Stories About Poor Scholars Rising to Greatness, with Smooth Writing, High Quality, and Realistic Plots 寒门出贵子的小说文笔流畅，质量高，符合实际

1. 1 农 An Ambitious Country Boy's Life in Ancient Times 农家小子的古代上进日常 The Hibernating Donkey冬眠中的驴Historical6.2M WordsOngoing After transmigrating into the body of a farmer's son in ancient times, a poor student had no choice but to embark on the long road of the imperial examinations to improve his family's life. He sought neither wealth and status nor a high salary or lofty office in this life. All he wanted was to protect his family and give them a peaceful life. 40.7kReads9.2Score3kShelves

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   1. "The person who constantly restrains you is also the one who prevents you from falling, the one who hopes you will fly higher and higher. This line is both the starting point and the destination, guiding you towards home!" Wang Maoping said with some emotion. 3. He picked it up and looked at it, then looked up at the person in front of him and asked, "Are you Tang Wenfeng?" Tang Wenfeng nodded, wondering to himself, "Is he that famous? Do all the teachers in the county school know him?" The man with the goatee shook his head and sighed, "I never expected you to come to the county school." He thought that a promising student who had passed the preliminary examination at such a young age would go to Mohua Academy. Mohua Academy was the most famous private school in Yiyang County, jointly funded by several large families in the county. The headmaster was an old gentleman specially invited from the prefectural city who had taught at the Imperial Academy. Since the founding of Mohua Academy, the two academies had been at odds. Although their relationship had eased somewhat, to the point that they wouldn't spit at each other when they bumped into each other on the street, they still ignored each other. The man with the goatee asked curiously, "Can you tell me why you came to the county school?" Tang Wenfeng hesitated, "Do you want to hear the truth or...?" The man with the goatee raised an eyebrow, "The truth, of course." Tang Wenfeng then said, "It's cheap."

2. 2 过 With a Photographic Memory, Isn’t It Only Natural I Came First in the Imperial Exam? 过目不忘，我中状元正常吧？ Mountaineer登山客Historical1.3M WordsCompleted Lu Chengan forgot to drink Granny Meng’s soup. One day, he transmigrates to a remote mountain village in the Great Zhou dynasty and becomes the second son of the Lu family’s second son. To take the imperial examinations, Lu Chengan has no choice but to urge his father to better himself. Before he knows it, his father becomes an official. Lu Chengan: Does he still need to work hard? 47.9kReads8.6Score5.1kShelves
3. 3 朝 A Farmer's Son at Dawn, an Emperor's Courtier by Dusk 朝为农家郎，暮登天子堂 Lantern Festival Revelry闹花灯Historical2.6M WordsOngoing (There's family drama, petty squabbles, rural life, outrageous oddballs, life in government, and much more.) After spending nearly ten years in a daze as an idiot, Tang Wenfeng fell into the water one day and finally came to his senses, now with a modern mind inside him. To avoid taxes, make a fortune, lie flat and enjoy himself, and secure a carefree life for the future, Tang Wenfeng decided to sit the imperial examinations. Who knew that an unexpected turn of events would put him on the 6.4kReads8.4Score437Shelves
4. 4 寒 The Poor Scholar's Rise 寒门贵子 Beyond the Mountain山的那边Historical2.1M WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the body of a penniless scholar, Jiang Feng thought about how his computer science degree from his previous life was utterly useless here… Then it occurred to him: “Of all pursuits, studying is the noblest. I’ll just have to grit my teeth and take the imperial exams!” He kept going, and when he suddenly looked back, he had risen to the highest offices, expanded the empire’s borders, and built an unprecedented legacy! P.S. The new book, A Poor Scholar of the First Rank, 34.2kReads9.1Score3.4kShelves
5. 5 科 The Road to Success Through the Imperial Examinations 科举之青云路 A Little Green Ear一只绿耳Historical1.2M WordsCompleted In his previous life, Lu Sheng was a spoiled rich kid. After being born into a farming family, he regains his memories at the age of three when his cousin pushes him to the ground over two pieces of pork crackling. Among the four paths of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, working for someone else is out of the question. With his poor knowledge of farming, he couldn't even support himself, so it looks like the imperial examinations are his only way to change his fate. From then on, Lu S 1.8kReads7.7Score130Shelves
6. 6 穿 I Was Reborn in a Farming Novel, but I Don't Want to Pass the Imperial Exams on Talent 穿进种田文里，我不想靠才华科举 Autumn Has Always Been Here丛来是秋Historical1.6M WordsCompleted Su Congli transmigrated. To stay alive, he studied day and night and threw himself into the imperial examinations. Who could have guessed? At the provincial exam: “What are you staring at, chief examiner?” At the metropolitan exam: “Why do these examiners all seem so strange?” At the palace exam: “Oh! Isn’t that guy sitting in the throne hall the one who stares at me every night?” Emperor Qiyuan prided himself on being a wise ruler of his age, blessed with extraordinary fortune. Who knew he’d ru 11.3kReads8.9Score949Shelves
7. 7 首 The Chief Minister's Road to the Imperial Examinations 首辅的科举之路 Adoring You at Dawn and Dusk朝暮倾卿Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [No golden finger + No pocket dimension + Heartwarming family + No ridiculous characters] [The male lead works hard and climbs the ranks one step at a time through his own efforts] [The male lead is devoted; the female lead appears fairly late. The story begins with the imperial examinations and later moves into officialdom] [No forced stupidity, no self-righteous saint, and no fake innocent heroine] Xu Xingfeng, a county-level civil servant in a twenty-first-century town, suddenly finds himself 6.7kReads8.9Score616Shelves

   Reader note

   These three books are all about poor families rising to prominence through the imperial examinations, and I absolutely love this genre! Especially the first one, with its incredible start, but even though the protagonist comes in last place, he still manages to pass the imperial examinations and become an official!

8. 8 农 The Old Country Scholar: Reborn as the Father of Four 农门老童生:穿成了四个娃的爹 Flying Cow 98会飞的牛98Historical833k WordsCompleted One heroine, no System An old book never tires the reader, even after a hundred readings. Read it closely and ponder it, and its meaning will reveal itself. Lin Mingyuan transmigrates to Great Chu, just over a decade after its founding, and becomes an old licentiate in a small mountain village. At the ripe old age of thirty-five, he is the father of four, with a beloved wife he thinks of constantly. The imperial examinations, suspended amid the wars at the end of the previous dynasty, are now be 3.8kReads9.0Score266Shelves

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   🌵①A poor family produces a great son [Full of joy] The male protagonist, a programmer, transmigrates into the body of a drowning scholar. The scene of the eldest son taking medicine almost repeats itself. The prodigal son returns to his home, making the female protagonist think he is a ghost, and she is willing to stay with him ❤️❤️ The male protagonist takes the imperial examination and makes a living for his family. From youth to old age, he has a house full of children and grandchildren. It's super exciting.

9. 9 努 I Strive for the Imperial Exams, But My Slacker Dreams Never Change 努力考科举，咸鱼梦想从未改变 A Little Green Ear一只绿耳Historical1.8M WordsCompleted [Imperial exams + everyday life + lighthearted] Lu Yang, a rich second-generation heir, wakes up one day as the youngest and most cherished son of the Lu family. This youngest son is a scholar, yet selfish and self-centered, turning a blind eye to his family's sacrifices and caring only about his own future. Lu Yang may be a slacker with little conscience, but he knows who's good to him. He keeps his dream of being a slacker tucked away and works hard to pass the imperial exams, hoping to become 17.8kReads9.1Score1.8kShelves

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   🍔A slice-of-life story about the imperial examinations. The writing is rather slow. Although the male protagonist is a lazy bum who is always thinking about how to relax, he still works hard to pass the imperial examinations so that his family can live a good life. The interactions between him and the emperor are particularly well written. He is always thinking about how to get holidays from the emperor.

10. 10 一 A Poor Scholar of Noble Character 一品寒士 Beyond the Mountain山的那边Historical1.6M WordsCompleted [Single heroine, semi-fictionalized Tang Dynasty] In an era when the great aristocratic clans looked down on the imperial family, Zhao Quan was born to a farming family and entered school carrying the hopes of his parents and six older brothers. Farming was out of the question: even the village head’s family had no food to spare… So he had no choice but to take the imperial exams and become an official. 10.2kReads9.3Score888Shelves
11. 11 农 The Imperial Tutor's Road to the Civil Service Exams 农门帝师的科举之路 Ju He雎禾Historical1.0M WordsCompleted Imperial Examination, One-on-One Romance After an accident, a young man from the modern era transmigrated into the Great Qian Dynasty. Looking at his family’s dilapidated brick house, Qi Wenyu wondered how he would make a living from then on... 21.3kReads9.2Score2kShelves

    Reader note

    The story begins with the imperial examinations and later focuses on the protagonist's service to the people as an official. It's not a mindless novel; the male lead is intelligent, the whole family is supportive, and there are no awful characters. It's a good read, so don't let the synopsis discourage you.

12. 12 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 16.3kReads8.2Score984Shelves

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

13. 13 穿 Transmigrated to the Countryside: A Young Farmer's Road to the Imperial Exams 穿越之农家独苗苗的科举之路 Zhang Rubai张如白Ancient Romance2.5M WordsCompleted [Born into the Past + Farming + Imperial Exams + Fleeing Famine + Warfare] The slow-paced everyday life of a boy from a rural family in ancient times! Zhang Ping'an gets a new lease on life when he transmigrates to an ancient farming family. Fortunately, they are fairly well-off, so no one has to go hungry. He has six older sisters, and he is the only boy his parents had long hoped for. His parents favor sons over daughters, and all six sisters are fierce. He thought he was in for a story about 29kReads8.7Score2.8kShelves

    Reader note

    The male protagonist is from a farming family; he's the son his parents went through a lot to get, and he has six older sisters. He doesn't have any special advantages or special abilities, which is realistic.

14. 14 我 I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examinations 我，孙山，科举 Ximen Qizi西门七仔Ancient Romance4.7M WordsOngoing “Imperial exams + transmigration + farming + exams + no space System” “Romance included, devoted male lead. The female lead is his childhood sweetheart, but she appears infrequently. Romance is not the main plot.” “The male lead rises step by step through hard work and good luck.” “The male lead is no good at scheming, but he gets things done and has technical skills.” “The imperial examination system is based on the Ming and Qing dynasties.” After an accident, he is transmigrated into the womb 47.9kReads8.8Score3.2kShelves

    Reader note

    With low tolerance for toxicity, these two are the only two novels with a relatively reasonable plot about a poor family rising to prominence through the imperial examinations. They don't have many toxic elements (ps: the second book has too much slice-of-life content and is a bit too filler).

15. 15 全 My Entire Clan! Supports My Imperial Exams 全族！供我科举 Yang Chan Who Loves Braised Yellow Mutton爱吃焖黄羊肉的杨婵Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Imperial exams + transmigration + imperial exams + no golden finger, no System. The story draws on the privileges enjoyed by scholars in the Ming dynasty! The clan elder was a licentiate, and that was the only reason Baihu Village was protected. Now the elder is gone, and no new licentiate has appeared. The entire clan can only pool its strength to support one child. Just one licentiate can improve life in the village, give the children a future, boost the village economy, and make officials thi 13.8kReads8.5Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    The daily life of the imperial examinations is described in detail. It's captivating, all thanks to the strong support of the clan. One day, he will surely use his salary to support his relatives, bringing glory to the family and living up to everyone's expectations.

16. 16 斩 Executed from the Start? One Poem Made Me a God! Defying Heaven to Change My Fate! 斩首开局？一诗封神！逆天改命！ Hua Nuo Huajingxuan花诺花靖轩Eastern Fantasy1.5M WordsOngoing In the Great Qian Dynasty, the literary path reigns supreme, and poetry can manifest the divine! From condemned prisoner to supreme Literary Sage, Lin Fan uses modern knowledge to reshape the literary path! “Let the literary path serve the people, and let all under heaven live as one! I will change this world with my poetry!” 1.7kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Poor family background [shy]

17. 17 书 Master Calligrapher? Poet Immortal? Chief Minister? That's Right, I'm All of Them 书圣？诗仙？首辅？没错，都是我 Sunlight on the River日照前川Historical834k WordsOngoing In his previous life, Cui Xian was a PhD in Chinese Language and Literature at a top-tier university. In this life, he transmigrated to ancient times, into a poor family with no connections: A destitute home, a pregnant mother, young siblings, an uncle who had failed the exams six times and was hopeless at studying, a grandmother so obsessed with imagining her son placing high in the imperial examinations that she had become delusional, and Cui Xian, who was only eight years old. Cui Xian: This 28.3kReads9.4Score2.7kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book is a new one. The protagonist transmigrates to the Northern Song Dynasty and starts as a peasant boy. He doesn't start by becoming a renowned poet, nor is he a mindless, face-slapping protagonist. The early stages focus on studying, taking the imperial examinations, and solving survival problems. The pacing isn't fast, but the writing is delicate and the plot is natural. If you enjoy stories of growth through the imperial examinations and the everyday life of ordinary people, you might want to check it out.

18. 18 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 214.1kReads9.3Score21.3kShelves
19. 19 寒 A Poor Scholar: One Stroke of My Brush Brings Down the Entire Literary World 寒门书生：提笔写崩整个文坛 Ink-Black Abyss墨色沉渊Historical1.2M WordsCompleted [Daily Life + Transmigration + Not a Plagiarist + Imperial Examinations + Court Intrigue + Face-Slapping +爽 Story + Rise of a Poor Family] Three devastating blows right from the start! He is framed for plagiarism and disgraced beyond repair. His fiancée breaks off their engagement in public, and the academy throws him out with a single letter. His elderly mother is bedridden with a serious illness, while creditors crowd his door demanding payment. Xie Tingyun, a modern screenwriter for short 2.8kReads7.2Score273Shelves

    Reader note

    Really good!!!!

20. 20 寒 The Imperial Exam Routine of a Poor Butcher's Son 寒门屠户之子的科举日常 Diki DaddyDiki粑粑Historical3.3M WordsOngoing The Wang butcher family is full of burly men, all tall, broad, and muscular, like a whole den of reincarnated black bears! But their youngest son, Wang Sanniu, is the odd one out: frail, delicate, and liable to fall over in a breeze. Standing beside his family, he looks like a little fox that wandered into a bear’s den. Butchering pigs? The moment pig’s blood splashes over him, he faints! Farming? The hoe is taller than he is! With the family fearing he’ll become a good-for-nothing, his mother m 188.1kReads9.0Score24.1kShelves

    Reader note

    These two books are quite good; the plots are well-developed, and the storylines are reasonable and realistic. I recommend [Exploration].

21. 21 斜 Warm Evening Breeze at Sunset 斜阳晚风正暖 Yan Yue琂月Modern Romance113k WordsCompleted The meticulously crafted “comeback blueprint” mysteriously disappears, leaving behind only a flyer for a guaranteed-pass prep course, stained with pale yellow paint. Her ex-husband's cold calculations, her fake best friend's betrayal, and one dirty trick after another from the prep course... She thinks she's fighting alone, but the kind-hearted upperclassman by the window has been quietly looking out for her all along. When corporate project-management skills meet a hunt for the culprits behind —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    To clear her father's name, she took root in Wangzhu, fulfilling her mission with gentleness and embracing new life with unwavering resolve.

22. 22 望 Wangzhu Village Short Stories: The First Home Visit 望竹村短故事：第一次家访 Yan Yue琂月12k WordsCompleted Wangzhu Village Short Story: The First Home Visit —Reads—Score—Shelves
23. 23 望 Wangzhu Village Short Stories: Lu Ze’s Midnight Vigil 望竹村短故事：陆则的深夜守护 Yan Yue琂月8k WordsCompleted Wangzhu Village Short Story: Lu Ze's Late-Night Vigil —Reads—Score—Shelves
24. 24 望 Wangzhu Village Short Stories: The First Lesson in the Volunteer Classroom 望竹村短故事：支教课堂的第一堂课 Yan Yue琂月13k WordsCompleted Wangzhu Village Short Story: The First Lesson in the Volunteer Teaching Classroom —Reads—Score—Shelves
25. 25 望 Wangzhu Village Short Stories: Dad’s Supervision Diary 望竹村短故事：爸爸的监理日记 Yan Yue琂月13k WordsCompleted Wangzhu Village Short Story: Dad's Construction Supervisor Diary —Reads—Score—Shelves
26. 26 望 Wangzhu Village Short Stories: Lin Weiwei’s Bento of Atonement 望竹村短故事：林薇薇的赎罪便当 Yan Yue琂月15k WordsCompleted Wangzhu Village Short Story: Lin Weiwei's Bento of Atonement —Reads—Score—Shelves
27. 27 望 Wangzhu Village Short Stories: Kindling Hope, Finding Peace Year After Year 望竹村短故事：烟火渡人，岁岁归安 Yan Yue琂月11k WordsCompleted Wangzhu Village Short Story: Guiding Souls Home Through Fireworks, Returning to Peace Year After Year —Reads—Score—Shelves
28. 28 裹 A Ruler Wrapped in Velvet 裹着天鹅绒的尺子 Yan Yue琂月29k WordsCompleted The Ruler Wrapped in Velvet —Reads—Score—Shelves
29. 29 为 To Avoid Getting Beaten, I Started Studying for the Imperial Exams 为了不挨打，开始考科举 Yu Su鱼素Historical1.4M WordsOngoing One day, Shen Qingyun becomes the youngest son of a farming family and thinks he can spend his whole life as a freeloader. But then disaster strikes, and he faces a dire predicament: His eldest brother went off to take a temporary job, but came back dead, wrapped in a straw mat; Other families in the village have several sons, but the Shen family has only him, their sole heir; His shrewish, favoritism-prone mother, his mistreated nieces, and his stooped, adopted father all depend on him; Bearing 1.4kReads8.6Score149Shelves

    Reader note

    Shen Qingyun, the youngest son of a farming family, thought he could live a life of leisure. Unexpectedly, tragedy struck: his elder brother, who had only gone to do odd jobs, returned dead, wrapped in a straw mat. Bearing the hopes of his entire family, Shen Qingyun picked up his pen and went to school. The villagers laughed, saying the Shen boy could never pass the exam unless the Shen family's ancestral graves emitted auspicious smoke. Years later, someone came to the village with drums and gongs, announcing the good news: Congratulations to Young Master Shen for passing the exam! The villagers were dumbfounded; the smoke from the Shen family's ancestral graves wasn't auspicious smoke, but thick, smoky smoke!

30. 30 苏 Su Chen'an's Journey Through the Imperial Exams 苏辰安的科举之路 Dream of Nine Hundred Million Girls九亿少女的梦梦Historical1.1M WordsCompleted Su Chen'an, a master of Chinese painting, had finally wrapped up an exhibition. Just as he walked out of the building, a flowerpot full of sunflowers came flying at him. He died on the spot. When he woke up again, he was almost starved to death inside his mother's womb. Every day, he teetered on the brink of starvation. He felt that if he absorbed even a little more nourishment from the amniotic fluid, his mother might die. But if he absorbed even a little less, the embryo that was him would pro 10.2kReads8.3Score877Shelves
31. 31 卖 Selling Vegetables and Studying, Then Becoming the Top Scholar 卖菜读书，结果高中状元 Three Layers of Belly Fat三层肚腩Historical1.1M WordsCompleted After Shen Qingfeng dies alongside the Zombie Emperor in the apocalypse, he transmigrates to an alternate dynasty called Great Chu and becomes a child in Ning'an Village. The boy, nicknamed Dog Egg, is frail from birth, suffers from heart disease, and has a lowly name. Luckily, his proper name is Shen Yu'an. After studying for a few months with the elders, Shen Yu'an decides to take the imperial examinations, only to discover that his ancestors were exiles, and the descendants of exiles for thre 5.5kReads8.9Score573Shelves
32. 32 古 Farming in Ancient Times: A Wife, Children, and a Warm Bed 古代种田，老婆孩子热炕头 Pipi's Little Pig皮皮的小猪Historical1.0M WordsCompleted The short drama has launched: “Farming in Ancient Times, the Imperial Court Finds Me a Wife” Zhou Cheng transmigrates into a house with nothing but bare walls, with a wife and daughter to his name. His parents play favorites; his second younger brother seems simple-minded but is actually an expert at setting traps; his third younger brother is selfish and self-serving; and his little sister is arrogant, vain, domineering, and unreasonable. As for him… he’s a gambling addict who beats his family 6.4kReads8.2Score460Shelves
33. 33 我 Getting By in Ancient Times 我在古代混日子 Dumpling Bro饺哥哥Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Qin Feng, a mediocre university student from the 21st century, was driven by necessity to participate in an experiment involving “digital memory transplantation.” The experiment failed, and he transmigrated to ancient times with countless memories. From then on, he began an extraordinary journey in another world, 6.1kReads8.5Score486Shelves
34. 34 在 Life as a Kept Man in Ancient Times 在古代吃软饭的日子 Uncle Chen Who Loves Honeycomb Egg Yolk Pastries爱吃蜂巢蛋黄角的陈伯Ancient Romance529k WordsCompleted Someone asked Lu Chao how he became the youngest Minister of Works in the empire. What was the secret to his success? Lu Chao glanced at the person beside him and smiled. “First, you need to have a general for a wife.” The story of Lu Chao, a modern-day corporate drone who accidentally transmigrates to ancient times. He originally plans to lie flat, but ultimately becomes a wise minister of his generation. 5.5kReads8.8Score413Shelves
35. 35 重 After Rewriting the Family Tree, Smoke Rose from the Ancestors' Graves: I'm Rich! 重开族谱后祖坟冒青烟，发家啦！ Astonishing Swan Takes Flight惊鸿鹊起Historical898k WordsCompleted [Business] [Imperial Exams] [Alternate Setting] [Everyday Life] [A Touch of Romance] Modern intangible cultural heritage video editor Li Yanning is in a car accident and transmigrates into the body of Li Yanning, a frail five-year-old boy. His biased grandfather and sharp-tongued step-grandmother are ready to let him die! Luckily, his reliable birth parents go all out to protect him. So touching... But after the family splits up, they're left with nothing. His parents are bullied, and his greedy 3.7kReads8.6Score321Shelves
36. 36 为 To Avoid Planting Rice, I Work Hard to Pass the Imperial Exams 为了不插秧，努力考科举 Three Layers of Belly Fat三层肚腩Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [The short drama adaptation is now streaming] A modern SSS-rank researcher dies suddenly and transmigrates to the Great Xing Dynasty. His health is so poor that he's not allowed to pick rice in the fields until he's six. Sunstruck and light-headed, Li Jing decides that farming with this body is a risky business, so he immediately resolves to study for the imperial examinations. That's what he's good at; the transplanting can be left to the professionals! The following year, now named Li Yiqing, 23kReads9.3Score2.2kShelves
37. 37 这 This Top Scholar Plays by His Own Rules 这个状元路子有点野 The Foundation of One's Life立身之本Historical2.3M WordsCompleted [Farming + imperial examinations + alternate history + lighthearted] My Parents Flipped the Table and Quit, So I Want to Take the Imperial Exams Too Just as Wang Xuezhou was about to reach the peak of his life, he transmigrated. The good news: in this life, his parents were loving, and his siblings got along. The bad news: the whole family was pinching pennies to fund his eldest uncle's studies. They had next to nothing and were living on coarse grain and wild greens. But before he could flip t 51.6kReads8.9Score6.4kShelves
38. 38 落 You Broke Off Our Engagement When I Failed the Exams. Now I've Topped Them, So Why Are You Crying? 落榜你提退婚，我高中状元你哭啥 Broken Eggplant, Bright Moon断茄明月Historical220k WordsCompleted Imperial examination story + fallen child prodigy + good-for-nothing’s rise to success + no System + nonstop thrills! The child prodigy Fang Zhongyong could write poetry at five and passed the county-level exam at eight, earning fame far and wide! The wealthy Zhou family came to curry favor with him, arranging for their daughter Zhou Liuliu to be betrothed to Fang Zhongyong. Under the pretext that their family had a private tutor to teach him, they tricked him into moving to their home. But they 909Reads6.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Fang Zhongyong, a child prodigy from a poor family, rose to prominence and was no longer just another ordinary person!

39. 39 科 I Passed the Imperial Exam and Gave the Dynasty Three Hundred More Years 科举高中，我给王朝续命三百年 Kill That Young Lord刀了那个郎君Historical258k WordsCompleted [Imperial Exams + Daily Life + Business + Officialdom + Political Intrigue + No Romance + No System] Xue Zhao, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, transmigrated one day into an abandoned infant who had been taken in and raised by a scholar and his wife. Before his adoptive father died, he urged Xue Zhao to take the imperial examinations, enter officialdom, and bring honor to the family. To fulfill his adoptive father’s dying wish, Xue Zhao embarked on the path of scholarship. From the coun 218Reads6.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The protagonist is a poor boy who enters officialdom through the imperial examinations and then gradually rises in rank.

40. 40 卖 You Sold My Beloved Wife? I'll Rule the Court Through the Imperial Exams! 卖我娇妻？我靠科举权倾朝野！ Nameless Bright Moon明月无名Historical413k WordsCompleted [Transmigrator Reborn + No System + Imperial Examinations + Political Intrigue] “I'll kill them all!” That was Li Yu's first thought when he woke up. After transmigrating, Li Yu was betrayed by his parents and family. His newlywed wife was sold and disfigured. He used a transmigrator's knowledge, far beyond that of the ancient world, to build wealth, but was cruelly oppressed by the powerful. His whole life was a tragedy! But just when all seemed lost, he was reborn. The moment he opens h 342Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is original and of excellent quality.

41. 41 寒 A Humble Family’s Path to Officialdom, Part One 寒门仕途【一】 Yan Yunfei闫云飞Urban1.4M WordsCompleted New Book: The Humble Official’s Path [Realistic Period Drama] [Rise from Poverty] [Political Intrigue] [Ambitious Struggle] [Rural Cadres] [Urban Life] In the 1970s, in Xiaochenzhuang, southern Henan, a family of three siblings lives in poverty. They are supported by the state, their father died young, and their mute mother is forced to remarry, leaving them to fend for themselves. The sisters choose Chen Shouzheng to continue his studies, and he devotes himself to his books, eventually becoming 6.7kReads8.8Score670Shelves

    Reader note

    Exact match!

42. 42 朱 A Scholar from a Humble Family in the Zhu Household 朱门寒士 Catch Turtles and Embrace the Moon捉鳖揽月Historical317k WordsCompleted A family of scholars, but who deserves a bowl of chicken soup? Climbing out of poverty: how many can fit on that narrow path? During the Jiajing reign of the Great Ming, the Zhu family hall in Zhuhe Village hosted a silent contest every night. The chicken soup's oily sheen floated only in the bowl of the eldest grandson, Zhu Yawen. The whole family tightened their belts to support a promising young scholar who had struggled for more than a decade without even passing the county-level examinatio 215Reads6.0Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The soul transmigrates into the body of a 5-year-old peasant boy, living his life from childhood to the imperial examinations and officialdom.

43. 43 布 The Commoner Chancellor, Xia Ren 布衣宰相虾仁 Floating Life Returns to the Void浮生归墟Historical920k WordsOngoing After a sudden car accident, Xia Ren, a double PhD in history and literature, transmigrated as a dying seven-year-old peasant child in the Great Jing Dynasty, a realm never recorded in history. His family had nothing, but that couldn't diminish the knowledge and experience he had accumulated over two lifetimes. His memories of poring over ancient texts in his previous life remained crystal clear. The classics, historical records, institutions, and lessons of dynastic rise and decline were all at 336Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Dear readers, the protagonist, Xia Ren, requests your attention, thank you! Book Synopsis: Xia Ren, a double PhD in History and Literature, after a sudden car accident, his soul transmigrates to the Great Jing Dynasty, a dynasty never recorded in history, reborn as a seven-year-old child on the verge of death in a farming family. His impoverished circumstances cannot hinder the knowledge and insight accumulated from his two lifetimes. His memories of his previous life's deep study of classical texts are as clear as yesterday; he possesses a profound understanding of history, philosophy, literature, institutions, and the principles of governance, chaos, rise, and fall. From a child studying by lamplight to a promising scholar, he overcomes numerous obstacles on the path of the imperial examinations with his vision and talent far beyond his time. He excels in the provincial examinations, gains fame in the metropolitan examinations, and astounds the emperor in the palace examinations. Entering the court as a commoner, he witnesses the treacherous nature of officialdom and the undercurrents of factional strife. Beset by treacherous officials within and threatened by border troubles without, he must contend with both open and covert attacks while fulfilling his aspirations to govern the country and benefit the people. He promoted agriculture and sericulture, benefited industry and commerce, rectified officialdom, and brought peace to the four borders... Step by step, he rose from a poor scholar to the position of prime minister, writing a legend of "shrimp" and leaving a strong mark on the history books of the Great Jing Dynasty for this unexpected soul.

44. 44 举 Your Whole Family Hopes You'll Pass the Scholar Exam, but You Top All Six? 举家盼你中秀才，你六元连中？ A Little Green Ear一只绿耳Historical1.5M WordsCompleted [Imperial examinations in the early chapters + farming + everyday life + lighthearted + court politics later on] In his previous life, Shen Zhou was in poor health and cultivated himself through a quiet, disciplined lifestyle, becoming rather indifferent by nature. Then he transmigrated to an ancient peasant family. The entire Shen family pooled their resources to support the original owner’s studies, hoping only that he would pass the county-level examination and become a licentiate. Sadly, the 14.7kReads8.7Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    Highly recommended, a good read, a career-oriented novel.

45. 45 科 The Imperial Exams: Soaring Ninety Thousand Miles 科举之扶摇直上九万里 Yi San Du一三渡Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Li Yanqing transmigrated to the Great Qi, a fictional dynasty. He told himself, “No need to worry. I’m a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. I can make a good life for myself anywhere.” But his father died, leaving behind a final wish: Li Yanqing should study, take the imperial exams, become an official, and make something of himself. To fulfill his father’s wish, Li Yanqing embarked on a decade of arduous study. Li Yanqing thought that since fate had brought him here, he ought to make use o 2.1kReads8.7Score145Shelves

    Reader note

    She has high emotional intelligence, knows how to communicate, and climbs the ladder step by step through her own efforts; she's quite heartwarming.

46. 46 归 Return to the Tang Dynasty 归唐 Murong Shaozong慕容绍宗Historical691k WordsOngoing He returns to the prosperous Tang Dynasty, before the An Lushan Rebellion. But beneath its dazzling surface, the court officials harbor ulterior motives and pay lip service. The fubing military system has completely collapsed, and displaced people fill the countryside. Border fires blaze one after another, while darkness steadily festers in places no one can see! The likes of An Lushan and Shi Siming are about to rise. Beyond the borders, Tibet, the Arabs, the Uyghurs, Nanzhao, the Shiwei, and c 513Reads8.9Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    🎉🎉Alas, Qin Shi Huang of Wuhan, though great, lacked literary talent; Tang Taizong and Song Taizu, though powerful, were somewhat less refined. So what if one comes from a humble background? Genghis Khan, the proud son of heaven, only knew how to bend his bow and shoot eagles; to see truly remarkable figures, look to the present! ✨

47. 47 从 Starting as a Foot Soldier 从小兵开始 Li Xiangxiang李想想Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Qiao Lie, a young thug who spent every day brawling, got hit on the head with a brick. When he came to, he discovered that he had become a foot soldier on a battlefield. In a dynasty that had never existed in history, the uneducated Qiao Lie begins as a lowly soldier and embarks on a carefree, colorful life in ancient times... 12.2kReads8.9Score2kShelves
48. 48 布 A Fearsome Man in Commoner's Clothes 布衣凶猛 Li Poshan李破山Historical3.5M WordsCompleted [War + Passion + History] “Mu, do you want a wife? Just say the word and I’ll bring one to you in a bit.” A streetwise young rascal crosses paths with a rich girl fleeing disaster. I transmigrated into a chaotic age. Armed with blades, bows, and horses, I’ll protect my family and keep us alive. 5.7kReads8.8Score570Shelves
49. 49 科 The Imperial Exams: From a Duke’s Bastard Son to a Powerful Official 科举！从公府庶子到权臣的青云路 Zhou Shusen周树森Historical4.2M WordsOngoing [Not a BL novel! Not a male-male romance! One male lead, little to no romance, and a plot-focused story.] [Transmigration + Illegitimate Son of a Duke’s Estate + No System + Imperial Exams + Political Intrigue] He transmigrates, and the good news is that he’s now an illegitimate son of the Duke of Wei’s household, with food and clothes taken care of and no need to worry about making a living. The bad news is that he’s not only unloved, but also mocked and looked down upon. Heh. Never look down o 48kReads8.9Score4.3kShelves

    Reader note

    You can take a look.

50. 50 让 You Were Supposed to Take the Imperial Exam, Not Read the Examiners’ Minds 让你考科举，没让你透视考官心思 Full Moon of the Eighth Month仲商八月望Historical2.3M WordsCompleted [Mind Reading + Antiques Appraisal + Imperial Exams + Power Over the Court] From the start, he is just five years old, with a destitute family and a wicked grandmother who forces his mother, on the verge of giving birth, to die, all to repay his uncle's ten-tael gambling debt? Lin Zhao waves his little hand, and his head smacks into an overpowered golden finger! With a single glance, he sees through people's hidden schemes. He hears every greedy thought, and can even see through all things to id 663Reads7.5Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    The male protagonist transmigrates to the Great Jin Dynasty and becomes a five-year-old peasant boy. He studies hard and takes the imperial examinations along the way. The plot flows smoothly, and all the characters are very realistic. It's not a mindless wish-fulfillment novel, so it's worth watching.

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