Can We Get Some Normal Imperial Examination Historical Novels? 能不能来点正常的历史科举文

1. 1 书 Master Calligrapher? Poet Immortal? Chief Minister? That's Right, I'm All of Them 书圣？诗仙？首辅？没错，都是我 Sunlight on the River日照前川Historical834k WordsOngoing In his previous life, Cui Xian was a PhD in Chinese Language and Literature at a top-tier university. In this life, he transmigrated to ancient times, into a poor family with no connections: A destitute home, a pregnant mother, young siblings, an uncle who had failed the exams six times and was hopeless at studying, a grandmother so obsessed with imagining her son placing high in the imperial examinations that she had become delusional, and Cui Xian, who was only eight years old. Cui Xian: This 28.3kReads9.4Score2.7kShelves

   Reader note

   The first book in this series, written by a postdoctoral researcher at Peking University, has been read by over a million people. It boasts an incredibly broad range of knowledge and is a truly enjoyable learning experience! The second book, also a personal favorite, combines the imperial examination system with hard work, political maneuvering, and more – packed with information and incredibly exciting! It's all about winning, big or small, the winner takes all.

2. 2 全 My Clan Raised Me to Greatness, So I Gifted Them Purple Robes 全族扶我青云志，我赠族人朱紫袍 Uncle Jianghe江河大爷Historical2.2M WordsOngoing After dying suddenly from overwork, workaholic Chen Yan is reborn as the only son of a newly born provincial graduate in the Great Liang Dynasty. His father is successful, so Chen Yan promptly decides to lie flat and enjoy the good life, with food brought to him and clothes laid out for him. But when he learns at the age of six that he was switched at birth with a farmer's child, his life takes a turn. The day the fake young master returns to the Chen family, he goes out to work in the fields an 214.1kReads9.3Score21.3kShelves
3. 3 苏 Su Chen'an's Journey Through the Imperial Exams 苏辰安的科举之路 Dream of Nine Hundred Million Girls九亿少女的梦梦Historical1.1M WordsCompleted Su Chen'an, a master of Chinese painting, had finally wrapped up an exhibition. Just as he walked out of the building, a flowerpot full of sunflowers came flying at him. He died on the spot. When he woke up again, he was almost starved to death inside his mother's womb. Every day, he teetered on the brink of starvation. He felt that if he absorbed even a little more nourishment from the amniotic fluid, his mother might die. But if he absorbed even a little less, the embryo that was him would pro 10.2kReads8.3Score877Shelves
4. 4 这 This Top Scholar Plays by His Own Rules 这个状元路子有点野 The Foundation of One's Life立身之本Historical2.3M WordsCompleted [Farming + imperial examinations + alternate history + lighthearted] My Parents Flipped the Table and Quit, So I Want to Take the Imperial Exams Too Just as Wang Xuezhou was about to reach the peak of his life, he transmigrated. The good news: in this life, his parents were loving, and his siblings got along. The bad news: the whole family was pinching pennies to fund his eldest uncle's studies. They had next to nothing and were living on coarse grain and wild greens. But before he could flip t 51.6kReads8.9Score6.4kShelves
5. 5 此 This Road Leads Straight to the Azure Clouds 此去直上青云路 Qing Suisui卿岁岁Historical603k WordsCompleted Li Yu, courtesy name Zixuan, originally named Shen Dakui, was from Shunqing Prefecture, Sichuan, and his ancestral home was Huangzhou Prefecture, Huguang. He ranked twenty-sixth in the second-tier examination in the second year of Xing'an. A politician, financier, firearms expert, hydraulic engineer, military strategist, educator, and more in the early years of the Dayong dynasty... Li Yu lost his father at an early age and followed his mother when she remarried Li Gang, the patrol inspector of 25.7kReads8.6Score2.4kShelves

   Reader note

   These books all have high ratings; they're engaging, with fast-paced plots, a sense of immersion, and relatively novel elements. There are no plot points that deviate from historical accuracy, nor are there any overly pretentious or arrogant scenes; they're all quite gentle. The first book tells the story of Li Yu, who lost his father at a young age and whose mother remarried Li Gang, the inspector of Yingshan County. Li Gang treated him like his own son, personally attending to his needs and showing genuine concern. Li Yu, in turn, worked hard and rose to a high-ranking official position. The second book features a protagonist from a peasant family who improves his family's circumstances through his own efforts and diligent study. After becoming an official, he is diligent in serving the people. The third book features the son of a fallen duke, whose mother is extremely wealthy. The fourth book features a father who is a scholar.

6. 6 首 The Chief Minister's Road to the Imperial Examinations 首辅的科举之路 Adoring You at Dawn and Dusk朝暮倾卿Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [No golden finger + No pocket dimension + Heartwarming family + No ridiculous characters] [The male lead works hard and climbs the ranks one step at a time through his own efforts] [The male lead is devoted; the female lead appears fairly late. The story begins with the imperial examinations and later moves into officialdom] [No forced stupidity, no self-righteous saint, and no fake innocent heroine] Xu Xingfeng, a county-level civil servant in a twenty-first-century town, suddenly finds himself 6.7kReads8.9Score616Shelves
7. 7 科 The Imperial Exams: From a Duke’s Bastard Son to a Powerful Official 科举！从公府庶子到权臣的青云路 Zhou Shusen周树森Historical4.2M WordsOngoing [Not a BL novel! Not a male-male romance! One male lead, little to no romance, and a plot-focused story.] [Transmigration + Illegitimate Son of a Duke’s Estate + No System + Imperial Exams + Political Intrigue] He transmigrates, and the good news is that he’s now an illegitimate son of the Duke of Wei’s household, with food and clothes taken care of and no need to worry about making a living. The bad news is that he’s not only unloved, but also mocked and looked down upon. Heh. Never look down o 48kReads8.9Score4.3kShelves
8. 8 农 The Imperial Tutor's Road to the Civil Service Exams 农门帝师的科举之路 Ju He雎禾Historical1.0M WordsCompleted Imperial Examination, One-on-One Romance After an accident, a young man from the modern era transmigrated into the Great Qian Dynasty. Looking at his family’s dilapidated brick house, Qi Wenyu wondered how he would make a living from then on... 21.3kReads9.2Score2kShelves
9. 9 全 My Entire Clan! Supports My Imperial Exams 全族！供我科举 Yang Chan Who Loves Braised Yellow Mutton爱吃焖黄羊肉的杨婵Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Imperial exams + transmigration + imperial exams + no golden finger, no System. The story draws on the privileges enjoyed by scholars in the Ming dynasty! The clan elder was a licentiate, and that was the only reason Baihu Village was protected. Now the elder is gone, and no new licentiate has appeared. The entire clan can only pool its strength to support one child. Just one licentiate can improve life in the village, give the children a future, boost the village economy, and make officials thi 13.8kReads8.5Score1.1kShelves

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   1. An orphan and a widow, the young child shows talent and is favored by the village chief, a scholar, who then supports him.

10. 10 大 The Great Qi Marquis of One Step 大齐一步侯 A Single Thought of Nothingness一念无Historical846k WordsCompleted [Alternate history, airtight logic, a treat to listen to, multiple heroines, lighthearted daily life, the jianghu and court politics, love and hate, national and family vendettas...] A modern-day criminal investigator transmigrates into the body of a minor official in the State of Qi. At first, his only dream is to stay alive. But when foreign barbarians invade the Central Plains, slaughtering and pillaging until the kingdom falls and families are torn apart, he has no choice but to enter the fr 16.3kReads8.2Score984Shelves

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    This is an alternate history novel with no system, rigorous logic, a romantic subplot, and a focus on national and personal vendettas. The characters and story are well-developed. Feedback is welcome! [Please follow][Send hearts][Please follow]

11. 11 穿 Transmigrated to the Countryside: A Young Farmer's Road to the Imperial Exams 穿越之农家独苗苗的科举之路 Zhang Rubai张如白Ancient Romance2.5M WordsCompleted [Born into the Past + Farming + Imperial Exams + Fleeing Famine + Warfare] The slow-paced everyday life of a boy from a rural family in ancient times! Zhang Ping'an gets a new lease on life when he transmigrates to an ancient farming family. Fortunately, they are fairly well-off, so no one has to go hungry. He has six older sisters, and he is the only boy his parents had long hoped for. His parents favor sons over daughters, and all six sisters are fierce. He thought he was in for a story about 29kReads8.7Score2.8kShelves

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    The most normal and logical imperial examination essay

12. 12 科 Rising Through the Imperial Exams: Changing My Family's Fate 科举兴家：带着全家改换门庭 Fei Tu斐涂Ancient Romance2.4M WordsOngoing [Imperial examinations + transmigration + farming + no golden finger] [Romance included. The male lead is devoted to one woman. The heroine appears less often, and romance is not the main plot.] [The male lead is talented, but he still has to work hard. He climbs the ranks one step at a time.] A top student who had just graduated suddenly transmigrates into the body of a farmer’s son in ancient times. Determined not to spend his whole life farming, he embarks on the long road to the imperial exa 10kReads6.9Score757Shelves

    Reader note

    The first one is the most compelling. It lacks a systematic approach, with 40% of the story focusing on domestic matters in the early stages. Later, the protagonist hones his skills as an official, having already reached the fourth rank. It seems poised to either rise to the first rank or rebel, as there are currently some indications of a possible rebellion. The second one also primarily revolves around domestic matters, and so far, the family life has been harmonious.

13. 13 红 Dream of the Red Chamber: A Chancellor of Unmatched Grace 红楼：风华首辅 Painted Bridge by the Willow Smoke烟柳画桥Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [No System + intellectual battles + political intrigue + everyday life] Every line is stained with bitter tears, every page filled with absurdity. You might think this is merely a tale of infatuated, indulged young men and women behind closed doors, but who could know that the rise and fall of the world are all intertwined? Are the fortunes of the four great families destined to change? Is the dynasty beset by internal and external threats destined to fall? Must the path to a noble title and hig 43.7kReads9.2Score3.6kShelves

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    📖 *Dream of the Red Chamber: The Brilliant Prime Minister* – A time-traveling youth defies fate, stirring up the winds of change within the Red Chamber with his pen! [Political Intrigue × Imperial Examination Success × Redemption] A collision between a modern soul and the world of *Dream of the Red Chamber*. Xue Hong, a peasant boy, unexpectedly travels through time, embarking on a path to success through the imperial examinations despite his humble origins. From the misty rain of Qinhuai to the power struggles of the imperial court, he navigates each step with meticulous planning, using unparalleled wisdom to break through the salt administration's predicament, quell the infighting among aristocratic families, and rewrite the destiny of "a thousand beauties weeping" with unwavering courage. ✨ Highlights ✨ 🔥 Hardcore Success Without a System: Without relying on cheat codes, but solely on his profound knowledge and political acumen, he rises from a provincial examination candidate to the Prime Minister, writing a legend of a humble origin. ⚔ A Life-or-Death Game in the Imperial Court: Parting ways with his best friend due to differing stances, he navigates the vortex of imperial power, aristocratic families, and the people's livelihood, using the world as a chessboard to determine the fate of the nation. 🌺 Protecting Lin Daiyu: He personally shattered the ending of "dying from exhaustion of tears," using his power as the Grand Secretary to build a protective wall around her, allowing the Crimson Pearl Fairy to bloom in the clear sky of a prosperous era. 💔 The Tear Between Ideals and Reality: When youthful passion collides with feudal ills, is it compromise or reform? The rise and fall of the Six Dynasties are all but a laughing matter. "Tired of Qing Dynasty rebellion novels? This is the true pinnacle of historical intrigue!" "The most captivating male protagonist in Dream of the Red Chamber fanfiction, a blissful intellectual and romantic fantasy!" 🌌 Memorable Scene Warning ▶ On the night of the autumn examination at the Imperial Examination Hall, the young man wields his pen like a sword, his questions directly pointing to the deep-seated problems of the salt administration. ▶ In the rain at the Jinling docks, he abandons a banquet and rushes north, solely to rewrite the fate of his loved ones. ▶ Standing atop the Golden Palace, he throws down his official hat: "If this official robe is stained with the blood of the people, it's better not to wear it!" Why is this a must-read? ▪ A meticulously researched world of *Dream of the Red Chamber* × Fast-paced court intrigue ▪ The political intrigue is mind-bending and captivating, while the daily life storyline is delicate and moving ▪ A subversion of traditional tragic narratives, offering both thrills and depth 24 🔥 Editor's rant: "Even more ruthless intrigue than *Nirvana in Fire*, more intricate domestic power struggles than *The Story of Minglan*, high-energy from the very beginning!" — A young man wields his pen to question the heavens, refusing to believe that *Dream of the Red Chamber* is all sorrow. Witness how a modern soul stirs up the feudal winds, composing a legendary tale of a prime minister interwoven with passion and tenderness.

14. 14 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

    Reader note

    Personally, I think all of this is quite normal. Well, let me state first that, in my opinion, the most abnormal imperial examination novel is Sun Shan's, which has a very unique perspective.

15. 15 遗 Life in Ancient Times as a Posthumous Child 遗腹子的古代生活 Cheng Shu Ju程书橘Historical2.2M WordsCompleted [No golden finger + farming + imperial examinations + alternate history + court politics in the later stages + everyday family life] He wakes up as the posthumous son of a county deputy in the Great Zhou dynasty. He may not be born into an official family, but surely the assets his father left behind are enough to make this only child rich. So he happily decides that in this life, he’ll coast to success. Things don’t go as he expected. His father died young after only a few years in office, leav 11.5kReads7.7Score1.2kShelves
16. 16 努 I Strive for the Imperial Exams, But My Slacker Dreams Never Change 努力考科举，咸鱼梦想从未改变 A Little Green Ear一只绿耳Historical1.8M WordsCompleted [Imperial exams + everyday life + lighthearted] Lu Yang, a rich second-generation heir, wakes up one day as the youngest and most cherished son of the Lu family. This youngest son is a scholar, yet selfish and self-centered, turning a blind eye to his family's sacrifices and caring only about his own future. Lu Yang may be a slacker with little conscience, but he knows who's good to him. He keeps his dream of being a slacker tucked away and works hard to pass the imperial exams, hoping to become 17.8kReads9.1Score1.8kShelves

    Reader note

    Without any special advantages, Lu Yang, a rich second-generation heir, wakes up one day to find himself the beloved youngest son of the Lu family. This youngest son, despite being a scholar, is selfish and self-centered, ignoring his family's sacrifices and only concerned with his own future. Lu Yang, though a lazy bum, lacks a strong conscience but understands who truly cares for him. He suppresses his lazy dreams and diligently studies for the imperial examinations, striving to become a truly successful lazy bum as soon as possible.

17. 17 我 I Made My Way to Prosperity Through the Imperial Exams 我靠科举奔小康 Lemon Loves Milk柠檬爱吃奶Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted There are awful people. No golden finger (Though being a modern person who transmigrates might be the biggest golden finger of all!) After transmigrating, Song Zhixue wants only to change his life of toiling in the fields from dawn till dusk. 20.2kReads8.2Score1.8kShelves
18. 18 种 Farming Didn’t Work Out, So I Made My Fortune Through the Imperial Examinations 种田不成，只好科举发家 Artemisia蒿菜Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted After being transmigrated into a womb, Song Yingzhi was reborn too. In his previous life, Song Yingzhi had been born into the body of a child in a dirt-poor farming family. During the day, he worked in the fields with the men of the household. At night, he slept in the pigsty. When he was sixteen, his grandmother decided to sell the family’s pigs so Song Yingzhi could marry a wife, then cleaned out the pigsty and turned it into his bridal chamber… After getting married, Song Yingzhi became even 3.9kReads7.4Score455Shelves

    Reader note

    A novel about imperial examinations, a poor family, and reincarnation. The protagonist starts as a child and gradually progresses through education. ① The male lead, Song Zhixue, is a civil servant who transmigrates to an ancient farming family and embarks on the path of imperial examinations. He has no special abilities; he's a hardworking scholar, not a genius. ② In his previous life, Song Zhixue was reincarnated into an extremely poor farming family. He wanted to make money and become a merchant, but his family controlled him, confining him to the village for his entire life, toiling away every day. Reborn, this time, Song Zhixue embarks on the path of studying and taking the imperial examinations. (The male lead will marry in the early stages, but they will separate later; there is no romantic pairing.) ③ The male lead, Gu Yuanshan, [is talented but cannot succeed without hard work, climbing the ranks step by step]. A recent graduate, a top student, transmigrates into the body of a farmer in ancient times. Not wanting to spend his life farming, he embarks on the long road of imperial examinations. He doesn't seek high office or a salary, only a comfortable life. After ten years of hard study, he successfully passes the imperial examinations and becomes a magistrate in a remote mountain county. A construction enthusiast, he works tirelessly to create a prosperous and peaceful world, gradually rising to the highest ranks of officialdom. 📖④ Protagonist Shen Huai: [Studying can change destiny, the imperial examination will make me famous throughout history] Shen Huai, a non-material cultural heritage blogger, is reborn into ancient times as the only son of a farming family. To escape a lifetime of farming and corvée labor, he resolutely embarks on the path of the imperial examination, without a system or cheat codes. 📖⑤ Protagonist Su Yan: Su Yan is reborn as an infant, premature and sickly, in abject poverty. He is critically ill time and again, narrowly escaping death each time. He changes his mind; he hasn't died because his fate is not yet sealed! But when he looks up, the scorching sun beats down; when he looks down, the solid earth lies beneath his feet. If nothing unexpected happens, this land, which cannot be extinguished by wildfire and will spring back to life with the spring breeze, will bear his entire life. But recalling the hardships of farming, Su Yan grits his teeth: I want to study! I want to take the imperial examination! Hoeing the fields under the midday sun, I choose the path of the imperial examination.

19. 19 农 The Old Country Scholar: Reborn as the Father of Four 农门老童生:穿成了四个娃的爹 Flying Cow 98会飞的牛98Historical833k WordsCompleted One heroine, no System An old book never tires the reader, even after a hundred readings. Read it closely and ponder it, and its meaning will reveal itself. Lin Mingyuan transmigrates to Great Chu, just over a decade after its founding, and becomes an old licentiate in a small mountain village. At the ripe old age of thirty-five, he is the father of four, with a beloved wife he thinks of constantly. The imperial examinations, suspended amid the wars at the end of the previous dynasty, are now be 3.8kReads9.0Score266Shelves

    Reader note

    Both books are by the same author. The first one is finished and is quite good. The second one is still being updated, but the beginning is very engaging.

20. 20 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
21. 21 锄 At Hoeing Time Beneath the Midday Sun, I Fell for the Imperial Exams 锄禾日当午我和科举处 Clouds Have Liuliu云有六六Historical247k WordsOngoing [Imperial examinations + daily life + romance, with a male-female pairing; the protagonist is still a child at this stage] Su Yan transmigrates into a new life as an infant in swaddling clothes, born premature and frail into a family with nothing but four bare walls. He’d already lived freely enough in his previous life, and now, everything goes black before his eyes. He just wants to give up and be reborn as soon as possible. But each time he’s on the brink of death, he narrowly survives. He ch 2Reads8.0Score—Shelves
22. 22 水 Water Margin: The World’s in Chaos, So What? 水浒：天下大乱关我屁事 Words Can Heal文字能治病Historical182k WordsOngoing I transmigrated into the world of Water Margin by accident. Before me was a world overrun with heroes, and behind me lay chaos where the people could barely survive. Murder and arson were everyday occurrences, while mountain spirits and monsters appeared and vanished without warning. The System said: Get fifty people to come eat at the tavern, and you’ll receive a pocket dimension. I looked at the counter showing 0/50, then at the three hunters fleeing through the woods in the distance. They’d m 497Reads—Score117Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is absolutely bizarre and hilarious!

23. 23 穿 Transmigrated with Three Kids! A Ruinous Start, a Road to Riches! 穿越带仨娃！天崩开局致富路！ Let Go of the Promise放下了诺言Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Li Tianming was done for. He lay motionless in a drafty thatched hut. He was a graduate student researching traditional Chinese medicine and herbal remedies, but after a loose-lipped remark, he tasted an herb and somehow transmigrated into the body of a pauper. Being poor wasn't the problem, and he could even accept being in his thirties. But the body was in terrible shape: its former owner had drunk himself to death, leaving Li Tianming with three children outside, wailing their hearts out! A d 21.6kReads8.1Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Great book, highly recommended! You won't regret reading it! [Heart][heart]

24. 24 被 Driven from My Ancestral Home, I Feast with My Family 被逼出祖宅我带家人大鱼大肉 Let Go of the Promise放下了诺言Historical1.3M WordsCompleted Li Yongsheng wakes from a deep sleep to discover that he has transmigrated. Still dazed, he hears people arguing. His uncle, a scholar who had passed the first imperial exam, stole someone's jade pendant and was confronted over it. The family hurriedly held a discussion and made Li Yongsheng's honest, simple father take the blame. His mother was utterly unwilling, but she couldn't withstand the barrage of pressure. Fortunately, after the pendant was returned, the other party didn't pursue the ma 10.2kReads8.7Score855Shelves
25. 25 吃 The 14th Book by Chi Le Ning Meng 吃了柠檬第14本书 Ate a Lemon吃了柠檬Sci-Fi & Apocalypse215k WordsCompleted [Tokyo + Apocalypse + Power Fantasy + Dark, Fast-Paced + Invincible] Liu Yang is studying abroad in Tokyo. After an accident, he is reborn one month before the apocalypse and awakens a Negative Emotions System. Making others feel pain, despair, fear, and other negative emotions earns him System rewards. Starting with the aunt next door, Liu Yang decides to embark on his path to invincibility. This book is also known as “I’m Already Invincible, So Why Hasn’t the Apocalypse Started Yet?” 1kReads8.1Score102Shelves

    Reader note

    I'm tired of reading countless novels about the imperial examination system, all of which are supposed to be top-ranked. Finally, I've found a refreshing and unique read, exceptionally well-written, even capturing the details of the examination system. This is the last book I'm recommending; if you like it, please give it a thumbs up!

26. 26 陈 Chen Sanbao's Daily Struggles in Ancient Times 陈三宝古代奋斗日常 A Primordial Beast一只洪荒兽Historical1.5M WordsCompleted A modern-day hoodlum transmigrated into an unknown era and became Chen Sanbao, a member of the Chen family in Chenjia Village, at the foot of the Beilu Mountains! No golden finger, no pocket dimension, no protagonist’s halo. All he has is the everyday struggle of an ordinary person at the bottom of society! The protagonist is far from perfect. He’s impulsive and quick-tempered, has no advanced education or exceptional intelligence, longs for family affection, and feels compassion for the disadva 10.4kReads8.7Score752Shelves

    Reader note

    The first two books are absolutely fantastic! I think they could easily outperform 99% of all ancient imperial examination novels!

27. 27 被 Falsely Accused and Split from the Family! My Life of Fine Food Makes the Old Homestead Green with Envy 被冤分家！鱼肉生活馋哭老宅 Let Go of the Promise放下了诺言Rural Life363k WordsCompleted Lin Feng woke up to find the sky had fallen. He had transmigrated to ancient Great Liang, where his family of four was being driven out over a pitiful accusation: his cousin from his uncle’s household claimed he had stolen and eaten an egg. The egg belonged to his grandfather, the family patriarch. Enraged, the old man wanted to send thirteen-year-old Lin Feng away for forced labor. His usually meek father, long accustomed to being bullied, finally snapped. He took the whole family and left with 8kReads7.6Score712Shelves
28. 28 穿 Transmigrate and Enlist to Survive! I Never Meant to Make a Big Splash! 穿越招兵活下去！真没想搞大事！ Let Go of the Promise放下了诺言Historical376k WordsCompleted Zhang Ye wakes up and finds that he has transmigrated to an ancient dynasty in a parallel world. The whole village accuses him of having an affair with his widowed sister-in-law, then drives him out in the dead of winter to fend for himself. Faced with hundreds of sneering, disgusting faces, he fights back and accidentally activates a pocket-dimension System. If he can’t put up with it, he doesn’t have to. He’ll just fight! War breaks out as the nation descends into chaos, and the whole village 778Reads7.3Score108Shelves
29. 29 开 The Golden Age of Kaiyuan! What’s That Got to Do With a Poor Soldier Like Me? 开元盛世！关我穷鬼府兵啥事？ Let Go of the Promise放下了诺言Rural Life348k WordsOngoing Lin Feng accidentally transmigrated to the nineteenth year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty. The golden age was dawning, yet he felt no joy at all. Thirty li northeast of Yunzhou City, beneath Mount Baideng, beside the Sanggan River, in Zhuyuan Village, Yongding Township. As a conscript about to be cast aside, Lin Feng was consumed by worry. As the family's main breadwinner, he had no choice but to work hard in the fields. His family of five had only a little over ten mu of meager farmland 3.1kReads—Score190Shelves
30. 30 开 From the Start, I Was a Lowly Illegitimate Son, but the Imperial Exams Carried Me to Success 开局低贱庶子，我靠科举步步青云 Big Inkstone大砚子Historical1.5M WordsOngoing Transmigration, imperial examinations, illegitimate son, political intrigue, court politics, play the pig to eat the tiger, male-oriented, historical, one female lead When Lin Yan transmigrated, he became an inconspicuous illegitimate son of the Lin family. He harbored no deep-seated hatred and had never endured relentless bullying. All he knew was how to keep his talents hidden, guard his heart, and live quietly. While others studied hard for the imperial examinations, he already had a firm gr 19.3kReads6.7Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    These two novels about passing the imperial examinations are excellent. I read them both in one go and found them very interesting. The authors describe things in great detail. You should check them out! One is finished, and the other has over 800,000 words updated—it's got plenty of content to read! I think the stories about studying for the imperial examinations are very realistic; it's pure, unadulterated enjoyment!

31. 31 科 The Imperial Exam: A Transmigrator's Road to Reversal 科举，穿越人的逆袭之路 Li Yunzi李运子Historical1.8M WordsCompleted [Everyday Farm Life | Exam-System Comeback | Court Intrigue | No System] After a car accident, a modern soul is reborn as Sun Dingyun, a two-year-old boy in an ordinary farming family in ancient times. The only grandson in the family, he is cherished by his parents and protected by his elders. His family is well-off, and there are no nasty relatives stirring up trouble. He has no System, no photographic memory, and no golden finger. He is just an ordinary person. With his whole family backing 3.4kReads7.8Score215Shelves
32. 32 名 You Abandoned Me When I Failed the Imperial Exam, So Who Are You Now That I’ve Swept the Boards? 名落孙山你不陪，连中六元你是谁 Dragon in the Wind龙行风Historical1.3M WordsCompleted [The short drama is now available, and the print edition is in publication.][Slow-burn, warm, and humorous][Alternate history + business + imperial examinations + one female lead + no System] Su Run transmigrates into the body of a disgraced scholar who has lost both his parents, failed the imperial exams, and earned a notorious reputation as a lovesick doormat. When he opens his eyes, his fiancée is publicly putting him down and emotionally manipulating him, even threatening to break off their 18.3kReads8.8Score1.6kShelves

    Reader note

    This avid bookworm's bookshelf is overflowing with imperial examination novels! Every single one is highly rated, high-quality, and already completed. [Heart emoji][Heart emoji]

33. 33 大 The Literary Champion of Great Song 大宋文魁 Riding a Donkey骑驴Historical1.7M WordsCompleted Zhang Tangqing, the young owner of a shop in the ancient city of Qingzhou, transmigrates to the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song, an era bright with stars. Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, Han Qi, Bao Zheng, Di Qing, and a host of other great figures all make their entrances. See how Zhang Tangqing makes his mark in the Great Song, becomes its most dazzling literary talent, and leads the dynasty down the path to wealth and strength. 2.7kReads8.9Score282Shelves

    Reader note

    These books are alright, definitely better than that Sun Shan one. It's full of dialects and tries to be mysterious.

34. 34 西 Xi Shi Meets a Thousand-Year-Old White Fox 西施遇上千年白狐 Yan Er Xi Xi燕儿夕夕Modern Romance426k WordsCompleted The Fox Spirit of a Thousand Years Meets Xi Shi tells the story of Xi Shi, the beauty of ancient Yue. Fan, a subordinate of the King of Yue, brings her to the palace, where she undergoes rigorous training before being sent to Wu to seduce and subdue its king. With Fan's help, she is to bring down the state of Wu in one fell swoop. But on the way to Wu, Xi Shi's boat capsizes. After she falls into the water, a cargo ship rescues her. When she opens her eyes, she finds herself in a world she doesn 26Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Xi Shi's boat capsized on her way to the Wu King's palace, and then her image was changed in the author's wild imagination. Anyway, no one could come up with a work with this kind of idea!

35. 35 科 The Imperial Examinations: Rising to the First Rank of Officialdom 科举之官居一品 Nine Jin of Fat九斤肥肉Historical826k WordsCompleted Synopsis: A scholar in the morning, admitted to the imperial court by night. The protagonist begins as a young scholar from a farming family and rises step by step through the imperial examination system. In the end, he earns a place on the honors list, becomes a jinshi, and enters the ranks of officials. After becoming an official, he works his way up through the bureaucracy until he reaches the highest rank and governs the realm as chief minister, guiding Chinese civilization to become the mos 2kReads7.6Score101Shelves
36. 36 为 To Avoid Planting Rice, I Work Hard to Pass the Imperial Exams 为了不插秧，努力考科举 Three Layers of Belly Fat三层肚腩Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [The short drama adaptation is now streaming] A modern SSS-rank researcher dies suddenly and transmigrates to the Great Xing Dynasty. His health is so poor that he's not allowed to pick rice in the fields until he's six. Sunstruck and light-headed, Li Jing decides that farming with this body is a risky business, so he immediately resolves to study for the imperial examinations. That's what he's good at; the transplanting can be left to the professionals! The following year, now named Li Yiqing, 23kReads9.3Score2.2kShelves
37. 37 科 The Road to the Imperial Examinations Begins as a Student 科举之路从童生开始 Hardworking Chicken-Raising Expert努力赚钱的养鸡专家Historical407k WordsOngoing Lin Ying transmigrates. He had been researching the history of the imperial examination system at a research institute, but one careless moment sends him to ancient times, where he becomes the son of a farming family on his way to sit the exams. What else can he do? For the sake of a better life, he can only give it everything he’s got! On the long road to success in the imperial examinations, Lin Ying sets himself a small goal: first, pass the entry-level exam and become a student! 452Reads9.0Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Although I didn't like this book, it has a lot of scientific information and narrative elements. It's well-written, but I just can't appreciate it [this is a fairly standard historical examination novel]. This is the first time I've encountered this situation—I gave it a bad review, even though I recommended it! I feel really bad for the author… but I genuinely don't like narrative writing, well… to each their own, I guess [awkward laugh]

38. 38 阿 Sister, I Passed the Imperial Examination! 阿姐，我中举了！ The Mantis Loves to Dance螳螂爱跳舞Historical647k WordsCompleted Scholar Chen studied hard all his life but never passed the provincial examination. Before he died, he told his eldest daughter, “You must make sure your younger brother studies and earns an official title. Otherwise, I won’t be able to rest in peace!” An elder brother is like a father, and an elder sister is like a mother. Bearing her father’s final wish, Chen Zhaodi resolutely laid down her terms: “If you want to marry me, you must send my little brother to school.” While everyone else in the 4.7kReads8.6Score350Shelves

    Reader note

    1️⃣ The male protagonist accidentally falls into the water and arrives in ancient times. He has a loving older sister and brother-in-law. He doesn't let them down, successfully passing the imperial examination and becoming a person of high status.

39. 39 重 Reborn as Fan Jin, I Will Become the Top Scholar 重生范进，我要做状元 100 Million Readers1亿在读Historical573k WordsCompleted Fan Jin passed the imperial examination, a tragic little man mocked for over a thousand years! A top lawyer transmigrates as Fan Jin, but refuses to meekly accept his fate. He uses his wits to change it. Financial leverage earns him his first fortune. Three years of exam prep and five years of practice exams: bringing a little workaholic shock to the ancient examination hall. Those who once looked down on Fan Jin and mocked him will be trampled underfoot. Fan Jin has only one goal: To become the 277Reads8.4Score—Shelves
40. 40 穿 Transmigrating to the Great Song: A Guide to the Civil Service Exam 穿越大宋之考公指南 It's Raining Hard, Bring in the Laundry!下大雨收衣服啦Historical643k WordsCompleted A serious historical novel featuring the imperial examinations, officialdom, a mix of classical and vernacular Chinese, a slow pace, political intrigue, highly intelligent characters, and military campaigns. This novel contains extensive classical Chinese, poetry, and archaic language. If that is not to your taste, please do not read it. Huang Zhongsi, a modern young man preparing for the civil service exams, transmigrates to a parallel world during the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Northern 189Reads6.7Score—Shelves
41. 41 状 The Top Scholar Is Real, and So Is the Beggar 状元是真的，乞丐也是真的 Half a Steamed Bun半片馒头Historical171k WordsOngoing Shen Mo, a Peking University history professor, wakes up one day as a nameless beggar. No household registration, no food, no shoes, and only a yellow dog so thin its skin clings to its bones. He spent thirty years studying the imperial examinations in his previous life, yet in this one he cannot even get near an exam hall. From a ruined temple to the Golden Throne Hall, from eating tree bark to earning top honors. The top scholar is real, and so is the beggar. 9Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    No system. A real beggar. A hardcore imperial examination. From tree bark to braised meat. From a dilapidated temple to the imperial palace. "The top scholar is real, and the beggar is real too." The ultimate book-hunting solution. [What][What][Shy]

42. 42 我 I, Sun Shan, and the Imperial Examinations 我，孙山，科举 Ximen Qizi西门七仔Ancient Romance4.7M WordsOngoing “Imperial exams + transmigration + farming + exams + no space System” “Romance included, devoted male lead. The female lead is his childhood sweetheart, but she appears infrequently. Romance is not the main plot.” “The male lead rises step by step through hard work and good luck.” “The male lead is no good at scheming, but he gets things done and has technical skills.” “The imperial examination system is based on the Ming and Qing dynasties.” After an accident, he is transmigrated into the womb 47.9kReads8.8Score3.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Wow, wow, here are these two books for you, especially the first one, which is particularly well written about the imperial examinations.

43. 43 全 The Whole Family Transmigrates: My Scholar Dad Revives the Family Through the Imperial Exams 全家穿越：学霸老爸靠科举兴家 Today, I'm a Pretty Flower Again今天也是花花呀Ancient Romance1.4M WordsCompleted What’s it like when your whole family transmigrates to ancient times? Jiaojiao raises her little hand. She knows! Hua Tao and Shen Heqing, an older couple who thrived in the twenty-first century, transmigrate to ancient times together with their only daughter, Hua Jiaojiao. History professor Hua Tao has no choice but to study day and night for the imperial exams. Shen Heqing, a leading beauty-industry entrepreneur, starts from scratch and builds a business to make money. As for Jiaojiao, she’s 2.5kReads8.9Score227Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book is a new one; I'll wait until it's fully read before finishing it. It's written in both classical and vernacular Chinese, and the author has a strong cultural foundation. Personally, I'd give it a 10/10 so far. The language is relatively obscure, testing the reader's literary skills. Overall, a 9/10 wouldn't be an exaggeration. The second book is very realistic; the protagonist is still a scholar, and it really conveys the hardships of the imperial examinations. The third book has a very good plot and logic; I felt unsatisfied even after finishing it. The last two books have engaging storylines and don't disappoint.

44. 44 科 The Imperial Exams: They All Say I'm the Star of Literature Reborn 科举，他们都说我是文曲星下凡 Lin Tong林桐Historical1.1M WordsOngoing (This book blends elements of the imperial examinations, romance, court politics, bureaucratic intrigue, warfare, and more.) Zhao Lin was the youngest professor of classical Chinese literature in Huaxia. After transmigrating, he becomes a young scholar in the Great Zhou, celebrated as a “star of literary talent” and a “child prodigy.” But the Grand Examiner declares him “frivolous by nature, destined to achieve nothing.” With his reputation on the verge of collapse, he draws on the extraordinary 1.5kReads8.7Score161Shelves

    Reader note

    These are incredibly engaging imperial examination novels. None of them portray characters as invincible from the start; they all depict a genuine process of striving for advancement.

45. 45 农 An Ambitious Country Boy's Life in Ancient Times 农家小子的古代上进日常 The Hibernating Donkey冬眠中的驴Historical6.2M WordsOngoing After transmigrating into the body of a farmer's son in ancient times, a poor student had no choice but to embark on the long road of the imperial examinations to improve his family's life. He sought neither wealth and status nor a high salary or lofty office in this life. All he wanted was to protect his family and give them a peaceful life. 40.7kReads9.2Score3kShelves
46. 46 考 I’ll Lie Flat After Passing the Provincial Exam 考个举人就躺平 Digging a Hole to Bury My Troubles挖坑埋烦恼Historical332k WordsCompleted Work hard in the early stages, then lie flat later. If you weren't born into a family of nobles, you'll have to work hard to lie flat. Let’s see what our protagonist does to earn the right to lie flat. If you want to succeed, you have to go crazy first. Time to start writing. 1.5kReads7.3Score100Shelves

    Reader note

    A farming novel about the imperial examination system [eating melon seeds]

47. 47 穿 A Transmigrator's Son in a Farming Family: Supporting the Family and Climbing the Imperial Exam Ladder 穿越农家子，养家科举青云路 Stylish Slacking花样划水Two Male Leads1.1M WordsCompleted [Two male leads + farming and infrastructure building + imperial examinations + transmigration + 1v1 romance + the growth of ordinary people] A cunning, warmhearted, protective younger brother × an optimistic, proud, devoted older brother Ye Changyan has barely transmigrated into the household of a small landowner when a family split breaks out. His grandfather dies, and his father, a concubine-born son, is thrown out by his grandmother and uncles. The family of five gets only five mu of land 446Reads6.8Score100Shelves
48. 48 穿 The Long Road to the Imperial Exams as a Farmer's Son 穿成农家子的漫漫科举路 Yuedi月棣Ancient Romance3.7M WordsOngoing He dies unexpectedly, but by Heaven's grace, Zhang Ze is given a new life and born into the womb of a peasant woman. At just five years old, Zhang Ze solemnly tells his parents, “Father, Mother, your little Ze wants to go to school...” Living a decent life in ancient times is incredibly difficult. A simple chill can take your life, not to mention the crushing taxes and forced labor. Zhang Ze understands better than anyone that only earning an official degree can improve his family's life. Even t 2.6kReads7.3Score143Shelves
49. 49 哈 Hahaha, Great Ming 哈哈哈，大明 Weiwei's Wei微微的薇Historical3.2M WordsCompleted In an age when everyone is rebelling, to survive, you have to be more ruthless than every rebel king. You have to become the greatest rebel king of all. Take down Gao Yingxiang first, then Zhang Xianzhong, then Li Zicheng, and after that, go straight for the Eight Banners. You Manchus, your emperor is back. 460.1kReads9.4Score66.8kShelves

    Reader note

    Personally, I feel these are the books I've been following on Tomato (a Chinese online bookstore). They cover political intrigue, imperial examinations, and farming themes 😁 If you think they're worth adding to your collection, please give them a like (¯▽¯)👍

50. 50 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 493.7kReads9.7Score71.7kShelves

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