book is fantastic: warlordism, heroes in a chaotic era, and every character has their own story. Every step of Shen Yi's growth is exhilarating, making you feel like you're wielding a sword, ready to carve out your own path in the martial world. If you enjoy stories of rising from the ashes and decisive, ruthless action, this book will absolutely thrill you!

44. 544 官 The Top Spy in Officialdom: Sent to an Asylum from the Start 官场第一秘：开局就被送进疯人院 Jiangnan Talent江南才子Urban577k WordsCompleted [An underrated political drama with real-world relevance] Locked up in a psychiatric hospital from the start? How is he supposed to hold office now? Secretary Jiang Nan's act of standing up for what was right became a trap carefully laid by his rival, and he was illegally confined to an asylum. Was this merely a provocation by local power brokers, or a deadly strike aimed at the leader behind him? When word was secretly delivered to the top, the real power struggle had only just begun... Watch h 14.9kReads7.4Score1.2kShelves
45. 545 公 The Police Chief’s Shocking Crackdown on Organized Crime 公安局长惊天扫黑大案 Zhang Dali, Bursting with Bullish Energy牛气冲天的张大力Urban509k WordsOngoing Han Shuang arrives in Changhu City and takes up her new post. On her very first day, the heiress of Changhu Group dies under mysterious circumstances, and a forensic examiner carrying evidence climbs into a restricted area, their fate unknown. Wu Gang hides a blade behind his smile. Deputy Director Gou Jianxiao sets traps at every turn, while the three great families are entangled in a web of influence. With two capable women at her side, Han Shuang steps into this isolated city woven from power 5.7kReads7.5Score329Shelves

    Reader note

    Here are a few good books by Ding Niu!

46. 546 悬 Suspicious Homicide Cases: A Police Chief's Major Crimes Notebook 悬疑凶案：公安局长重案手记 Cyanide Murmurs氰呓语Mystery567k WordsOngoing An assassination attempt targeting the county magistrate ends with the accidental killing of the only daughter of Qingjiang's richest man. After five years as strangers, the husband and wife join forces again following their daughter's tragic death. The mother launches a forceful counterattack in politics, while the father brings the full weight of his business empire to bear. They swear to make the killers pay in blood. To crack the case, the female God of War Lu Qingshuang is parachuted into t 38.3kReads8.2Score2.5kShelves
47. 547 女 A Woman Transmigrates as the Heir: I’ll Take the Throne Myself 女穿成世子：这皇位朕亲自坐 I'm Weiwei我是唯唯呀Ancient Romance801k WordsCompleted [Female transmigrates into a man's body + reborn + sisters swap marriages + male lead transmigrates + ambitious female lead] In her previous life, Shen Shiqi helped Zhao Qingyun seize the throne by replacing the rightful heir, only to be rewarded with a cup of poisoned wine and die full of resentment. To her surprise, after being reborn, she was no longer a woman. She was Gu Jinyan, heir to the Marquis of Zhenbei and the husband of her former stepsister. She also discovered that her stepsister, 704Reads8.8Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    In my opinion, the truly top-tier female-oriented political intrigue novel is *Jiang Ji*, which features a protagonist vying for empire and unifying the world. (Half-Spoiler Alert) could also be considered one, but honestly, I'm not sure if female-oriented political intrigue novels told from the male protagonist's perspective count. The following two are also decent.

48. 548 黄 The Yellow Emperor’s Secret 黄帝秘藏 Chanting Sutras to Save Myself诵经渡己Mystery6.0M WordsOngoing With a blood-written deed on my body, I fought hungry dogs for food. In the bitter cold of winter, I was about to be beaten to death on the frozen ground, until someone stood before me and told me I was a dragon in the art of feng shui... 14.8kReads8.9Score592Shelves

    Reader note

    Various ideologies and science fiction can be constantly switched.

49. 549 女 The Female Police Chief's Major Cases Series: Undercurrents 女公安局长大案系列之暗流 Xiaoxiao Gou'er Lingdang晓晓狗儿铃当Mystery259k WordsOngoing On a stormy night, two murder cases erupt at once in Handong Province. Criminal investigation captains Lu Chen and Chen Feng follow separate leads: one investigates a red ribbon on a wedding bed, the other a carcinogen in a teacup. The two trails converge on the same name. Gu Qingling. Thirty-one years old, a first-class merit recipient, and former commander of a special operations unit. Meanwhile, the real killer watches it all from the shadows. As the undercurrents of power swallow up every pi 3.1kReads—Score190Shelves
50. 550 地 Hell’s Tyrant Crushes the World of Twisted Fiction 地狱枭雄碾过颠文世界 Wind Speed 2022风速2022Urban882k WordsOngoing In court, Gu Yun was sentenced to death for dozens of serious crimes. A heavy machine gun shattered his body, and his soul plunged into the Eighteen Levels of Hell. While others wailed and begged for mercy under torture, he lounged in the oil cauldrons and strolled across blade mountains. He tricked the ghost guards, stirred up infighting among the judges, and shattered Ksitigarbha's ten-thousand-year-old Daoist resolve through debate. In the Underworld, he became Lord Yun, a figure everyone fe 66Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This political intrigue novel is quite good. The protagonist not only knows martial arts but also has a consistently high IQ, and his battles against various people are very realistic. It seems the author himself has suffered some kind of hardship.

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