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Books That Help You Understand Chinese History 有助于了解中国历史的书。

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  1. 51 A Ming-Era Deserter: I Wanted to Lie Low, but the Turbulent Times Forced Me to Draw My Blade 明末逃卒:想苟,乱世却逼我拔刀 Historical213k WordsOngoing [No System + Hardcore Survival + Internally Consistent Logic + Meticulous Details + No Mindless Power Fantasy + Relentless Bloodshed] A dung fork from the start, and everything else has to be looted? Wang Feng, an engineering guy who moonlights as a martial arts stuntman, gets knocked unconscious with a club and wakes up in the chaotic final years of the Ming dynasty! There’s no overpowered System, and he has no kingly aura. All he has is a group of ragged, starving deserters. At his side ar 245Reads—Score—Shelves
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  2. 52 I Hold Power in Eastern Wu 我在东吴当权臣 Historical220k WordsCompleted My soul transmigrated to the end of the Han dynasty, where I became a lowly soldier in the Jiangdong camp, likely to end up in a mass grave at any moment. In my previous life, I read history and laughed at “Sun of Ten Thousand,” mocked as he was chased by eight hundred of Zhang Liao’s men. I thought him incompetent. In this life, with a cold blade pressed against my neck, I finally understood: in these chaotic times, human lives are as worthless as grass. Since I’ve come here, I can’t let his 51Reads—Score—Shelves
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  3. 53 The Curse of Along the River During the Qingming Festival 清明上河图的诅咒 Mystery24k WordsCompleted [Mystery + imaginative twists + mild horror + jaw-dropping reversal + true love was all part of the plan] An ancient painting sparks a deadly crisis! Jiang Feng’s friend gets him a job forging Along the River During the Qingming Festival, But rumor has it the painting is cursed, and fourteen artists who took the job have already died one after another! Still, this job pays three hundred thousand yuan! To save up for the bride price his girlfriend asked for, Jiang Feng takes the job anyway. From 6Reads8.4Score—Shelves
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  4. 54 Shangguan Wan’er: Courtly Intrigue in the Tang Dynasty 唐朝上官婉儿宫廷风云 Ancient Romance252k WordsCompleted Shangguan Wan'er was the daughter of a convicted official, yet she became Wu Zetian's right-hand woman. When Emperor Zhongzong of Tang was restored to the throne, she was named Zhaorong and continued overseeing official edicts for both the inner court and the outer government. Later, she attached herself to Princess Taiping. After Emperor Zhongzong's sudden death, Shangguan Wan'er and Princess Taiping drafted an imperial edict naming Li Chongmao crown prince, with Prince Xiang, Li Dan, as regent 2.9kReads7.5Score180Shelves
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  5. 55 Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Complete Plain-Language Edition 三国演义(白话版全集) Historical723k WordsCompleted Romance of the Three Kingdoms is the first full-length historical novel in chapter-and-episode format in ancient China, and is regarded as one of the Four Great Classical Novels. Written by the late Yuan and early Ming novelist Luo Guanzhong, it draws on historical events and folk tales from the Three Kingdoms period. Set against the history from the end of the Eastern Han dynasty to the beginning of the Western Jin, the book vividly depicts the tangled political, military, and diplomatic strugg 16Reads9.2Score—Shelves
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  6. 56 Awakening of the Soul: The Song of the Rift War 魂觉醒之裂合战歌 Historical163k WordsCompleted On the eighth day of the ninth month, in the autumn of the late Tang, chrysanthemums bloom and all other flowers wither. The setting sun drips blood, smoke from the beacon fires blots out the sky, and horses trample the cracked earth amid utter chaos. Everywhere, blades flash and refugees roam... A down-and-out young man with nowhere else to turn seeks refuge with a fellow townsman, hoping to make something of himself. Instead, he stumbles straight into his enemies' den and nearly loses his life 206Reads9.3Score—Shelves
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  7. 57 I Am the King of Chu in the Spring and Autumn Period 我在春秋当楚王 Historical2.5M WordsCompleted I've started a new book, Family Cultivation: The Qin Clan's Immortal Path. I hope you'll support it. This is a dazzling age: King Fuchai of Wu marches north to vie for supremacy, King Goujian of Yue endures humiliation and annexes Wu, the Three Clans divide Jin, and the Tian clan replaces Qi. But I, King Xiong Zhang of Chu, am the brightest star of this era. 6.4kReads8.6Score362Shelves
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  8. 58 Record of the Pacification of Wu 平吴录 Historical10k WordsCompleted This is a confidential historical dossier that overturns the orthodox view of history! Writing from the perspective of an eyewitness, Sun Xu of the Qing dynasty unveils the power struggles and betrayals behind “a fit of rage for the sake of a beauty.” The book not only reveals Wu Sangui’s true motives for inviting the Qing army through the pass, but also exposes for the first time the secret of Chen Yuanyuan’s abduction, the inside story of the Yongli Emperor of the Southern Ming being strangled 2Reads7.6Score—Shelves
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  9. 59 Secret History of the Qing Dynasty 清朝秘史 Historical804k WordsCompleted A Secret History of the Qing Dynasty is a historical work that systematically examines little-known events and internal archives from the Qing Dynasty. Grounded in rigorous scholarship, this book draws on official histories, palace archives, and private documents to explore hidden details of Qing politics, military affairs, culture, and court life. The book focuses on the decision-making processes, power struggles, and social changes behind major events of the Qing era. It sheds light on little- 1Reads8.0Score—Shelves
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  10. 60 The Tale of the Yuan Dynasty 元史演义 Historical305k WordsCompleted The Romance of the Yuan Dynasty is a historical novel in chapter form by Cai Dongfan, a renowned modern writer of historical romances. It is part of his series Popular Romances of the Dynasties of China. The novel consists of sixty chapters and recounts the rise and fall of the Yuan dynasty in a literary style, from the rise of the Mongol tribes to the fall of the dynasty. Using the accessible style of a popular historical romance, the author recreates the political, military, and social landsca 3Reads8.5Score—Shelves
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  11. 61 The Jian'an Chronicles 建安录 Historical240k WordsCompleted A complete retelling of Cao Cao’s life in novel form [That was the original plan, but in the end the story only reached Cao Cao’s retirement in Qiao County in the fourth year of Zhongping] An original novel about the late Han dynasty, based on historical fact Focused on political intrigue and personal growth amid the chaos Following the rise and transformation of a generation’s great warlord With the courtly rivalries and tangled bonds between ruler and subject in the late Eastern Han as a secon 3Reads—Score—Shelves
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  12. 62 Sima the Old Rogue 司马老贼 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, 496Reads9.3Score—Shelves
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  13. 63 The Dragon Rules Liangzhou 龙驭凉州 Historical221k WordsCompleted Folks, let’s really dig into the tangled history of the three powers that held sway over Liangzhou, Ganzhou, and Shazhou in the northwest during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period: the Tanguts, the Six Valleys, and the Guiyi Army. This area was the choke point of the Silk Road. Whoever controlled Liangzhou, Ganzhou, and Shazhou held the lifeline of the northwest, so these three powers fought fiercely while also dealing with the central Chinese court and the surrounding big players. It wa 35Reads—Score—Shelves
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  14. 64 Tales of the Han Dynasty: From Liu Bang to Liu Shan 汉朝那些事:从刘邦到刘禅 Historical394k WordsOngoing When talking about the Han Dynasty, it's impossible not to mention what an interesting and fascinating era it was. We people of later generations call ourselves “Han people,” and our ethnic group is known as the “Han Chinese.” These names are inseparable from the Han Dynasty. It can be said that the Han Dynasty not only established China's unified political order, but also shaped the cultural and ethnic identity of the Chinese people. This sense of identity took deep root in the hearts of the pe 7Reads—Score—Shelves
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  15. 65 I Debate the Classics with Great Scholars in the Embroidered Uniform Guard 我在锦衣卫跟大儒辩经 Historical1.2M WordsOngoing Yang Zhi, a top salesman and philosophy graduate student in his previous life, transmigrates to the end of the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty. Through a twist of fate, he joins the Embroidered Uniform Guard, passes the imperial examination, enters the Hanlin Academy, and debates the classics with the great scholars at court! 4.9kReads8.8Score356Shelves
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  16. 66 Crown Prince Zhaoming 昭明太子 Historical56k WordsCompleted A historical biographical novel centered on Crown Prince Xiao Tong of the Southern and Northern Dynasties. Blending court intrigue, the smoke of war, the bond between father and son, and literary ideals, it breathes vivid life into the framework of historical fact and captures both the warmth and the tragedy of a crown prince who seemed perfect in every way. 5Reads—Score—Shelves
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  17. 67 The Great Tang's Ode: Saving the World and Bringing Peace to the People 大唐赋之济世安民 Historical153k WordsCompleted This novel tells the sweeping, legendary story of Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang! Most of it is based on real history, though I've added some artistic touches and a few personal insights. I wrote this book because I like an actor. I hope that one day I can see him wearing a ceremonial robe embroidered with the twelve imperial symbols. He would look absolutely wonderful! 24Reads—Score—Shelves
  18. 68 Li Tianxia 李天下 Historical113k WordsCompleted More than a thousand years ago, during the turbulent Five Dynasties period, a remarkable hero rose to prominence. With his courage and wisdom, he carved out an impressive legacy. Yet fate had other plans, and the end of this hero's story is one that leaves us sighing with regret... Join us as we step into those eighteen years of contests in wisdom and courage, those eighteen years of clashes between literary and military prowess, those eighteen years of dizzying rises and falls... 10Reads—Score—Shelves
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  19. 69 Water Margin: More Children, More Blessings, Winning Heroes and the Realm 水浒多子多福收好汉争霸 Historical225k WordsCompleted [More Children, More Blessings] [Recruiting Water Margin Heroes] [Conquest on the Battlefield] Emperor Huizong of Song: Make him a prince? And throw in a princess, too? Li Zhu: Boss, I’m a strategist. Why do you keep making me lead troops? Wen Huanzhang: Some pig just trampled my precious little cabbage? Emperor of Liao: I just took the throne, and Yanjing is already gone! Wanyan Zonghan: This kid’s ruthless! Wanyan Zongwang: He’s not playing by the rules. This is so unfair! Wanyan Wushu: Forget 1.1kReads6.2Score105Shelves
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  20. 70 Li Shizi of the Tang Dynasty: My Six Tycoon Darlings! 大唐兕子:我的六个神豪小囊君! Ancient Romance2.1M WordsOngoing A woman who transmigrates into another world finds her way to a higher-dimensional acceptance of her own strength and weakness, maturity and immaturity, dignity and disarray amid the height of the Tang dynasty. In the first five volumes, she is intensely drawn to strength and despises foolishness, ashamed of her own imperfections. When her energy is high, she is the model of a refined, high-born lady: restrained, sensible, and keenly observant. When her energy is low, she becomes anxious, avoida 55Reads9.2Score—Shelves
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  21. 71 The Splendor of Bianjing in the Song Dynasty: Provoke Her, and the Storm Will Pass! 宋韵京华:惹她,山雨歇! Historical184k WordsCompleted 1. (Transmigration to Song history) (Ancient-style romance, infinite worlds) (Literary foundations and imaginative ideas) (One female lead, occasionally a full cast of men) (Funny and never long-winded). Best savored slowly, one little bite at a time. 2. The two male leads are really just a pair of grown-up brats whose delayed adolescence is still dragging on. Once their rebellious phases end and they stop making everything about themselves, their worldviews will emerge. 3. Each incident is ordi 19Reads8.2Score—Shelves
  22. 72 The Husky and His White Cat Shizun 二哈和他的白猫师尊 Two Male Leads1.4M WordsCompleted [The audiobook adaptation of the same name, starring Gu Jiangshan and Sanshi, is complete. Tune in and give it a listen!] Mo Ran thought becoming Chu Wanning's disciple had been a mistake. His master was far too much like a cat, while he was like a silly dog wagging its tail and fawning over him. Dogs and cats can't reproduce together, and the silly dog hadn't wanted to reach out his fluffy paws toward that cat in the first place. He'd always thought dogs should be with dogs, like his senior bro 100.9kReads9.7Score19.5kShelves
  23. 73 The Ironclad Censor 铁律御史 Historical304k WordsCompleted The Great Cheng Dynasty rules the realm by iron law. The Censorate hangs over the court like a sword, and beneath the Xiezhi totem stand eight stern-faced censors. Shen Ye is the youngest among them, and the most “insane.” He begins by investigating a corruption case, exposing a smuggling network on the frontier, unaware that he has stepped into a vast web of political intrigue that has ensnared the court for twenty years. Chief Grand Secretary Lin Ruhai holds absolute power, imperial authority 1Reads—Score—Shelves
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  24. 74 Elegy of a Chaotic Age: Prelude 乱世挽歌之序曲 Historical609k WordsOngoing [Transmigration + History + Three Kingdoms + Male Protagonist + No Golden Finger] His work after 98 grueling hours gets scrapped? A burned-out screenwriter transmigrates to the Three Kingdoms and takes on history with workplace tactics! Have KPIs ever pushed you to the breaking point? Senior writer Wang Cheng spent four straight days working through the night on his script, “Turbulence at the End of the Han,” only for the client to demand a complete rewrite with one dismissive remark: “It’s not 34Reads—Score—Shelves
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  25. 75 Tales of a Heroic and Virtuous Woman 忠孝勇烈奇女传 Historical109k WordsCompleted The Tale of the Loyal, Filial, Brave, and Heroic Woman is a chaptered novel centered on Hua Mulan, the legendary heroine of ancient China. Building on the traditional tale of Mulan joining the army in her father's place, the novel expands and reimagines the story, blending historical romance, tales of gods and demons, and moral instruction to portray an extraordinary woman embodying loyalty, filial piety, courage, and steadfast virtue. The novel begins with Mulan's family origins, recounting the 11Reads8.0Score—Shelves
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  26. 76 Tracing the Prince of Lanling 寻迹兰陵王 Ancient Romance792k WordsOngoing This novel sets out to investigate a murder: was Gao Cheng, father of the famed Prince of Lanling, Gao Changgong, killed by his own brother Gao Yang? Two of the best-known figures from the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties are Hua Mulan and the Prince of Lanling. The contemporary musician Liu Qingyao's piece "Prince of Lanling Breaks the Enemy Lines" inspired this story. Gao Changgong was the grandson of Gao Huan, the protagonist of "The Chile Song." After the song is sung, a success 30Reads—Score—Shelves
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  27. 77 A Tale of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties 戏说魏晋南北朝 Historical808k WordsOngoing Telling real history in a playful voice, this book paints a sweeping portrait of the turbulent years of the Two Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties. This period of history was practically a real-life, large-scale farce worthy of Game of Thrones. Not long after Sima Yan, who had unified the country, died, a foolish emperor and his ugly empress turned the realm into a slaughterhouse during the War of the Eight Princes. Liu Yuan, Shi Le, and others invaded the Central Plains, plunging the north 6.5kReads7.2Score318Shelves
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  28. 78 The Art of Imperial Politics: The Jiajing Era 帝王心术:嘉靖时代 Historical227k WordsCompleted This novel offers a profound look at Jiajing’s transformation from an energetic reformer into an emperor obsessed with Daoism. Daoist priests such as Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen used mysticism to manipulate his inner world; Yan Song and his son won favor with Daoist prayers and monopolized power for twenty years; Xu Jie bided his time before finally bringing down the treacherous ministers; and Hai Rui risked his life to submit a memorial condemning the ills of the age. Together, these vivid ch 1.2kReads6.9Score114Shelves
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  29. 79 Chronicles of Burning Embers, Part One: Tang Embers: Smoke over Haidong 烬燃录第一部:唐烬:海东烟 Historical537k WordsOngoing During the Kaiyuan era of the Tang dynasty, Deng Zifeng, a transmigrator who knows how history will unfold, tries to prevent the golden age from collapsing, but becomes trapped in a perilous situation. He meets Kibi Sakurako, the daughter of a Japanese noble family torn by inner conflict, and the two become bound together by fate. They witness Japanese forces resorting to any means necessary to steal the Tang dynasty's “strength.” Hunted relentlessly by a mastermind working behind the scenes, th 4Reads—Score—Shelves
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  30. 80 Scheming for the Throne: Zhen Huan Transmigrates into Lady Qi 权谋天下之甄嬛穿越戚夫人 Female-Channel Fanfiction897k WordsOngoing [Transmigration + history + political intrigue + palace battles + strong female lead] P.S.: The story respects the course of history. There is no System, and this is not a wish-fulfillment novel. Strategy takes center stage, with palace intrigue in a supporting role. Readers should set aside their usual Qing palace-drama perspective and look at the political intrigue of the Han palace on its own terms. . Synopsis: She escaped the maelstrom of the Qing imperial harem, only to unexpectedly transm 80Reads8.3Score—Shelves
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  31. 81 The Lying Girl and the Iron-Blooded General 谎精少女和铁血将军 Ancient Romance285k WordsCompleted [Transmigration Romance + Historical Warfare + Bittersweet Love + Love of Country] She is Yang Zhenzhen, a language prodigy whose soul has transmigrated into another body, carrying the pain of her family’s annihilation. She meets him by chance amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. He is Qi Jiguang, a young assistant general just starting his career, determined to crush the pirates, yet caught in a mire of political infighting and neglected military preparations. As a general, he sees th 23Reads—Score—Shelves
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  32. 82 The Painter's Journal: Smoke and Dust over Bianliang 画匠记:汴梁烟尘 Historical178k WordsOngoing Immerse yourself in the bustling everyday life of the Great Song, a gallery of lives across the ages, transmigration, poverty and prosperity. A rewarding read, with a slow-burn rise from humble beginnings, lighthearted moments, and meticulous attention to social detail. A modern cover designer and painter who worked with dry-cell batteries, he couldn't escape being laid off. He transmigrated into the body of Lin Yuan, a poor child in Hedong Circuit in the Northern Song who survived by chewing on 2Reads—Score—Shelves
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  33. 83 The Ming Dynasty’s Special Reconnaissance Troops: The Night Watchmen 明朝特种侦察兵夜不收 Historical456k WordsCompleted A battle of wits between elite scouts, a shadow war of espionage full of twists, and a poignant romance between two people caught in forces beyond their control: all this awaits in the legendary tale of the Ming Dynasty’s Night-Rejecting scouts! During the Jiajing era, unrest flares along the frontier as the Mongols and Jurchens watch hungrily from the shadows. An elite reconnaissance unit known as the Night-Rejectors becomes the sharpest hidden blade guarding the Ming border. Shen Yan, the son 414Reads6.4Score100Shelves
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  34. 84 Martial Peace Through Tribulation and Dust 劫尘武安 15k WordsCompleted Wu'an Amid the Dust of Calamity 1Reads—Score—Shelves
  35. 85 I Wove Brocade Using Ancient Techniques and Took the Internet by Storm 我靠古法织锦,爆红全网 16k WordsCompleted I Went Viral Online with Ancient Brocade-Weaving Techniques 4Reads—Score—Shelves
  36. 86 Chen Ping, Master Strategist: His Heavenly Calculations Shape the World 玄谋陈平:天机算尽定乾坤 22k WordsCompleted Chen Ping's Cunning: Calculating Heaven's Secrets to Shape the World 12Reads—Score—Shelves
  37. 87 Deep Love for the Former: Ping Jun's Farewell 故剑情深:平君辞 18k WordsCompleted Deep Love for an Old Sword: Pingjun's Farewell 4Reads—Score—Shelves
  38. 88 Strange Treasures Conquer the World: The Secret Schemes of Lü Buwei 奇货驭天:吕不韦异谋传 27k WordsCompleted Mastering Heaven with Rare Goods: The Strange Schemes of Lü Buwei 2Reads—Score—Shelves
  39. 89 Ink Seal of the Nine Heavens 墨印九天 25k WordsCompleted Ink Seal Across the Nine Heavens 8Reads—Score—Shelves
  40. 90 Ashes of War: Fifty-Nine Years of the Liu Song Dynasty 金戈烬:刘宋五十九年兴亡录 19k WordsCompleted Ashes of the Golden Spear: A Chronicle of the Rise and Fall of Liu Song Across Fifty-Nine Years 3Reads—Score—Shelves
  41. 91 Me, an Outer Sect Disciple, Became the Immortal World's Ancestor by Keeping a Low Profile 我,外门弟子,苟成仙界老祖 28k WordsCompleted I, an Outer Sect Disciple, Cautiously Became the Immortal Realm's Ancestor 1Reads—Score—Shelves
  42. 92 The Expired Convenience Store 过期的便利店 16k WordsCompleted Expired Convenience Store 2Reads—Score—Shelves
  43. 93 Mystic Arts of Dongshan: The Qin Dynasty’s Downfall 东山玄相:肥水折秦 21k WordsCompleted Eastern Mountain's Mystic Physiognomy: The Qin Dynasty's Fertile Lands 5Reads—Score—Shelves
  44. 94 Nine Transformations of the Azure and Yellow: Li Si’s Cauldron 苍黄九变:李斯鼎 19k WordsCompleted Nine Transformations of Heaven and Earth: Li Si Ding 3Reads—Score—Shelves
  45. 95 The Hidden Talisman Records of Yan 阴符照燕录 Historical19k WordsCompleted The Record of the Yan Kingdom, Illuminated by the Yin Talisman 2Reads—Score—Shelves
  46. 96 The Evening Breeze Hidden in My Heart 藏在心底的晚风 27k WordsCompleted The Evening Breeze Hidden in My Heart 2Reads—Score—Shelves
  47. 97 Divine Numerology: The Secret Scroll of the Supreme Principle 神数衍天:皇极秘卷 23k WordsCompleted Divine Numerology Reveals Heaven: The Secret Scroll of the Emperor's Pole 4Reads—Score—Shelves
  48. 98 Tao Zhu’s Mystic Strategy: Mastermind of Heaven’s Secrets 陶朱玄略:天机谋主 22k WordsCompleted The Tao Zhu Strategy: Mastermind of Heaven's Secrets 5Reads—Score—Shelves
  49. 99 Song of Changgan: A Promise of Lotus Hearts 长干行·莲心许 Ancient Romance13k WordsCompleted Song of Changgan: A Lotus-Heart Promise 4Reads—Score—Shelves
  50. 100 Guan Zhong’s Mystic Arts: Uniting the Lords and Restoring the Mandate of Heaven 玄相管仲:九合诸侯,一匡气运 28k WordsCompleted Guan Zhong, Master of Metaphysics: Uniting the Lords, Restoring the Mandate of Heaven 5Reads—Score—Shelves

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