Novels About Scheming and Political Intrigue 算计，权谋之类的书。

1. 51 背 The Fall Guy Captain 背锅校尉 City Farmer都市老农Historical247k WordsCompleted When I woke up, I was a condemned prisoner in the imperial prison. Modern office worker Li Moxuan died from overwork, only to transmigrate into the Great Yan Dynasty as a scapegoat military officer. His father had escorted the royal treasure, the Ninefold Linglong, when it was stolen. The whole family was held responsible, and in five days they would be exiled to a freezing wasteland. His younger sister was to be sent to the state brothel. From the start, it was a living hell. A golden finger? A —Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Night deepened, and the capital city shed its daytime hustle and bustle. Li Moxuan changed into inconspicuous night clothes and, relying on his memory, evaded the night watchmen and imperial guards, silently making his way through the familiar yet unfamiliar streets and alleys. Ten years had passed, and this mansion, which held the memories of his childhood and adolescence, was now completely changed. The Li Mansion, once the residence of the Minister of War, had been sealed off after Li Qingtian's "treasonous" death. After changing hands several times, it was now a deserted courtyard. The tall, vermilion gate was covered with tattered seals, and the door knockers were rusty. Li Moxuan went around to the back alley, found a gap in the collapsed courtyard wall, and nimbly climbed over it like a cat. The courtyard was deep and overgrown with weeds, and the broken walls cast menacing shadows in the pale moonlight.

2. 52 一 A Deputy Section Chief's Siege 一个副科长的围城 City Farmer都市老农Urban535k WordsCompleted You think it’s just a trap, never realizing you’ve already stepped onto the chessboard. Chen Yuan, a cautious deputy section chief in the government offices, leads a life as calm as still water. Then new colleague Lin Xue arrives like a pebble tossed into a stagnant pond. Helping her after she gets drunk, receiving a late-night call for help: step by step, he is drawn into a gentle trap. Fifty thousand yuan in “hush money,” an expensive fountain pen, and intimate photos that “accidentally” get l 44Reads—Score—Shelves
3. 53 别 Stop Cultivating Spirit Roots! I'll Become a God by Trading Spirit Stocks 别修灵根了！我靠炒灵股封神 Dula Da Chubby嘟啦哒胖胖Eastern Fantasy413k WordsCompleted Eastern Fantasy #Scheming Protagonist #Behind-the-Scenes #Feel-Good Fiction #Subverting Expectations There are no bizarre secret-realm adventures here, only ruthless capital warfare fought with open and hidden blades! This story doesn’t preach about karma and ascending through enlightenment. It believes only in the strong crushing the weak through sect power! Traditional cultivation rules become a laughingstock in the face of capital. Chen Long catches the scent of money filling the air, and the 24Reads—Score—Shelves

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   A financial fantasy novel featuring overwhelming intelligence, a passionate ensemble cast, and an unconventional, exhilarating story. Hope you enjoy it!

4. 54 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 143Reads—Score—Shelves

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   A new historical intrigue novel, depicting the struggles and triumphs of the lowest strategists! No system or cheat codes, only cunning and scheming to defy fate! From battlefield carnage to court intrigue, every step is fraught with danger! Absolutely worth reading!

5. 55 为 A Career in Public Service 为民官路 At Ease and Unrestrained安心无忌Urban1.8M WordsOngoing [A gritty, realistic tale of ambition and struggle in the government ranks] In 1990, top student Zhen Weimin offends the wrong people and gets kicked down to a poor rural township. Everyone thinks his life is over. But he is determined to make flowers bloom among the thorns. He breaks through obstacles with his knowledge and grounds himself in his conscience, with every step in sync with the pulse of the times. Starting in the township, he moves forward one step at a time. This is a true chronic 26.9kReads9.2Score2.8kShelves

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   A realistic portrayal of the struggles and triumphs within the officialdom, well worth reading!

6. 56 上 Last Season's Palace Intrigue Champion Is Now Ruling from Behind the Curtain 上一届宫斗冠军，现在垂帘听政了 The Visitor Sings of Yantai来者歌燕台Ancient Romance322k WordsOngoing [No System] [Political Intrigue with an Ensemble Cast] [Ascends the Throne] [Serious Drama] Xie Jin transmigrates, and before she can even celebrate becoming the champion of palace intrigue, she realizes she's become the previous champion! With his dying breath, the young emperor personally places the Imperial Seal in her arms. Xie Jin looks down at herself. The three-year-old crown prince is hugging her leg, drooling all over her sleeve. Good news: No more serving in the emperor's bed! Bad new 1.8kReads—Score146Shelves

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   Female-oriented without system

7. 57 寒 A Lone Lamp Shines in the Cold 寒灯独照 Su Jiao素蛟Ancient Romance166k WordsOngoing The doctor at the pharmacy in Qingshui Town was the only survivor of the Shen family massacre, and the last inheritor of the Mingdi Division. She could have spent her whole life stitching wounds and dispensing medicine, until the man who claimed to be "in the ironware business" collapsed at her counter: Xiao Yan, the new king of Xuan. Three months later, at the alliance of the six kingdoms, she took her seat as a guest official. Not one of the powerful ministers in court thought much of this wo 11Reads—Score—Shelves

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   The story unfolds from a covert power struggle between the male and female leads to their eventual mutual devotion. The female lead is a strategist of unparalleled wisdom and resourcefulness. The male lead is a powerful and capable individual. The story is full of plot twists; you can read it to experience it for yourself! [Shy emoji]

8. 58 带 Taking Power While Pregnant, So Step Aside, You Crazy Little Uncle 带球掌权，疯批小表叔靠边站 I'm Eleven!我是十一啦Modern Romance224k WordsCompleted [A Powerful Alliance + Unhinged Cousins + Hatred and Political Scheming + Workplace Power Struggles + Corruption + Power Struggles in a Wealthy Family + Marriage for Mutual Benefit] Pregnant with twins, Wen Canlan takes over the Jing Group in a crisis. Just as she finds her footing, she falls into a series of deadly traps laid by her unhinged younger cousin, Bo Jinlin. A trap involving hundreds of millions in funds, a stolen bid, sabotage at a construction site, and a deadly car crash come one 81Reads7.0Score—Shelves

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   High intelligence! Ruthless methods! A fierce power struggle within a top-tier business circle!

9. 59 开 From the Start, I'm in a Wheelchair! In the End, I Become Emperor 开局坐轮椅！最后当皇上 Nine-Star Magician九星魔术师Historical337k WordsCompleted "No System"➕ "No saintly protagonist"➕ "No harem"➕ "Decisive and ruthless" “Don’t, Imperial Brother, I was wrong!” “Waaah, don’t break my legs!” His legs are broken from the start, leaving him with no choice but to use a wheelchair. A hidden dragon lies in the depths, biding its time for eight years. Eighteen iron cavalrymen, appearing without a trace and vanishing without a sound. Eighteen steeds of blood and sweat, clad in black armor and carrying bows. Eighteen curved blades, iron masks, and 695Reads7.6Score—Shelves

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   The protagonist starts with a broken leg and a wheelchair. After eight years of hiding his true potential, he seizes the throne and dominates the world. This book has no system, no saintly figures, and the protagonist is intelligent and decisive. If you are easily frightened, please do not read.

10. 60 再 The Saga of Hot-Blooded Great Tang Continues: The Endgame 再继热血大唐，棋局终焉 The Blade Returns to the World刀刀重出江湖Eastern Fantasy386k WordsCompleted [No System + Hard-Nosed Political Intrigue + Farming and Infrastructure + Epic Wars + Epic Ensemble Cast] [Three Generations · A Century of History · Reforging China's Backbone] He transmigrates into the heir to the northern borderlands of the Great Xi, and finds himself in hell mode from the start? His father, Li Huiming, is afflicted with demonic poison and may not live to see another day; His aunt, Wu Xinghuang, ascends the throne as emperor and regards the Li family as a thorn in her side; 7Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Title: When the Black Armor Reflects the Cold Moon, Who Rules This Chaotic World? — On the Epic Framework and Passionate Soul of a High-Quality Fictional Historical Fantasy Novel Amidst the torrent of online novels filled with "system cheats," "harem intrigue," and "brainless crushing," truly thought-provoking fictional historical fantasy novels often possess three qualities: history as their backbone, the people as their lifeblood, and the principles guiding their techniques. They don't rely on cheat codes to sweep across the world, but on a logically consistent worldview; they don't rely on the protagonist's halo to subdue famous generals, but on the hearts and minds of the people to determine victory or defeat; they don't treat fantasy as a shortcut to escape reality, but transform it into a spark illuminating the possibilities of history. An excellent work of this kind must first establish a believable chaotic world. It's not simply about labeling it as the "An Lushan Rebellion" or the "Five Barbarian Invasions," but about delving into its intricacies: How did eunuchs seize power? How did regional military governors carve up their own territories? Why did the people resort to cannibalism? Why did supply lines determine survival? Only with realistic details can extraordinary imagination be sustained. The Spirit Crystal Crossbow can breach a city, but requires hundreds to fire simultaneously and logistical support; divine weapons can slay generals, but cannot replace the people's loyalty. Fantasy is the wings, history is the ground—too far from the ground, and you become foam; the deeper the roots, the higher you fly. The protagonist is not a chosen one, but a chess player. He can be emperor internally, yet outwardly adhere to the old dynasty's legitimacy; he can wield divine and demonic weapons, yet he values ​​even more a single potato seed that can save millions. His "dominance" lies not in slaughtering cities and seizing land, but in making surrendered soldiers willing to cultivate the land for him, and in having enemy generals entrust their former subordinates to him on their deathbeds. True political maneuvering is not about scheming against people's hearts, but about reshaping people's understanding of "justice" and "order." When the people say, "It wasn't the court that saved us, it was the righteous army," the legitimacy of the old era has collapsed. Female characters should also transcend the stereotype of being merely decorative figures. They could be valiant cavalry commanders in snow-white armor, their short blades silent, their bearing heroic and spirited; they could be strategists analyzing the world's affairs on the sand table, their wisdom sharp and indomitable; they could be agricultural officials teaching people how to cultivate crops on the field ridges, their hands muddy, their hearts devoted to the common people. Their strength comes from their identity, not from dependence. The book's highlights often lie not in the battlefield's carnage, but in those silent moments: an old soldier gives his last bite of bread to a young soldier: "Your mother is still waiting for you to come home." The protagonist, dressed in plain clothes, escorts the coffin, unarmed, to the funeral of the enemy commander who swore to never surrender. On the day the city falls, the first order is not "suppression," but "opening the granaries and distributing porridge." These details reveal a grander vision than a thousand armies, and a deeper humanity than divine weapons. Ultimately, a memorable alternate history fantasy must answer a fundamental question: What is salvation? Is it changing the emperor? Seizing a capital city? Or—on the ruins of civilization, re-teaching people how to live, and believing that tomorrow is worth living? If a book can achieve this, even without a system, time travel, or harem, it can still be called: The passion hasn't cooled, and the epic has already been created.

11. 61 灯 When the Lanterns Fade, the Calamity Ends 灯明劫尽 Rui Xuan睿暄Ancient Romance859k WordsOngoing [Two strong leads, brilliant strategists, devoted only to each other, revenge, dual identities, dual personalities, an alternate world not based on any historical dynasty, plenty of witty flirting] She is the eldest princess, rumored to be cherished by all, yet she witnessed her mother spend her life being manipulated by the man she loved. Gentle and composed on the surface, she excels at reading people and understands human nature. To stir up the court, she will stop at nothing. She will destro 1.9kReads9.3Score270Shelves

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    Ancient Chinese political intrigue, two strong individuals, high intelligence

12. 62 雪 Spring Burns Through the Ashes of Snow 雪烬春灼 The Remarkable Wang Shiyi了不起的王十一Ancient Romance189k WordsOngoing A historical tale of destruction and renewal, hatred and redemption, political intrigue and true devotion. Watch as yesterday's blazing sun is tempered in the deepest darkness, and at last becomes a bright moon shining over the land. Wang Chunxue went from being the prized jewel of the Langya Wang clan to the daughter of a condemned traitor. The imperial decree accusing her family of treason crushed everything she had: her father and brothers, her glory, and her betrothal to the Crown Prince. Af 70Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Calculation, strategy, and trade-offs

13. 63 与 Playing Chess with You: The Phoenix's Power 与君奕：凰权 Jiang Tanluoyue江潭落月Ancient Romance369k WordsCompleted (The rating has only just opened and will rise later) “Political intrigue + evenly matched leads + marriage before love + traditional war for supremacy in a chaotic age + ensemble cast + powerful female lead + nation and family” In these chaotic times, even a monarch can hardly hope for a lifetime of peace. Crowned heir to the throne at six, named crown prince at eight, and enthroned at twelve, Yan Xi was the “future savior of the Yan Kingdom” foretold by an astrologer, blessed with the Purple 211Reads8.0Score—Shelves

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    A power struggle story with two strong protagonists, all characters possessing high intelligence, and a tightly woven plot.

14. 64 官 Political Rivalries: A Grassroots Rise to Power 官场争锋之草根逆袭 Liu Peizhu刘培柱Urban836k WordsCompleted New to officialdom, Lu Zhaoyuan carries lofty ideals, only to be battered at every turn. After enduring hardship, he glimpses the logic behind power: “Only those who truly serve the people can go far!” Standing on the precipice between conscience and desire, what choice will he make? 6.7kReads7.9Score551Shelves

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    Good novel

15. 65 战 My Saber Is Sheathed, Yet I'm Still Number One Under Heaven 战刀入鞘，我依旧天下第一 Old Zhu老朱Urban753k WordsCompleted [Unmatched in slaughter + absolute power + surrounded by beauties + steamrolls all the way] He once ruled over hell. The name King of Hell made the world's powerful tremble in fear! The moment he emerged, three Black Hawks cut across the sky as forces from every direction knelt to welcome him! He could wipe out a powerful family with a snap of his fingers, slay formidable foes with a wave of his hand, and win the devotion of beauties who would follow him to their deaths! In this chaotic age of h 2.2kReads9.2Score176Shelves
16. 66 把 After Sending My Husband to a Psychiatric Hospital 把丈夫送进精神病院后 The Rabbit No Longer Keeps Silent兔子不再沉默Modern Romance220k WordsCompleted When I received my husband Zhou Huai’s psychiatric diagnosis, I sobbed so hard my whole body shook. Only I knew those were tears of excitement. After all, I was the one who had slipped drugs into his coffee every day for the past six months. He had it coming. His diary was filled with plans to use psychological manipulation to drive me to suicide and inherit the billions my parents left behind. I had him committed to the most heavily guarded psychiatric hospital in the city, thinking I’d won. U 1Reads—Score—Shelves

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    She thought she was the hunter, unaware that she was already caught in the middle. A locked diary revealed her perfect husband's three-year-long plan to manipulate her, aiming for her parents' vast fortune. A meticulously planned counterattack led her to send him to a mental hospital, believing the dust had settled. A sudden black card congratulated her on passing the "test" and becoming the "heir." A twin brother, who looks exactly like her husband, arrived out of nowhere, bringing new mysteries and threats. As the roles of hunter and prey constantly reverse, as a larger game slowly unfolds… Whose pawn is she, and how will she break free? "After Sending My Husband to a Mental Hospital," a high-stakes gamble involving life, fortune, and destiny has begun.

17. 67 称 Conquering the Grasslands, Starting in the Yuezhi Dungeon 称霸草原，从月氏死牢开始 Hanlin Painting Studio翰林画苑Historical213k WordsCompleted [Historical transmigration + System + underdog comeback] I transmigrated into a useless prisoner in the Yue clan's death row, and everyone thinks I'm as good as dead! But they've forgotten that death row is where great conquerors begin! Using the memories I brought with me, I recruit desperate outlaws and build an army of death warriors! I crush the Yue and Donghu, sweep across the desert, unite the Xiongnu, and bring the entire grassland under my heel! 15Reads—Score—Shelves

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    A thrilling tale of power struggles and a life-changing reversal!

18. 68 青 The Road to Success: I Look Forward to Your Guidance! 青云之路，请多关照！ Cyanide Murmurs氰呓语Urban137k WordsCompleted Before he died, he left behind just one sentence: “Take good care of Xiaowan,” and an unfamiliar phone number. Secretary Lin Mu is “exiled” to Anfu County, the poorest place in the city, by an official transfer order. The legendary fortune, the real cause of Song Qinghe's death, the web of interests behind Anfu County... Every clue points to the same person. Lin Mu has only one choice: in these murky waters, turn himself into a blade. 41Reads—Score—Shelves
19. 69 女 The Female Bureau Chief: Storms in the Crackdown on Organized Crime 女局长：扫黑风云 Cyanide Murmurs氰呓语Urban609k WordsCompleted A gritty novel based on real events: criminal investigations, officialdom, deals, and power plays. Justice comes at the cost of blood, and the true enemy is always hidden in the deepest fog. 196Reads7.0Score138Shelves
20. 70 死 Awakening After Death, I Lead the Evernight Ones to Conquer the World 死后醒来，我带永夜者称霸天下 Xiaoxiao Gou'er Lingdang晓晓狗儿铃当Ancient Romance153k WordsCompleted Strong female lead + political intrigue + conquest + ensemble cast + no System She doesn’t need a man. She wants the world. If the realm has no rightful ruler, then she will become a wise ruler for all under heaven. On the seventh day after Han Baiyan died, she awoke in an underground city. She had no name, no shadow, and could not stand the light. She had become an Evernight, someone the Great Ji dynasty had erased from history. She had no golden finger and no System. All she had was her wits, 6Reads—Score—Shelves
21. 71 从 Starting with a Block from the Entire Universe 从被全宇宙拉黑开始 Cyanide Murmurs氰呓语Sci-Fi & Apocalypse142k WordsCompleted The reason we have never found aliens is that the entire Milky Way has been built into a “wall” ten billion light-years in diameter. The first atomic pulse signal from beyond the wall was a record of a meeting held thirty million years ago. It said: Life on Earth was contaminated. It was a “bug” in the universe. 2Reads—Score—Shelves
22. 72 公 The Princess Returns: I Grant You the World 公主归来：许你天下 Jade Mat and Dawn Breeze玉簟晓风Ancient Romance734k WordsCompleted [Political intrigue, revenge, rebellion + both leads are each other's only partners and equally powerful] [The heroine is a formidable martial artist, peerless in both medicine and poison. The hero bears humiliation and bides his time, but is ruthless and decisive.] After ten years of studying martial arts on the mountain, Su Yuli, eldest daughter of the Marquis of Ningyuan's household, suddenly received a letter from home. Her brother had killed a princess sent to marry for peace, and to protec 264Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Let's see how this one is.

23. 73 家 Family Business Wars 家族商战 Qiao Donghui樵东辉Modern Romance1.2M WordsCompleted Love and hate collide in the business battles of a family enterprise, amid corporate warfare, marriage, family, and human selfishness, all against the backdrop of the China-US trade war. The son-in-law of a wealthy family, a cad, asks for a divorce, sparking a business battle between companies from China and abroad. The conflict begins with three women battling the scoundrel, then unfolds through schemes within schemes. It's like a modern-day palace intrigue mixed with the Three Kingdoms... 184Reads9.3Score—Shelves

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    Calculations in business warfare, power struggles within wealthy families

24. 74 重 Reborn in Politics: My Tactics Are a Little Too Ruthless 重生官场，我的手腕有亿点铁 Lone Reflection孤照Urban248k WordsCompleted Officialdom is all about schemes, with traps everywhere. You have to plan for every eventuality to protect yourself. Only years later did Zhou Hongwei understand that. Fate sent him reborn to his wedding in 1999. He could start all over again! The road through officialdom is treacherous and the journey long. Watch Zhou Hongwei turn the tables from desperate straits and soar against the odds! 5.2kReads8.4Score472Shelves

    Reader note

    Oh my, reading this was such a rollercoaster of emotions! I couldn't stop crying when I got to the part about the Wenchuan earthquake. Author, please don't stop! Please keep writing at full speed, thank you! (Comment from reader "Liu Qing who loves sweet osmanthus fruit")

25. 75 官 A Trap Within a Trap in the Halls of Power 官场局中局 Spring Breeze Leaves No Trace 007春风了无痕007Urban537k WordsCompleted [Political intrigue + power struggles + influential figures + suspense + workplace drama + deduction] Cao Zili, head of the Phoenix Mountain project, falls to his death. Rumors claim a suicide note was found at the scene, but its intended recipient is a mystery, and the case is full of unanswered questions... Was it suicide or murder? And what was the motive? The body cannot be found, making the case difficult to solve... The provincial task force arrives, sending the political scene in Huzhou i 1.3kReads8.7Score128Shelves

    Reader note

    The writing style of "The Game Within a Game" is quite good.

26. 76 风 The Blade's Shadow in Love and War: A Choice Between Power and Loyalty 风月刀影：权谋与情义的抉择 Pine Sounds Beneath the Inkstone砚底松声Historical500k WordsCompleted When a great fire devours the red gates of the Jun family estate, the young man who emerges through the smoke is no longer the dashing, carefree playboy who once spent his days cockfighting and chasing dogs. His eyes hold fire and blood, and in his hand he clutches half of a broken jade pendant, the last keepsake his father gave him before the family fell. Fate sweeps him like a tide into one abyss after another. From a life of luxury to utter poverty, from the son of the powerful to an outcast 79Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Calculation, scheming, high intelligence, and not losing one's intelligence.

27. 77 嫡 The Reborn Legitimate Daughter: Phoenix Over the Nine Heavens 嫡女重生之凤倾九天 A Piece of Candy一颗糖果Ancient Romance177k WordsCompleted [Reborn revenge + rough-and-ready farming + strong female lead] Born into a prestigious family, beautiful and talented, she married into the prime minister's household as its eldest daughter-in-law, only to be killed by her husband's family. They framed her family and wiped them out. After living a second life, she married into the prime minister's household as its eldest daughter-in-law once more. This time, she went into business and amassed wealth, won over her younger brothers-in-law and sis 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Domestic intrigue, power struggles, strong female lead

28. 78 我 My Drunkard Dad 我的酒鬼老爹 Cold Winds from the North塞北寒风Historical304k WordsOngoing I really didn’t get the Burning Technique… A drunkard for a father and a scheming mother gave birth to a clueless boy. Mystery + political intrigue + deduction + crime-solving + martial arts world No System, no golden finger, and no reloading a save to start over. No invincibility, no brainlessness, no harem, and no saintly hero. Life is full of ups and downs, and people come in all sorts. With a broken sword in hand, the young man roams the world, gradually unraveling the mystery of his birth! 6Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Check out this one! [Sending hearts][Sending hearts][Sending hearts]

29. 79 朕 I Am Hongli, Building a Golden Age for the Qing Dynasty 朕是弘历打造大清盛世 Third Aunt from the Farm农家三姑Historical1.4M WordsOngoing [Political Intrigue + Harem Rivalries + Factional Strife + Romance + Emperor] Hongli ascended the throne at twenty-five and ruled for sixty years, making him the longest-reigning and longest-lived emperor in history. He governed with diligence, excelling in both civil and military affairs, and led the Qing to the height of its golden age. Yet factional strife raged through the court, conflicts in the deep palace never ceased, and danger lurked behind the splendor. In the end, the golden age ga 15.7kReads8.3Score435Shelves

    Reader note

    This historical novel is absolutely fantastic! So exciting!

30. 80 官 The Official's Ladder: A Grassroots Civil Servant 官梯之【基层公务员】 Brother Lu Fan, Who Loves Snail Noodles with Chicken爱吃螺蛳鸡的陆凡兄Urban3.7M WordsCompleted There are ten rungs on the official career ladder. Wang Hongtao has the gift of foresight, starting from the very bottom and seizing every opportunity. Beginning at the section-chief level, he climbs one rung at a time, destined to forge his own glory! As he rises, he does all he can to benefit the people and improve the lives of those around him, while also settling an old score! See how an ordinary man makes waves in the world of officialdom! This is my first time writing, so please be underst —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    The first book was incredibly engaging, full of political intrigue and scheming. The protagonist was a master strategist! The second book, needless to say, is a fantasy political intrigue story that I'd call the best.

31. 81 万 The Vast Immortal Firmament 万古仙穹 Guan Qi观棋Eastern Fantasy4.3M WordsCompleted Heaven and earth are the board, and all living beings are the pieces! If you refuse to be a piece, become the one who makes the moves! Lose, and your body and Dao are destroyed. Win, and you live forever! An ancient Go stone carries Gu Hai as he transmigrates to the Divine Continent! The Heavenly Dao is boundless, but human life is limited. Be a piece in heaven and earth’s game, enjoy a few decades of life, and when you’re captured, turn to dust and vanish. Or leap off the board, become the one 4.3kReads8.4Score413Shelves
32. 82 慈 Empress Dowager Cixi and Her Three Favored Eunuchs 慈禧皇后与她的三个宠爱太监 Farmer Third Young Master农家三少Historical3.7M WordsCompleted [Eunuchs + Palace Secrets + Empress Dowager Cixi + Court Intrigue] From the time Empress Dowager Cixi entered the palace to the day she ruled from behind the curtain, she shared an unusual relationship with three eunuchs: An Dehai, Li Lianying, and Xiao Dezhang. They were like master and servants, like friends, and more than anything, like old companions. She doted on the three eunuchs, who relied on her favor to do as they pleased, throw their weight around, and take part in court affairs. This 51.3kReads9.0Score3.2kShelves
33. 83 大 The Ten Great Mysteries of the Song Dynasty 大宋十大奇案 I Am Prince Fish在下鱼亲王Historical1.6M WordsOngoing No harem, no formulaic tropes, no invincible protagonist, no System, no golden finger, and no transmigration. This is not a power fantasy, so read at your own discretion! A pure historical mystery set in the jianghu, offering an immersive experience of everyday life in an ancient town and the suspenseful twists and turns as officials use their wits to solve cases… 7.3kReads8.6Score643Shelves

    Reader note

    Do you like pure ancient martial arts detective novels? [Smirk]

34. 84 谋 Scheming in the Three Kingdoms 谋算三国 Arrow Rain, Plum Fragrance箭雨梅香Historical358k WordsOngoing [Political Intrigue] + [Passionate Action] + [No System] In a chaotic age, the world is a game of chess, and every move hides a blade! The battlefield runs red with blood while schemes churn behind the scenes. From within the command tent, strategies unfold, and with a laugh, enemy ships are reduced to ashes. The highest form of warfare is to defeat an enemy through strategy, without spilling blood. But if anyone dares defy me, I’ll leave them strewn across the land, with rivers of blood flowing 1kReads8.6Score—Shelves

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    This is a Three Kingdoms historical novel about political intrigue that I'd stay up all night to finish; I give it a 9.9 Out of 10! [Smirk]

35. 85 你 Hey, You! Do You Really Have to Be This Low-Key?! 你小子！用不用这么低调！！ Half a Cup of Lingering Sorrow半盏残忧Eastern Fantasy2.1M WordsOngoing The immortal, undying ancient dragon left behind only a rotting corpse. The phoenix, unafraid of death, was reduced to a single broken root feather. The auspicious qilin, surrounded by good fortune, could not foresee its own death. The Black Tortoise, master of countless laws, had its shell forcibly stripped away. The cemetery of the gods still stands, watching the ruins endure for millennia, while grass and trees flourish and fade through the seasons. Who dares claim to be immortal… The years t 1.6kReads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Take it to see...

36. 86 官 The Officialdom Game 官奕 Dreams of Spring and Autumn梦话春秋Urban636k WordsOngoing My name is Wei Zilong, and I’ve spent my career in government. Through my story, I want to show everyone what the political arena is really like... When you’re in public service, you can’t always control your own fate. If you never weather a storm, how can you ever mature? 13kReads7.6Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Novels full of political intrigue are well worth reading.

37. 87 过 Adoption into the Family 过继 Dreams of Spring and Autumn梦话春秋Urban1.9M WordsCompleted This is a novel about a man growing up through blood and tears. Along with the cruelty of reality comes the trickery of fate. But if you’re a man, wipe away your tears and face every hardship. Make yourself tough as steel, unbreakable... 29.9kReads9.3Score3.2kShelves
38. 88 女 The Female Bank President's Last Resort 女行长的穷途末路 Xu Ci珝慈Modern Romance102k WordsCompleted A teller's act of withholding checks toppled the first domino in the bank run at Yunhai City Commercial Bank. Though bank president Ma Yuquan fought desperately to contain the crisis, she ultimately could not counter the enormous fallout from the sudden disappearance of the bank's major shareholder and the head of its controlling rural bank. Ma Yuquan sensed the situation was full of hidden twists and turns, yet never revealed the secret of who she had been with during her brief disappearance, w 928Reads9.3Score123Shelves

    Reader note

    I recommend the completed novel "The Female Bank Manager's Dead End." A workplace romance with sophisticated political intrigue, it tells the story of Ma Yuquan, a female bank manager who, initially ambitious and determined to serve her country through finance, is gradually swayed and loses herself in the face of power and unscrupulous capital, ultimately leading to her downfall. The novel is fast-paced, well-written, and richly plotted, featuring elements such as best friend stealing boyfriend, the female protagonist secretly giving birth at an advanced age while single, and scheming a legal adoption.

39. 89 我 I, the Ultimate Schemer: The Empress Calls Me a Living Yama 我，最强毒士，女帝直呼活阎王 Xing Xing Zi星星子Historical4.3M WordsOngoing [Search Tomato to watch the short drama: The Third Greatest Stratagem of All Time] Gao Yang transmigrated to the Great Qian Dynasty just as the Empress ascended the throne and began recruiting talent from across the land. So he volunteered himself as a poison strategist! The Empress: “Suppose you personally wiped out your enemy's entire family. As you looked at the bodies scattered everywhere, you suddenly realized there was still a child in the house. What would you do?” Gao Yang: “I'd say, ‘Re 382.6kReads9.2Score32.3kShelves

    Reader note

    🌟🌟🌟The data speaks for itself: over 710,000 reads! 🌟🌟🌟It's a time-travel historical fiction, but the emperor is Empress Wu Zetian, so it's not entirely fictional. 🌻🌻🌻The protagonist navigates the imperial court with cunning, ruthlessness, and meticulous calculations. The plot is logically sound, unfolding layer by layer without any illogical or absurd moments, showcasing the author's writing prowess. 💫💫💫

40. 90 瞻 Behold the One Who Stands Above 瞻彼阕者 Su Boni苏伯泥Urban607k WordsOngoing In one small country, GDP per capita once surpassed that of the United States and Japan. After 70 years of civil war, 15 million people are starving and 26 million live in absolute poverty. A new cabinet takes office and copies Rwanda’s homework. No money for national defense? Outsource it. Financial turmoil? Give up the sovereign currency. No money for major infrastructure projects? Invite capital fleeing the world to see how appealing version 8.0 of offshore finance can be... How will this cab 105Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Book 2 is a book that uses the rules in creative ways and is considered a masterpiece. As for Book 1, I suggest starting with Chapter 55, "Securities Firm Transfer of Custody, 240 Million Yuan Asset Rescue in a Series of Traps," to understand what scheming really means.

41. 91 让 You Were Told to Take the Fall, So Why Did You Take Down the Entire Leadership Team? 让你顶罪，你把领导班子一锅端？ Loves Frozen Vegetables爱吃冻菜Urban1.1M WordsCompleted From the start, my superiors conspired to frame me, leaving me to take the fall for a billion-yuan scandal. The good news: I have a work habit of documenting everything, and my USB drive holds eight terabytes of evidence. The bad news: My superiors don’t seem to like my USB drive very much. 740Reads5.6Score—Shelves
42. 92 宁 Ning Jinge 宁烬歌 Calm as Ever冷静如斯Ancient Romance697k WordsOngoing [Female commander × top-tier spy and assassin | Two equally matched leads | Court intrigue and the martial world | Standing together in troubled times | Devoted 1v1 romance] The sweeping scale of a male-oriented story, with the emotional depth of a female-oriented one. Fast-paced and tightly plotted, with no filler or dragging. The political intrigue is logical, and long-laid clues are brought back into play. A serious world with lighthearted, hilarious everyday moments, and an incredibly sweet 374Reads8.5Score103Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is absolutely captivating. I've already read 120 chapters, and the entire book is intricately plotted, rife with power struggles and intrigues, one after another.

43. 93 凤 The Phoenix Sings to the Ninth Heaven: Two Dragons Vie for the Phoenix 凤鸣九天：双龙争凰 Dai Yu代煜Ancient Romance267k WordsCompleted I am Shen Qinghuan, the youngest daughter of Shen Mingyuan, the prime minister of the dynasty. As for my family background, we’re among the most illustrious families in the capital. My father is the prime minister, an incorruptible official who grew up alongside His Majesty. My mother comes from a prominent family in Jiangnan and has a gentle disposition. She was also a gifted young woman in her day. My maternal grandfather was the former crown prince’s tutor, and his students are now found thr 8Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a high-quality alternate history novel. The male and female leads are both intelligent, a godsend for fans of palace intrigue and political maneuvering. It's the kind of story that will give you a brain teaser.

44. 94 守 On the Day of the Wake, My Sisters-in-Law Put Me on the Throne 守灵当天，我被众嫂嫂推上皇位 Kitchen God of the Wood Stove柴火灶王爷Historical724k WordsOngoing [Alternate Dynasty + Transmigration + War + Political Intrigue + Ensemble Cast + The Golden Finger Has Been Cut in Half] A high school boy named Tian Shu wakes up one morning in an ancient funeral hall. His widowed sisters-in-law swarm around him, showering him with care. In a feudal age of chaos, the powerful clans hold sway. The System is practically useless, and each sister-in-law has her own agenda. Born into a poor family, can he defy fate, change his destiny, command a vast empire, and mak 4.6kReads8.8Score183Shelves

    Reader note

    [Laughs] That's it.

45. 95 虎 Tiger's Roar Over the Sea of Clouds: Starting with Military Discharge 虎啸云海从转业开始 The Zhu Clan's Spring and Autumn朱氏春秋Urban2.2M WordsCompleted Lin Haoyu leaves the military as a senior colonel and enters local government, rising from county magistrate to a powerful official in charge of an entire region. His wife, Su Mengyao, heads a Fortune 500 company. His younger sister, Lin Xiaowan, quietly supports her brother's political career, while his older brother, Lin Yu, is fiercely protective of her. Their background is enough to leave people speechless. I hope you’ll enjoy my new book. 16.3kReads8.2Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Officialdom intrigue novels

46. 96 官 Soaring Through Officialdom: From Township to the Summit of Power 官途腾龙从乡镇到权利巅峰 The Zhu Clan's Spring and Autumn朱氏春秋Urban984k WordsCompleted After Chen Linhai passes the civil service exam, his girlfriend betrays him and a powerful family uses its influence to take his position. He keeps his illustrious family background hidden and starts out at the grassroots level in a township. Staying true to his original ideals and relying on exceptional ability, he overcomes one crisis after another and rises through the ranks to the pinnacle of power. Along the way, he uncovers the mystery of his birth and fulfills his ambitions and purpose in 6.6kReads7.2Score674Shelves
47. 97 救 Help! This Lousy System Is Making Me Found a Sect! 救命！这破系统让我开宗立派！ The Crying of Xiao Xiao萧萧之鸣Eastern Fantasy2.3M WordsCompleted After transmigrating to another world as a sickly man, the male lead triggers a System: if he fails to save twenty people within three years, he’ll die of his illness. He sets off on a journey to save people, meeting one lovely confidante after another along the way. In the end, he’s forced to found a sect and finds his happy ending. (This is not a cultivation novel.) The premise is fairly fresh, leaving behind the traditional level-up-and-fight-monsters formula. The protagonist is frail at firs 36.4kReads9.2Score3.5kShelves

    Reader note

    Everywhere you look there's strategy, every step is a surprise, a fantasy story with multiple female protagonists.

48. 98 司 Sima the Old Rogue 司马老贼 Tu Xuan土玄Historical895k WordsCompleted He is the gravedigger of Cao Wei and the founder of Western Jin. He is the “old rogue Sima,” and the last winner of the Three Kingdoms. Centered on Sima Yi, this novel unfolds a sweeping panorama of the late Han and Three Kingdoms era. Witness how he treads carefully under the suspicion of three generations of powerful rulers: Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Rui; how he and Zhuge Liang wage an ultimate contest of will and national strength at Mount Qi and the Wei River; and how, in his twilight years, 474Reads9.3Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The novel embodies a brilliant fusion of profound historical knowledge and literary imagination.

49. 99 乱 The World in Chaos: Biographies of Heroes from the Late Luan Dynasty 乱世天下：栾末英雄列传 Clouds and Water Are Ink云水皆墨Historical365k WordsOngoing [Traditional style + ensemble cast + alternate history + war + power struggle] His benefactor, the great general, died for his country by taking his own life. Little Wuzi witnessed it but was powerless to change the outcome. Even after death, his lingering soul could not bear to fade away. By a stroke of fate, he traveled back a hundred years. The long sweep of history unfolded before his eyes like a scroll: The great clans were arrogant and domineering. How could their power be confined to one 10Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    In chaotic times, who reigns supreme? The victor is king, the vanquished is condemned. Petty schemes and tricks amount to little; true heroism lies in assessing the situation and seizing opportunities!

50. 100 四 Siheyuan: Starting at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, I Crush the Courtyard’s Troublemakers 四合院：从供销社开始，横推众禽 Heaven's Way Is Strong6729天行健6729Male-Channel Fanfiction290k WordsOngoing Synopsis of "Siheyuan: Starting at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, I Crush the Whole Courtyard" Business whiz Lin Xiangyang transmigrates to 1962 by chance, taking over his father’s job as a procurement officer at the Red Star Supply and Marketing Cooperative. He also activates the Super Supply and Marketing Cooperative System, gaining abilities such as spatial storage, accelerated production, and trade with the future. These powers help him carefully navigate an era of scarcity. As soon a —Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Stories from history!

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