Looking for Completed Stories About Someone Who Studies from Childhood and Works Their Way Through the Imperial Examinations 想找从小就读书一步一步考科举的完结文

1. 1 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

   Reader note

   Only by taking things one step at a time can one truly appreciate the results; after all, the imperial examinations in ancient times were incredibly difficult.

2. 2 寒 The Scholar from a Poor Family 寒门状元 Gentleman of the Green Mountain青山君子Historical2.1M WordsOngoing After transmigrating into the family of a common farmer, Ye Xuanmo arrives just as his paternal cousin passes the imperial examination. To revitalize the clan, his cousin invites a teacher to the family to educate the children. In an age when “all trades are base, and only studying is noble,” Ye Xuanmo wants nothing more than to pass the exams and change his family’s circumstances… 3.5kReads8.9Score331Shelves

   Reader note

   [Part One]📖A classic ancient Chinese imperial examination novel where the protagonist is reborn into the past. The writing is delicate, [smirking] without any exaggerated or vulgar elements. The protagonist is born into a large family in the countryside, the youngest of seven children [awkward smile]. Carrying memories of his past life, he excels from a young age, passing the imperial examinations and becoming the top scholar. [Note] [Part Two]📖Reborn as an eight-year-old farm boy in an ancient society where scholarship and literature reign supreme, [powerful attack] he grows up through studying, from achieving the highest rank in the imperial examinations to ruling the world. The plot is captivating and engaging. [Drooling] 🉑Follow Ying Shuguan to capture your heart with this captivating novel!

3. 3 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
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 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
6. 6 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

   Reader note

   This is so addictive, I can't resist it! It's so beautiful!

7. 7 过 With a Photographic Memory, Isn’t It Only Natural I Came First in the Imperial Exam? 过目不忘，我中状元正常吧？ Mountaineer登山客Historical1.3M WordsCompleted Lu Chengan forgot to drink Granny Meng’s soup. One day, he transmigrates to a remote mountain village in the Great Zhou dynasty and becomes the second son of the Lu family’s second son. To take the imperial examinations, Lu Chengan has no choice but to urge his father to better himself. Before he knows it, his father becomes an official. Lu Chengan: Does he still need to work hard? 47.9kReads8.6Score5.1kShelves

   Reader note

   The protagonist was unable to study as a child because he was the second child, but he urged his father to study so he could pass the imperial examinations. [Admiration]

8. 8 穿 I Was Reborn in a Farming Novel, but I Don't Want to Pass the Imperial Exams on Talent 穿进种田文里，我不想靠才华科举 Autumn Has Always Been Here丛来是秋Historical1.6M WordsCompleted Su Congli transmigrated. To stay alive, he studied day and night and threw himself into the imperial examinations. Who could have guessed? At the provincial exam: “What are you staring at, chief examiner?” At the metropolitan exam: “Why do these examiners all seem so strange?” At the palace exam: “Oh! Isn’t that guy sitting in the throne hall the one who stares at me every night?” Emperor Qiyuan prided himself on being a wise ruler of his age, blessed with extraordinary fortune. Who knew he’d ru 11.3kReads8.9Score949Shelves

   Reader note

   This one fits the bill quite well; it's really well-written, with excellent writing skills and a wildly imaginative plot. It's already finished and definitely worth reading.

9. 9 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

   Reader note

   Just watch.

10. 10 不 If I Don’t Take the Imperial Exams, Should I Just Farm? 不科举，难道种地？ You Suo有所Historical1.5M WordsCompleted The new novel Sequence: Creator is currently being serialized. Give it a read! It's a story about surviving the apocalypse. Thank you 🙏. [Alternate History] [Imperial Examinations] [Plagiarist] [Political Scheming] [Farming] [No System] The barbarians on all four frontiers: anyone who dares invade will see their nation destroyed, their people wiped out, and their descendants cut off. I want this golden age to be exactly as I envision it. History is long, but I need only make the slightest effort 5.5kReads8.6Score398Shelves

    Reader note

    Farmer's son, genius! Praise me!

11. 11 穿 Reborn as a Farmer’s Son, I’m Doted on by an Apocalypse Tycoon 穿成农家子，末世大佬宠夫郎 Milk Mochi奶麻薯Two Male Leads919k WordsOngoing After two years in the apocalypse, Ji Zhenli had finally built a base of his own, only to be ambushed by an ordinary zombie and transmigrate into the body of a child in the Hua Dynasty. Fine! If he'd transmigrated, then so be it. But… to make life better, Ji Zhenli decided to show the people of the Hua Dynasty the power of an overachiever. With the mindset that if he wasn't worked to death, he could work even harder, Ji Zhenli passed all four imperial examinations in a row. In the capital, he me 1.6kReads9.2Score132Shelves
12. 12 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

    Reader note

    🍉At the start, the protagonist's mother has already given birth to two girls and is pregnant with another. She can't have any more children after this one, but thankfully it's a boy. The protagonist's family is poor, but he's been quite talkative and clever since childhood, recognizing herbs so his family can sell them. At five, he goes to study in another village and is noticed by a teacher. He formally becomes an apprentice with his friends. After that, he takes the imperial examinations, writes poems, and helps his family with their business. The story is still ongoing.

13. 13 科 The Road to Success Through the Imperial Examinations 科举之青云路 A Little Green Ear一只绿耳Historical1.2M WordsCompleted In his previous life, Lu Sheng was a spoiled rich kid. After being born into a farming family, he regains his memories at the age of three when his cousin pushes him to the ground over two pieces of pork crackling. Among the four paths of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, working for someone else is out of the question. With his poor knowledge of farming, he couldn't even support himself, so it looks like the imperial examinations are his only way to change his fate. From then on, Lu S 1.8kReads7.7Score130Shelves

    Reader note

    Traveling back to ancient times. Wanting to change one's life, climbing from the bottom up, without connections, support, or even benefactors, one can only rely on oneself. Fortunately, the imperial examination system can change one's fate and allow one to transcend social classes.

14. 14 农 The Noble Son of a Farming Family 农门贵子 Orchid Seed兰花子Historical1.5M WordsCompleted He never imagined that one day he would transmigrate into the body of a fifteen-year-old peasant boy who had died in an examination hall. To take control of his own fate in this dynasty, all he can do is study hard. Studying changes one's fate, and can pave the way to success… 52Reads7.4Score103Shelves
15. 15 胎 Born into a Mission: From Struggling to Survive to Achieving Greatness 胎穿任务：从艰难求生到功成名就 Huachao Baiyu花朝白榆Ancient Romance1.2M WordsCompleted (System + space + golden finger + quick transmigration + transmigrate + Qing dynasty transmigration + Ming dynasty transmigration + Song dynasty transmigration + period piece + little ones + cannon fodder + modern person in ancient times + comeback + punishing scumbags + supporting female characters + ...) “Congratulations, Mistress. It's a little prince!” Hearing the delighted announcement, Wan Fu felt as though she had been struck by lightning. She shrieked, “System, get out here! Explain why 4.4kReads8.3Score249Shelves
16. 16 举 Your Whole Family Hopes You'll Pass the Scholar Exam, but You Top All Six? 举家盼你中秀才，你六元连中？ A Little Green Ear一只绿耳Historical1.5M WordsCompleted [Imperial examinations in the early chapters + farming + everyday life + lighthearted + court politics later on] In his previous life, Shen Zhou was in poor health and cultivated himself through a quiet, disciplined lifestyle, becoming rather indifferent by nature. Then he transmigrated to an ancient peasant family. The entire Shen family pooled their resources to support the original owner’s studies, hoping only that he would pass the county-level examination and become a licentiate. Sadly, the 14.7kReads8.7Score1.4kShelves
17. 17 都 Since I've Been Reborn, I'll Master Both the Pen and the Sword 都重来了，我当然要文武双全 Ximen Kun西门坤Historical1.6M WordsOngoing Set in an alternate early Ming Dynasty, this is a story about a science student who transmigrates. Simple middle-school physics experiments are enough to amaze everyone. He sparks a scientific awakening, founds a new school of thought, and brings materialism into Confucianism to accelerate social progress. You just need a little scientific knowledge. You can do it too, and there’s no golden finger!! 1.7kReads6.5Score101Shelves

    Reader note

    Reborn as a baby, educated from a young age, a science student, with rigorous logic, but reading has a high barrier to entry.

18. 18 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

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    💐💐💐This book is super good! [Top Post] Qi Wenyu's name is truly fitting; he never argued with anyone in his life, except for his time on the battlefield, and was a gentle and refined individual throughout. He dedicated himself to the Great Qian Dynasty and the people, working diligently for the country without ever displaying an arrogant attitude due to his superior knowledge, nor did he distance himself from worldly affairs to feign superiority. He naturally blended in, even making me forget his initial identity. The protagonist's character is very well-developed, quite different from other books about the imperial examinations. It doesn't stop at passing the exams or merely describe his subsequent achievements, but rather details his path to officialdom. Perhaps I'm more sentimental now, but I couldn't bear to see the characters in the book leave one after another. Even knowing they were fictional, I was still deeply saddened. Finally, the protagonist's enlightened family traditions were passed down through generations, allowing the Qi family to thrive for a thousand years, becoming a large and powerful clan, and even extending to the 21st century along with the families of his former classmates—a truly moving story. Highly recommended!!! 🌸🌸🌸

19. 19 古 A Guide to Surviving as a Lowborn Son in Ancient Times 古代庶子生存指南 Ms. Cabbage包菜女士Ancient Romance412k WordsCompleted [The male lead transmigrates without a golden finger; domestic family life; studying for the imperial examinations; the female lead appears late; fictional historical setting] After transmigrating as the concubine-born son of a civil official in an unknown dynasty, Huaize planned to take life easy and be a contented freeloader in the ancient world. But Huaize had hoped to keep to himself, only to discover that in an age when collective punishment was common, everyone in a prominent family had 7.8kReads8.4Score594Shelves

    Reader note

    The first time-travel novel is slow-paced with no cheat codes. The protagonist stays true to himself and works hard. Although he was born at the wrong time and didn't rise to high office overnight, he did his best and ultimately sacrificed his life for his country. The second novel features a moderately wealthy family who passed the imperial examinations smoothly, not a peasant family. The third novel features a protagonist raised by his great-grandfather and adopted by the eldest son's family. He makes glass and finds sweet potatoes and potatoes, but has no difficult relatives, and while he is granted a title, he doesn't have real power. The fourth novel is lighthearted and enjoyable, featuring a good emperor, not a scheming bureaucratic romance, but a few close friends and a good boss. The fifth novel features a peasant boy with a photographic memory and a spatial ability; the plot develops daily without any overly powerful cheat codes.

20. 20 发 Build a Fortune and Pass the Imperial Exams 发家致富考科举 Eat It in One Bite一口吃完Ancient Romance310k WordsCompleted [No System or golden finger, one heroine, not a wish-fulfillment story, realistic] Xie Fan is a hopelessly single exam nerd, a useless graduate of a top university, and a slacker at a major organization. He enjoys a carefree life of choosing to lie flat. After an unexpected death, he returns to a parallel world in the Ming Dynasty, reborn as the son of a landlord. But life in a landlord’s household turns out to be no easier. To make ends meet, he sets out on the path of the imperial examinations 1.1kReads8.6Score103Shelves
21. 21 卷 An Ordinary Life for a Workaholic in Ancient Times 卷王在古代的普通人生 Chi Chi, Keep It Up尺尺加油Historical525k WordsCompleted Chen Rui, an agriculture student in the modern era, transmigrates to the fictional Great Xia Dynasty and becomes the great-grandson of Chen Wang, a former company commander who has retired from military service to farm. With his family’s help, he enters officialdom through the imperial examinations and uses his knowledge to make sure the people under his jurisdiction have enough to eat. A heads-up: this isn’t a conventional power fantasy. It has a laid-back, slice-of-life feel, and the male lead 1.9kReads8.3Score145Shelves
22. 22 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
23. 23 寒 The Road to the Imperial Examinations for a Poor Scholar 寒门科举之路 Moon Glutinous White月糯白Historical821k WordsCompleted After surviving alone in the apocalypse for three years, Yang Han is betrayed by his teammates and scratched by a zombie. Unwilling to turn into one and get his head blown off, he takes his own life. To his surprise, he transmigrates into the body of a farm boy, the only son of a family with a thousand acres of fertile land. He can't handle the backbreaking work in the fields, and since all professions are inferior to studying, he has no choice but to set out on the path to the imperial examinat 193Reads8.6Score114Shelves
24. 24 我 I Turn My Life Around Through the Imperial Exams 我靠科举逆袭人生 Corn Breakdance玉米扒舞Historical808k WordsCompleted When Li Jingxing wakes up, he finds himself in an unfamiliar place. Around him are crude huts and shabby furniture, and the air carries a faint smell of straw. Looking down, he sees that he is wearing ragged clothes and a pair of straw sandals. All of it leaves him utterly confused. “How did I end up here?” Li Jingxing wonders. Just then, a burst of noise breaks through his thoughts. 3kReads8.8Score230Shelves

    Reader note

    It's good, I've already finished watching it.

25. 25 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
26. 26 何 The He Clan's Palace Graduate 何氏传胪 The Tangerine Who Dreams of Getting Rich做梦也想暴富的橘Female-Channel Fanfiction599k WordsOngoing [Imperial examinations + business + farming + native protagonist + romance] Born into a family of scholars and farmers, he comes from a long line of officials. His direct relatives now include a third-rank court official, but his own branch is so distant that they have been excluded from the clan for five generations. To restore the family’s former glory and stop his grandmother and grandparents from being mocked, he has only one path: the imperial examinations. He takes exam after exam, builds 664Reads6.7Score—Shelves
27. 27 胎 Born into the 1970s: I Make My Whole Family Rich Through Studying 胎穿七零：我靠读书带全家致富 Mao Mao猫芼Modern Romance2.6M WordsOngoing (I Just Want to Slack Off, but They Call Me a Genius) (Period Piece + Academic Prodigy + Strengthening the Nation + System + No Romance + Cozy Daily Life + Lighthearted Comedy + Pure Wish Fulfillment) After Chen Wang died, he was reborn as the Chen family's only dim-witted grandson. With four older female cousins, the two elders of the Chen family doted on him like a precious treasure, giving him the best of everything. Chen Wang thought he could spend this life slacking off. Who could have gues 158.3kReads9.0Score15.1kShelves

    Reader note

    It's a story about being reborn and becoming a child again, and it's quite captivating.

28. 28 徐 Xu Erlang's Road to the Imperial Exams 徐家二郎的科举之路 Youqin Yan'ai有琴烟霭Ancient Romance463k WordsOngoing After an accident, Xu Xu, a modern university student majoring in traditional Chinese medicine, transmigrated to an ancient farming family. To give himself and his family a better life and keep them safe, he embarked on the long road of the imperial examinations. He passed and became a county magistrate in a remote region, eventually rising to the highest ranks of government. 39Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book requires serious reading and doesn't rely on any cheat codes.

29. 29 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

    Reader note

    A historical fiction novel of exceptionally high quality, perfect for both listening and reading. Clear logic, well-developed characters, rich plot, and tight writing. Not a formulaic, fast-paced read. Please enjoy! [Kissing emojis][Kissing emojis]

30. 30 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

    [Adoration] A slice-of-life story about the imperial examinations. The writing is rather slow. Although the male protagonist is a lazy bum who is always thinking about how to relax, he still works hard to pass the imperial examinations so that his family can live a good life. The interactions between him and the emperor are particularly well written. He is always thinking about how to get holidays from the emperor.

31. 31 全 My Whole Family Supports My Imperial Exams, and I Rise to Great Heights 全家供我科举，而后青云直上 Flying Cow 98会飞的牛98Historical337k WordsCompleted One heroine + no System + lighthearted pacing A bird must flap its wings before it can soar; a person must study before they can get ahead. Huang Zhiwen unexpectedly gets another chance at life, bringing the memories of his previous life with him as he slowly adapts to this new world. Here, he finds new people to care about and a new family. The Huang family is warm and close-knit, and they will do everything they can to support Huang Zhiwen in the imperial examinations. That leaves all the pres 761Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The male lead was a Chinese literature major in his past life, which is relevant to his major. He doesn't have a system, and the descriptions of exam scenes are quite good. The romance is described in a light touch. If you don't like romance, you might want to check it out.

32. 32 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

    Reader note

    Both books cover the journey from childhood to becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). The first book already depicts the officialdom, while the second touches upon a chaotic era. Both are well-written and highly recommended.

33. 33 调 Failed to Transfer? Better to Strive Than Throw My Life Away 调剂失败，作死不如上进 Big Meow of the Meow Family喵家大喵Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Sun Zhaoyang, a woman in a man’s body, forgot to say she didn’t want to be assigned to a different major when she made a wish at Yonghe Temple in the modern world. The enormous force of her wish got her assigned to an alternate dynasty instead. The good news: She no longer has to be passed around like a football while people roll their eyes at her. The bad news: She’s a man now! What can she do? Make the best of it! She can’t just die again. Who knows what godforsaken place she’ll be assigned to 444Reads6.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A woman transmigrates into a man's body to take the imperial examination; she is from a peasant family. The dynasty is after Fusu, who did not commit suicide, returned and trampled Huhai and Xiang Yu to become emperor.

34. 34 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

    Reader note

    Definitely worth reading, especially the second book; I eagerly await each update.

35. 35 女 A Woman Reborn as a Man: I'm a Farmer's Son, and I'm Taking the Imperial Exams 女穿男：穿成农家子，我要考科举 Xi Liuer西流尔Ancient Romance406k WordsCompleted [No CP, no heroine + woman transmigrates into a man's body + born into a new body + farming + imperial exams + a little business + fictional setting] Song Huaiyu dozed off for a moment and transmigrated into the body of someone from a poor family. Fortunately, she grew up in the countryside in her previous life, so farming and foraging in the mountains came naturally to her. Song Huaiyu sold goods from the mountains and raised livestock, but the money she earned went only toward improving her 126Reads5.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    She started studying from a young age, has no romantic partner, and is a girl who transmigrates into a boy's body.

36. 36 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

    Reader note

    Highly recommended. The entire clan invests, achieving mutual success, and Qin Siqi passes the imperial examinations. The protagonist protects the villagers and emulates the virtuous.

37. 37 迎 After Marrying a Sweet Young Wife, I Worked Hard and Took the Imperial Exam 迎娶小娇妻后，我奋发图强考科举 Flying Cow 98会飞的牛98Historical1.1M WordsCompleted One heroine + no System + lighthearted pacing A thorough understanding of the world is knowledge, and social savvy is good writing. Ren Junjie, a history graduate, suddenly finds himself in an unfamiliar world as the eldest legitimate son of the richest family in Xinchang County. A former wastrel, he turns over a new leaf and marries a lovely young wife. He rests every other day and works on the days in between, studying harder and striving to improve. With his deep knowledge of history, he purs 8.9kReads8.8Score715Shelves

    Reader note

    The first three are ongoing series I'm currently following; they're very good, and there's enough word count to keep me engaged. The third one is a very realistic imperial examination novel. The rest are mostly completed imperial examination novels I've read, all quite good, with minor "golden finger" advantages, especially the one about a woman disguised as a man—the golden finger is simply concealing her feminine characteristics. All of them are either one-on-one or without a romantic pairing, and all are imperial examination novels with their own values ​​and bottom lines. They're all worth reading.

38. 38 我 I Turned My Superstitious Father into the Chief Councilor 我把神棍老爹卷成首辅 Beyond the Mountain山的那边Historical1.7M WordsCompleted [Ensemble cast + imperial examinations + daily life + farming + court politics later on] Father and son join forces to build a Ming dynasty on which the sun never sets. Yan Xun transmigrates to the Ming dynasty and discovers that his father can do everything except study. His dad has so many secret identities, like an onion with layer after layer to peel back. Huh! If I push Dad hard enough to make him Grand Secretary, can I become a Junior Grand Secretary? The filial son Yan Xun sells everythin 22.8kReads9.5Score2.7kShelves

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    1. [Top Post][Request for Extra Updates][Request for Attention] Luo Yanxun transmigrates to the Ming Dynasty and discovers that his father is good at everything except studying. His father has many disguises, like peeling an onion, layer after layer. Wow! I'll make my father the Grand Secretary and myself a junior Grand Secretary? The filial son Yan Po will sell everything he owns to support his father's studies, making him even more versatile! 2. [Request for Extra Updates][Top Post][Request for Extra Updates] In this era where powerful clans look down on the imperial family, Zhao Quan, born into a farming family, enters school carrying the hopes of his parents and six older brothers. Farming is out of the question; even the village chief's family has no surplus grain... So he has no choice but to take the imperial examinations and become an official.

39. 39 寒 A Proud Son of a Poor Family 寒门骄子 Swallow's Nest Eagle燕窝鹰Historical1.1M WordsCompleted “Transmigrated to ancient times? Don't panic. I was a chemistry PhD in my previous life. Surely I can invent a few things this era has never seen and make a fortune, right?” Watch as the hero puts his knowledge from his previous life to good use, amasses an astonishing fortune, earns the title of top scholar, marries a beautiful heiress, reaches the pinnacle of life, and changes the entire world... 14.9kReads9.0Score1.4kShelves

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    (˃ ⌑ ˂ഃ )

40. 40 一 A Poor Scholar of Noble Character 一品寒士 Beyond the Mountain山的那边Historical1.6M WordsCompleted [Single heroine, semi-fictionalized Tang Dynasty] In an era when the great aristocratic clans looked down on the imperial family, Zhao Quan was born to a farming family and entered school carrying the hopes of his parents and six older brothers. Farming was out of the question: even the village head’s family had no food to spare… So he had no choice but to take the imperial exams and become an official. 10.2kReads9.3Score888Shelves
41. 41 寒 The Poor Scholar's Rise 寒门贵子 Beyond the Mountain山的那边Historical2.1M WordsCompleted After transmigrating into the body of a penniless scholar, Jiang Feng thought about how his computer science degree from his previous life was utterly useless here… Then it occurred to him: “Of all pursuits, studying is the noblest. I’ll just have to grit my teeth and take the imperial exams!” He kept going, and when he suddenly looked back, he had risen to the highest offices, expanded the empire’s borders, and built an unprecedented legacy! P.S. The new book, A Poor Scholar of the First Rank, 34.2kReads9.1Score3.4kShelves

    Reader note

    Ten minutes before lunch break, I devote myself to my favorite novel, a brief escape from the mundane, recharging and healing. ✨

42. 42 手 With the Notable Ministers System in Hand, I Disguise Myself as a Man in Ancient Times 手拿名臣系统，我在古代女扮男装 Tianyang Peak, Who Loves Handmade Wheat Dumplings爱吃手工麦饺的天阳峰Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Xu Yue transmigrates into a book. She becomes the delicate, vulnerable cousin of the male lead in an examination-themed novel: her mother died young, she has no brothers and no one to rely on, and her family won't take her in, so she is awkwardly forced to live in the male lead's home. In her previous life, Xu Yue rose from being an orphan to earning a doctorate. She never believed in fate, and even though it was hard for women to get by in ancient times, she never stopped thinking about how to 118.2kReads9.6Score11.4kShelves
43. 43 开 Sold from the Start: From Street-Corner Pancake Seller to Regional Tycoon 开局被卖，从卖饼小贩到富甲一方 King Wen Was Right文王说得对Ancient Romance618k WordsCompleted [Food + business + imperial exams + farming + infrastructure + character growth + mutual first love] Food blogger Lu Yan died suddenly of heart disease and transmigrated into a novel about a heroine’s rise to success. The heroine in the book was the legitimate daughter of the prime minister, but her stepmother schemed to have her kidnapped and sold to a poor, remote village. An older man bought her and raised her as his own daughter. Before long, the heroine came across the fallen crown prince, 16kReads8.6Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Here it comes! 🍒 The male lead studied from a young age, taking the imperial examinations step by step. 🍀 ① The female lead was sold at the beginning, feigning illness to save money for the male lead's family, and even helped him earn money to support his studies. The male lead studied from a young age, taking the imperial examinations step by step. [Kiss][Kiss] ② The male lead is an illegitimate son, his mother died and his father didn't love him. From a young age, he set his goal to take the imperial examinations, and he worked hard step by step. It's very inspiring! [Kiss][Kiss][Kiss]

44. 44 苏 Eunuch Su's Road to the Imperial Exams 苏公公的科举之路 Singing Alone for Joy笙歌独欢Historical1.3M WordsCompleted Chief eunuch Su Weisheng had finally endured his way to retirement, only to die unexpectedly. When he opened his eyes again, he had become a five-year-old child a century later, and all his enemies were dead! His relatives were unkind, and his parents were weak. Su Weisheng consoled himself: At least in this life, I won't have to be a eunuch. I can live with that! He takes on the worst of the family, manages the household, and studies for the imperial examinations. Only after achieving fame and 9kReads9.0Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    The Emperor, looking at his minister who seemed to be living a more carefree life than himself, said softly, "My dear minister, you are exceptionally talented. Don't waste the gifts Heaven has given you. I've heard the roads over there with the Hu people are particularly smooth. What do you think?" Lu Yang: I've already sent someone to arrange it. The Emperor: My dear minister, you should go there. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease. Lu Yang: I've already sent someone to keep an eye on things. I'm busy. The Emperor: What are you busy with? Lu Yang: ... I'm busy thinking.

45. 45 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
46. 46 当 When the Clan Got a Cheat 当宗族开了外挂 Bagui Clan八桂门阀Historical821k WordsCompleted In 1841, the twenty-two-year-old scholar Mo Wenhua of Ning Tan Town in Lingnan accidentally binds himself to the Doubao System. The Taiping Rebellion is already brewing in the shadows, and the small Mo clan is in grave danger. Tailored to the realities of mid-to-late Qing-era Lingnan, the System provides plans for agricultural improvements, resource management, military training, and anticipating crises. With its help, Mo Wenhua begins by resolving the clan’s struggle to survive, then gradually 61Reads—Score—Shelves
47. 47 穿 The Laid-Back Life of a Marquis’s Bastard Son 穿成侯府庶子的摆烂生活 April Thirty-Three四月三三Historical600k WordsCompleted [Transmigration + historical setting + non-virgin male lead + ordinary protagonist with no golden finger] Chen Heyu, a fine young man of the modern age, transmigrates into the body of a good-for-nothing ancient playboy. He is a middle-aged widower with children, a low-ranking son born to a concubine, and not a single money-making skill to his name. He does, however, have plenty of ways to spend money and a mountain of debts from his romantic escapades. To avoid another beating from his father, 35.8kReads9.3Score3.8kShelves

    Reader note

    🥳Here it is! Here are some completed imperial examination novels that I read step by step myself! I don't know if these recommendations will suit your taste~ The first one is really one of the most ordinary transmigrator stories. He relied entirely on his own hard work and didn't become the top scholar in one fell swoop~🐾 The second one is truly a combination of ability, effort, and luck. The male protagonist also gradually matured through trials~🍂 The third one is a slow-paced story. It doesn't start with soap and perfume stuff, and the imperial examination process is described in great detail~🍁

48. 48 八 The Eight-Gui Clan 八桂世家 Bagui Clan八桂门阀Historical908k WordsOngoing In the early years of the Xianfeng Emperor's reign, the fires of war spread across Guangxi as the Mo clan beneath Mount Zijin was swept into the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement. To preserve the ancestral shrine and keep the family rites alive, clan leader Mo Wenhua maneuvers between Qing forces demanding provisions and Taiping troops recruiting soldiers. Some young men in the clan join the Taiping army in search of a way forward, while others stay behind to guard the ancestral home and protect —Reads—Score—Shelves
49. 49 烽 The Mo Clan Rises Amid the Tumult of the Late Qing 烽起清末莫氏崛起 Bagui Clan八桂门阀Historical253k WordsOngoing In the twenty-ninth year of the Daoguang reign, a severe drought struck Guangxi. The land was strewn with the dead, and the flames of rebellion were already spreading in secret at Jintian. Mo Zhenbang, a modern graduate student of Qing history, opens his eyes to find himself a scholar of the Mo clan in Beiliu County, Wuzhou Prefecture. He inherits a complete mess: “eight hundred mu of poor fields with falling yields, a thousand clansmen waiting to be fed, and a fifty-tael loan shark pounding on 6Reads—Score—Shelves
50. 50 科 The Imperial Exams: Soaring Ninety Thousand Miles 科举之扶摇直上九万里 Yi San Du一三渡Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted Li Yanqing transmigrated to the Great Qi, a fictional dynasty. He told himself, “No need to worry. I’m a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine. I can make a good life for myself anywhere.” But his father died, leaving behind a final wish: Li Yanqing should study, take the imperial exams, become an official, and make something of himself. To fulfill his father’s wish, Li Yanqing embarked on a decade of arduous study. Li Yanqing thought that since fate had brought him here, he ought to make use o 2.1kReads8.7Score145Shelves

    Reader note

    Just look at it, it's really good.

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