Any Good Imperial Exam Novels? The More, the Better 有没有好看的科举文，多一点的

1. 101 说 They Called Me Sickly, So I Turned Around and Made a Name for Myself in the Imperial Exams 说我病殃子，我转身科举争光 King Smile笑笑大王Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Farming + Alternate Ancient Setting, Imperial Exams, but Not a Conventional Exam Novel, Romance] My new book, [Reborn with the Appearance of an Eighteen-Year-Old, While My Children Are Already Twelve], is now updating. Please give it your support. Wang Erxiao was in the prime of his life when he transmigrated, born into the body of a farm boy named Wang Erxiao in the Great Liang dynasty. The Wang family now has three generations living under one roof. Counting his biological and cousin sisters, 26.4kReads7.2Score2.4kShelves

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   These four books are incredibly captivating! The first one features a protagonist with both strategic acumen and high intelligence, making for a high-energy, mind-bending read. The second involves farming, imperial examinations, crime-solving, and governance, showcasing a math and science whiz's various ways of achieving success in ancient times—a non-stop barrage of exciting moments! It stirs up a storm in ancient China. The third book delivers the ultimate thrill of a poor boy rising to prominence, with a high-energy plot of a successful imperial examination comeback! A farm boy breaks free from the shackles of fate and carves out his own path in ancient times. In the fourth book, the protagonist goes from an insignificant boy in a rural butcher's family to excelling in the county examinations and then achieving a remarkable comeback in the imperial examinations in the capital. With his ruthlessness and exceptional intelligence, he breaks the curse of "it's difficult for children from poor families to achieve success." The resilience he developed from butchering pigs becomes his strongest armor; the mental fortitude honed in his humble beginnings allows him to gain a foothold in the imperial court.

2. 102 农 A Farmer's Son, the Imperial Exams, and Officialdom 农家子，科举，做官 Jiang He姜禾Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Born into the womb + imperial examinations + farming + daily life + public works and infrastructure, with a couple, little romance] [No pocket dimension, no System, no golden finger] [He starts looking for a teacher in Chapter 38. If you’re short on patience, you can start reading there.] Shen Huai is born into an ancient world and becomes the only boy in his family. The good news: he can take the imperial examinations. The bad news: they’re poor, very poor, desperately poor. Born into a 5.1kReads8.5Score390Shelves

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   These are mostly stories about sons from farming families taking the imperial examinations. The first book features a woman disguised as a man; we haven't seen her take the exams yet. The second book's protagonist is Shen Huai, who earns money for his family through brewing wine, making tofu, and other activities, while also taking the imperial examinations. The third book doesn't feature the typical protagonist with a photographic memory; he's simply a handsome, ordinary-looking, and persevering young man. His imperial examinations aren't smooth sailing either, vividly illustrating the failure of the highest-ranking scholar, and it's based on historical events (with a real-life prototype). The fourth book's protagonist is a time traveler, but he becomes the mother of an imperial examination candidate, which is quite enjoyable. The last book features a melodramatic plot about a real and a fake young master, but the main storyline still revolves around the imperial examinations. Overall, it's quite entertaining.

3. 103 冒EN Impostor of the Langya Clan 冒姓琅琊 Eastern Zhou Young Master Nan东周公子南Historical1.6M WordsOngoing (Also known as “The Matter of Me Pretending to Be a Nobleman of the Southern Dynasties”) To transmigrate isn’t a dinner party. It’s a deadly game at every turn. The south is beautiful, yet lofty ambitions often fade away. Since ancient times, the Southern Dynasties have been weak, their heroes short-lived. No golden finger, no System, and no second chance at life. Everything starts from zero! Original owner’s memories: none! Identity: none! Supplies: none! When transmigration becomes reality, ho 497.6kReads9.7Score72.9kShelves

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   The first and second books are truly amazing and incredibly good; the only downside is the slow update schedule. The third book is more of a diary-like narrative, but it's still quite vivid.

4. 104 不 If I Don’t Take the Imperial Exams, Should I Just Farm? 不科举，难道种地？ You Suo有所Historical1.5M WordsCompleted The new novel Sequence: Creator is currently being serialized. Give it a read! It's a story about surviving the apocalypse. Thank you 🙏. [Alternate History] [Imperial Examinations] [Plagiarist] [Political Scheming] [Farming] [No System] The barbarians on all four frontiers: anyone who dares invade will see their nation destroyed, their people wiped out, and their descendants cut off. I want this golden age to be exactly as I envision it. History is long, but I need only make the slightest effort 5.5kReads8.6Score398Shelves

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   Book Synopsis: A modern SSS-level researcher dies suddenly and transmigrates to the Great Xing Dynasty. He's always been weak and sickly, and wasn't allowed to glean rice ears in the fields until he was six. Sunburnt and dazed, Li Jing realized his body was no match for farming and immediately decided to study for the imperial examinations—something he excelled at; rice planting was for the professionals! The following year, the man, now named Li Yiqing, boasted of his recovery and eagerly prepared to plant rice. "Why are my feet itchy?" A bad premonition flashed through Li Yiqing's mind as he lifted his feet out of the water. "Whoa!" A black, wriggling leech was sucking at his toes. "Ah!" Li Yiqing grabbed the rice seedlings and quickly ran ashore. It was time to study diligently; he'd read until the books were worn out.

5. 105 明 I Could Easily Rely on My Martial Skills, but My Wife Insists on Using Her Brain 明明可以靠武力，娘子非要靠脑子 Kimchi Jar泡菜坛子Ancient Romance634k WordsCompleted [Modern woman in ancient times + transmigration with her body + love after marriage + sweet and satisfying] [A male lead who never stops rescuing his wife + a mindless heroine who kills at the slightest provocation] Jiu Yue, the greatest assassin of the twenty-second century, is blown off a cliff while carrying out a mission. With a splat, she lands in the backward Great Qi Dynasty. The wicked step-grandmother finds Ji Yiqing a wild girl she picked up and makes her his bride, hoping the marriage 36.3kReads9.4Score4.5kShelves

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   This novel about taking the imperial examinations is very interesting; you should check it out. The protagonist had almost given up, but the arrival of the female lead forces him to start taking the exams again, including the children in his family. All of this is done to help the female lead bury the body, because if they bury it quickly enough, no one will know it was her. In short, it's both hilarious and very entertaining; go watch it!

6. 106 农 A Country Girl’s Daily Life of Preparing for the Imperial Exams 农家女的科举日常 Panda Loves Life胖达爱生活Ancient Romance780k WordsOngoing [System + No CP + Women's Imperial Exams + No Cross-Dressing as a Man + Academy Life + Slow Pace + Alternate World] In her previous life, as an orphan with no family to support, Zhuge Yunshu lived an utterly carefree, lazy life. Perhaps even Heaven couldn't stand to see it anymore. It killed her with a piece of falling debris, and she was reborn as a farmer's daughter in ancient times. In this agrarian society, men and women alike had no choice but to work in the fields once they reached the app 22.6kReads8.9Score2.7kShelves

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   I'm currently reading this one 👀 and it seems pretty good. It's a female protagonist taking the imperial examinations, but in this world, both men and women can take the exams. The female protagonist has to study hard to avoid farming. It's quite enjoyable.

7. 107 宋 The Struggles of a Poor Family in the Song Dynasty 宋代寒门的奋斗史 De Boerba德波尔巴Historical1.1M WordsCompleted In the blink of an eye, a history PhD from the 21st century becomes the second son of a farming family outside Bianliang City. His family is dirt poor, the elders are shortsighted, and they even have a “precious heir” whom the whole family must support. As the second son of a branch family whom no one takes seriously, watch how Chen He works his way up, crosses class boundaries, and leaps from the farm into a new life. 1.9kReads7.6Score145Shelves

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   Come on, let's get started. The first book, "Old Lai Zi," is about a harmonious family, not the kind where you get rich overnight—it's a steady, gradual process, otherwise what's the point? The second book is about a protagonist whose father and two sons are not favored. He wants to study but no one supports him, and he's constantly subjected to sarcastic remarks. In the end, he tries to make money by copying books, but he's almost robbed. Before he was adopted, I was really afraid the protagonist would get beaten up. Luckily, his older brother helps him, but he can't overcome feudalistic ideas and filial piety. He can only stop the protagonist from being beaten when he's about to be attacked. The ending, where the protagonist is assigned to a remote area, is quite exciting—developing the economy and fighting off plunderers. That's all the author has written so far.

8. 108 穿 Transmigrated to Ancient Times to Take the Imperial Exams in a Farming Novel 穿越古代在种田文里考科举 Mu Zixi木子熙惜Ancient Romance429k WordsCompleted [Rags-to-Riches Reversal + Political Intrigue + No System] He wakes up to find himself the son of a dirt-poor farming family. His parents are counting on him to change their fate through study, while the whole village waits to see him make a fool of himself! Wen You'an says, “What’s there to panic about? A top student is a top student anywhere! A scientific approach to exam prep? Coming right up! Targeted poverty alleviation to improve the family’s lot? Absolutely!” From the county exam to the p 414Reads6.1Score—Shelves

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   You should check out this book! It's really good, highly recommended. The male lead isn't a saint; he's very smart and the everyday moments are heartwarming.

9. 109 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 6.2kReads8.4Score415Shelves

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   If you like novels about the imperial examination system, this is a must-read! Every book is fantastic, [already hooked!] The first book, in particular, follows a classic imperial examination formula. The siblings' journey through time is both hilarious and full of political intrigue—it's a great read! [Upvote][Upvote][Upvote]

10. 110 穿EN Transmigration: The Endless Road to Pampering My Husband 穿越：宠夫之路无尽头 Clouds Shift and Stars Turn云移星转Two Male Leads376k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + farming + raising kids + doting on his husband + imperial exams + sweet romance + devoted couple + one-on-one romance + cozy daily life] Rong Zheng, heir to a family of ancient martial artists, wakes up to find that his soul has transmigrated into the body of a down-and-out scholar with the same name. While he's still standing there in confusion, a handsome young man with delicate features offers him a bite to eat. Rong Zheng falls in love at first sight, and is completely smi 6.1kReads9.3Score795Shelves

    Reader note

    These few books are quite well-written; the third one has two male protagonists.

11. 111 女 A Woman in a Man’s Body: Lord Fuguang Goes on a Killing Spree 女穿男：扶光君他杀疯了 Shi Yi蒔宜Ancient Romance814k WordsOngoing [Female-to-Male Transmigration + No Romance + Literary Plagiarism + Jinx + Aristocratic Scion’s Exam Success Story] Also known as: The Azure Luan Chronicles Song Hezhen was a brilliant academic in the 22nd century, a top student who graduated from Cambridge with two doctorates. After completing her studies, she was just about to return home and contribute to her country’s development. But life is unpredictable: the plane she was on crashed, and just like that, Song Hezhen kicked the bucket! When 4.7kReads7.4Score516Shelves

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    A very satisfying novel about a noble family's son taking the imperial examinations; I've already finished writing it, and he's now a third-rank official, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

12. 112 农 A Farming Couple, Building a Better Life Together 农门夫妻，携手奔小康 Ju He雎禾Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Farming + imperial examinations + raising children + everyday family life] Qin Shu transmigrated and suddenly found herself aged up to thirty-eight, with a new identity as the mother of four fine sons. Believing that the strong never complain about their circumstances, Qin Shu rolled up her sleeves and began adjusting to her new life. Wait, why was her original body's husband still here? 16.5kReads8.8Score2.1kShelves

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    😭🍒🈵 Xie Qingfeng opened her eyes to find herself reborn in ancient times. As a science student, she was suddenly forced to take the imperial examinations!! And she was even disguised as a man! Fine, fine, it's all the same whether she faces the danger or not, so she decided to give it her all— Little did she know that this period of study would be incredibly long and arduous! But alas, her talent shone through in the examination halls, and she finally achieved her goal of passing the imperial examinations. From then on, her career soared, her ambitions soaring high! Warning: The female lead's disguise as a man will never be exposed.

13. 113 调 Failed to Transfer? Better to Strive Than Throw My Life Away 调剂失败，作死不如上进 Big Meow of the Meow Family喵家大喵Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Sun Zhaoyang, a woman in a man’s body, forgot to say she didn’t want to be assigned to a different major when she made a wish at Yonghe Temple in the modern world. The enormous force of her wish got her assigned to an alternate dynasty instead. The good news: She no longer has to be passed around like a football while people roll their eyes at her. The bad news: She’s a man now! What can she do? Make the best of it! She can’t just die again. Who knows what godforsaken place she’ll be assigned to 444Reads6.8Score—Shelves

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    It's really good. The only downside is that the second book has a slightly lower rating, but it's genuinely excellent (if you're not a fan of female-to-male transmigration novels). It's also a novel truly centered around the imperial examination system. The first book is about a male protagonist who transmigrates from modern times to ancient times and becomes a prince. However, his father marries a stepmother, who then leaves. The stepmother plots to kill her stepson so that her unborn child can inherit the marquisate. But the protagonist is saved by his now-recognized parents, and later helps them retaliate against his grandparents who favor his older brother, and ultimately uses the imperial examination system to defeat his father, who is in charge of the marquisate.

14. 114 你 You’re a Civil Service Exam Tutor, So How Did You Become the Imperial Preceptor? 你一个公考讲师，咋成国师了？ Know a Woman by Her Scent闻香识女Historical2.1M WordsOngoing [Imperial examinations] + [Mentor-and-student ensemble] + [Political maneuvering] Chen Wen, a top civil-service exam instructor, transmigrates to Great Xia and becomes a teacher. From the start, he has a dilapidated academy and three troublesome students. Chen Wen says, “No problem. This is what I do.” He uses logic to deconstruct the eight-legged essay, policy-analysis techniques to write policy papers, and interview skills to ace the palace exam. From topping the county exams to earning top ho 34.7kReads8.9Score3kShelves

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    I highly recommend the book "Civil Service Exam Lecturer Teaches the Imperial Examination, Producing a Court of Civil and Military Officials". Although it is a time-travel novel, the time traveler is not the kind of person who shows off by flaunting the poems of Li Bai and Du Fu. Instead, he is a civil service exam lecturer who can adapt to different times and people. The perspective is novel, and it is the most satisfying imperial examination novel I have read so far.

15. 115 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

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    This book is very interesting. There is no romantic pairing. The male protagonist is working hard to pass the imperial examination at the beginning. After entering the palace, he finds out that the Emperor Emeritus is his biological father. It is a light and enjoyable read. The writing is good and the quality is high. It is already completed!

16. 116 首 The Gentle, Soft-Spoken Husband of the Chief Minister 首辅家的温软小夫郎 Li Ming理鸣Two Male Leads856k WordsCompleted [Farming]+ [Gourmet]+ [Imperial Examinations]+ [Sweet Romance]+ [Face-Slapping and Taking Down Scumbags]+ [Building Wealth]+ [Infrastructure] After waking up from a car accident, Gu Yun finds himself transmigrated into the body of a poor little cabbage whose father doesn’t care for him and whose stepmother abuses him. His stepmother wants to marry him off for the bride price, setting him up with a degenerate gambler who once beat his wife to death. At their first meeting, Gu Yun coughs up blood, 3.8kReads9.0Score448Shelves

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    ♥ Ancient imperial examination essays are all quite good.

17. 117 科 Imperial Examinations: Reborn, She Took Her Ex-Husband's Steady Job 科举：重生后她抢了前夫的铁饭碗 Rabbit Lord's Chitchat兔君闲谈Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted [Heroine Does Not Disguise Herself as a Man | Civil Service Exams and Government Career | A Name in the History Books | A Strong Heroine Who Grows] In her previous life, Jiang Ruchu was a fallen noblewoman. Her father was faithless, her mother weak. Carrying a keepsake, she married into the prominent local Huo family to repay a debt of gratitude. When her husband entered school, Jiang Ruchu quietly supported him through his studies... She kept a low profile and fulfilled her duties, hoping only 7.1kReads9.1Score1kShelves

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    Innovative and unconventional! Worth watching, no cross-dressing.

18. 118 我 Farming, Taking the Imperial Exams, and Becoming a King in Ancient Times 我在古代种田考科举称王称霸 Seventeen Young Master拾柒公子Two Male Leads969k WordsCompleted [Two Male Leads + Imperial Exams and Farming + Feel-Good Sweet Romance + Portable Dimension + Powerful, Devoted Couple + Little Kids Appear] [A Stunningly Handsome, Straightforward Gong Who Can Take on Ten Men with One Punch × A Beautiful, Thoughtful, Strong-Willed and Levelheaded Shou] The apocalypse arrives, and zombies and humans wage a massive war. In the end, both sides are wiped out. Xia Kuye is lucky enough to survive the battle, becoming the last person on earth. Exhausted and devastated 4.1kReads9.0Score529Shelves
19. 119 从 From the National Academy's Favorite to a Powerful Official of Great Yong 从国子监团宠到大雍权臣 LonelinerAncient Romance357k WordsOngoing [System + raising children + scion of a noble family + no romance + a touch of imperial exams + a touch of court intrigue] As the youngest legitimate son of a fallen marquis's household, Shen Yunzhao has known since childhood that the burden of restoring the family estate will fall on his shoulders. His eldest brother is frail, after all. At five, Shen Yunzhao nearly drowns. By a stroke of fortune, he recalls his past life and activates the System. As long as he earns the affection of those arou 72.2kReads8.0Score13kShelves
20. 120 女 A Woman Transmigrates as a Man: A Farmer’s Road to the Imperial Exams 女穿男：农家子的科举青云路 Shang Xinghe裳星河Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted [Female-to-male transmigration + imperial examinations + romance later on + remembered in history + founding the family tree] In her previous life, Qin Huan grew up in an orphanage and worked her way into a university degree. She landed a job at a major company and was on the verge of reaching the pinnacle of success. Her only regret was never having much family to speak of. When she opened her eyes again, she had traveled from modern times to the past, and from a woman to a man. She had become 9.6kReads9.0Score1kShelves

    Reader note

    The first is a male-oriented novel where the male protagonist debates with a group of scholars, displaying intelligence and righteousness. The writing is excellent, and there's no romantic pairing. The second novel shows how women, having paved the way, can also succeed in the imperial examinations. The female protagonist is like a runner carrying the baton, fighting for greater freedom for women and bringing hope. It features many outstanding female characters, a vibrant tapestry of female beauty. The third is a female-to-male transmigration novel where a woman's gentleness and sensitivity shine through in a male character. She's like a virtuous gentleman, striving to change the plight of those she sees. She's virtuous in poverty and generous in wealth, even using her vast fortune to build a girls' school, never forgetting her roots and continuing to benefit her community. Hopefully, these three novels won't fall apart later on; they're still being updated.

21. 121 科 The Imperial Exams! After Ten Years of Study, I Pass and Take Down the Nobility 科举！寒窗十年，上岸就斩勋贵 Zhuoran卓燃Historical1.7M WordsOngoing “The autumn wind howls in August, sweeping three layers of thatch from my roof!” The moment Mei Cheng'an opened his eyes, he found himself facing a catastrophe. Framed and cast out of the marquis's household by his own father, he was now being hunted, with his life hanging by a thread. He chose to fake his death and flee south to seek refuge with family friends. On the way, however, he ran into an imperial inspector investigating a case. From the inspector, he learned that his family friends had 7.9kReads8.1Score416Shelves

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    🌈Unlike other imperial examination novels, this one isn't filled with mundane family dramas, and even after two hundred chapters, it doesn't delve into court politics. The plot moves quickly; the protagonist becomes a child prodigy at age 6, and at 16, he tops the Millennium Dragon and Tiger List, achieving the highest rank of six. Right there in court, he avenges his mother's death—his father is demoted, his stepmother is executed—and he retaliates without hesitation. Super satisfying and not at all frustrating! (Template: Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty)

22. 122 笑 You Mock My Clan for Never Passing the Imperial Exams? What Are You Crying For Now That I Passed All Three with Top Honors? 笑我全族不中举？三元及第你哭啥 A Useless Scholar无用一书生Historical323k WordsOngoing Zhang Yan, the top scholar of nine provinces, has just earned his doctorate when he opens his eyes and finds himself in a poor village in the Great Yong Dynasty. His clan has spent generations taking the imperial examinations, but after decades, not one of them has even passed the first degree. They have become the laughingstock of the entire village. But Zhang Yan sees the clan elders' good intentions. People say studying is hard, but how can it be harder than farming? He secretly swears, “Sinc 314Reads8.4Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    My ranking of the imperial examination novels I've read (4 and 5 are about the same level, but 4 has a very consistent style, pure enjoyment, so I ranked it higher. 3 Is better written than 2, but again, I like enjoyment. Chen Yan, your part is too dangerous.)

23. 123 吃 Trying to Inherit My Family's Wealth? I Disguised Myself as a Man and Took the Imperial Exams, Winning All Six Honors 吃绝户？我女扮男装科举六元及第 Jiang Suiwan江岁晚Ancient Romance605k WordsOngoing [Imperial Examinations + No CP + A Woman Disguised as a Man (She Reveals Her Identity Once She Holds Great Power) + Political Intrigue + Ensemble Cast] Reborn into an ancient farming family as its only “son,” she is so despised by her entire clan that they wish she would die soon so they can seize the Lu family's estate. Lu Ming: That's no problem. So what if they try to trip her up and stop her from taking a master? She'll walk the road to success no matter what! After observing mourning for t 1.2kReads8.6Score230Shelves

    Reader note

    Those who have read these four books are already immune to typical imperial examination novels. They are all masterpieces; none have been rated, but I believe this one is a dark horse.

24. 124 农 The Lazy Little One from a Farming Family Takes the Imperial Exams 农门懒娃娃考科举 Black Tofu豆腐黑Historical352k WordsOngoing Dogwa had terrible luck in his previous life. He worked hard all his life and had nothing to show for it. It was all for nothing. In this life, he just wants enough to eat and drink, and to lie flat until the end. Who knew the Lai family already had a layabout: Dogwa's own father. There was no room for a second one. So Dogwa can only be pushed into improving himself and working hard. (Original title: The Lazy Farm Boy Takes the Imperial Examinations) 680Reads8.5Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Two novels about reincarnation and the imperial examination system. The first one is very detailed and enjoyable, though it might be a "chicken egg" story (a story with lots of different characters, like cow eggs, dog eggs, ugly eggs, and hairy eggs). The second one features a lazy father and a lazy child, but actually, the lazy child isn't lazy at all.

25. 125 家 The Child Bride in Our Home 家有童养媳 Long Sleeves, No Dancing Skills长袖不善舞Ancient Romance661k WordsCompleted [No rebirth, no transmigration, a chance encounter in troubled times, and a family blessed by heaven] When Xiangsui was eight, her father died. A rebel king had risen up, taxes were increasing, and life was unbearably difficult. Xiangsui's mother was a frail woman. Seeing that her mother couldn't possibly raise her and her younger brother, Xiangsui decided to make sure they could all survive. She sold herself to the Cheng family as a child bride, in exchange for a sack of wheat and twenty taels 2.6kReads8.9Score307Shelves

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    [Already hooked!] All three of these novels are quite good, especially the first one. The male protagonist rises step by step from the countryside to the imperial court, realizing his ambitions. It's thrilling and very enjoyable to read. Highly recommended!!! [Masterpiece of Sparrow Food][Masterpiece of Sparrow Food][Masterpiece of Sparrow Food]

26. 126 被 Falsely Accused of Cheating in the Imperial Exam? One Essay on the Six Kingdoms Shocks the World 被诬科举舞弊？一篇六国论惊天下 Song Yan宋湮Historical1.3M WordsCompleted [No System + Court Intrigue + Literary Plagiarism + Rigorous Logic] Lu Linchuan, a top student in classical Chinese literature, unexpectedly transmigrates to the fictional Great Yu dynasty and becomes a poor scholar falsely accused of cheating in the imperial exams. Faced with oppression by the powerful, he takes up his brush and writes On the Six States, every word as sharp as a blade, stunning the entire court. From a dark prison cell to the steps of the Golden Hall, he uses his modern knowled 17.7kReads8.5Score1.3kShelves

    Reader note

    It is substantial and lives up to its name.

27. 127 咱 Our Family Has Been Bandits for Generations, and You Went and Passed the Top Scholar Exam 咱家世代贼寇，你小子考上状元了 Over Ten Thousand Words a Day日更过万Historical2.1M WordsCompleted The short drama adaptation, Our Family Has Been Bandits for Generations, and You Went and Passed the Imperial Exams, premieres on November 21 at 9:00. Reservations are open now! Qin Yu transmigrated to ancient times. His father was the chief of Blackwind Stronghold, with wanted posters plastered all over the city gates. His mother was the Holy Maiden of the Black Lotus Sect, a notorious female fiend in the martial world. His grandfather had once attempted a rebellion... His grandmother was a pri 31.7kReads8.6Score3.7kShelves

    Reader note

    It's beautiful...

28. 128 原 Turns Out I’m the Marquis’s Fake Young Master 原来我是侯府假少爷 Gazing at the Moon Through Bamboo竹中窥月Two Male Leads477k WordsCompleted [Two male leads, transmigrate into a book, little ones, love, friendship, and family affection, everyone’s favorite] Gu Zhiwang was born into a marquis’s household and grew up surrounded by flowers and affection, the family’s little darling. His father indulged him, his mother doted on him, and his older brother looked out for him. At seven, Gu Zhiwang only had to worry about what to eat and what to play. He knew nothing of sorrow. Until he discovered he was the fake young master and a sacrifici 21.7kReads9.4Score2.8kShelves

    Reader note

    1. Ancient setting + transmigration + imperial examination + illegitimate son 2. Historical setting + transmigration + imperial examination + powerful minister, no romantic pairing 3. Two male leads + transmigration into a book + real and fake young master

29. 129 考 After Passing the Provincial Examination, I Took My Entire Clan to Flee the Famine! 考上举人后，我携全族去逃荒！ Once Again, My Ginseng再次我的人参Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Male lead transmigrates + farming + natural and man-made disasters + stockpiling supplies + fleeing famine While out sketching in the wilderness, college student Lin Cheng unexpectedly transmigrates into the body of a poor scholar in ancient times. With an entire family counting on him, he grits his teeth and studies hard, finally passing the provincial examination and becoming a minor official. At last, it looks like he can lie flat and enjoy life! But then disaster after disaster strikes, refu 8.5kReads7.8Score651Shelves

    Reader note

    🌺The male protagonist transmigrates into a butcher's family that resembles a den of "black bear spirits," 🌿the whole family are as tall as iron towers, incredibly strong, 🌿and eat an astonishing amount, while the protagonist is like a tiny chick stuck in the middle, 🌿making for a hilarious situation [laughs]

30. 130 从 From Little Kid to Top Scholar, I Cheat My Way to the Top 从幼童到状元，我一路开挂 Dreaming Back to Childhood Songs梦回童歌Historical2.1M WordsOngoing [Alternate-history fiction + imperial examinations + slice of life + no golden finger] Here, clan ties are more important than life itself, and clan rules take precedence over the law. When Qin Haoran was three, his father was killed in a bloody fight over water rights. According to clan rules, the entire clan was supposed to raise the family that had lost its breadwinner. But fate's cruelty was far from over. Three years later, his young mother, unable to bear a life of loneliness and widowhood 59.6kReads8.6Score4.5kShelves

    Reader note

    I've never really enjoyed the feeling of following a book's updates, so I usually read completed books. I've read many undergraduate-style novels, but this one feels the most "down-to-earth." It's not like the story where you pass the provincial exam in just a few dozen or a hundred chapters, then immediately take the metropolitan exam, and finally become the top scholar. For a poor student, getting ahead is difficult even today, let alone in the class-divided ancient times. This book allows the reader to learn things that are only understood in this information age. Although everyone has studied history, didn't the ancients know the principle of learning from the past to guide the future? Then why did every dynasty have historians who would revive history, especially in a fictional dynasty?

31. 131 我 I Turn My Life Around Through the Imperial Exams 我靠科举逆袭人生 Corn Breakdance玉米扒舞Historical808k WordsCompleted When Li Jingxing wakes up, he finds himself in an unfamiliar place. Around him are crude huts and shabby furniture, and the air carries a faint smell of straw. Looking down, he sees that he is wearing ragged clothes and a pair of straw sandals. All of it leaves him utterly confused. “How did I end up here?” Li Jingxing wonders. Just then, a burst of noise breaks through his thoughts. 3kReads8.8Score230Shelves

    Reader note

    No cheat codes, all relying on your own efforts, easy and enjoyable, going back to ancient times to work hard.

32. 132 寒 A Poor Scholar’s Rise Begins with Meeting the Miserable Crown Prince 寒门崛起，从遇上苦逼太子开始 Zuo Lan佐蓝Historical2.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + Imperial Exams for the Poor + No System + Lighthearted + Wits and Strategy] After transmigrating to ancient times, Tang Yin was completely dumbfounded. He'd gone to sleep and woken up as a seven-year-old kid? He lived in Peach Blossom Village, Qingzhou Prefecture, in the Great Ming, and came from a poor family? It was a disastrous start. He had to fight heaven and earth, and even deal with his awful relatives. Determined to escape the mountains, Tang Yin secretly studied at the 6.2kReads7.9Score543Shelves
33. 133 穿 After Transmigration, Her Whole Family Are Villains 穿越之我全家都是反派 Song Xiangbai宋象白Ancient Romance832k WordsCompleted Content warning: Lots of crude bathroom humor. Don't read while eating. Version One: Jiang Mianmian transmigrates. Her father is a scheming scholar with the face of a kindly man. Her mother has the face of a bodhisattva and the heart of a ruthless killer. Her eldest brother looks simple-minded but is cunning at heart. Her second sister is selfish and sharp-tongued. They were born destined to be villains. To highlight the protagonist's justice, kindness, and greatness, they work hard to do all so 137.8kReads9.6Score16.6kShelves

    Reader note

    These are all completed works; I almost never read ongoing series. The first one isn't a civil service exam novel, but it's still alright. I think time-travel civil service exam novels are the hardest to write; you have to research and make sure the historical context is accurate. These few are all pretty good.

34. 134 农 A Farm Boy's Imperial Exams: My Dad Turns Out to Be the Ultimate Study Machine 农家考科举：我爹竟是最强卷王 Long, Long, Long, Long Hair长长长长头发Ancient Romance847k WordsOngoing [Farming + imperial examinations + building wealth] A gifted student who hated studying transmigrates into the son of a peasant family in ancient times. As he chases chickens and dogs around the village, gathering friends and preparing to make a fortune so he can afford meat, someone calls out, “Ergouzi, your dad passed the provincial exam and became the top graduate! The county magistrate awarded him fifty taels of silver!” When he resolves to study so he can avoid going bald before turning ten 62.4kReads9.2Score7.9kShelves

    Reader note

    All are high-scoring imperial examination essays

35. 135 穿 Transmigration: From the Imperial Exams to Chief Grand Secretary 穿越：从科举开始的内阁首辅之路 Big Shot from Tuanjietun团结屯大佬Historical673k WordsOngoing An ordinary university student transmigrates into the son of a small landowner in ancient times. He takes the imperial exams and enters government service under the Great Feng dynasty, rising through the ranks step by step. Of all pursuits, study is supreme. “What? Young Master Wang has passed the county-level scholar exam!” “Young Master Wang really is impressive!” “Scholar Wang has passed the provincial exam and become a juren!” “I hear Wang, the top scholar in the provincial exam, passed the 37Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    ① The first book is about a young master who transmigrates into the body of a landlord's son and initially wants to live a carefree life, but is tricked into studying by his father. ② The second book is about an unfavored illegitimate son who shocks everyone by passing the imperial examination. ③ The third book is about a woman who transmigrates into a man and takes the imperial examination with her father.

36. 136 喜 Joy in the Tang Dynasty 喜唐 Weiwei's Wei微微的薇Historical3.6M WordsCompleted Bright and glorious is the Tang, favored by Heaven to rule the myriad lands. Our founding ancestors answered Heaven’s call, and the four imperial clans followed its ways. Heaven granted us boundless blessings, and our clans share a common virtue. Our descendants carry on the legacy, offering sacrifices to the gods and matching the Pole Star. What did it really mean for all nations to pay tribute? Was it about uncritically worshipping foreign languages, or going abroad and being treated as honore 122.6kReads9.4Score12.7kShelves

    Reader note

    💫1⃣The protagonist transmigrates to a parallel world, reborn as a farmer's son. He discovers his parents are exactly the same as in his previous life, which makes him quite happy. To improve his family's situation and avoid spending his life farming, he decides to study and take the imperial examinations. No cheat codes or systems. Worth reading! 🎉🎉🎉 💫2⃣The protagonist transmigrates to an unknown dynasty, becoming the illegitimate son of a civil official. His aunt dies in childbirth, and his father can't manage his household affairs. He's raised by his grandmother from a young age, and life is alright, but in ancient times, family members are punished together. For his future, he decides to work hard, study diligently, and take the imperial examinations. No system, no cheat codes! 🎉🎉🎉

37. 137 寒 Poor-Born Child Prodigy: At Five and a Half, I Face-Slap My Entire Clan in the Imperial Exams 寒门神童：五岁半科举打脸全族 Feast 3盛宴3Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [Genius child from the start, satisfying comeback, putting every skeptic in their place!] Xu Fei is a five-and-a-half-year-old farm boy who was born into an ancient era, yet is treated as a “nobody” by his family. His biased grandmother makes him work and feed the chickens, while every egg goes to his thirty-year-old uncle, a licentiate who has yet to pass the imperial exams, and his “child prodigy” cousin! Xu Fei is furious: Pretend to be a prodigy? I can do that, too! He recites poetry in publ 4.7kReads8.0Score334Shelves

    Reader note

    A novel about imperial examinations and rebirth, telling the story of a poor boy's gradual rise to officialdom. I highly recommend the first book; it's excellent and has profound themes.

38. 138 朝 A Peasant at Dawn, a Courtier by Dusk 朝为田舍郎暮登天子堂 Oh, Meimei昧昧我啊Ancient Romance232k WordsCompleted The author is terrible at naming things. [No transmigration, no System, no rebirth, no romance + imperial-examination story + woman disguised as a man + growth-oriented heroine + slow and steady pacing + political intrigue] Reader comment: This book depicts both the power struggles in officialdom and the warmth between family and friends with great subtlety. It's a story full of heart. The author writes so well! (Hehe, a reader praised me, hehe.) Without a grandson, the family's estate is bound 89Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is a no-romance (no romantic pairing) imperial examination novel that readers rave about. Give it a try! The author spent a lot of time choosing the title, but it's truly amazing! The later parts are guaranteed to bring you to tears.

39. 139 状 Top Scholar: I Blundered Into the Imperial Court, and Now I Rule the Realm 状元我误闯天家，少年郎权倾朝野 Little Bear Egg小熊蛋蛋Historical481k WordsOngoing [Transmigration + Imperial Examinations + Officialdom + Political Scheming + No Romance + Clever Wish Fulfillment] After dying suddenly, economics master Qi Yu becomes the emperor of the Great Yong dynasty’s young nephew, who had been lost among the common folk and raised by a farming family surnamed Li. His adoptive grandmother has no idea that his late father was the emperor’s own elder brother. She plays favorites to an absurd degree, forcing the six-year-old boy and his widowed mother to sup 8.2kReads8.4Score901Shelves

    Reader note

    If you enjoy political intrigue and stories of the male protagonist rising to power, you absolutely must read this! The male protagonist is the son of a prince who was raised among commoners. After changing his mother's surname, he embarks on the path of the imperial examinations. The first three chapters are a little boring, but you can start reading from the fourth chapter to see how the male protagonist confronts others in court and schemes step by step. It's almost the best political intrigue novel I've ever read, not a fluffy, superficial one, and it gets better and better as you read on [smirk]. I don't know why so few people have read it.

40. 140 替 Taking My Father’s Place in the Imperial Exams, Starting at Six 替父科举！从六岁开始 Dreaming Back to Childhood Songs梦回童歌Historical366k WordsCompleted No corvee labor, no land tax. Crossing the class divide feels amazing! No wonder my father was willing to do anything to pass the imperial exams! The exams broke the aristocratic clans' monopoly on official careers under the Nine-Rank System, which had been in place since the Wei and Jin dynasties. With examinations at their core, they gave ordinary scholars a way to rise above their station. The appeal of the exams went straight to the heart of people's everyday concerns. Once scholars passed t 697Reads7.3Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    These are all pretty good 👍

41. 141 小 The Daily Life of a Minor Official's Son Preparing for the Imperial Exams 小官之子科举日常 Ninth Day of the First Month良月初九Historical377k WordsCompleted [Woman Transmigrates into a Man + Imperial Exams + Farmer's Son + No Problematic Family Members + No Pocket Dimension + No Golden Finger] Lin He, a graduate student in history, transmigrates into the Great Qi, a dynasty that never existed in history, and goes from being a woman to a man. His family has nothing to its name: his father is a catlike academic prodigy, his mother a tigerlike farmer, and Lin He's life is a constant struggle. Fortunately, his father earned the jinshi degree early on, a 1.8kReads8.8Score130Shelves
42. 142 种 Farming Life: A Poor Scholar’s Devoted Wife 种田：寒门状元的宠妻生活 Little Sugar Cube一颗小白糖Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + Farming + Sweet Romance + Heartwarming + Joyful Power Fantasy] After transmigrating, he starts from the ground up in a house stripped bare. Watch as he and the woman he loves build something from nothing and lead their village to prosperity. Before long, the villagers realize that the young woman nobody wanted has been cherished like a treasure, becoming the envy of everyone. At first: “Have you heard? Qi Xiubai offered twenty taels of silver as the betrothal gift.” “Oh my gos 1.1kReads8.9Score106Shelves
43. 143 寒 The Ruthless Minister from a Humble Family 寒门枭臣 Sturgeon鲟鱼Historical3.1M WordsCompleted Li Mao transmigrates into the Northern Song dynasty as a down-and-out scholar from a poor family. In an age when everything is inferior except studying, and the realm is on the brink of ruin, he changes his fate step by step through hard work, rises to the pinnacle of life, and brings peace to the world for generations to come. This story has not only clashes of steel and the thunder of battle horns, but also beauty and romance, alongside the struggles and striving of ordinary people. 1.6kReads8.4Score169Shelves
44. 144 科 The Imperial Exam Path to Success 科举助吾上青云 Glory Returned荣归Historical1.0M WordsCompleted After transmigrating into a family of farmers who also valued education, Bai Zimu had grandparents, parents, uncles, and aunts to support, as well as seven older sisters whose dowries had to be prepared. To escape the fighting on the border, the entire family moved back to their hometown. Along the way, they lost two of his sisters, and he himself nearly died. He wasn't strong enough to carry heavy loads or even lift much. In this underdeveloped world, Bai Zimu thought it over and realized that 3kReads9.0Score236Shelves
45. 145 重 Reborn, I Study for the Imperial Exams in Another World 重生后，我在异世界读书科举 Lan Xiaoyi蓝小一Historical2.8M WordsCompleted (Transmigration) + (farming) + (daily life) + (imperial examinations) (no System) + (court politics) Chen Chuyi was reborn into a poor family in Beishui Village, carrying the memories of his past life. At first, he only wanted to earn a little money to improve his family's life. But in this unfamiliar ancient world, he was always afraid someone would take his family's money and eat their food. In the end, he embarked on the path of study and the imperial examinations. He knew that only by changi 6.9kReads8.3Score538Shelves
46. 146 科 A Zhuangyuan Emerges from a Farming Family Through the Imperial Exams 科举农门出了个状元郎 September Jojo九月玖玖Historical608k WordsCompleted After finally making something of himself as an orphan, he opened his eyes in the darkness and found himself a five-year-old idiot in ancient times. From the start, the Husky System tricked him into going deep into the mountains, telling him to be independent and figure out how to survive there alone. To hell with that! I have a home and a family. There’s just one problem: this family is dirt poor! No worries. Getting rich and passing the imperial exams are well within his abilities! This is a s 365Reads6.9Score—Shelves
47. 147 穿 Reborn as a Wicked Foster Mother: I Raised the Villainous Tyrant All Wrong 穿成恶毒养母：把反派暴君养歪了 Blue Sky over Mountains and Rivers山水蔚蓝天Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [No romance + teaching + adorable kids + farming + building wealth + infrastructure] A warm, slice-of-life story Zhang Ziruo transmigrates into the role of the evil adoptive mother of a tyrannical villain, destined for a tragic end. She plans to win the villain’s favor while he is still young, only to discover that he has been reborn... Taking stock of her new circumstances, she decides to open a school and become a teacher! She’ll raise the villain to be a virtuous, capable, open-minded, and po 15.2kReads9.5Score2.2kShelves

    Reader note

    All five books, all rated 9 points or higher, are about the imperial examination system and none of them feature any cheat codes or special abilities. The first two are by the same author, the third is a female-oriented novel about a female teacher, not her taking the imperial examination. The last two are also by the same author.

48. 148 全 My Clan Funded My Exams, So I Won My Dog an Imperial Title 全族供我科举路，我赠族犬诰命身 Househusband煮夫Historical2.9M WordsOngoing In her previous life, Fang Ziqi was a PhD in science at one of China’s top five universities. In this life, she transmigrates into a farming family in the Great Liang dynasty! A poor household, a father who secretly studies, a biased grandfather, and an uncle who has failed the exams ten times… In an age when everything is inferior to studying, Fang Ziqi has no choice but to tighten her belt and embark on the imperial examination path! She begins her studies at six! Takes the exams at eight! Pas 22.3kReads7.8Score2.2kShelves

    Reader note

    I've read about 20 books on the imperial examination system, and this is the one I recommend most. It's still being serialized, but every part of the story is quite engaging.

49. 149 中 A Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor in Ancient Times: My Frail Husband Works His Way Up to Grand Secretary 中医穿古代：病弱夫君卷成首辅了 Crispy Broccoli脆脆西蓝花Ancient Romance491k WordsCompleted [A romance-averse, emotionally steady physician of traditional Chinese medicine x an unlucky, beautiful, fragile scholar] [Transmigration + System + Medicine + Imperial Examinations + Heartwarming + No awful characters] Li Nanxing transmigrated as an ancient girl with the same name as her own, and even got bound to a medical System. Thanks for asking. I'm in ancient times, just transmigrated, and from the start I've been given a “skinny dog” of a fiancé. His father died young, his mother died of 2kReads8.8Score281Shelves

    Reader note

    It's a simple yet heartwarming story. The female lead's family is harmonious and without any awful members. The male lead is a bit of a rascal. The transmigrated female lead dictates various plot points, and the male lead polishes them up by writing down the stories. Together, they save money.

50. 150 只 I Just Want a Bite of Meat, So Why Make Me Take the Imperial Exam? 只想吃口肉，非要让我考科举 Luoluo Feathers洛洛羽毛Ancient Romance835k WordsOngoing A lighthearted, humorous slice-of-life story. Shen Qingyun transmigrates into the body of a poor farm boy in Qingshan Village, Great Qian, whose family can barely keep food on the table. Instead of using his adult wisdom to turn his life around, he devotes it all to figuring out how to get meat to eat. He tricks his cousin and schemes with the neighbor kids. Other people get beaten up, while he gets to satisfy his cravings. When Grandpa suggests sending a grandson to school, Grandma shows her “k 42.2kReads8.5Score3.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Modern people dress up as starving farm kids and use all their wisdom to figure out how to eat meat! They trick relatives and scheme against neighbors, cause trouble and get beaten up, but they satisfy their own cravings. Their families are harmonious and without any scoundrels. Grandparents are supportive and send their kids to private schools to take the imperial examinations. It's a lighthearted and funny slice-of-life story of rural life, perfect for stress relief and watching while eating. If you're looking for something to read, just close your eyes and go for it!

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