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. 101 女 She Transmigrated as a Man: Now She Must Fight for the Throne as a Prince 女穿男：穿成皇子要夺嫡 Wen Fu温芙Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted Chen Muqi, a daughter of the Chen family of Huaguo, died in a family power struggle. In a twist of fate, she was reborn as Helian Qin, the Fifth Prince of Xilin. With a mother who was a noble consort, powerful maternal relatives, and brothers eyeing him covetously, Helian Qin had no choice but to set out on the path to claim the throne. He recruited strategists and worthy officials, campaigned north and south, weathered one crisis after another, and escaped repeated assassination attempts, ultim 2.1kReads8.6Score187Shelves

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   Can't find meal replacements? Warning: Female transmigrates as a male.

2. 102 官 The Road to Power: From Betrayal to Commanding the Storm 官路：从遭人背刺到执掌风云 The Legend of Brother Cao草哥的传说Urban1.0M WordsOngoing For love, Lu Xiuyuan hid his identity as the heir to a powerful family, rejected his family’s arrangements, and went to a small county town. He came first in the written exam and eagerly expected to land the position, only to be betrayed by his girlfriend, lose his place, and be mocked in public as a nobody with no connections. Fine. If that’s how it is, then I’ll stop pretending. From then on, the winds of change began to blow. The people who once humiliated him finally learned what it meant to 7kReads7.8Score633Shelves

   Reader note

   Then I have to recommend these three books. They're top-tier political novels, incredibly cool, with non-stop thrills that will leave you feeling exhilarated. They're so good!

3. 103 全 My Clan Raised Me to Greatness, So I Gifted Them Purple Robes 全族扶我青云志，我赠族人朱紫袍 Uncle Jianghe江河大爷Historical2.2M WordsOngoing After dying suddenly from overwork, workaholic Chen Yan is reborn as the only son of a newly born provincial graduate in the Great Liang Dynasty. His father is successful, so Chen Yan promptly decides to lie flat and enjoy the good life, with food brought to him and clothes laid out for him. But when he learns at the age of six that he was switched at birth with a farmer's child, his life takes a turn. The day the fake young master returns to the Chen family, he goes out to work in the fields an 213.5kReads9.3Score21kShelves

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   Chen Yan's brains are unmatched; his combination of being a genius and a cunning strategist results in him not growing tall, haha! It gets more and more addictive as it goes on; I'm urging for more updates!

4. 104 被 Written Off to Die, I Chose the Villain 被写死后，我选了反派 Bu Shang Ban卟尚般Ancient Romance158k WordsOngoing Only after Xie Mingtang died did she learn that she had been living inside a book. In the book, Shen Huaishuo put down a rebellion, Gu Wanqing stood by his side, and Prince Jing, Xiao Chengyin, was executed for treason. But after sixteen years of life, all she got was three lines. [The Grand Tutor's youngest daughter, Xie, was abducted by Prince Jing.] [After returning home, she suffered a loss of reason.] [She took her own life not long afterward.] The night she spent waiting, her parents' tear 4Reads—Score—Shelves

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   This isn't a mindless wish-fulfillment novel!! I haven't read such a satisfying ensemble drama with political intrigue in a long time, and the foreshadowing is excellent. Earth signs are definitely a must-read for fans, and the romance is also very engaging, not just a rushed, overpowered story. Both the main characters and the second leads are very compelling!

5. 105 天 The Heaven-Chosen Evil Phoenix Is Reborn: Ruthless Tactics, Secure Throne! 天命恶凰重生，手段狠，帝位稳！ Listening to the Wind in the Wilderness旷野听风Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted "A murderous, yandere heroine who cuts down everyone in her path vs. a mad loyal dog of a hero who bows his head to his superior + empress + the heroine puts her own interests above all else" In her previous life, Feng Zhizhuo mastered the art of political scheming. She crushed and killed every rival who stood in her way, becoming a vicious empress dowager whose countless murders and tyrannical rule cowed the realm. Yet the adopted son she had personally raised to the throne rewarded her with a 8.7kReads8.7Score1.1kShelves

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   These two books are amazing!!!!!!!!! (Coughs violently) Go read them now!!!!!!!!! (Gasping for breath) I've finished the first one, and overall it's fantastic. There are so many sentences I feel are worth collecting. I'm almost finished with the second one, and it's incredibly satisfying. Before his mother's seventh-day memorial service, he killed everyone he needed to kill, then went to the capital to kill the culprit. It was so satisfying!

6. 106 枕 Poison Between the Sheets, Hidden Tides Rising 枕间鸩，暗潮生 Zero Six One零六壹Ancient Romance143k WordsOngoing The courtesan Wan Niang of Qunyu Terrace doesn't sell nights of passion. She sells lives. The most powerful men in the capital kneel beneath Xie Wan's skirts, while she holds the darkest secrets of the entire imperial court in her hands. The world envies the passion she shares at her bedside, and men vie to become her favored guests. Only Prince Duan, Pei Chengyuan, comes to her door seeking the life of the crown prince. "Your Highness drove the former crown prince mad, exiled the fourth prince, 143Reads—Score127Shelves

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   Xi Kang, a wicked courtesan, is the head of the underground network in the capital. She joins forces with the villainous prince to kill the crown prince. The entire cast is villainous, highly intelligent antagonists; every word is calculated. [Thumbs up]

7. 107 关 Tales of the Northern Song Dynasty 关于北宋的那些事 Can't Cry哭不得Historical2.0M 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

   Take a look at this one; it doesn't have a high score, but the quality is really good!

8. 108 山 A Strategy for Realm and Rivers: Chronicles of Court and Jianghu 山河策【庙堂江湖录】 Hermit of the Cave Peak洞顶山人Historical309k WordsCompleted [Peerless Heir] [Jianghu and Court] [Blood-and-Iron Warfare] [Political Intrigue and Wits] [Alternate History] [Chivalry and Tenderness] [No Transmigration] [No Golden Finger] The Dingbian Prince’s household is wiped out. Ten-year-old heir Ling Canglan narrowly escapes. After years in hiding, he makes his name in a single stroke. He studies both literature and martial arts, and grows into a man of great talent. Faced with the enmity of his country and the hatred of his family, he joins the army 2.2kReads7.0Score165Shelves

   Reader note

   Intrigue and power struggles, court intrigue and martial arts, alternate history, suspenseful detective work, and iron-blooded military formations...!

9. 109 少 The Young Judge of Cases 少年青天断案录 Hermit of the Cave Peak洞顶山人Mystery567k WordsCompleted [Mystery and Crime Solving] [Court and Jianghu] [Political Scheming and Wits]… A bizarre, earth-shaking case shattered twenty-seven years of peace in the Great Yan Dynasty. In a single day, three prefects of Jingnan Circuit died under mysterious circumstances. Xu Xinghe, the nineteen-year-old Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, was entrusted with the task in a moment of crisis and sent to investigate the southern frontier with the emperor’s sword. After enduring countless dangers and pain 2.6kReads—Score216Shelves
10. 110 桃 Ride Out to Battle, Peach Blossoms in My Wake 桃花马上请长缨 June六月Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted The short drama adaptation of June's novel, Power and Favor 3: Power and Favor in the Capital, is now available on Hongguo App. She cared for her in-laws and used her dowry to support the General's household, only for him to use his hard-won military achievements to ask for the female general's hand as his equal wife. Zhan Beiwang mocked her. “Song Xixie, do you know that your fine clothes, rich food, and glittering jewels all come from General Yi Fang and me fighting bloody battles to hold back 15kReads9.5Score5.5kShelves

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    🩸 The entire family is destroyed, but the twins return! [A Bloodstained Mansion] This substitution marriage is simply divine! In their past lives, they were pawns in a grand mansion, burdened by the absurd shackles of "substitute marriage," ultimately dying with their blood spilled on the gates of their noble families. In this life, the twin sisters are reborn with hatred, shedding their timidity and returning amidst bloodshed! This time, they will not be mere offerings to be manipulated; they will be the players! 👑 The grand drama of ancient times unfolds: One sister is gentle and forbearing, concealing her sharp edge; the other is decisive and ruthless, setting the course of events. Faced with the machinations of a scumbag and a vile woman, they remain calm and collected, using their strength against them, gradually driving those arrogant hypocrites into a corner. The so-called "substitute marriage" is their first step in stirring up trouble; the so-called "arranged marriage" is the sharpest blade on their path of revenge. ✨ Why is this a must-watch? A powerful duo: Not fighting alone, but sisters who pamper and support each other, their intelligence always on point, and no saintly hearts! Extreme contrast: The more tragic their past lives, the more valiant they are in this one! Who can understand the satisfaction of watching your enemy go from arrogant to begging for mercy? Delicate writing: Rich in the flavor of ancient Chinese romance, the palace intrigue is intricately plotted, logically sound, and without any filler. They will settle scores with every blood debt owed to their family. If you also love reading about a "black lotus" heroine tearing apart the script, this is an absolute must-read! 🔥

11. 111 命 A Fated Ordeal of Love: There's No Escape, Even with Wings 命定情劫，即使插翅也难飞 Dusk Snow over Qingcheng青城暮雪Ancient Romance617k WordsOngoing A cataclysm brings the Demon-Suppressing Pavilion to ruin in a single day. The survivor, Su Jing, takes his junior sister Xiaoyue and raises the pavilion's banner once more. Together, they travel far and wide to vanquish demons and embark on a long road of revenge. Knowing that Xiaoyue has long harbored feelings for him, Su Jing fears the dangers of the path ahead and the harm it may bring her. He deliberately keeps his distance, not daring to accept her love. Through every storm, they travel si 10Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    If you're interested, perhaps you could choose to read a few chapters? [Laughing emoji] I suggest starting from the first page of Volume 2 and reading onwards. This part focuses on the two princes of the Demon Realm vying for the throne, while other perspectives also intervene, leading to more political intrigue and plot twists. Other chapters also cover this, but they include both a plot-driven storyline and a revenge storyline involving demon slaying. I wrote them in a cross-cutting fashion.

12. 112 官 A Rising Star in Government 官道红人 Brothers of the Heavenly Emperor天帝兄弟Urban1.5M WordsCompleted Fresh out of university, Zhao Dagang rises from humble beginnings, taking every step one at a time, with danger lurking at every turn. 7Reads6.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I just saw this book on another website, "The Rise of an Official," and it's quite well-written. It's only been online for two days and has already received nearly 2483 clicks. The numbers are increasing daily, and the readership is growing incredibly fast!

13. 113 官 Notes from the Political Arena 官场笔记 The God of Heaven Fell in Love with You天神爱上你Urban300k WordsCompleted The first volume of "Notes from the Government" is complete. For the second volume, look for "Notes from the Government, Volume Two". Dedicated to getting things done, dedicated to serving the people. Liu Guangyuan's philosophy of government: Learn from Liu Guangyuan's philosophy of government, develop the economy, and serve the people. 97Reads6.5Score—Shelves
14. 114 诸 Everyone, Please Don't Follow the Script 诸位，请不要按照剧本活下去 Midnight Seeker子夜寻Urban372k WordsOngoing [Behind the Scenes] [Ensemble Cast] [Invincible] [No Female Lead] What would you do if you could make anything you said come true? Rule the world? Become a hero? Shi Chen's greatest wish had once been to become a great playwright. Now, he only wants to create one great work, and this time... The world is the stage, all living beings are the actors, and he is the one and only director. What's interesting is that some people, after gaining power, refuse to follow the script. Shi Chen finds this th 3kReads—Score260Shelves

    Reader note

    The line of the institution represented by Lu Huaiyuan is very well written. Faced with incomprehensible anomalies, it does not blindly believe in force, but investigates while assessing human risks. The way it handles the situation is very much in line with the thinking of the real system.

15. 115 冷 A Cold-Blooded Emperor's Lifelong Love 冷血帝王之一世情长 Yuan Mengyan元梦烟Ancient Romance424k WordsCompleted [Two powerful leads, satisfying revenge, sweet romance, special agent transmigration, no pocket dimension] The modern-day “Ghost Doctor” and “Living King of Hell” somehow transmigrated. Upon opening her eyes, she found: One white-lotus younger sister, One scumbag father, One evil stepmother, One scumbag fiancé, And wait, Are you sure this is the kind of setup the great Ghost Doctor should have? Fine, throw in one icy-faced King of Hell too. Oh, this one seems like a better match for me... 965Reads8.6Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    These are all books I've read, and they're alright.

16. 116 我 I’ve Made It to Division Chief, So Why Are You Crying? 我成正科级别，你哭什么？ Lord of the Desolate Garden荒苑君Urban2.2M WordsCompleted [Officialdom + Wish Fulfillment + Comeback + Leveling Up + Lots of Beautiful Women + The Protagonist Never Suffers] When you’re at the top, friends and family gather around. When you hit rock bottom, no one gives you the time of day. Qin Li is determined to always have a house full of distinguished guests, and so he must keep climbing to the summit... 2.4kReads8.8Score242Shelves
17. 117 请 Your Highness, Go to Your Death! 请皇兄，赴死！ Brew Little Wine煮小酒Historical1.1M WordsOngoing Zhou Che is reborn as the sixth prince of Great Xia, but his five elder brothers keep closing in on him. They want to strip me of my claim to the throne! They want to confiscate what little my family has left! They want to take the woman I love and kill me! If that’s how it is “If you, my brothers, can kill your own kin, why can’t I?” “If you can fight for the realm, why can’t I?” “You all think yourselves capable. What makes me any less so?!” Zhou Che rises with his sword drawn. “Your sixth bro 31.3kReads9.2Score2.5kShelves

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    💥, A historical political intrigue comedy, 🌈The first book brings back a flood of memories. The eighth prince of the Great Yan Kingdom, an idiot? I transmigrated? Transmigrated into the body of an idiot! Damn it. Realizing his precarious situation, Xiao Wanping immediately made a decision: continue to feign madness and develop stealthily, otherwise he would inevitably become the target of everyone's criticism. With military power in hand, I have the world at my fingertips! Yes, I must seize power, military power! Whether it's going to the Eastern or Northern border! In short, I must find a way to leave the capital Xingyang discreetly. 💥🌈, The second historical novel, The Sixth Prince Che. The original owner was the sixth prince of the Great Xia Dynasty. As the imperial edict stated: uneducated in both literature and martial arts, weak by nature, with no redeeming qualities other than good looks and a large stature, plagued by various vices. The original owner was invited to a banquet at the Fifth Prince's house and got very drunk. But to say that he disrespected his elder brother's fiancée, Zhen, is absolutely untrue! The original owner was cowardly and incompetent; even after drinking, he would never dare to disrespect the Zhen family. Clearly, this was a trap, a trap designed to kill the original owner! However, the mastermind overestimated the original owner's weakness... After drinking too much, he passed out, leaving Zhou Che, who had transmigrated from another world, to take over his body.

18. 118 春 Spring Evil 春邪 Si Ruolan思若兰Urban257k WordsCompleted Qin Tian worked diligently and kept his head down, but his female superior constantly made things difficult for him. With no connections to protect him, he was eventually made a scapegoat. At that moment, the resentment he had suppressed for years finally erupted. He swore he would climb to the top and become someone important. 264Reads7.6Score103Shelves
19. 119 女 The Empress's Daily Life: Running an Intelligence Agency and Feasting on the Court's Gossip 女皇日常：养情报机构吃满朝的瓜 Moonwatcher's Song望月声Ancient Romance171k WordsOngoing The emperor has three sons and one daughter. His only princess, Zhu Lanzhao, wants nothing more than to live quietly and watch the world go by. Her greatest pleasure in life is staying up late to read the latest popular stories circulating among the people. But just as the struggle for the throne takes an abrupt turn, the emperor kicks her onto the dragon throne with his dying breath. The ministers entrusted with the young ruler are at each other's throats, while the remaining factions refuse to 313Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    High-quality female emperor political intrigue novels, very good!

20. 120 快 Quick Transmigration: The Max-Level Host Goes Wild 快穿：满级宿主在线发疯 Fishing Around Again Today今天也摸鱼Modern Romance374k WordsCompleted [Strong heroine + System + no fixed pairing + satisfying power fantasy + not a romance (the love interests are all just tools) + each world is unrelated] Zong Ke, heir to a top conglomerate, was enjoying the thrill of balancing on the edge of a rooftop when an unreliable System mistook her for a suicide risk and bound itself to her. After realizing it had bound the wrong person, the System tearfully offered her benefits to entice her into traveling to various parallel worlds, taking over messes, 20.9kReads9.4Score1.9kShelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended! A truly satisfying read! [Admiration] No mindless plots, perfect logic. The author may have had a deal with the censors; some of the language is too explicit for some readers.

21. 121 官 Tears of a Beauty in the Tumultuous Sea of Politics 官海沉浮之美人泪 The Real Little Pea小豌豆本尊Urban1.9M WordsOngoing With an opportunity, even an ordinary person can rise to the highest ranks. See how Wang Zi Feng, an ordinary nobody, seizes his chance to stir up the world and lead the people of the mountains out of poverty and toward prosperity. Anyone could be a thousand-mile horse. —Reads—Score—Shelves
22. 122 乡 The Carefree Country Doctor 乡野逍遥神医 Little White Tower小白楼Urban5.6M WordsCompleted (Peerless Village Woman) Li Fugui is a fool, as the saying goes, a few bricks short of a load. But by a stroke of luck, he obtained a mysterious inheritance. He originally only wanted to be a humble village doctor, but even a king gets bored! So when gods stand in his way, he slays them; when demons stand in his way, he vanquishes them. Watch as this fool climbs to the pinnacle of life. 4.7kReads9.2Score558Shelves
23. 123 重 Reborn: Back to 1983 to Become a Tycoon 重生：回到1983当富翁 Half Gratitude, Half Grudge恩怨各一半Urban3.4M WordsCompleted (The print edition is now available on JD.com! The text has been carefully revised and is even more exciting. There are plenty of discounts right now, so if you're interested, go grab a copy!) Zhou Yufeng, a corporate CEO, unexpectedly returns to 1983, an era of planned economies and feeling one's way across the river by touching the stones. With his lovely wife wanting a divorce and his younger brother and sister struggling to get by, watch as he turns the business world upside down and changes 130.9kReads9.3Score16.1kShelves

    Reader note

    I have a lot to say about political intrigue novels. The first one is about power, the second about money; both are about plotting and strategizing. You don't just read books, you learn about political maneuvering and tactics! These two books were an eye-opener for me!

24. 124 为 After Clearing My Father's Name, I Help the New Emperor Rule the Realm 为父昭雪后，我助力新帝掌山河 Villain Little Frozen Pear反派小冻梨Ancient Romance45k WordsOngoing The jade records sink beneath the dust, their wrongful case left unresolved, and the entire Shen family is brought down. Overnight, the old case is erased in its entirety. No trace of the Shen family remains in the world. The sole survivor, Shen Yanci, conceals her identity and enters the palace bureaucracy as a low-ranking female official. She hides her talents and all her hatred and cunning. She neither seeks the limelight nor looks for shortcuts, quietly biding her time amid mountains of ol 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A story of a shrewd and calculating heroine with a grand vision! Everyone is intelligent; there are no mindless villains. Every crisis is a matter of perspective and strategic maneuvering. On the surface, all is calm, but in the shadows, a trap is set. The heroine bides her time, quietly turning the tide against all odds. A high-quality ancient romance novel that grows more sophisticated with each reading.

25. 125 宦 The Road Through Officialdom 宦路 Brother Peng彭哥哥Urban1.5M WordsCompleted The character for “official” has two mouths: if they say you're capable, then you're capable; if they say you're not, then you're not! The political arena is full of deceit and scheming, and one wrong step can leave you shattered. Zhou Yang knows this all too well. With no powerful backers, no connections, and no money, how can he survive? He has no choice but to keep going. He works hard and fights on, rising step by step to a position of power... 8kReads9.0Score815Shelves
26. 126 名 In the Name of the People: Restarting 1992 名义：重启1992 Pale Clouds, White Snow苍云白雪Male-Channel Fanfiction2.3M WordsOngoing Qi Tongwei is reborn in 1992 and rises steadily to success. Oh, I hope everyone enjoys it. Your support is what motivates me to write, and I'll do my best to tell every story well! 22.7kReads7.3Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    The long ones and the short ones are all here, take your time to look at them!

27. 127 疯 The Mad Princess Marries a Powerful Eunuch 疯批公主她嫁了个高权宦官 Yin Yu尹玉Ancient Romance499k WordsCompleted {Devoted couple, two strong leads, historical setting, political intrigue, revenge, switched marriages, marriage before love} One is a spoiled and willful princess; the other, a ruthless and bloodthirsty minister. An unexpected marriage swap brings Feng Yuan and Jiang Yu together. Just as everyone waits to laugh at them after the wedding, they realize things are taking a strange turn. Feng Yuan knows full well that she must wear the false mask the world expects of her to hide herself even deeper 7kReads9.3Score956Shelves

    Reader note

    It's so good, no explanation needed!

28. 128 一 Soar All the Way to Immortality! 一路飞升！ Three Three Five Five叁叁伍伍Urban8.7M WordsOngoing Yang Ming, a county government civil servant, is demoted to a township government office, where he faces discrimination and suppression at every turn. When a flash flood strikes, he risks his life to save others and does a good deed, finally turning his fortunes around... 81.6kReads9.3Score4kShelves
29. 129 我 I Long to Break a Branch 我欲折枝 Feifei Is a Little Useless废废有点废Ancient Romance607k WordsCompleted The God of War, famed throughout the Kingdom of Zhou, had asked for a bride, and his intended was a girl who hadn't even come of age. Everyone thought a beautiful flower had been stuck in a pile of cow dung, and Wen You was the cow dung they meant. Wen You patted her chest. “At least I only have to be this cow dung for six months.” Wen You knew very well that this six-month marriage pact was her only chance to seek justice for her mother. It was payment for saving the woman he loved. But when th 98Reads8.8Score—Shelves
30. 130 沉 The Silent High-Speed Train Passenger 沉默的高铁乘客 Pale Clouds, White Snow苍云白雪37k WordsCompleted The Silent High-Speed Train Passenger 147Reads—Score—Shelves
31. 131 官 The Road to Power: Starting as a Seconded Inspector in the Police Department 官道：从借调警厅督查组开始 Jiang He将河Urban7.1M WordsOngoing Li Dong was hospitalized after being injured on duty, and his status-conscious girlfriend cruelly betrayed him. Misfortune may prove to be a blessing in disguise. Starting out at a township police station, he faced criminals without fear and skillfully navigated the infighting within the police force, overcoming every obstacle on his way to the top! 95kReads8.9Score4.6kShelves
32. 132 缚 Bound by Spring 缚春情 Ren Huanyou任欢游Ancient Romance603k WordsCompleted [The print edition is available on the homepage; film and television rights have been sold] The Jiang and Song families have been close for generations, and Song Wan was betrothed to Jiang Xingjian before she was even born. They grew up together, but she was confined to the inner quarters, where everything she learned was meant to prepare her to become a Jiang family wife. The young man was dashing and ambitious. Before he had even turned twenty, he went off to the frontier to make his name. Bef 93kReads9.6Score12.4kShelves
33. 133 高 When the Sorghum Blooms Red Again 高粱再次红了的时候 Pale Clouds, White Snow苍云白雪6k WordsCompleted When the Sorghum Turned Red Again 223Reads—Score—Shelves
34. 134 莲 Lotus Tower: A Different Kind of Red Lotus 莲花楼之莲花别样红 Pale Clouds, White Snow苍云白雪Male-Channel Fanfiction213k WordsCompleted “The little boat drifts away from here, and I entrust the rest of my life to the rivers and seas.” Li Lianhua, once the greatest hero under heaven, Li Xiangyi, was poisoned by the Bicha poison and went into hiding under an assumed name. With a calm heart, he faced the storms of the world, only to vanish from everyone’s sight at the end of the drama, carrying a heart full of regrets and unfulfilled wishes. As one of the drama’s viewers, the author was just as unable to accept this ending. So in t 317Reads—Score—Shelves
35. 135 大 Under Currents in Great Sheng 大晟暗涌 Su Yichen718苏亦辰718Historical583k WordsOngoing An epic tale of political intrigue set in an imaginary ancient dynasty. Spanning seven volumes and a million words, with five POV storylines, it depicts princes vying for the throne, secret wars among powerful clans, and the games of the heart amid flames of war on the frontier. 53Reads—Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    The protagonist feigns leisure and bides his time, never revealing his talents, and his journey is far from smooth. He often finds himself in passive situations, relying on gathering information and strategizing to find opportunities to break free. His growth process is realistic and grounded in reality.

36. 136 这 This Prince Has Gone Mad. Why Would You Provoke Him? 这皇子都疯了，你惹他干嘛？ Before the Wind Rises风未起Historical4.0M WordsCompleted [No System + High-Stakes Scheming + Laying Low to Build Strength + Logical Plot + Brains and Brawn + Suspense + Ancient Espionage] His mother consort dies suddenly of an illness. His older brother dies mysteriously in battle. All his backers are gone!! His father distrusts him, and his other brothers all want him dead! Not a single court official is on his side? In that case, he has no choice but to carve out a path to survival from between the cracks! After transmigrating to another world, he b 62.3kReads8.8Score5.1kShelves
37. 137 不 I’m Done Pretending: I Was Born with Divine Strength 不装了，老子就是天生神力 Eggplant in Sauce酱抱茄子Eastern Fantasy1.8M WordsOngoing [Alternate History] [Born with Superhuman Strength] [Hardcore, Satisfying Action] [Decisive and Ruthless] [Multiple Heroines] [No System] [Fast-Paced] [Struggle for Supremacy] [Political Scheming] [Nation and Family] After transmigrating as a low-ranking soldier in a frontier penal army, Wei Che has inherited nothing but his natural superhuman strength. With the army's provisions withheld, his comrades shunning him, and the enemy at the gates, he lifts a thousand-jin barracks gate with one arm a 2.3kReads—Score215Shelves

    Reader note

    Five-star recommendation. I hope the author continues to improve.

38. 138 名 Celebrities Talk: America's Kill Line 名人谈：美国斩杀线 Pale Clouds, White Snow苍云白雪6k WordsCompleted Celebrities Talk: America's Kill Line 162Reads—Score—Shelves
39. 139 官 The Official's Secretary 官秘 I Love Chicken Drumsticks我爱吃鸡腿Modern Romance3.7M WordsCompleted Blades flash and swords clash in the shadows. After a special reception, Liang Xiaosu is drawn step by step into a quagmire by the unseen hand working behind the scenes. She maneuvers between opposing sides, facing danger at every turn while carefully planning her next move... 42Reads8.8Score—Shelves
40. 140 榕 Four Essays Beneath the Banyan Tree 榕树下随笔四篇 Pale Clouds, White Snow苍云白雪8k WordsCompleted Four Essays Beneath the Banyan Tree 89Reads—Score—Shelves
41. 141 哈 Hahaha, Great Ming 哈哈哈，大明 Weiwei's Wei微微的薇Historical3.2M WordsCompleted In an age when everyone is rebelling, to survive, you have to be more ruthless than every rebel king. You have to become the greatest rebel king of all. Take down Gao Yingxiang first, then Zhang Xianzhong, then Li Zicheng, and after that, go straight for the Eight Banners. You Manchus, your emperor is back. 461.1kReads9.4Score69.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The name doesn't seem like it, but it really is about power struggles.

42. 142 登 Reaching the Summit 登顶绝巅 Yan Feng of Anzuo安左的炎烽Urban147k WordsOngoing Alternate title: Cultivating Through Power and Money, I Say the Boss Has a Point! [Fresh Premise, No AI] [Childhood Sweethearts] [Cultivation Through Power and Money] [Political Intrigue] [Rival Nations at War] A hundred years ago, the world underwent a cataclysm, giving rise to a substance known as spiritual energy. It could let people fly through the sky and burrow through the earth. It also made animals walk upright, learn to use firearms, and evolve into demon beasts. People and demon beasts 2.1kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    There are no plot points involving intellectual decline; the themes of power, money, and cultivation of immortality are prominent, as are the nuances of human relationships.

43. 143 九 Storms over the Nine Wilds 九野风云 Zhou Jingzhi周敬之Eastern Fantasy1.5M WordsCompleted When the west wind sweeps across the land, gray reeds drift through the city. Spiderwebs hang from the thatched eaves, an empty steamer dangles there, and a sick woman in rags counts the scabs on her many wounds. A young child gathers firewood and digs at the frozen earth. The sound of a shovel startles crows from the fields. The rats in the government granary feast on freshly milled rice, while wild dogs gnaw at the flesh of the dead in a lonely grave. 445Reads8.0Score100Shelves
44. 144 重 Reborn in Politics: From Townships to the Pinnacle of Power 重生官场：从乡镇基层到权力巅峰 Wu Nai's Lamb Kidneys吴耐的羊腰子Urban1.2M WordsCompleted [Reborn in the Political Arena + Grassroots Township Civil Servant + A Chance Encounter Saves a Beauty + Secretary + Standing Up for the People + Rapid Rise to Success + Pinnacle of Power + Claiming the Throne] The road to office is hard, harder than climbing to heaven... On a path tangled with money, power, and sex, Wu Tianze, reborn into a second life, cuts through every obstacle. He takes on the powerful and battles capital, never abandoning his principles or putting anything before the peopl 84Reads9.0Score—Shelves
45. 145 苍 Chronicles of the Cangyuan World: The Heir’s Grand Designs 苍原世录：世子谋天 Changing the Ending at Three in the Morning凌晨三点改结局Historical177k WordsOngoing My new work is here! You're welcome to read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you'll enjoy it. Your support inspires me to write, and I'll do my best to tell every story well! —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    New book! New book! Come quickly!

46. 146 重 Reborn: I Flirted the Gloomy Regent into a Daze 重生后，阴鸷摄政王被我撩晕了 Heart Yearning for Gardenias心向往栀Ancient Romance556k WordsCompleted "Print edition available for preorder October 24 at 7 p.m.!" "Black Lotus Beauty of a Princess & the Grim, Ruthless Regent" [Two Powerful Leads + Sweet Romance + Devoted Couple + Putting Scumbags in Their Place] Zhixian was the sharpest blade at the side of the Third Prince of Nanzhao, eliminating every obstacle in his bid for the throne. But on the day he was named crown prince, she met her end. "Zhixian, if you want to blame someone, blame yourself for knowing too much." Xuan Yuan Heng wiped t 33.7kReads9.3Score3.4kShelves

    Reader note

    She is a frail beauty, and also a vengeful woman with a sword; he is a ruthless and powerful minister, yet he breaks all rules for her. From a calculated glance at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet to a passionate confession in bed: "I'm fierce to others, but with you, I'm incredibly gentle." #DoublePowerIntrigue #RebirthAndRevenge

47. 147 全EN Global Death Exam: Straight from the Execution Grounds to the Test Room 全球死考：刚下刑场你让我去考试 I Love Eating Cat Chips我爱吃猫片哇Mystery1.0M WordsOngoing [Tactical battles + mild horror + infinite-world adventure] The Deadly College Entrance Exam has arrived, dragging thirty million candidates into hell. The exam questions have been replaced with scenes from horror movies and disasters. Even staying alive is a pipe dream. Pass and earn rewards. Fail and be erased! Ten points earn ten million. One hundred points earn Tyrant genes. One thousand points earn the Apocalypse. Only ??? can make it out of this exam. To investigate, the military “ 1.6MReads9.3Score295.4kShelves

    Reader note

    I'm here with the novel I've recommended over 8,000 times and still managed to tie the score!!

48. 148 朕 I, Empress Hexi, Reborn and Done Saving the Ungrateful 朕，和熹女君，重生不扶白眼狼 Miss Xingci星辞小姐Ancient Romance326k WordsOngoing At fifteen, Deng Sui entered the palace. At twenty-two, she was made empress, and at twenty-five, she ruled as regent. For sixteen years, Deng Sui safeguarded the Han empire, only to be sent to her death by the young emperor she had personally supported. Her entire family was purged, and her loyal confidants died tragic deaths, full of resentment. Reborn, she returned to the year of the selection. In this life, Deng Sui seeks only to defy fate and change her destiny: Protect the emperor, who is 1.1kReads—Score112Shelves

    Reader note

    In a true political intrigue novel, the female protagonist is the first empress of ancient times, navigating the palace intrigues to ultimately rule from behind the curtain. That's how a powerful female lead should be.

49. 149 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

    Reader note

    I think both of these books are underrated.

50. 150 权 Ruling the Realm: The First Secretary 权掌山河：第一秘书 The Spider Who Loves Playing Cards爱打牌的蜘蛛Urban6.6M WordsCompleted After graduating from college, Zhong Dexing failed the civil service exam twice and had no choice but to make a living helping his older sister sell fruit. Then a turning point came: advice from a mysterious leader helped him land a civil service job. With his political savvy, he rose steadily through the ranks and made his way into an even more powerful circle. 26.3kReads8.9Score2.7kShelves

    Reader note

    This is absolutely a true novel of political intrigue.

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