Historical Fiction Recommendations 历史好书推荐

1. 251 大 The Han Dynasty's First Marquis 大汉第一侯爷 Boss Cao of Jian'an建安曹总Historical680k WordsCompleted Champion of the cavalry, charging forth with unmatched valor; six campaigns sweeping across the land, swift as lightning and thunder. He watered his horses in the vast sea, raised a mound on Mount Langjuxu, set the western boundary at the Yellow River, and established commanderies at the Qilian Mountains., Ban Gu My uncle is the great general Wei Qing. My uncle by marriage is Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che. My aunt is Empress Wei Zifu. My cousin is Crown Prince Liu Ju. My younger brother is Huo Gua 220Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   [New Book] The Young General Who Conquered the Wolf and Dwelled in the Wilderness: A Man of Youthful Vigor and Unyielding Spirit... It's looking alright so far, I'd recommend it.

2. 252 隆 The Longqing Restoration 隆庆中兴 Resting Cloud休息的云Historical5.4M WordsCompleted I transmigrate as Zhu Zaihou, but I won’t be a little sycophant. For the sake of tribute and trade, I dare to wage righteous war. I open the passes and command the four seas, my proclamations reaching the eight directions. The people receive sweet rain, and the dynasty flourishes forever. Alas! I would rather be a man of the Longqing era than aspire to rule like Yao and Shun. 9.2kReads8.5Score804Shelves
3. 253 我 I’m a Ming Imperial Clansman, Not a Bandit 我，大明宗室，不想当流贼 Pink Cape粉嫩的海角Historical1.2M WordsOngoing In the thirteenth year of Chongzhen, the splendor of “the Great Ming, whose dominion encompassed the seas and lands, surpassing the Three Dynasties and eclipsing Han and Tang, whose subjects filled all beneath the heavens...” had quietly faded away. The realm was in turmoil and the great edifice on the verge of collapse. Barbarians ran rampant, rebels wreaked havoc, natural and man-made disasters abounded, and the starving dead lay everywhere. Amidst the smoke of war that now blanketed the land, 39.7kReads8.7Score3.1kShelves
4. 254 明 At the End of the Ming Dynasty, Singing Through Turbulent Times 明末，乱世高歌行 Pink Cape粉嫩的海角Historical1.7M WordsCompleted In the summer of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, the two capitals and Shandong suffered a severe drought and locusts. Famine ravaged the land, and people ate one another. Yu Mu opened his eyes and found himself in an era when people casually roasted human flesh over a fire. Ahead, corrupt officials cracked their whips like wolves. Behind him, Qing soldiers and rebel bandits stood ready with blades and axes. As a refugee, what was he supposed to do? Should he grovel and die like a blade of grass, 12.7kReads8.5Score1kShelves
5. 255 梦 Dreaming of Bianliang 梦回汴梁 Yi Xing Yiyi易行一意Historical266k WordsOngoing After transmigrating to the Northern Song dynasty, your choices are to pass the imperial examinations and enter officialdom, or to stir up the court. Lin Yan refuses to do either. Struck by lightning and transmigrated into the body of a poor scholar, he’s so hungry he has to gnaw on cold buns. But after reaching his breaking point, he scares off some thugs with a single “Bro, that’s awesome!” and becomes a hit at the teahouses by ghostwriting letters full of modern memes. He strolls through the 3Reads7.6Score—Shelves

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   We're just one step away from 9.9!

6. 256 中 An Outline History of the Chinese People: Special Commemorative Edition for the 100th Anniversary of Bai Yang’s Birth 中国人史纲 : 柏杨诞辰100周年特别纪念版 Bai Yang柏杨Historical574k WordsCompleted The Outline of the History of the Chinese People: Special Commemorative Edition for the 100th Anniversary of Bai Yang’s Birth is a monumental work Bai Yang produced after spending nine years and twenty-six days in prison, where he “buried himself in organizing Chinese history.” Nearly 800,000 characters long, the book recounts history in century-long periods, beginning with the mythological age when Pangu created the world and ending with the invasion of China by the Eight-Nation Alliance in the —Reads8.5Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Besides attending lectures and taking notes, learning history requires supplementing your knowledge with extracurricular materials. As the top student in history in our grade, I feel I have some authority to speak on this.

7. 257 唐 A Soldier's Journey at the End of the Tang Dynasty 唐末从军行 The Casual-Notes Daoist随笔道人Historical3.0M WordsCompleted The Tang dynasty was at the height of its glory, yet its political failings could only be reversed by a hero of the ages. As the saying goes, rise and fall are governed by fate, and after reaching its peak, prosperity must decline. After three hundred years of glory and turmoil, the magnificent Tang dynasty finally crumbled. That year, Chen Congjin arrived in this world. He would bring this chaotic era to an end. 129.8kReads9.0Score13.7kShelves
8. 258 吕 Lü's General History of China 吕著中国通史 Lü Simei吕思勉Historical360k WordsCompleted Lü's General History of China is divided into two parts and draws on the traditional national histories. It systematically organizes and describes the development of social and economic systems, political institutions, culture, and scholarship, as well as changes in political history. As it recounts periods of order and upheaval, and the rise and fall of dynasties, the book also discusses institutions and offers personal commentary. It conveys the lifetime of insight and considered judgment of M 64Reads9.1Score—Shelves
9. 259 赤 Red Sky: The Dynasty Cycle 赤霄：王朝周期律 It's Really a Dog真的是狗Historical342k WordsOngoing Note: This is an epic war story. Don’t see that the protagonists are two men and assume it’s the sort of “two male leads” story some female readers enjoy. It isn’t! There are two male protagonists named here only because there isn’t room to list more than a dozen. Each subsequent volume will have its own protagonist, and the complete story will feature more than a dozen protagonists. Each protagonist belongs to a different historical period. Faced with the crises of their time, whether struggles 147Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Both books excel in their depiction of warfare, but also feature significant elements of political intrigue and economic system design, bordering on political economy. The writing style and subject matter are excellent, the logic is sound, and there are no plot devices or time-travel elements. The first book, being a new release, features exhilarating and visceral fight scenes. The second book, starting from volume three, includes extensive descriptions of large-scale army battles, which are very impressive. Both books delve deeply into the political, economic, resource, and institutional aspects behind war, going beyond mindless fighting. The author adheres to a people-centered historical perspective; the first book attempts to deconstruct the dynastic cycle through fragments of heroic epics. The second book elucidates the importance of checks and balances and the author's view of history as a people-centered perspective (not inherently righteous and, in fact, often ignorant, but undeniably influencing the course of history).

10. 260 中 Modern Chinese History 中国近代史 Chen Gonglu陈恭禄Historical607k WordsCompleted A History of Modern China opens with geography and the natural environment, first outlining the living conditions and ways of life of the peoples of China and its neighboring regions. It then surveys China's history before the modern era through its products, ideas, literature, science, and art. The history covered in this book begins with the Opium War and encompasses several major themes: the Opium War, the Taiping Rebellion, the First Sino-Japanese War, the Hundred Days' Reform, the Boxer Mov 106Reads9.2Score—Shelves
11. 261 关 The Guanshan Pact 关山契 It's Really a Dog真的是狗Historical488k WordsCompleted On the western frontier, yellow sands bury the dead, and honor is as fragile as paper. The young Zhao Tianhao was merely a merchant’s son from Ping Wharf. With a heart full of sincerity, he kept his contracts, protected his family business, and brought peace to his neighbors. Yet the crushing might of the war-torn age destroyed his household, driving him to abandon trade and take up arms. He entered the death camp, managed military rations, trained a corps of death-defying soldiers, and defended 5.3kReads9.3Score577Shelves
12. 262 四 The Scandalous Tales of the Four Great Beauties 四大美人艳史演义 Su Yan Zhuren素阉主人Historical104k WordsCompleted Uncovering the untold stories of the Four Beauties [History + biographies + the Four Beauties + unofficial anecdotes] Xi Shi, whose beauty could topple a kingdom as she washed silk, was caught in the turmoil of a chaotic age. Yang Yuhuan’s glance could captivate an entire city, but her passionate love became a shackle of fate. Wang Zhaojun left the frontier with a mournful song, bringing a brief peace between the Han and the Xiongnu. Diao Chan ingeniously set a chain of schemes in motion, turnin 74Reads8.7Score—Shelves
13. 263 五 A Brief History of China in 50,000 Years (Two-Volume Set) 五万年中国简史（全两册） Yao Dali姚大力Historical654k WordsCompleted Spanning from the arrival of the first Homo sapiens in China to the twentieth century, this may be the broadest sweep of Chinese history ever covered. Leading historians come together: Yao Dali of Fudan University, Li Shan of Beijing Normal University, Wu Lisong of Nanjing University, Qian Wenzhong of Fudan University, Qiu Luming of Fudan University, Yu Gengzhe of Shaanxi Normal University, Song dynasty specialist Wu Gou, Ming History Society scholar Fang Zhiyuan, and Ma Yong of the Chinese Acad 108Reads9.2Score—Shelves
14. 264 读 Historical Reading Notes 读史札记 Wu Han吴晗Historical215k WordsCompleted Here you'll find historical truths that may overturn everything you thought you knew: the name of the “Great Ming” may have come from the “Ming Cult” in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber; at the Imperial College, talking back to a teacher could land you in confinement, or even get you beheaded and displayed in public; the Ming dynasty's elite imperial guards, who repeatedly distinguished themselves in the early years of the dynasty, were considered fit only for menial labor just a century later; 11Reads8.1Score—Shelves
15. 265 汉 Tales of the Han Dynasty: From Liu Bang to Liu Shan 汉朝那些事：从刘邦到刘禅 Reverend Dingfangshui定方水居士Historical394k WordsOngoing When talking about the Han Dynasty, it's impossible not to mention what an interesting and fascinating era it was. We people of later generations call ourselves “Han people,” and our ethnic group is known as the “Han Chinese.” These names are inseparable from the Han Dynasty. It can be said that the Han Dynasty not only established China's unified political order, but also shaped the cultural and ethnic identity of the Chinese people. This sense of identity took deep root in the hearts of the pe 5Reads—Score—Shelves

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    A new book on Han Dynasty history! Updated daily! Looking forward to reading if you're interested!

16. 266 从 Once Upon a Scholar: The Wei-Jin Era 从前有个书生：魏晋篇 Fang Hao房昊Historical103k WordsCompleted This manuscript is a collection of historical posts published on Weibo by viral author Fang Hao, organized and linked together around different eras after adding material that had not been published before. It is an entertaining introduction to history, with around 30% previously unreleased content. The manuscript is planned to span three or four volumes, the first of which covers the Wei and Jin dynasties. Most of the articles begin with “Once upon a time, there was a scholar.” The characters’ —Reads8.5Score—Shelves

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    Interesting cultural history books are coming out! After reading them, your dreams of poetry and distant places will feel closer [winking face]. Book 1: Stories of Tang Dynasty literati. [Smirking face] Book 2: Stories of dashing young men in Tang and Song poetry 😭 Book 3: Stories of talented scholars and beautiful women, a little disappointing [crying][crying]. Book 4: Stories of Wei and Jin Dynasty scholars. [Learned it] Book 5: Records of the Brilliant Talents of the Tang Dynasty

17. 267 三 Three Kingdoms: Liu Feng's Comeback from Cannon Fodder 三国：炮灰刘封逆袭之路 Pineapples Everywhere满地是菠萝Historical1.2M WordsCompleted [This book is being published. Stay tuned.] (Conquest, strategy, iron-blooded heroics, beauties, System) After transmigrating as Liu Feng, Liu Bei's adopted son, he knew the fate that awaited him: losing favor, being marginalized, becoming a pawn to be discarded, and ultimately falling into a deadly trap. In this life, he chose to endure and bide his time, then turn the tables when all seemed lost! From the start, he risked his life to save Liu Shan at Changban Slope, earning a reputation across 72.5kReads9.6Score7.4kShelves

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    🌪️ [The Three Kingdoms: A Maverick's Path to Power: The Hypocrite Becomes Emperor] He pretended to be a filial son to Liu Bei, a loyal minister to Zhuge Liang, and a benevolent patriot to Eastern Wu—until the fake death deception was exposed, he had already rewritten history with the help of the system: This world was originally a chessboard for hypocrites!

18. 268 曾 There Was Once a Boy 曾有少年时 Li Haoyuan李浩源Historical153k WordsCompleted Did you know Zhang Jiuling's reason for resigning was, “Mom told me to come home”? Did you know Wen Tingyun got drunk and talked nonsense, somehow turning a winning hand into a complete disaster? Did you know Gao Shi spent ten years penniless before finally rising to high office and becoming a general? These stories from a thousand years ago are more entertaining than celebrity gossip, and much easier to relate to. Chen Ziang, Luo Yin, Wei Yingwu, Li He... They weren't among the Tang dynasty's t 240Reads9.4Score100Shelves
19. 269 西 A Brief History of Western Xia 西夏简史 Chen Haibo陈海波Historical146k WordsCompleted Western Xia was a mysterious steppe empire shrouded in many unanswered questions. Its very existence struck fear into the people along the Central Plains’ borders. It may not have been a nation steeped in bloodshed, but its fierce, warlike nature was enough to make Western Xia’s history tumultuous, with events rising and falling like storm winds. For Western Xia, the vast grasslands witnessed its growth and tolerated the many acts of slaughter it carried out in its quest for power. Yet its rise 92Reads9.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    History can be dry, so we have to find some fun here, haha. [Laughs][laughs]

20. 270 明 Tales from the End of the Ming 明末那些事 Akina Mountain Bug秋名山虫子Historical1.3M WordsOngoing History is too ugly to examine closely. Look at it under a magnifying glass, like a beautiful woman, and everywhere your gaze falls, you’ll find ugliness and schemes… Did the Tianqi Emperor really drown? Was his name Hong Taiji or Huang Taiji? No, you’re all wrong. His name was Heihai… Was Cao Huachun loyal or treacherous? Is Xu Guangqi the man you think he is? … The Little Ice Age. The Great Ming stands at the end of its days, battered by wind and rain. Crises erupt, one after another, while ot 1.1kReads7.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I'd like to recommend a book; those who criticize it, please don't bother. I personally found it excellent.

21. 271 中 One Book Is All You Need to Read Chinese History 中国历史读这本就够了 Hua Ye华业Historical315k WordsCompleted Taking a broad, panoramic view and following the pattern of division and reunification across five thousand years of Chinese history, this book divides the past into several major periods: the fragmented states of the pre-Qin era; the unified empires of the Qin and Han; the divisions of the Three Kingdoms, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties; the unified Sui and Tang; the fragmented Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, Liao, Song, Xia, and Jin; the unified Yuan, Ming, and Qing; and the developm 23Reads9.1Score—Shelves
22. 272 我 I Am the Great Tang Imperial Granduncle, Destined to Become an Emperor for the Ages! 我！大唐皇太叔，成就千古一帝！ Life's Affairs Are What Life Is浮生事浮生是Historical346k WordsCompleted 846 AD, the sixth year of Huichang. The Sixteen Mansions, Prince Guang’s residence. The owner of this estate was about to move out. No, to be precise, he was about to take up residence in his “loyal” Daming Palace. An insignificant civil servant from the modern world transmigrated into the late Tang dynasty, just as the empire was nearing its end. His goal was not to become the so-called “Little Taizong,” a figure both praised and condemned in the history books! He would quell factional strife a 165Reads6.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The posthumous title system states, "A ruler renowned for his benevolence and virtue is called Xuan." This emphasizes that a monarch is famous throughout the land for his benevolence and good governance. However, historically, even emperors like Xuanzong could not escape the cycle of decline that begins in history. What if a nobody within the modern system were to transmigrate into the body of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, about to be enthroned by eunuchs as the "Great Zhongzhi Era"? How would he save the declining Tang Empire and escape the historical cycle of decline? (Author's self-recommendation)

23. 273 每 One Fun History Fact a Day: 500 Questions About Chinese History 每天一个历史趣味常识：有关中国历史的500个问题 Li Rui李睿Historical336k WordsCompleted One book to help you understand the past and present, and take pleasure in learning about the world. This is a witty, insightful collection that distills the essence of historical knowledge, combining learning, entertainment, and scholarship. With a rigorous, scientific approach, a fresh and distinctive format, and lively, accessible language, it recounts more than 500 curious tales and historical mysteries from China and offers incisive, penetrating analyses and explanations of the truths and q 51Reads9.0Score—Shelves
24. 274 中 Five Thousand Years of Chinese History 中国上下五千年 Zhang Qi章祺Historical107k WordsCompleted A History of China Through Five Thousand Years recounts nearly five millennia of Chinese history, from the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Throughout its long history, the great Chinese nation has given rise to countless remarkable figures: politicians, military strategists, thinkers, scientists, writers, artists, and outstanding women. A History of China Through Five Thousand Years selects events that had a major impact on the course of Chinese histo 10.5kReads9.5Score1.4kShelves
25. 275 那 That Village, Those People, That Fool 那村那人那傻瓜 Lucky Treasure福宝Ancient Romance174k WordsCompleted One field, one home, and two people: a simple life shared for a long time is what really matters! A hardworking, kindhearted country girl vs. a devoted, doting husband who treats her like a loyal puppy. A warm and simple story of everyday family life! This story takes place in a small village. Hehua, the eldest daughter of the Li family in the west of the village, married Changsheng, who lived in the east... Changsheng never spoke to anyone and couldn't recognize his neighbors. He didn't even kn 31.6kReads9.6Score3.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Watching the second TV series made me laugh so hard I almost scratched the wall.

26. 276 知 A Little Knowledge of Chinese History 知道点中国历史 Wang Miao汪淼Historical147k WordsCompleted Which emperors in history were most notorious for killing their meritorious officials? What was life like for ancient ethnic minorities? Why did the ancient kingdom of Loulan disappear? Which places were strategically contested by military commanders throughout history? These are things we should all know a little about. 835Reads9.4Score112Shelves
27. 277 十EN Ten Days to the End 十日终焉 Pest Control Team Member杀虫队队员Mystery3.2M WordsCompleted 2024 Tomato Novel Annual Peak Rankings TOP 1 | 2024 China Online Literature Influence List | 2024 China Good Novel Award | Over 2 million copies sold (No harem, no formulaic tropes, no invincibility, no System, no mindless antics, no wish fulfillment. Read with caution if these bother you.) Just when I thought it was an ordinary day, I discovered I had been captured and taken to the End. Just when I thought I could escape by continually taking part in death games, people began awakening supernat 1.7MReads9.9Score209.2kShelves
28. 278 回 Back to the Eastern Jin to Battle the Five Barbarians 回到东晋斗五胡 Lord Chen of a Thousand Households千户陈公Historical589k WordsCompleted In 290 AD, Emperor Wu of Jin dies, a simple-minded boy takes the throne, Empress Jia seizes power, the Rebellion of the Eight Princes erupts, and northern tribes seize the chance to invade south, bringing devastation to the people… Chen Lie, a second-year student at a science and engineering university, reads this and is filled with righteous indignation at the history. At the same time, he is utterly captivated by the bearing of the Wei-Jin literati. One day, he dreams himself back into that er 133Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A classic work on the chaos and unrest of the Five Barbarian Tribes during the Jin Dynasty.

29. 279 一 I Transmigrated, and They Made Me Emperor! 一朝穿越，我被黄袍加身了！ Zhou Big Tomato周大番茄Historical2.2M WordsCompleted Also known as The Finest Young Master from a Humble Family One month after transmigrating, a woman I've never even met wants to be my wife? And she wants to have my babies! What does it matter if the dynasty is in chaos and the times are turbulent, even if I'm out in the countryside, far from the centers of power? Foreign enemies are invading and want to take my money? Dream on! 819Reads8.6Score102Shelves

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    This looks great!

30. 280 我 I Hold Power in Eastern Wu 我在东吴当权臣 I'm the Laziest in Wu'an武安我最懒Historical220k WordsCompleted My soul transmigrated to the end of the Han dynasty, where I became a lowly soldier in the Jiangdong camp, likely to end up in a mass grave at any moment. In my previous life, I read history and laughed at “Sun of Ten Thousand,” mocked as he was chased by eight hundred of Zhang Liao’s men. I thought him incompetent. In this life, with a cold blade pressed against my neck, I finally understood: in these chaotic times, human lives are as worthless as grass. Since I’ve come here, I can’t let his 51Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Passionate Eastern Wu, the bond between ruler and subjects

31. 281 中 Two Thousand Years of Chinese History 中华二千年史 Deng Zhicheng邓之诚Historical1.4M WordsCompleted A History of China Through Two Thousand Years was first published in 1934 as one of the University Series, then republished by Zhonghua Book Company in 1956. Written by Deng Zhicheng, it primarily recounts Chinese history from the Qin and Han periods through the Ming and Qing dynasties, while also presenting the author’s historical thought and commentary. 88Reads8.8Score—Shelves
32. 282 将 A General’s Daughter Strikes Back in the Modern World 将军千金的现代逆袭 WGood LuckTW大吉大利TFemale-Channel Fanfiction265k WordsCompleted My new work is out! You’re welcome to read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Your support motivates me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! This is a slow-burn story, without thrilling suspense or intense conflicts right from the beginning. Take your time and enjoy it; it gets better and better as the story unfolds! I welcome your comments and suggestions. 3Reads—Score—Shelves

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    [Add one to bookshelf][Add one to bookshelf]

33. 283 霸 The Road to Hegemony: The First Emperor Unites the Six Kingdoms 霸业征途之祖龙扫六合 WGood LuckTW大吉大利THistorical732k WordsCompleted My new work is out! You’re welcome to read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Your support motivates me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 3Reads—Score—Shelves
34. 284 草 A Commoner Holds the Imperial Seal, So Let Me Be Rude 草民执玺，庶我无礼 Bread Fu Lu Wa面包福禄娃Historical1.1M WordsOngoing [Alternate history + political intrigue + factional strife + succession struggle + war] No System, no invincibility, no treasures, no special bloodline, no golden finger… nothing at all! From the start, all He Yan can say is “Ah!” He’s the unlucky soul who transmigrates into a book as a lowly slave on the frontier. Mired in the dirt, he’s caught in a time of chaos, with a life as cheap as an ant’s. When even a bowl of porridge and a meal of rice are no longer guaranteed, should he accept his fat 115Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A masterpiece of historical research! Much better than those haphazardly time-traveling stories about princes and nobles! It strives for historical accuracy, and the protagonist isn't invincible or possessed by a system; he climbs the ranks step by step through cunning and strategy! A truly captivating read!

35. 285 那 Those Memories Haven't Faded Like Smoke 那些往事并不如烟 Win People Over with Virtue915以德服人915Urban851k WordsCompleted Based on true historical events, this book recounts how Chinese public security and political security agents in the 1960s used extraordinary methods to endure humiliation and infiltrate enemy intelligence organizations in Taiwan. They remained undercover for more than twenty years, making major contributions to national security. The story paints a sweeping historical panorama. Its twists and turns are vivid and compelling, and its main events are adapted from historical fact. Rich in the spiri 576Reads8.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Based entirely on true historical events and figures, the film tells the story of a thirty-year intelligence struggle, a real undercover life spanning a special era, and reveals the hidden front struggle during the difficult years of the Republic.

36. 286 穿 Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: You Were Sent as an Envoy, Not to Marry Empress Dowager Xiao 穿宋，让你出使，没让你娶萧太后 Arctic Ocean Dragon King北冰洋龙王Historical283k WordsOngoing “Minister Cao, how much must our Great Song pay in annual tribute?” “One million!” “What? One million! You insolent Cao Yong, I’ll have your head today!” “Your Majesty, I haven’t finished. The Liao are paying our Great Song one million a year!” “And on top of that, I’ve married Empress Dowager Xiao…” —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Part One: Starting from an island, beginning with Diao Chan, they conquer the vast world and embrace countless beauties. Traveling to the late Eastern Han Dynasty, they ultimately unify China, but this is not the end, only the beginning… Part Two: A newlywed couple, less than a day into their marriage, suddenly travel to the Song Dynasty! The husband becomes the Liao envoy at the Treaty of Chanyuan, and the wife becomes Empress Dowager Xiao of Liao! Together, they plot to change history.

37. 287 岳 The Complete Story of Yue Fei, Part One: The Fall of the Central Plains 岳飞全传（上）：神州陆沉 Hu Xiaoming胡晓明Historical281k WordsCompleted Set against the historical backdrop of the Song-Jin conflict at the turn of the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, this book follows three main storylines: Yue Fei's resistance against the Jin, the Song court's flight south, and the rise of the Jin. It offers a sweeping panorama of the fierce war between Song and Jin, bringing to life a host of vivid, compelling figures, including Yue Fei, Qin Hui, Zhao Gou, Wuzhu, and Nianhan. It also vividly portrays the lives and fates of ordinary people d 360Reads9.5Score—Shelves
38. 288 精 Yue Fei: A Complete Three-Volume Set 精忠岳飞（全三册） Ding Shanxi丁善玺Historical499k WordsCompleted Yue Fei was a renowned general of ancient China and a widely celebrated national hero. He joined the army at nineteen and fought for twenty years, winning all two hundred major and minor battles. Time and again, he prevailed against larger forces and stronger foes, steadfastly defending half of the Southern Song realm. Rising from an ordinary man to a military commander, his mastery of both letters and arms, his noble character, and his unflagging ambition and self-discipline have inspired gener 426Reads9.5Score—Shelves
39. 289 我 My Proud and Talented Lady of the Marquis’s Manor 我的侯府傲娇才娘子 When Bai Ze Arrives白泽来时Historical1.8M WordsCompleted Also known as: “I Just Transmigrated and Picked Up a Proud Marquis Household Heiress” and “One Female Lead” Food gives life continuity. Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and song give it charm. A little wealth, fame, and success give it grandeur. Gu Zhengyan transmigrated and unexpectedly won first place in a poetry competition. He even married a young lady from a marquis’s household, only for the furious marquis to throw them both out. Gu Zhengyan took his wife back to his impoverish 31.6kReads9.0Score2.9kShelves

    Reader note

    History, oh, look!

40. 290 长 The Battle of Lake Changjin: The Turning Point of the Korean War 长津湖战役：朝鲜战争的拐点 Li Ran李然Historical52k WordsCompleted Discover the true story of the Battle of Lake Changjin, a desperate clash of wills and faith. We salute the great soldiers. Those faces hidden beneath the ice, those who died under the bombs: they deserve to be remembered! More than seventy years ago, the Langlin Mountains were rugged and buried beneath heavy snow. The wind howled into people's ears, as loud as an exploding shell. Many lay in the snow. The charge sounded, but they could no longer move. Snowflakes settled on their eyelashes, and 737Reads9.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Learn about history and famous figures. Expand your knowledge.

41. 291 杨 The Romance of the Yang Family 杨家府演义 Anonymous无名氏Historical155k WordsCompleted The Romance of the Yang Family Generals is a historical novel by an anonymous Qing dynasty author. Centered on the legendary story of the loyal Yang Ye and his family fighting the Khitan Liao, it depicts several generations of the Yang family bravely resisting their enemies and serving their country. After Yang Ye dies in battle, his son Yang Yanzhao and grandson Yang Zongbao carry on his legacy and win many victories. The most celebrated episodes include Mu Guiying taking command and the twelve 79Reads9.4Score—Shelves
42. 292 岳 The Complete Story of Yue Fei, Part Two: Fallen Leaves in Lin'an 岳飞全传（下）：叶落临安 Hu Xiaoming胡晓明Historical261k WordsCompleted Set against the historical backdrop of the Song-Jin conflict at the turn of the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, this book follows three main storylines: Yue Fei's resistance against the Jin, the Song court's flight south, and the rise of the Jin. It offers a sweeping panorama of the fierce war between Song and Jin, bringing to life a host of vivid, compelling figures, including Yue Fei, Qin Hui, Zhao Gou, Wuzhu, and Nianhan. It also vividly portrays the lives and fates of ordinary people d 82Reads9.5Score—Shelves
43. 293 不 A History of the Song Dynasty Too Painful to Look At 不忍细看的大宋史 Ink Bamboo墨竹Historical210k WordsCompleted Throughout history, no dynasty has been like the Song: militarily weak, yet witnessing rapid literary development and dominating the history of literature; lost in timid dreams, it surrendered its homeland to foreign tribes and bowed beneath their iron hooves. History has never lacked for enthralling tales. Beneath the refined veneer of the Great Song, you can read of the grandeur and composure of the Wine-Cup Ceremony that stripped the generals of their military power, the bold ambition of the 58Reads9.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Brother, this is great!

44. 294 中 Chinese Allusions: Volume One 中华典故·第一卷 Li Nan李 楠Historical67k WordsCompleted Chinese civilization has a long and illustrious history, and historical and cultural classics abound with allusions. The editors of this book have journeyed through cultural classics from the Pre-Qin period to the late Qing, selecting hundreds of allusions and providing detailed explanations of each one's source, story, meaning, and usage. To make them easier to look up, the allusions have been sorted by similarities and differences in meaning, so readers can find and use them quickly and easily 847Reads9.5Score—Shelves
45. 295 刘 The Biography of Liu E 刘娥传 The Moon Sleeps in the Starry River月眠星河Historical247k WordsCompleted The Story of Liu E, Part One: Springtime in Bianjing A creative take on history + the growth of an ordinary person. ☆Not a wish-fulfillment story☆Slow burn☆A rewarding read☆Humorous prose☆Remember! The politics of this dog-eat-dog dynasty have nothing to do with women, so the heroine often disappears from the story in the early chapters! Emperor Taizong of Song really couldn't appoint a crown prince. His eldest son, Zhao Yuanzuo, was made crown prince: he went mad. His second son, Zhao Yuanyou, 109Reads6.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Liu E, capable of being both sociable and solitary, always playing a minor role.

46. 296 南 A History of the Southern Ming (Two-Volume Set) 南明史（全二册） Gu Cheng顾诚Historical696k WordsCompleted A nation on the brink of ruin still descends into infighting, and even in its final days, the infighting continues! Nothing is more absurd than human nature. In March 1644, Li Zicheng's Great Shun forces captured Beijing, and the Chongzhen Emperor hanged himself. When news reached Nanjing, the Southern Capital, the question of who would be enthroned became urgent. Civil and military officials alike scrambled to make a name for themselves before the new ruler, each hoping to claim the credit for 4.7kReads9.5Score1.4kShelves
47. 297 南 The Southern Song Dynasty’s Top Undercover Agent 南宋第一卧底 Long Yuan龙渊Historical7.4M WordsCompleted In the sixteenth year of the Jiading era of the Southern Song, Shen Mo, a modern-day undercover agent, began manipulating the fate of the empire in the palm of his hand. Countless ingenious schemes, ruthless plots, and brutal tactics poured from him. His modern forensic techniques cracked one bizarre Southern Song case after another, while his espionage skills crushed the secret agents of the Liao and Jin. When the Mongol Yuan cavalry, invincible across the land, came thundering toward them, the 6.1kReads9.1Score846Shelves

    Reader note

    I recommend two books; I've already finished one, and I'm currently reading the other.

48. 298 中 An Outline of Chinese History 中国史纲 Zhang Yinlin张荫麟Historical156k WordsCompleted This book recounts more than sixteen hundred years of history, from the Shang dynasty to the Eastern Han. It is arranged chronologically by dynasty, but does not devote equal space to each one. Instead, guided by the author’s own philosophy of history, it selects important events from each period as its themes, focusing on “social change, intellectual contributions, and the character of several major figures.” Rich in content, the book covers not only the rise and fall of dynasties, political fo 61Reads9.2Score—Shelves
49. 299 大 The Light of the Tang Dynasty 大唐之光 Zhai Jiu宅勼Historical128k WordsOngoing A lonely soul transmigrates to the Tang Dynasty, where beneath the hollow splendor and bustling prosperity, countless undercurrents are at work. The belief that all people are born equal is already etched deep in his bones. Even as he goes with the flow, he cannot help but pluck the strings of history. Cultivate yourself, set your household in order, govern the land. No rush, one step at a time. Establish a guiding purpose for Heaven and Earth, secure a destiny for the people, carry on the lost 127Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is good, I recommend you check it out.

50. 300 西 A General History of the West 西方通史 Wen Pingyuan文聘元Historical369k WordsCompleted A History of the West tells the story of Western history from ancient Greece to the 1990s. It covers the histories of ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as those of several major Western powers today, including the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia, and Italy. It recounts not only major historical events, but also the lives of famous figures such as Alexander, Caesar, Octavian, Napoleon, and Churchill. Readers can learn both how these nations deve 495Reads9.4Score160Shelves

    Reader note

    That's all, just to reach the word count.

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