Looking for High-IQ Political Intrigue and Mind-Bending Novels 求高智商 权谋 烧脑的小说

1. 251 墓 Reborn in the Graveyard, I Go on a Rampage with the “Am I Dead?” System 墓地重生，我靠死了吗系统杀疯了 Wan Hua琬华Mystery890k WordsOngoing [Reborn in a graveyard + Death System + mystery and crime-solving + powerful heroine seeking revenge] [Nonstop thrills + a badass heroine + lots of twists + crushing scumbags every step of the way] ⊗ Orphan Qin Mo is kidnapped and thrown into a mass grave. After crawling out of a coffin, she unexpectedly binds herself to the [Are You Dead Yet] System. ⊗ Fail six missions in a row, and the System will erase you! ⊗ Watch Qin Mo plan each move carefully, turn the tables against all odds, and make h 1.2kReads9.2Score105Shelves

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   Having escaped death in a mass grave, he uses a unique system to turn the tide, and a series of bizarre cases unfold. His path of revenge is ruthless.

2. 252 荒 A Dream of Flowers on the Wasteland 荒原百花梦 Flower Child Redheart花童红心Modern Romance1.6M WordsCompleted The space-time universe, the Ark of Heaven, the Interstellar Alliance, the illusory realm: what kind of existence is the world we live in? From the ancient age of gods and demons, through the classical age of wandering heroes, to the modern age of technology, and finally the future age of artificial intelligence, the history of intelligent civilization seems to be a cycle... Will artificial life ever develop independent consciousness, gain a soul and intelligence, and ultimately replace intellig 23Reads—Score—Shelves

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   A high-IQ strategy novel that perfectly blends elements of suspense, fantasy, gods and demons, martial arts, and time travel. The story is full of twists and turns, and the plot is stunning and unique.

3. 253 楼 Queen of Loulan, Three Lords in Her Palm 楼兰女王，掌中三郎君 Wise or Foolish睿或愚Ancient Romance223k WordsOngoing The Queen of Loulan has three husbands: a kinsman of the Han imperial house, a Xiongnu prince, and a former prince of Loulan. They love and destroy each other, their affections tangled with deceit and sincerity, each wound cutting to the bone. Three factions scheme and vie for power as the nations of the Western Regions converge in a time of upheaval. A formidable queen navigates the political chessboard, balancing two nations and one clan with cunning and skill, while the fate of her homeland a 2Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Everything you need will be met!!

4. 254 天 Supreme Destiny 天命最高 Sweet Dream Feather甜梦羽Historical180k WordsCompleted He was the “Qin dog” everyone in Handan hated, a hostage who trembled in his mother’s arms. Before the age of nine, he lived for one reason alone: to avoid being beaten to death by the people of Zhao. Then one day, his father died, and he became the King of Qin. The road back to Xianyang was strewn with thorns: his grandmother wanted to depose him, his younger brother wanted him dead, powerful ministers treated him like a puppet, and the queen dowager and her lover controlled the inner palace. H 10Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Who could have imagined that Qin Shi Huang, the emperor who conquered all before him, spent the first half of his life in misery? Returning to power, he faced enemies on all sides, forging his path to the throne through ruthless means. His heart was as hard as iron, unmoved by emotions, yet he was deeply devoted to Epang, promising her the entire empire as his dowry. Just as he stabilized the court, a sudden crisis struck, forcing him to make a difficult choice between his empire and his lover.

5. 255 大 Great Qin 2025: My Asura Path of the Strange 大秦2025：吾的修罗诡道 Surveying Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains观山河万里Mystery408k WordsOngoing On television, a glamorous female host held a microphone and said, “Good evening, viewers. Welcome to this edition of Great Qin News. Today’s featured figure is the Chancellor, who has governed our Great Qin for over a thousand years.” The camera cut to an elderly man, frail with age. Even through the television screen, his sharp gaze was like a knife, making it hard to look him in the eye. “Your Excellency, why did you go to the local police station to turn yourself in?” “Oh, I wanted somewhere 5Reads6.2Score—Shelves

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   😱 *The Great Qin 2025: My Asura's Devious Path* – A Unique Work in the World of Power Struggle Novels📖 If you're tired of the same old modern power struggle novels, then try this strangely styled *The Great Qin 2025: My Asura's Devious Path*! It interweaves elements of immortality and supernatural plots, and its simple yet captivating language will leave you wanting more!

6. 256 南 Tales of the South Seas 南洋异国志 Wu Shi Jian伍十尖Urban128k WordsOngoing (Ming Dynasty, history, alternate history, no System, no golden finger) A different Ming Dynasty, one you have never heard of. Why did the eunuch Zheng He make seven voyages to the Western Ocean? What did he actually find? Zhu Yuxi, a young man from a small town who was fired for harassing women, will take you on a journey to uncover one historical mystery after another! —Reads—Score—Shelves

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   Arrived (Ming Dynasty + Historical + Alternate Universe + No System + No Cheat Codes + Political Intrigue) A different Ming Dynasty, a Ming Dynasty you've never heard of before. What was the purpose of Zheng He's seven voyages to the Western Ocean? What did he ultimately find? Zhu Yuxi, a small-town youth expelled for harassing women, will guide you through unraveling numerous historical mysteries!

7. 257 顾 Gu Yizhong Is Reborn Before the Events of The Lone Boat 顾易中重生在孤舟剧情之前 Not Iced Tea不是冰红茶Urban1.3M WordsOngoing Gu Yizhong is reborn in 1936. The original A Lone Boat begins in June 1941, but this story starts with his rescue of Lin Shujuan in Hong Kong in early 1939. Since the timeline has changed dramatically, much of the plot will have to be newly created. Your support is greatly appreciated. To make the story’s progression as plausible as possible, feel free to share your theories about what happens next in the discussion area, preferably with sound reasoning. I hope to work together with fellow fans 540Reads8.1Score102Shelves

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   90% Original

8. 258 穿 Transmigrating to the Upheaval of the Five Barbarians: A Bloodstained Chang'an Sings of War 穿越五胡乱华：血色长安启战歌 Young Master Weinan公子威南Historical564k WordsCompleted Transmigrating means hell from the start! Modern historian Xu Zhaoyuan opens his eyes amid mountains of corpses and rivers of blood during the Five Barbarians’ Upheaval. A Xiongnu blade hangs over his neck, while tens of thousands of refugees, women, and children behind him are on the brink of death. This is a hellish start! A golden finger? I am the golden finger! ✅ Foresight into history: seize the initiative in a chaotic age! ✅ Technological superiority: establish farms along the Wei River, d 21Reads7.8Score—Shelves

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   **Intelligence Overwhelms the Era** 🧠A time traveler's knowledge delivers a devastating blow! He accurately predicted a solar eclipse, fabricated a "miracle," and used prophecies to subdue the Di chieftain; he improved the catapult using Newtonian mechanics and employed biology to control locust plagues; further, he crushed the enemy with "economic warfare": the Salt Official's Office cut off the Xiongnu's salt routes, the sugar trade emptied the Jie Zhao treasury, and the "Declaration of Great Harmony" won hearts and minds, splitting the Hu alliance! "Gunpowder is still under development, but his intelligence has already crushed this era." #IntelligenceBattle #KnowledgeIsPower #ScientistsInTurbulentTimes

9. 259 大 Great Ming: A Commoner Who Rewrites the History Books 大明：一介布衣改史书 Qiuye Zihan秋野子涵Historical307k WordsCompleted In the fifth year of Hongwu, a humble scholar transmigrates to the Ming Dynasty. He knows what the future holds and has history’s script in hand, yet never tries to defy fate and become emperor. Instead, at the cost of his own lifespan, fortune, and memories, he saves meritorious officials, protects worthy ministers, and mends the regrets surrounding Empress Ma, Zhu Biao, and Zhu Yingxiong. He rewrites history with his brush, hoping to leave fewer regrets in the world of Hongwu. 22Reads—Score—Shelves

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   I absolutely adore Ang Lee's character! He's not greedy for power or money, he could be the prime minister but he chooses to be a commoner, he lives on his estate but his heart is with the world. This kind of protagonist is so rare!

10. 260 徐 Xu Qinghong, Someone Wants to Kill You 徐青红，有人要杀你 Chouchou畴畴Mystery408k WordsCompleted Xu Qinghong is a female painter who specializes in painting the human world. After painting a picture for a marquis's residence, she is inexplicably hunted down. During her flight, she receives help from many people and becomes sworn sisters with two heroic women, Zhao Yuxiang and Wang Cuihua. She also meets He Jingfeng, who seems carefree and frivolous but is actually a devoted, serious young man. Why is she being hunted? With everyone's help, Xu Qinghong searches for the answer. Among those pu 468Reads8.4Score120Shelves

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    The Crown Princess's background takes one twist after another. Not only is her age falsified, but she is also involved in a double mystery involving Princess Chaoyun and Boss Liu, making viewers' palms sweat!

11. 261 封 Jiang Ziya of the Investiture of the Gods 封神姜子牙 Ping Yi平义Eastern Fantasy122k WordsCompleted In the chaotic age of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, Jiang Ziya lived in seclusion by the Wei River. When he fished up a mysterious jade hairpin, the wheels of fate began to turn. Currents stirred beneath the surface in the realms of immortals and demons, as powerful factions fought to uncover the shocking secret behind the hairpin. Jiang Ziya set out to save all living beings, only to discover that he had long been caught up in Heaven's game of chess. Fate and defiance, wisdom and courage: a gra 1.4kReads—Score—Shelves
12. 262 重 Reborn in Hong Kong: A Chaotic Life 重生香江之混亂人生 Slow Time漫時光Urban1.6M WordsCompleted 303Reads8.0Score—Shelves
13. 263 女 The Female Bank President's Last Resort 女行长的穷途末路 Xu Ci珝慈Modern Romance102k WordsCompleted A teller's act of withholding checks toppled the first domino in the bank run at Yunhai City Commercial Bank. Though bank president Ma Yuquan fought desperately to contain the crisis, she ultimately could not counter the enormous fallout from the sudden disappearance of the bank's major shareholder and the head of its controlling rural bank. Ma Yuquan sensed the situation was full of hidden twists and turns, yet never revealed the secret of who she had been with during her brief disappearance, w 928Reads9.3Score123Shelves

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    This book is packed with interesting points and has many hooks.

14. 264 云 Cloud Terrace Stratagem 云台策 Wind and Blossoms by the Yangliu River杨柳河的风椛Ancient Romance374k WordsOngoing [Slow-paced + classical historical romance + court intrigue and power struggles + three generations of heroines] The flames of war illuminate red robes, while an abacus determines the fate of the realm: an epic tale of three generations of remarkable women. [Runaway heiress × stone-faced general] × [Genius female chancellor × young marshal forged on the battlefield] When the beloved daughter of Jiangnan’s wealthiest merchant meets a battle-hardened general who rose from humble beginnings, they m 8Reads8.0Score—Shelves

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    A web of power struggles, love, and hate: A runaway bride encounters her mortal enemy.

15. 265 大 A Literary Youth in the Han Dynasty 大汉文艺青年 Last Night I Saw Your Post昨夜见君帖Historical1.6M WordsOngoing [History] [Alternate World] [Transmigration] [Witty and Humorous] [Multiple Heroines] Fan Li, a rogue who runs a bar, undergoes Transmigration into ancient times. One poem stuns the literary world, and one song brings listeners to tears. From his initial, desperate flight to making his first splash at a grand literary gathering; from showing off his divine prowess at Chongli Terrace to fighting bloody battles in a lone northern fortress, the rascal laughs and curses his way through it all. In t 4.6kReads7.8Score343Shelves

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    Take a look, it's amazing! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up][Thumbs up]

16. 266 开 From the Start, I Was Lame, Yet I Built a Glorious Dynasty 开局瘸腿，打造盛世皇朝 Slippery Udon乌冬滑溜溜Historical299k WordsCompleted A modern special forces soldier dies while standing up for what is right, then transmigrates into a lame borderland commoner in a turbulent age. Powerful enemies threaten the frontier from without, intent on conquering the Central Plains and looting and slaughtering its people. Within, corrupt officials rule and scheme to squeeze the people dry. In an age of chaos, commoners are worth less than grass. Yet Zhao Cen thrives amid the turmoil, rising step by step to become a regional overlord. The G 3Reads6.6Score—Shelves

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    A must-read historical fantasy novel with a lighthearted and unconventional plot, exquisite writing, and the chance to become a strategist assisting the emperor amidst a sea of ​​beautiful women. Explore political intrigue with dedication. Transmigrated without a system. Add it to your collection now!

17. 267 局 The Bureau's Twin Years: A Record of Strange Herb Mysteries in the Martial World 局编双年：奇草谜案江湖录 Forge a Sword from Scales and Cleave the Universe逆鳞作剑斩乾坤Mystery436k WordsOngoing (Not a power fantasy + no System + plot-driven + crime-solving and deduction + mind-bending twists) (The author spent a full year crafting all the murder cases. They’re sure to be gripping and mind-bending, so enjoy!) One year ago, on a dark night, I was a lowly cleaner working in the City Lord’s Hall when I was dragged into a murder targeting the three great families. Everyone said I was the killer! One year later, by day, I’d turned my fortunes around and become deputy director of the Security 19Reads—Score—Shelves

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    A new suspenseful mystery novel, a story of power struggles in the martial arts world. The author has poured half a year of painstaking effort into creating a perfect frame-up murder case. It is absolutely exciting and mind-bending, leaving you unable to guess the murderer's methods and the truth behind it!

18. 268 夺 The Struggle for the Crown: You Can Have the Crown Prince's Seat, but I Want the Empire 夺嫡：太子给你当，天下我要了 The Empress's Husband女帝的老公Historical394k WordsOngoing [Power Fantasy + Decisive and Ruthless + Play the Pig to Eat the Tiger + Political Scheming + Beauties + No System] Chu Ming transmigrates to ancient times, only to become a disgraced crown prince who is about to be executed. Unwilling to suffer an unjust accusation, he turns around and forces the poison wine down the throat of the eunuch delivering the imperial decree. After proving his innocence, Chu Ming chooses to bide his time, voluntarily gives up the crown prince’s position, and heads to 9Reads8.7Score—Shelves

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    If you're tired of those wish-fulfillment novels where the protagonist transmigrates with a cheat code, or those where the main characters are just causing trouble, engaging in petty squabbles, or revolving around women, I highly recommend this one! It has no system, it's purely about using your brain, and there's only one female lead with a relatively low profile.

19. 269 我 With a Scroll of Mountains and Rivers, I Transmigrate Through Time to Chase the Light 我携山河画卷，穿越古今追光 Ultraman Kaman奥特卡曼Historical1.1M WordsCompleted [Historical Transmigration | the Myriad Worlds | Two Powerful Leads and Political Intrigue | Chinese Cultural Heritage | Journeys Through Multiple Dynasties | Satisfying Comeback] Historian Lin Yu accidentally touched an ancient map of mountains and rivers and fell into the real past. From the start, he found himself in a mass grave from the Warring States period, with a rain of Qin arrows bearing down on him. He nearly perished in the wilderness. While others who transmigrated brought Systems 59Reads8.8Score—Shelves
20. 270 江 An Ordinary Man’s Path Through the Martial World 江湖凡人路 Disciple of Wang Mi王酩之徒Historical375k WordsOngoing This is my first long novel. The early chapters move slowly, but they follow an essential part of the characters’ emotional journeys. After much deliberation, I decided to keep them. Feel free to skip the prologue and start with Chapter One. I hope you’ll understand. On the execution ground, I, Timur, a gifted blacksmith, had become a condemned prisoner. The common folk cursed me for cutting corners and causing the deaths of soldiers on the frontier. My parents knelt below the platform, sobbi 1Reads—Score—Shelves

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    A high-quality historical novel about power struggles in ancient times, "The Path of a Mortal in the Martial World" is a stark satire of worldly success stories, where a master blacksmith becomes a criminal for cutting corners. It suggests that your pursuit of "standing out from the crowd" might just be the noose that strangles you.

21. 271 律 Seeking the Way in the Legal World 律界问道 Half a Scholar半个书生Urban1.2M WordsCompleted [Comeback and growth + charming lawyer + mysteries surrounding cold cases + officialdom and workplace + wits and will] He turns his life around, with Death brushing past him several times. A string of cold cases remain shrouded in mystery... 940Reads—Score159Shelves

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    It's great from the start, and the more you read, the more you want to read, so I'm keeping watching.

22. 272 大 The Embroidered Guard of Great Xia 大夏锦衣人 Third Young Master Bai白三公子Ancient Romance315k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + System + yandere + love triangle + rivalry for the heroine + power-ups + Embroidered Uniform Guard] You’ll never guess who the real male lead is! “If I, Xu Zhixi, had never been born, the martial world would have been mired in endless darkness, ” When you open your eyes, you’re a wealthy young lady in another world, with a cheat ability and a destiny-defying plot at your fingertips! This world conceals ten secret paths: Martial arts that shatter the firmament, Confucianism that 29Reads8.1Score—Shelves

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    [Got it] This completed book is the best I've found recently; it demands high intelligence throughout. ⭐⭐ Immersive, fluent writing, novel plot settings, and a coherent, natural story. You'll definitely be satisfied with this one.

23. 273 风 The Winds Rise in Southern Guizhou: I Become Prince Mu in the Southern Ming 风起黔南，我在南明当沐王爷 A Smile from Jiangning江宁一笑Historical223k WordsOngoing A chemistry graduate student unexpectedly transmigrates into the body of Mu Tianbo, the Duke of Qian in Guizhou at the end of the Ming dynasty! He opens his eyes to find himself in the empire’s final days. The southwestern frontier, guarded by his family for generations, is beset by internal strife and external threats, and he knows that unless he takes action, he is doomed to see his country fall and his family perish, with his blood spilled in a brutal sacrifice. Within the realm, there are ch 2Reads—Score—Shelves

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    I stumbled upon this gem by chance, and I highly recommend it! I've struck gold! This novel about political intrigue in the late Ming Dynasty was absolutely thrilling! A modern chemistry graduate student is reborn as Mu Tianbo, a nobleman in the late Ming Dynasty. There are no idiotic plot twists or overpowered abilities; he relies entirely on his wits to survive in the chaotic world! The historical research and military descriptions are incredibly solid. The rise and fall of the Mu family and the internal and external troubles of the Southern Ming Dynasty are vividly portrayed, creating a truly immersive experience. The power struggles between the protagonist and the emperor, officials, and warlords kept me on the edge of my seat. The intellectual battles are top-notch, offering both exhilarating reads and a profound sense of historical depth—far superior to mindless wish-fulfillment novels! If you enjoy hardcore political intrigue, realistic history, and strategic maneuvering, this is a true gem!

24. 274 争 The Fight for God's Body 争夺神的躯体 The Ghost-Eyed Butcher鬼眼屠夫Urban241k WordsOngoing (Tags: An entire cast of villains, no idiotic plotlines, tightly woven logic, distinctive characters, and a male lead who uses strategy to dominate his corner of the world.) After Lu Si gains a divine arm, factions possessing divine bodies begin to emerge one after another. They scheme and clash in a struggle to claim the body of a god, all for the power of immortality it holds. 4Reads5.5Score—Shelves

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    This should be alright.

25. 275 对 Sorry, She Wants to Be the Heavenly Emperor Too Much 对不起，她太想做天帝了 Armor and Fish铠甲和鱼Ancient Romance2.0M WordsOngoing [No rivalry between women + punishing scumbags + satisfying revenge + unconventional heroine undergoing tribulations + ensemble cast + strong female lead] Content warning: The heroine is not a qualified heir to the Celestial Court from the start. She faces trials and setbacks, yet steadily strives for the highest position. This is not a mindless power fantasy. Also, she is not the kind of character who gives her whole heart to one person. She may have lovers, but none will ever have her complete 1.5kReads8.7Score—Shelves

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    The unspoken rules of the Heavenly Court workplace, the battle between gods and demons, and the tragic love story in the lower realm—the elements are so numerous yet perfectly blended!

26. 276 萨 Sardo 萨尔多 A Chirping Bird一只啼鸟Eastern Fantasy236k WordsCompleted This book is not suitable for children! As the Sacred Snow Mountain teeters on the brink of collapse, a young boy from the Saldo tribe unexpectedly awakens the “Eye of the Ancestors,” guarded by his people for a thousand years, and inherits the cultivation legacy left behind by the Ice River Immortal. He leads the remnants of the Saldo tribe on a deadly migration, fighting hordes of demon beasts on the Crescent Grassland, standing up to the brutal Wolf-Herding Demon Clan, forging alliances with 169Reads8.6Score—Shelves

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    Absolutely mind-bending!!!

27. 277 恒 The Constant Register of Parables 恒籍寓鉴 Xuanyuan Badao轩辕霸道Modern Romance1.2M WordsOngoing Synopsis of The Book of Constant Records: Tales to Awaken the Mind and Discern the Truth With “drawing wisdom from the classics to illuminate the questions of today” as its guiding principle, this book selects over a hundred classic fables and anecdotes from the various schools of philosophy, historical biographies and notes, and folk tradition. These include “The Frog at the Bottom of the Well” from Zhuangzi, “Making Up the Numbers” from Han Feizi, and “The Man from Qi Who Worried the Sky Would 8Reads—Score—Shelves

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    On the rammed earth walls of the Protectorate of the Western Regions, young Deputy Envoy Chen Tang was lost in thought, clutching a scroll of bamboo slips. The slips contained the "Ten Methods of Managing People," handwritten by the old Protector-General Zheng Ji. The ink had darkened, but each method, like the sun of the Western Regions, was dazzling yet undeniably real. He had only been in office with Zheng Ji for three months and hadn't yet witnessed how the "Ten Methods" were implemented, until the aid team from Shache knocked on the bronze gates of the Protectorate. It was autumn of the second year of the Shenjue era. King Xian of Shache, accompanied by his guards, knelt before the Protectorate, followed by a terrified envoy from a neighboring country—he had wanted to seize the oasis of Quli, but Zheng Ji had stopped him, and now he had come to "demand an explanation." Chen Tang listened from outside the tent. He saw that Zheng Ji was not angry. Instead, he had some grape wine from the Western Regions brought out and said with a smile, "Your Majesty possesses the fertile land of Shache and commands thousands of warriors. You are a powerful ruler of the Western Regions. Why bother competing with Quli for that small oasis?" The King of Shache's eyes lit up, and he sat up straighter. Zheng Ji changed the subject and took out a golden seal from the table. The seal was engraved with the five characters "Marquis of Guiyi of the Han Court": "If Your Majesty can maintain peace in the Southern Regions, this golden seal will be yours, and His Majesty will also bestow upon you a thousand bolts of silk, making your name known throughout Chang'an. But if you insist on using force, not only will the golden seal be taken back, but the world will say that the King of Shache is a greedy and petty coward. Does Your Majesty want such a reputation?" Chen Tang later understood that the King of Shache was notoriously greedy. He coveted land and treasure, but he coveted even more the honor of being "marquisated by the Han Court"—it was his capital to hold his head high among the various kingdoms of the Western Regions. Sure enough, the King of Shache stared at the golden seal for a long time before finally bowing and saying, "Protector, rest assured, Shache will never touch an inch of Quli's land." This is the meaning of "a person obsessed with desires can be subdued by upholding their reputation." Chen Tang circled this on the bamboo slip and memorized it. Not long after, trouble broke out again in Khotan. The Khotan nobleman Mi Dang'er secretly communicated with the Xiongnu envoys, planning to rob Han Dynasty caravans during the autumn harvest. Zheng Ji asked Chen Tang to handle the matter, only saying before he left, "Mi Dang'er likes to collect paintings of beautiful women; take a painting by a painter from Chang'an with you." Chen Tang brought the painting to Khotan, and when Mi Dang'er saw the "Spring Morning in the Han Palace" painting, his eyes widened—the woman in the painting had her hair styled in a drooping bun and was holding a pipa, exactly the look he loved most. Chen Tang deliberately said, "This is the daughter of the Grand Tutor of Chang'an. If you are loyal to the Han Dynasty, I can help you ask His Majesty to grant you a marriage with a noble lady from Chang'an." Mi Dang'er grinned from ear to ear, and was about to agree when Chen Tang pulled out a letter from his sleeve, the evidence of his correspondence with the Xiongnu envoy: "But if this letter falls into the hands of the King of Khotan, do you think you can still marry the beauty?" Mi Dang'er's face turned pale instantly. He quickly snatched the letter and burned it, repeatedly swearing never to associate with the Xiongnu again. Chen Tang returned to report to Zheng Ji, who nodded: "A lustful person's weakness lies in that desire. Go along with his desire, and then expose his fears, and you can naturally win him over." What Chen Tang found most unforgettable was the young prince of Shule. The boy was only fifteen years old, his mother had died early, and his father favored his younger brother, not even giving him a decent suit of armor. Shule was nestled between the Han and Xiongnu, yet the young prince always hid on the city wall, watching Han caravans pass by. Zheng Ji sent Chen Tang to see him, only saying, "Don't mention surrendering; just stay with him." Chen Tang went. On the first day, he accompanied the young prince to practice archery. When the prince missed, Chen Tang didn't laugh; instead, he taught him Han Dynasty archery techniques. On the second day, a torrential rain caused the prince's granary to leak. Chen Tang rolled up his sleeves and helped him move grain and repair the roof. On the third day, the prince took out a tattered copy of "The Art of War," and Chen Tang sat on the grass, telling him the story of Han Xin's battle with his back to the river. For half a month, Chen Tang didn't utter a single word about Shule wanting to surrender to the Han. One morning, the little prince suddenly took his hand and said, "Brother Chen, I want to bring Shule back to Han. My father is unreliable, and the Xiongnu only steal our sheep. Only you treat me with trust." Chen Tang felt a warmth in his heart. This was the meaning of "a person lacking love can be won over with trust." It turned out that the softest spot required the most genuine sincerity. However, not all opponents could be defeated with "soft tactics." There was a Xiongnu chieftain named Qiedihou, who was extremely cunning and constantly spread rumors among the various states, saying that the Han Dynasty would "annihilate all the Western Regions." Zheng Ji dealt with him using a "praise-over-hidden-assassination" strategy. First, an envoy was sent to Qiedihou with a hundred bolts of silk and ten pieces of Hetian jade, who said with a smile, "The Chanyu often praises you to us, saying that you can mediate relations between the Han and the Xiongnu and are a wise man among the Xiongnu. If you can persuade the Chanyu to negotiate peace with the Han, we will petition His Majesty to grant you the fiefdom of Yunzhong Commandery, so that your descendants will have food to eat." Qiedihou, who was already arrogant, became even more smug upon hearing this and actually went to tell the Chanyu that "the Han court is afraid of the Xiongnu and is willing to cede territory to sue for peace." But he did not know that Zheng Ji had secretly given the evidence of his slander to his political enemy—the Left Wise King of the Xiongnu. The Left Wise King, who already harbored resentment towards Qiedihou, immediately presented the evidence to the Chanyu. The Chanyu was furious, believing that Qiedihou was colluding with the Han, and sent someone to kill him that very night. When the news reached the Protectorate General, Chen Tang finally understood that the "open praise" was to lower his guard, and the "assassination" was to use someone else to do his dirty work. To deal with a treacherous villain, one must use one's own schemes to turn the tables on him. The last time Chen Tang witnessed Zheng Ji using his "manipulation skills" was against the King of Cheshi. Cheshi was sandwiched between the Han and the Xiongnu, and the king was extremely timid. He offered grain to the Xiongnu and gifts to the Han, daring not to offend either side. Zheng Ji led five hundred cavalrymen directly to the outskirts of Cheshi, having his soldiers form a square formation, their armor gleaming in the sun. Upon meeting the King of Cheshi, Zheng Ji didn't mince words: "Your Majesty, the Han army is outside the city. If you submit to the Han, we will leave troops to garrison it, and if the Xiongnu dare to come again, we will fight for you; if you continue to cozy up to the Xiongnu, we can take this city today." The King of Cheshi turned pale with fright and immediately knelt down, repeatedly saying, "I am willing to submit to the Han." This is the meaning of "a timid person can be subdued by threats." Looking at the trembling King of Cheshi, Chen Tang suddenly understood. Threats weren't about killing, but about letting him know that choosing the right path was the only way to survive. That winter, Zheng Ji fell seriously ill. Before his death, he held Chen Tang's hand and said, "The ten methods I taught you are all techniques; but you must remember, the root of techniques is the Way. The King of Shache wanted honor, so we gave it to him; the young prince wanted stability, so we did it; the King of Cheshi wanted security, so we protected him. If you only rely on scheming without genuinely providing them with a good path, even the most powerful techniques will eventually backfire." Later, Chen Tang became the Protector-General of the Western Regions. He had Zheng Ji's "Ten Methods of Managing People" engraved on a stone tablet in the Protectorate, adding his own words: "Techniques change with people, but the Way remains constant." Later still, he led his army to kill Zhizhi Chanyu, proclaiming, "Those who openly offend the mighty Han, though far away, shall be punished!" At that moment, he remembered Zheng Ji's words—what truly "conquers" the world is not scheming, but the benevolence and righteousness that inspires willing following. Today, the winds of the Western Regions still blow against the Protectorate's stone tablet. The "Ten Methods" on it are no longer methods of scheming, but the wisdom of the Han people in understanding people's hearts and knowing when to advance and retreat. Just like the sixteen characters Zhang Qian inscribed on the bronze pillar of Weiyang Palace, thousands of years later, they still tell the world: those who govern others must first govern their hearts; those who govern their hearts must first understand the Way.

28. 278 满 My Court Is Full of Treacherous Officials, and You Want Me to Become an Eternal Emperor? 满朝奸臣，你让我做千古一帝？ Have a Grape吃个葡萄啊Historical738k WordsCompleted Reborn in another world in ancient times, Zhou Qian woke up as the Son of Heaven of Great Zhou. He thought a life of pleasure was finally within reach. But then he took a look at the assembled court. On his left was Grand Chancellor Yan Song, on his right Grand Chancellor Qin Hui, Grand Marshal Gao Qiu, Imperial Tutor Sima Yi, Chief Eunuch He Shen, and Minister of Works Cai Jing... There were Wei Zhongxian of the Eastern Depot, Yu Huatian of the Western Depot, Attendant Zhang Rang, and Zhao Gao, 224Reads9.4Score163Shelves

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    Please move to another location.

29. 279 撩 After Flirting with the Wrong Big Shot, She Became the Top Lady of the Capital’s Elite Circle 撩错大佬后，她成京圈第一夫人了 In the Third Spring三春里Modern Romance353k WordsCompleted Fu Guidu, a giant in the medical world, was aloof by nature, like a lofty Buddhist saint. Cold and desireless, no one could drag him down to the mortal world. But Xu Ni refused to believe he was untouchable. She tried every trick in the book to tease him, stirring up trouble late at night in nothing but his white shirt. Fu Guidu simply tugged down the hem of her shirt. “Miss Xu, to me, your body is no different from a patient’s. I don’t see you as a woman.” But later... When Xu Ni was trapped in 22.9kReads9.4Score3.1kShelves

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    [OK][Explore][OK]

30. 280 病 The Lovesick Character Persona Has Fallen Apart 病娇人设崩塌了 Sweet Peach Yaoyao甜桃夭夭Modern Romance575k WordsCompleted [The print edition is coming soon and will be available on all platforms. See you at 7:00 p.m. on July 31!] Xie Huai, the famous young heir of the capital, fell in love at first sight with Song Nuan, the dazzling freshman representative on stage, when he was a freshman in high school. Xie Huai suffers from depression and is possessive and volatile. He won't let any boys near Song Nuan, and anyone who gets close ends up expelled. Terrified, Song Nuan is forced to transfer schools, but Xie Huai fo 50.4kReads9.4Score5kShelves
31. 281 心 The Apple of My Eye 心尖宠 Gu Lingran古铃然Modern Romance1.4M WordsCompleted In her previous life, Mu Ruoqing was blind to the truth and foolishly ignored her parents' advice. She refused to marry Master Zhan and insisted on marrying Tang Qianhao, only to end up dead alongside her mother. Reborn, she tears Master Zhan's clothes, bites him, and declares arrogantly, “I've already left my mark on you, so I'll take responsibility! Either you marry me, or I marry you!” 25.3kReads9.4Score2.8kShelves
32. 282 昭 The Chaos of Zhaohua 昭华乱 See Fortune at First Sight, Meow一见生财瞄Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Available in print. Search "Zhaohua Rebellion" on any platform to purchase.] [Strong female lead, satisfying revenge, high-IQ palace intrigue, the heroine schemes against the entire harem, a dangerously unhinged antagonist] Song Zhao has always been a woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals, and she has always seen the world more clearly than anyone else. From the moment she learned that Xiao Jingheng had chosen her to enter the palace as a consort, her goal was crystal clear: "I en 87.6kReads9.5Score9.7kShelves
33. 283 思 Nest of Thoughts 思窝 Wen Huanzhang温焕章Sci-Fi & Apocalypse175k WordsOngoing As fake data on the internet spiraled out of control, a phenomenon in which bad money drove out good spread like cancer across major online platforms, spilling from the virtual world into the real one. When things reach an extreme, they must turn around. As the pendulum of history changed direction, the GeoNet, blending the virtual and the real, came into being and opened a new chapter in the age… This book portrays the vision of the creators of Siwo for the future. 13Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Philosophical and Humanistic

34. 284 花 Flower Demon 花妖 Cotton Flower棉花花Ancient Romance337k WordsCompleted [Past and Present Lives + One True Love + Palace Intrigue and Power Struggles] A thousand years of longing will not go unanswered; a lifetime of devotion will never bring regret! A brilliant, resilient surgeon versus a suspicious, ruthless God of War general! Meeting him was the bond of fate from her past life, and the tribulation of this one. A tearjerking tale of a white plum blossom in the immortal realm of Qilian, a true dragon, and a snowflake reincarnated to endure a trial. The white plum 6.5kReads9.5Score1kShelves

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    "The Strange Tales of Shangguan Zhaorong," also known as "The Old Tales of the Underworld," features a female protagonist, Yan Yulin, who possesses exceptional intelligence. She perilously reincarnates and travels through a thousand years of the Tang Dynasty, orchestrating the Taishan Fujun Festival to resurrect the Martial Empress and become a scheming empress. A mind-bending and engaging read.

35. 285 异EN City of Beasts 异兽迷城 Peng Pai彭湃Urban3.0M WordsCompleted Gao Yang was an orphan. At the age of six, he transmigrated to a parallel world and began living in a warm family of five. When he turned eighteen, Gao Yang accidentally discovered the truth about the world: this was not a parallel world at all, but a mysterious realm, and all the relatives and friends around him were terrifying Beasts! Gao Yang nearly lost his life 478.1kReads9.7Score66.6kShelves
36. 286 规 Rule Horror: Who Taught You to Study Like That? 规则怪谈：谁教你这样读书的 Bamboo Shoot Buns Are So Delicious竹笋包子超好吃Mystery426k WordsCompleted [Strong Female Lead, No Romance, Rule-Based Horror, Infinite Realms, Chinese-Style Horror] Traditional culture has been distorted on a massive scale in modern society. Altered pronunciations, words smeared with stigma, and ancient sayings twisted out of shape are gnawing away at the human soul. Su Muyu, the thirtieth-generation descendant of Su Shi and the sole inheritor of the Soulcrafter lineage, joins Li Guazi, a girl whose past is a mystery, and Mr. Dongli, a word spirit from the handwritt 50Reads9.4Score—Shelves
37. 287 雾 Misty Rain over Chang'an 雾雨长安 Xiu Ping修平Historical837k WordsOngoing Mist and rain soak Chang'an; each step is a stumble. His blue robe is still warm, yet his whole body feels cold. This book follows An Ziyan, a scholar returning from the academy, through war, worldly turmoil, and setbacks as he engages with the world and then withdraws from it, coming to understand his heart and see his true nature. 40Reads—Score—Shelves
38. 288 四 Chronicles of the Four Gods 四神战纪 Jiang Huixue姜灰雪Ancient Romance598k WordsCompleted Xuanwu Divine Guardian Ziyan: hopeless romantic + a beautiful sleeper who gets injured once a month (His Majesty's perspective) At the end of the Age of the Gods, the Northern Emperor's daily life with the Divine Guardian he had long hoped to find and bring back to help him unify the world (excerpt from All Things Have a Spirit): Du Anxiawu finishes his tea, but Ziyan still hasn't come in. He follows him outside. It's already afternoon, and the sunlight falls just right on the area outside the s 57Reads—Score—Shelves

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    My own [making a face][making a face][making a face]

39. 289 绑 Bound to an Ancestor, I Make a Fortune in the Modern World 绑定老祖宗，我在现代疯狂暴富 Jin Yan菳言Modern Romance314k WordsCompleted [Rewriting history from the moral high ground + cause and effect + unwavering devotion] She loved Gu Sinan for five thousand years. But her ancestor, Gu Mingze, erased all her memories! Fate took an unexpected turn. In a new world, she fell in love all over again with the cool, calculating Gu Sinan... Though Gu Shengwan was born unlucky and ill-fated in this new world, with little affection from her family and misfortune at every turn, she spent half her life struggling under a cloud of despa 36Reads8.1Score—Shelves

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    [Added to bookshelf][Please follow][Good fortune is coming soon][Good fortune is coming soon][Please follow][I also highly recommend][I also highly recommend][Sparrow Eater's masterpiece]

40. 290 下 Is It Quieter After the Rain? 下雨后是否更寂静 User26076746用户26076746Mystery123k WordsCompleted After the rain came endless helplessness. Late at night, notes of silence tapped against the tightly closed blinds as Wu Qian sank into quiet contemplation. “My friend's death has come back to haunt me like a ringing bell.” “Is this Wu Qian? It's Xiao Ling. We haven't been in touch for ages. I've been so busy with work lately. Are you free this weekend? Let's meet. There's something I need to tell you. Let's meet outside the Chongguang Huan Center!” Xiao Ling's soft, halting voice pierced Wu Qia 42Reads—Score—Shelves

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    The high-IQ crime is meticulously planned, with flawless logical reasoning and a compelling plot.

41. 291 昨 Yesterday Flowed into the City 昨日流入城 Thorny Bougainvillea有刺三角梅Urban3.0M WordsCompleted [Officialdom] + [Workplace] + [Business World] + [Family] A scholar, two business magnates, three boxing champions, four great families, the Gao family's five tigers, the Twelve Beauties of Jiangling, and 108 concubines... A man who had lost all hope and decided to lie flat is thrust into officialdom overnight, only to become the talk of the whole city as he indulges in wine, women, wealth, and power... Where does his path ultimately lead? Will there be an ending? 293Reads9.2Score366Shelves

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    Highly recommend this! [Added to bookshelf][Added to bookshelf]

42. 292 盟 The Mengjin Crossing 盟津渡 Facing South from the Mountain朝山南Historical267k WordsCompleted Also known as The Awakening of the Ferry Boy. Wu Heyuan, a young man from a Yellow River ferry crossing, suffers the massacre of his entire family, and his younger sister goes missing. After delivering a letter to the Weishui Alliance for a mysterious stranger, he becomes Jiang Shang’s disciple and embarks on a path of political intrigue. When his sister is trained to become an enemy nation’s assassin, when his beloved tastes poison to save him from the brink of death, and when his master gives —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    I recommend this book. It features high intelligence, a captivating plot, and delicate writing.

43. 293 天 A Catastrophic Start: I’m Forced to Marry a Lame, Mad King 天崩开局，我被迫嫁给瘸腿癫王 Who Says Immortality Must Be Lonely?谁说长生需寂寞Ancient Romance806k WordsOngoing [One-on-one, both with no past relationships: the woman transmigrates into a book, pretending to be a vixen but really just a laid-back slacker; the man is reborn, pretending to be a madman but secretly a true romantic. They spar and fall in love, flirt to the extreme, enjoy endless sweet indulgence, and clash over court politics.] No bitter drama, just sweet, over-the-top romance. Their clashes are mostly battles of wits. Su Xu accidentally transmigrates into a book and becomes a cannon-fodder —Reads—Score131Shelves

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    A reborn evil king returns with memories of his past life, intending to rewrite the tragedy, but is completely overwhelmed by the "laid-back quotes" of the transmigrated woman. Her statement, "Your ambition is too great for me to contain," immediately puts the cunning tycoon's revenge plan on hold. In a world of political intrigue where everyone is shrewd, this pair of lovable goofballs manage to turn their lives into a comedy!

44. 294 刘 Liu Bowen: Tides of Fortune in the Imperial Court 刘伯温之宦海沉浮 Gurgling Spring泉之淙淙Historical565k WordsCompleted Liu Bowen: Rising and Falling in the Sea of Officialdom abandons the magical realism commonly used in earlier works about Liu Bowen. Its main approach is realism, with touches of romanticism. Following the ups and downs of Liu Bowen’s official career, and set against the peasant uprisings led by Fang Guozhen, Xu Shouhui, Wu Chengqi, and others, it offers a many-sided portrait of the vibrant world of the late Yuan dynasty. It depicts both the contests of wits and political maneuvering among strat 158Reads—Score—Shelves

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    High intelligence, political intrigue

45. 295 京 A Strategy for the Capital: Securing the Realm 京华策：昭定河山 Liuchuan Xiaodan流川小旦Historical707k WordsCompleted The score has just been posted and will go up. Read with confidence! I'll put even more care into crafting an even better story from here on! [The female Yama who crawled out of a mountain of corpses in a slave camp will bring down the Nine Heavens] (Tags: Alternate History / No System / Hard-Core Political Intrigue / Epic War / Passionate Female Lead) The day Lin Zhao crawled out of the rotting corpses in the slave camp, she trusted only the blade and spear in her hands. She fought her way th 5Reads7.8Score—Shelves

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    Political intrigue, high intelligence, captivating and addictive.

46. 296 我 I Turned the Horror World Into a Raising Game! 我把惊悚世界玩成养成游戏！ Yu Zuo予作Mystery2.3M WordsCompleted A mysterious force descended upon Earth, giving rise to another world of terror. Everyone was forcibly sent into the world of horror games on their eighteenth birthday. While everyone else was immersed in fear, struggling to survive in the cracks between life and death, Qin Nuo discovered that he could earn System rewards by influencing the ghosts’ emotions. And every time he completed a dungeon, he could establish his own business in the world of horror. So he became a food runner at the Yin Sp 112.4kReads9.5Score12.2kShelves

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    These two are alright.

47. 297 奇 Planet of Wonders 奇遇星球 Wald Beast of Zhengyang Palace正阳宫的瓦尔德兽Urban422k WordsOngoing A chance encounter brought a retired soldier an extraordinary power. Faced with a world overrun by demon-infested nations of tigers and wolves, he rose up without hesitation, fought on the battlefield, unified the nations, and transformed the world. In the end, he fulfilled his long-held dream of establishing a global system of democratic freedom, bringing lasting peace to humanity. From then on, he was surrounded by good fortune in love, as stunning women from every nation competed to declare t 31Reads—Score—Shelves

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    From ordinary mortal to ruler of the universe

48. 298 亿 A Billion Schemes 亿万权谋 Autumn of Harvest丰收之秋Modern Romance1.3M WordsCompleted She was a girl whose life had once been destroyed by the powerful. Now she is reborn in the global capital markets. Returning as a hunter, she uses financial maneuvering, technological weapons, and psychological warfare to precisely target the masterminds behind her downfall and tear open the most secret, darkest corners of the world of capital. But as she closes in on the truth, she discovers that this game of power is far more unfathomable than she ever imagined... Genius-level intelligence + 17Reads7.8Score—Shelves

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    A meticulously planned political revenge scheme, a surprisingly deep psychological battle, and expertly executed capital operations. Welcome to read! 📖

49. 299 潜 Undercover in the Shadows 潜伏暗渡 Forget War and Risk Perishing 007忘战必危007Historical300k WordsCompleted Yu Zecheng is coerced by Wu and trapped in an isolated stronghold under the shadow of the White Terror. Wan∽ sheds her timid facade and legally enters the island as a manager for Hong Kong’s Mu family, making a perilous contact with Yu Zecheng. Acting on orders, they pose as husband and wife to carry out their undercover mission. In Taipei, surrounded by secret agents and caught in factional strife, the pair use the bustle of everyday life as cover to pass on intelligence in secret. From awkward 5Reads—Score—Shelves
50. 300 寒 The Origin of the Ice Sword 寒冰剑之缘起 Fireworks Princess wt烟花公主wtAncient Romance314k WordsOngoing The martial world is rife with intrigue, bloody scenes, and tangled affairs of love and hate. They were the best of friends, yet took entirely different paths. Right and wrong meant different things to each of them, and both had their own principles. They fell in love with the same woman, but expressed it in different ways. And so the story that follows began. This story is only the beginning. 37Reads—Score—Shelves

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    New author, new book. It contains suspense and political intrigue. Hope you all enjoy it, thank you! [Upvote][Upvote][Send Heart][Send Heart][Send Heart]

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