Why Not Read the Classics? 为什么不看名著呢？

1. 151 我 My Whole Family Is Reborn, and They Battle It Out at Home Every Day 我家全员重生者，他们天天宅斗 Singing at Dusk Among the Pines松间唱晚10k WordsCompleted Everyone in My Family Is Reborn, and They Spend Every Day Fighting for Favor at Home 40Reads—Score—Shelves
2. 152 四 The Secret Histories of the Four Great Beauties 四大美人秘史 Master of Ancient Wu Su Yan古吴素阉主人Historical103k WordsCompleted [The Four Beauties, classical historical romances, complete uncensored public-domain editions, stories of celebrated women in history, ancient tales] This complete collection contains the original, unabridged texts of The Romance of Xishi, The Romance of Wang Zhaojun, The Romance of Yang Guifei, and The Romance of Diaochan. It recounts the turbulent lives of the Four Beauties, whose beauty was said to make fish forget to swim, geese forget to fly, the moon hide, and flowers blush. Together, thes 476Reads9.2Score100Shelves
3. 153 前 A Popular History of the Former Han 前汉通俗演义 Cai Dongfan蔡东藩Historical563k WordsCompleted [Cai Dongfan's Historical Romance, The Complete Founding History of the Han Dynasty, The Qin-Han Rivalry, A Plain-Language History, Political Intrigue and War] This book is Cai Dongfan's A Popular History of the Former Han, a classic historical novel that recounts the dynasty's rise and fall from the chaos at the end of the Qin through the middle and late Western Han. Spanning one hundred chapters, it begins with Lü Buwei's extraordinary investment and Qin Shi Huang's unification of the realm, a 128Reads8.3Score—Shelves
4. 154 复 The Revenge Concerto 复仇协奏曲 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery272k WordsCompleted No formulaic power fantasies! A worldbuilding-driven, realistic mystery where evidence is just the final nail in the procedural coffin. The first book in the Dissociator series. This is a story about a killer! A killer and a detective, willing to do the dirty work. Dissociation is a symptom of detachment following trauma. It is commonly associated with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or dissociative disorders. The mind dissociates from pain; the body breaks free from the dust. The Ame 421Reads—Score101Shelves

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   No classic novel is as good as mine. Yeah, that's the truth. 😂 Bragging doesn't cost anything. 😂 American crime fiction series, just taking this opportunity to promote it.

5. 155 我 My Name Is Pan Jinlian 我叫潘金莲 Han Bin韩斌Historical228k WordsCompleted A woman condemned by the world as a whore who murdered her husband, yet hiding profound, untold pain: was she born depraved, or did she have her reasons? A deeply moving psychological confession that lays bare a widely known tragic love story… In ancient times, marriage was governed by “matchmakers' words and parents' orders.” Did Pan Jinlian have the freedom to choose whom she married? No! Did she love Wu Dalang? Of course not. But she was unable to escape the bonds of fate, and could only mudd 48.4kReads9.4Score1.4kShelves
6. 156 解 The Dissociator: The Canary Heist 解离者：金丝雀大劫案 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery119k WordsCompleted This series focuses on a heist of the century. What seemed like an ordinary day at Collingwood Global Investment Bank is shattered when a gang of armed robbers breaks in. They force the bank employees to follow their orders. In the aftermath, a chief inspector caught in a dilemma races against time, vowing to discover who stole the £3.9 billion and why. 73Reads—Score—Shelves
7. 157 中 A General History of China 中国通史 Ren Zhongyuan任中原Historical491k WordsCompleted The world-famous writer Cervantes said, “History gives birth to truth; it can withstand time and preserve old tales and past events. It is a record of ancient times, a warning for the present, and a lesson for future generations.” History is a mirror that records the successes and failures, prosperity and decline, triumphs and tragedies, transitions and renewal of human society. It also foreshadows humanity's future. 26.1kReads9.6Score4.2kShelves
8. 158 解 The Disintegrator: A World of Black and Gray 解离者：黑灰世界 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Urban138k WordsCompleted Rick accidentally plunges into the dark abyss of an international drug cartel's deals, confronting the tangled connections between drug crimes and gang forces and witnessing countless bloody battles. Through one man's eyes, the story depicts a gripping, dark struggle for power, steeped in money and murder. 60Reads—Score—Shelves
9. 159 解 Dissolver: Assassination 解离者：刺杀 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Urban159k WordsCompleted With the election approaching, the political landscape is shrouded in uncertainty. Acting on a secret assignment, Rick navigates official cover-ups, power struggles, and layers of deception. Following the faintest clues, he carefully pieces together the truth and hunts down the mysterious mastermind lurking behind it all. He quietly snuffs out a deadly crisis capable of changing the balance of power before it can take root. 121Reads—Score—Shelves
10. 160 墨 Ink-Stained Court 墨染朝堂 Shuoyan Shujue朔雁书绝Historical511k WordsCompleted Shen Mo, a poor scholar, spent ten years poring over books, only to see his dream of passing the imperial examinations shattered in a single day. His hard-earned top ranking is snatched away by the powerful with ease. Beneath the pouring rain, his youthful innocence is utterly crushed. From then on, he rises from the lowest ranks as a minor clerk, maneuvering carefully through the treacherous imperial court. He endures what ordinary people cannot and does what others dare not, crossing thorny pa —Reads—Score—Shelves

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    The Emperor's Eyes: The Emperor Wanted to Kill Shen Mo. Or rather, the Emperor Sought to Kill Shen Mo. In the autumn of the fifth year of the Yonghe reign, after the grand ceremony of all nations paying tribute, Emperor Yonghe stood at the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and called out to Shen Mo. "Regent, please wait." Shen Mo turned around and bowed: "What are your orders, Your Majesty?" Emperor Yonghe was backlit, so his expression was obscured. He was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked a seemingly casual question: "Regent, what do you think of today's ceremony?" "An unprecedented spectacle, with all corners of the world submitting. Your Majesty's boundless blessings have made such a grand occasion possible." Emperor Yonghe chuckled softly. There was a hint of self-mockery in that chuckle. "Yes, my great blessings." He said nothing more, turned, and walked back into the hall. Shen Mo stood there, watching his retreating figure disappear behind the hall's doors, his gaze slightly somber. He knew that the tension had reached its peak. Throughout the entire ceremony, not a single envoy had offered the Emperor a toast. They had all offered a toast to Shen Mo. The white-clad man standing beside the emperor. Emperor Yonghe recalled a sentence Shen Mo had said to him at the beginning of his reign: "Your Majesty only needs to grow up in peace; I will handle the affairs of the court." At that time, he was still young and only thought Shen Mo was loyal. But now he was almost twenty years old. He watched the scene of envoys from various countries vying to toast Shen Mo, and an indescribable bitterness welled up in his heart—in the eyes of the envoys, he, the emperor, was nothing more than a figurehead sitting on a throne. Up to this point, it was a classic story of a ruler whose achievements threatened his position and whose ministers became suspicious of him. But the truly terrifying thing happened that very night. Shen Mo returned to the Regent's Palace and received a secret letter from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The letter contained only a few short lines—Emperor Yonghe has recently been frequently summoning several princes of the imperial clan and generals of the Imperial Guard. Their whereabouts are mysterious, and the content of their conversations is unclear. Each time these people left the Imperial Study, their faces were very solemn. After reading the secret letter, Shen Mo's expression returned to its usual calm. "Have the Embroidered Uniform Guard keep a close eye on things, but don't alert them." Liu Ruyan responded, but her heart sank slightly. She could tell that Shen Mo wasn't surprised by this, and could even say he had expected it. The young man sitting on the dragon throne had finally lost his composure. Night fell. Shen Mo sat alone in his study, the secret letter spread out before him, the lamplight reflecting in his pupils, flickering uncertainly. It was past midnight; the capital had already fallen asleep, only a solitary lamp still lit in the Regent's study. He suddenly remembered Li Wenyuan's last two words before his death—"Take care." "Wenyuan," he said silently in his heart, "you told me to retire gracefully, but I can't. It's not that I don't want to retire, but... I can't." At this point, Shen Mo seemed to be a powerful minister roasted on the fire—the emperor wanted to move against him, and he couldn't retreat even if he wanted to. But the Embroidered Uniform Guard's secret letter had a second half. Shen Mo didn't let Liu Ruyan see it. The last line of the secret letter bore another name. A name Shen Mo never imagined would appear here. That name kept Shen Mo sitting alone until dawn, without uttering a single word. He thought the emperor was his opponent. He thought the remnants of the powerful faction were a threat. He thought he had seen through all the pieces on the chessboard. But he was wrong. There was another person on the chessboard, watching him from the shadows from the very first day he stepped into the capital. Watching him rise from humiliation to the highest position, watching him kill Zhao Bohu, fight Qian Shirong, overthrow Zhao Dechang, and become regent—always watching. Never making a move. And that person was now standing beside the emperor. Who was that name? Why did Shen Mo remain silent all night after seeing it? Why did someone who had been hiding in the shadows from the very beginning wait over twenty years to surface? —From Volume 4 of the original novel, "The Dragon Regrets," the last ten pages—The moment the chessboard was turned over, everyone realized that this game of chess had been played by more than two people from the very beginning. —Excerpt from Volume 4 of the historical intrigue novel "Ink-Stained Court," titled "The Dragon Regrets."

11. 161 解 Dissociator: Financial Bullets 解离者：金融子弹 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery167k WordsCompleted Rick takes on a covert chain of missions spanning three continents: assassinate the key figures in charge of five ports. At the same time, he uses the hedge fund behind his client to make a killing, sending his personal wealth skyrocketing. Danger follows close behind. Britain’s MI5 and Interpol trace the clues back to Rick, reopening last year’s unsolved assassination cases and quietly closing their international dragnet around him. The unlikely alliance between assassination and capital stirs 271Reads—Score—Shelves
12. 162 解 Dissolver: Incoming Missile 解离者：导弹袭来 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Urban156k WordsCompleted Rick, the hard-bitten killer from the series, returns once more. His close friend is brutally murdered, and the trail leads to a major missile trafficking case deliberately kept under wraps. To avenge his brother, Rick ventures alone into the heart of the conspiracy. As he presses forward through a perilous investigation, he finally slays his enemy with decisive force and successfully averts a missile crisis threatening the United States. 146Reads—Score—Shelves
13. 163 解 The Dissociator: The Extravagant Prisoner and the Underground Howl 解离者：奢囚与地下啸 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery160k WordsCompleted New York is split between day and night, two worlds at odds. Hired by a wealthy family to rescue their kidnapped heir, hitman Rick uncovers a sprawling conspiracy. Meanwhile, Roy, a subway veteran worn down by corporate exploitation, launches a fierce rebellion in the underground tunnels. There are no crime investigations or justice here, only struggles for profit and settling scores under a code of gray rules. The victors are free to rewrite the truth. Desire and the cruelty of class are laid b 98Reads—Score—Shelves
14. 164 青 Aspiration to the Azure Heavens 青霄志 Atop the Cold Moon, Wise Boat智舟冷月之巅Eastern Fantasy360k WordsCompleted Ancient history! Bizarre cases! Extreme battles! A slow burn that erupts into one thrilling climax after another after thirty or forty chapters! Westward from the ancient, boundless lands, lone desert winds sweep across the heavens. Rolling yellow sands, scorching heat without end. Caravans fill the old roads, all seeking silver and gold. In the ancient, haunted Bone Pass, how many have ever returned? “White Camel, we’ve traveled over a thousand li together. One more day and we’ll reach Yumen 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Suppression makes you laugh! Laughter makes you cry, and crying makes you enlightened! All things are born between heaven and earth; live here purely and simply.

15. 165 解 The Dissociator: A Black Comedy of Errors 解离者：黑色幽默大事件 Naturally Simpleminded憨的自然Mystery165k WordsCompleted No formulaic power fantasies! Worldbuilding-driven, realist mystery, where evidence is just the final nail needed to make things official. The second installment in the Dissociator series. This is a story about a killer! A killer and a detective, willing to get their hands dirty. Dissociation is a symptom of detachment following trauma. It is commonly associated with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or dissociative disorders. The mind breaks free from pain, the body escapes the dust of 107Reads—Score—Shelves
16. 166 中 Five Thousand Years of Chinese History 中华上下五千年 Wen Ruoyu文若愚Historical478k WordsCompleted Arranged chronologically, this book selects major events, influential figures, remarkable achievements, and brilliant cultural accomplishments from five thousand years of history. It strives to reach new heights in accuracy, appeal, and insight. Through a rigorous structure and innovative design, it explains Chinese history from every angle, offering fresh perspectives and multiple layers of analysis while vividly and concisely recounting the basic course of China's historical evolution and the 36.9kReads9.6Score4.5kShelves

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    Official history shows the big picture, while unofficial history reveals the details; this book is full of surprises.

17. 167 中 Ingenious Inventions of Ancient China 中国古代奇技淫巧 Yang Jun杨钧Historical194k WordsCompleted The authors of this book searched through vast collections of historical records, painstakingly gathering hundreds of long-lost secret arts and techniques passed down through the centuries. These include forging antiques, identifying treasures, alchemy, health practices, beauty techniques, fortune-telling by characters, martial arts, and spiritual cultivation. Their scope ranges from contemplating the heavens and earth and making uncanny predictions to calming the mind, curing illness, and riddi 8.9kReads9.6Score1.5kShelves
18. 168 我 I Wish Us Joy Forever 我愿常欢喜 Wang Erqiao汪二峤Marriage & Romance1.7M WordsCompleted [Women’s Growth + Romance and Marriage + Workplace + Relationships] Girls from different family backgrounds will all find their own happiness! A rose raised in a greenhouse will weather life’s storms, while a girl who grows like a weed will find her own spring. She is a rich girl from a big city, yet she falls prey to a gold-digging boyfriend, sexual harassment at work, and exclusion by her colleagues... She is a small-town academic who gets extorted by a fellow villager and drained by parents w 47.2kReads9.7Score5.9kShelves

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    The story of three girls struggling in Beijing feels so relatable; the characters seem so close to home. The author has very positive values, and I hope my son will also find in-laws with similar values ​​when he grows up! [Laughs][laughs][laughs]

19. 169 重 Reborn in the Tang Dynasty: The Corrupted Legitimate Daughter Is the Villain 重生唐朝：黑化嫡女，我是反派 Maple Dance, Ride the Azure Dragon枫之舞御苍龙Ancient Romance262k WordsCompleted Xue Wan tried to hang herself, but survived. The first thing she did after waking was hide a pair of scissors in her sleeve. Her stepmother, Madam Zhao, thought she was still the same soft touch anyone could bully, while her younger sister, Xue Ning, looked forward to watching her kneel in the ancestral hall until dawn. But they didn’t know that the body had already changed hands. Zhang Li had spent more than a decade fighting office politics in her previous life; dealing with the petty schemes 5Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Will anyone read this? She transmigrates into the body of the most miserable and bullied legitimate daughter in the Tang Dynasty, humiliated by her half-sister, exploited by her stepmother, and ignored by her own father! Forced to hang herself, Xue Wan returns, completely transformed and awakened. Seeing through the coldness of human nature, she declares, "Since I can't live an honest and law-abiding life, then I'll be the most vicious villain." Starting with the inner quarters, she meticulously schemes to seize power, accumulating strength through business; using the entire world as her chessboard, she navigates the complexities of power to ultimately control the game. Knowing that self-interest always trumps gratitude, she crushes all her enemies, transforming from a lamb to a winner who controls the entire world!

20. 170 大 Elephants and Kings: An Environmental History 大象与国王：一部环境史 Thomas Trautmann托马斯·特劳特曼Historical266k WordsCompleted Elephants are immense and majestic. Ever since kingship first emerged, they have been an irresistible symbol of royal prestige. The practice of taming elephants existed in many early civilizations, including Egypt, Assyria, Mesopotamia, China, and the Indus Valley. In these places, elephants were mainly used as royal offerings and hunted as game. But Thomas Trautmann discovered a distinctive system of elephant use on the South Asian subcontinent, one that protected their habitats and populations 3Reads8.2Score—Shelves

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    Here are a few books I randomly recommend [laughs]. I just picked them randomly [eating melon seeds][eating melon seeds][eating melon seeds]. My book recommendations are all random and illogical. The first book is recommended for those who want to understand the role of elephants in ancient times. It mainly focuses on India (although ancient Indian script is not deciphered and historical materials are severely lacking, there are many images, but later historical materials are not lacking). It also covers Central Asia and even Egypt (although it includes a map showing the changing distribution range of elephants by Zhang Laozhong). I recommend it for those who want to understand the military use of elephants (it's an introductory book). The second book is related to land ownership, land sales, land rights, and tenancy relationships, mainly focusing on land ownership in the Jiangnan region (I don't recommend it for those who want to understand North China or even Huaibei). It mainly focuses on the Qing Dynasty, and other dynasties are only mentioned casually (if you want to understand other dynasties, see volume five of this series). The third book is mainly about Tibet, focusing more on the Yuan and Ming dynasties. The fourth book is about coastal defense in Fujian and Guangdong, mainly about grassroots society and political systems. The fifth book is about commerce in Jiangnan, including export and import goods, foreign trade, and the situation of merchants from various regions in Jiangnan, mainly about the Qing dynasty (with a lot about the Ming dynasty as well). It's full of valuable information, but the downside is that the annotations weren't included when I copied this set of books... (Note: Jiangnan here refers to the eight prefectures of Jiangnan). The sixth book is mainly about the Ming dynasty, the Han people as seen by the Korean delegation, an outsider's perspective. Although I feel it overlooks one thing, namely comparing the well-governed Jiangnan with the devastated Liaodong (because the situations in Liaodong and Jiangnan are definitely not comparable), there's no way around it because it was limited by the Korean delegation's tributary route. However, the author mentioned "Piao Hai Lu" (Record of Drifting at Sea), which shows that he has tried his best to be objective. After all, this book is meant to reflect the Ming dynasty from an outsider's perspective, and it is destined not to fully reflect the Ming dynasty. However, I've noticed some self-media outlets on the internet plagiarizing this book... So some people might find it familiar (a minor complaint: I actually quite like regional history because different places are different. Nowadays, people (netizens) tend to piece together a hodgepodge from fragments instead of studying it by period and region. For example, the overall emphasis on civil affairs over military affairs in the mid-Ming Dynasty doesn't represent all regions. Northern Anhui, being located in the Yellow River flood plain, actually emphasized military affairs over civil affairs. And there's the inexplicable notion that the gentry of Jiangnan represents the gentry of the whole country, and the clan system of South China represents the whole country). The seventh book is about Joseon Dynasty (and also has some Goryeo elements), covering household registration, number plates, the unification of five families, family registers, etc. It's full of useful information and also touches on the Yuan and Ming Dynasties. You can find the household registration format of the Yuan Dynasty and the household registration certificate format of the Ming Dynasty (mainly for comparison with the genealogical household registration of Goryeo).

21. 171 大 The History of the Yuan Dynasty and the New Qing History 大元史与新清史 Shen Weirong沈卫荣Historical165k WordsCompleted This manuscript brings together a series of articles the author has written in recent years on theories concerning the history of the Mongol Yuan and Qing dynasties. It is a collection of scholarly reflections on the theory of history. 10Reads8.5Score—Shelves
22. 172 历 A Collection of History Too Gruesome to Read Closely (Complete in Two Volumes) 历史不忍细看合集（共2册） Zhao Yue赵越Historical359k WordsCompleted "History Is Too Painful to Examine Closely: A Refined Edition" This book gathers a wealth of forgotten and misunderstood historical material, separating fact from fiction and clearing away the dust to reveal history in its true colors. From power struggles and writers’ private lives to palace intrigues and tales from the streets, it cuts through layers of mystery with clear, accessible explanations. Long-standing misconceptions are corrected with lively, witty accounts, bringing the colorful yea 1.2kReads9.1Score292Shelves

    Reader note

    Geography in Chinese Historical Poetry Collection

23. 173 穿 Transmigrating to the 1970s: The One-Shot System Takes Me to New Heights 穿越七零：秒杀系统带我飞 Mu Ran9牧然9Modern Romance1.4M WordsOngoing The rating just came out, so it’ll go up later! 1970: I Have a Golden Finger and a Maxed-Out Family Ding! Your limited-time flash-sale System has been bound! Wen Jingshu, an English major in graduate school in 2024, was halfway through studying for the civil service exam when she transmigrated. When she woke up, she’d become a graduate student in trade and economics in 1970. Her father was a police bureau chief, her mother a section chief at the agricultural bureau, her eldest brother a battalio 59.5kReads8.5Score7.3kShelves

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    [Top Post] Reborn in the 1970s, graduate student Wen Jingshu returns with a system, starting as a junior purchasing clerk at the county supply and marketing cooperative. She negotiates tractor imports, runs an instant noodle factory, and works as a translator for foreign guests, rewriting her destiny with her abilities. Even more heartwarming is that three generations of her family work together, moving from the county town to the city, their lives becoming increasingly prosperous. Witness how ordinary people forge their own brilliant lives amidst the tides of the times!

24. 174 逃 After Escaping Her Adoptive Parents, Her Life Goes into Easy Mode 逃离养父母家后，她的人生开挂了 Xi Wenjin席文锦Modern Romance4.6M WordsCompleted [Period drama] + [Mutual devotion] + [Modern romance] + [Two top students] + [Everyone's darling] + [Modern romance with a cute baby] She's the adopted daughter the Su family took in, a beauty and a top student. Her adoptive parents want to keep the family fortune in their own hands, so they force her to quit school and marry their son. When she learns the truth, she runs away in the middle of the night. After escaping, she meets a business tycoon, and her extraordinary life begins. With help fr 8.5kReads8.3Score894Shelves

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    These are the best and most captivating books. I was hooked from the first chapter and immediately added them to my favorites. They're my lucky books.

25. 175 中 Common Knowledge of Ancient Chinese Culture 中国古代文化常识 Wang Li王力Historical132k WordsCompleted Step into one book and understand thousands of years! Lift the veil on ancient culture. This concise introduction to the fundamentals of ancient Chinese culture was compiled under the direction of Professor Wang Li, together with a host of experts. In the more than fifty years since its first publication, it has undergone four major revisions. Even today, it remains one of the most important and comprehensive basic reference works for anyone seeking to understand the face of ancient Chinese cult —Reads8.5Score—Shelves
26. 176 不 The Unrecorded 不足录者 Hoover Is a Brute胡佛是一莽夫Historical236k WordsCompleted This novel is also titled The Pamir Crime Boss: I Worked as a Tour Guide in the Late Qing. I am Wa Han, known as Pei Zu Lu, “Eagle,” and once the head of the Eighth Mountain Lodge of the Gelaohui. To find the hidden Shangri-La, a secret realm that could turn this chaotic age around, I agreed to guide the British scholar Yintan Si and his archaeological team, doing what people today would call working as a tour guide. My sworn brother Tu Fu grabbed me and warned, “After all these years, you sti 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Book titles and covers need to be optimized for platform algorithms. Even Mo Yan's *Frog*, the Nobel Prize-winning novel, didn't become a massive hit, did it? (The one below is just trying to ride the wave of popularity.) Alternative title: Pamir Black Boss: I Worked as a Tour Guide in the Late Qing Dynasty

27. 177 重 Reborn with a Child, I Married a Cold Military Doctor from a Prestigious Family 重生后，带娃嫁世家高冷军医 Xi Wenjin席文锦Modern Romance603k WordsCompleted [Reborn + adorable child + military marriage + true love + revenge + face-slapping] After being reborn, Su Ying’s first move is to divorce her husband. Her scumbag husband, Du Zhenyong, wants to have the best of both worlds and refuses to let her go. She takes her 38 yuan and chases after him to the military base, where she meets the aloof military doctor Gu Nanchen. With his help, Su Ying gets away from her scumbag husband. But the prestigious Gu family refuses to let Gu Nanchen marry a woman w 24kReads8.9Score1.8kShelves
28. 178 大 The Rise and Fall of the Tang Dynasty: Three Hundred Years (7-Book Set) 大唐兴亡三百年（全七册） Wang Jueren王觉仁Historical1.5M WordsCompleted More entertaining than The Book of Tang, more accessible than Zizhi Tongjian, and more reliable than Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties: an addictive, complete history of the Tang dynasty's 300 years. If you want to learn about Tang history, this is all you need! Recommended by the popular book program Luo Ji Thinking! The Tang dynasty was a great era that people have long admired, but its nearly 300 years of tangled history can be daunting. The official histories, The Book of Tang and Zizhi 5.1kReads9.6Score1kShelves

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    A recommendation from an omnivore; I hope you enjoy reading.

29. 179 老 My Husband Faked Infertility to Steal My Family’s Fortune, So I Fought Back 老公假装不孕夺我家产，我绝地反击 Xi Wenjin席文锦26k WordsCompleted My husband pretended to be infertile to steal my family’s fortune. I fought back against all odds. 1.6kReads—Score—Shelves
30. 180 异 The Otherworldly Plantation Lord: My Summons Are a Little Strange 异世界种植园领主：召唤物有点奇 My Name Is Wang Yuying我叫王玉英93k WordsOngoing [Otherworld] [Western Fantasy] [Comedy] [Weird Stuff] Wei Li'an, a homebody born and raised on Blue Star, stayed up all night playing games until he suddenly died. When he opened his eyes, he had landed in the Western-themed game world he used to play. There, he was a down-and-out, concubine-born lord with a fief in the dangerous, remote Xingluo Forest. Three years in this world! He waited a whole three years for his world and his System to activate. After spending those three years hoeing the 226Reads—Score—Shelves
31. 181 古 The Ancients Had Some Strange Ideas 古人的想法真奇怪 Bean豆子Historical144k WordsCompleted Why did the ancients believe that “the sky is round and the earth is square”? During the Shang dynasty, the Gaitian theory, which held that “the sky is round and the earth is square,” was widely accepted. By the Han dynasty, the more advanced Huntian theory had become the dominant view. After the Yuan dynasty, emperors sought to strengthen their rule by restricting ordinary people’s ability to observe and think about astronomical phenomena, keeping the authority to explain them in the hands of t 129Reads9.3Score—Shelves

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    Let's see...

32. 182 现 Dream of the Red Chamber: A Modern, Plain-Language Edition 【红楼梦】现代日常白话版 Jue, Fragrant and Full of Dreams香而多梦的觉Female-Channel Fanfiction1.2M WordsCompleted This version follows the People's Literature Publishing House edition and stays highly faithful to the original. [Nothing will be cut just because the plot is boring.] It is basically translated sentence by sentence. I’ve also written personal comments and deductions. They are impartial and make no distinction between main and supporting characters. So whether you’re a Dai fan, a Chai fan, or anything else... [If you like taking sides based on personal bias, read with caution.] [Comments and de 8kReads7.4Score648Shelves

    Reader note

    Yes, you should definitely read classic literature, at least *Dream of the Red Chamber*. If you find the semi-modern, semi-classical Chinese style of the original text too troublesome, I've found a modern Chinese version of *Dream of the Red Chamber* that highly faithfully adapts the original text. This will allow you to quickly read through the novel, understand the basic plot, and then refer to the original text much more efficiently.

33. 183 从 From Pangu to Puyi 从盘古到溥仪 Wang Weisheng王尾生Historical3.0M WordsOngoing [A Tomato-style Records of the Grand Historian + a blessing for audiobook listeners + grounded in historical sources + told with the flair of a novel] [Also known as From Pangu's Creation of the World to the Last Emperor's Abdication] A million-character epic spanning from Pangu's creation of the world to the last emperor's abdication. This isn't a mindless power fantasy: it combines historical authenticity with an engaging, nuanced touch. The book tells the whole story of Chinese history, from 615Reads8.3Score130Shelves

    Reader note

    Reading this book felt like having a long conversation with an old friend. The reader isn't in a hurry to convince you, nor does they flaunt their knowledge; they simply share their observations and thoughts in a gentle, flowing manner. You can feel a genuine desire to share between the lines, rather than a condescending lecture. This egalitarian approach makes reading easy, yet it also carries a hidden power. Many parts of the book reminded me of my own experiences; although the backgrounds are different, the core emotions are strikingly similar. It turns out that those confusions I considered insignificant weren't unique to me, but rather issues faced by many. Realizing this is comforting in itself. Furthermore, the author's language has a clean, refined quality; it doesn't pile up flowery words, yet often reveals poetry in its simplicity. This probably requires long-term writing training and observational accumulation. After finishing each chapter, I would unconsciously look up and reflect, as if I had just returned from a parallel life. This experience made me cherish the time I spent with this book.

34. 184 神EN Divine Ability Wielder 神通者 Tiancan Tudou天蚕土豆Eastern Fantasy550k WordsOngoing Among the living things of this world, some are born with strange bones. These bones can be inscribed with wondrous arts, granting their bearers immense power: conjuring fire and wind, summoning thunder and lightning, swallowing the sun and plucking stars, suppressing demons and imprisoning gods. These are Divine Ability Bones. Those born with such bones are called... Divine Ability Users. 2.6MReads9.5Score377.2kShelves
35. 185 十EN Ten Days to the End 十日终焉 Pest Control Team Member杀虫队队员Mystery3.2M WordsCompleted 2024 Tomato Novel Annual Peak Rankings TOP 1 | 2024 China Online Literature Influence List | 2024 China Good Novel Award | Over 2 million copies sold (No harem, no formulaic tropes, no invincibility, no System, no mindless antics, no wish fulfillment. Read with caution if these bother you.) Just when I thought it was an ordinary day, I discovered I had been captured and taken to the End. Just when I thought I could escape by continually taking part in death games, people began awakening supernat 1.7MReads9.9Score209.2kShelves
36. 186 我EN I'm Not a God of Theater 我不是戏神 Three Nine Sound Domain三九音域Urban4.0M WordsCompleted The brand-new masterpiece by San Jiu Yin Yu, author of Slay the Gods | Winner of the Best Science-Fiction Web Novel Award at the Macau International Science Fiction Awards | A Chinese grotesque epic that turns the tide of an era After a scarlet meteor streaked across the sky, human civilization ground to a halt. From that day onward, humanity could no longer build a rocket, a nuclear bomb, an airplane, a car... The pyramid of civilization built upon modern science collapsed with a thunderous roa 1.7MReads9.9Score183.1kShelves
37. 187 冒EN Impostor of the Langya Clan 冒姓琅琊 Eastern Zhou Young Master Nan东周公子南Historical1.6M WordsOngoing (Also known as “The Matter of Me Pretending to Be a Nobleman of the Southern Dynasties”) To transmigrate isn’t a dinner party. It’s a deadly game at every turn. The south is beautiful, yet lofty ambitions often fade away. Since ancient times, the Southern Dynasties have been weak, their heroes short-lived. No golden finger, no System, and no second chance at life. Everything starts from zero! Original owner’s memories: none! Identity: none! Supplies: none! When transmigration becomes reality, ho 494kReads9.7Score70.5kShelves
38. 188 我 I, Wu Song, Will Keep You Safe 我武松定会保你周全 Old Man of Tianchi天池老人Historical425k WordsCompleted A new story is here! You can visit Tomato Novel to read my work. I hope you enjoy it. Your support is what keeps me writing, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 127Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This is one of the Four Great Classical Novels, but its content has absolutely nothing to do with them.

39. 189 什 What Cao Family Textual Critics? I'm a Dream of the Red Chamber Conspiracy Theorist 什么曹家考据党，我是红楼索隐派 Come to the Riverside来江边啊Ancient Romance1.4M WordsOngoing (The rating may be a little low right after launch, but it’ll go up!) [Historical Rundown] + [Live Comments] + [Broadcast Across Dynasties] + [No Romance] + [Emperors and Famous Figures from Every Dynasty] + [Hidden Meanings in Dream of the Red Chamber] Ye Shuwei binds herself to a historical projection System spanning countless worlds. As long as she edits videos and broadcasts them across those worlds, she can change history! If she wants to change history, why not start with the most recent d 14.4kReads9.1Score1kShelves

    Reader note

    Since we're talking about classics, I'll only recommend this one. Don't be misled by the title "A Study of the Dream of the Red Chamber." Because it involves the Dream of the Red Chamber, it needs to explain some background information. The first few chapters are a bit redundant for those familiar with the novel, but you'll gradually get into it after reading the first few chapters.

40. 190 南 A Popular History of the Northern and Southern Dynasties 南北史通俗演义 Cai Dongfan蔡东藩Historical611k WordsCompleted [An Introduction to History, Adapted from Official Histories, Northern and Southern Dynasties Intrigue, Warlords of a Turbulent Age, A Chaptered Novel, Rigorous Historical Detail] The Popular Romance of the Northern and Southern Dynasties is part of Cai Dongfan’s classic series of popular histories, recounting in full the nearly two centuries of turmoil from Liu Yu’s overthrow of the Jin dynasty and founding of the Song to Yang Jian’s unification of north and south. Complete in one hundred chapt 16Reads8.1Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Poetry and prose are not just about romance and nature; they are also the diaries of the ancients.

41. 191 明 Why Did the Ming Dynasty Collapse So Suddenly? 明朝为何说亡就亡 Fang Zhiyuan方志远Historical81k WordsCompleted Explore the real reasons behind the Ming dynasty’s sudden collapse through ten perspectives, including factional strife, finances, refugees, and foreign enemies! Did the Ming fall under the Wanli Emperor or the Chongzhen Emperor? To the Donglin faction or the eunuch faction? ... This book covers the Wanli and Chongzhen emperors, the Donglin and eunuch factions, Li Zicheng and Nurhaci, Xiong Tingbi and Yuan Chonghuan, and more. Sort fact from fiction among the many theories and examine from all a 445Reads9.0Score104Shelves

    Reader note

    Reading history teaches wisdom; it's a very enjoyable read. There's also a fifth book, a really funny and awkward one, which can be a good way to relax when you're feeling upset or angry while reading about the Ming and Song dynasties. [Laughing][Laughing][Laughing]

42. 192 宋 Tales of the Song Dynasty: The Families and Realms of Eighteen Emperors (Box Set, 3 Books) 宋朝那些事：十八帝王的家国天下（套装3册） You Biao游彪Historical609k WordsCompleted This three-book Song History series was carefully created for general readers by renowned Song dynasty historian You Biao, a professor at the School of History at Beijing Normal University. The books, Zhao Song, Zhui Song, and Wen Song, provide a systematic, vivid, and comprehensive account of Song dynasty history and culture from three perspectives: the lives of emperors, institutions and culture, and political gains and losses. Each book includes exquisite reproductions of ancient paintings. 280Reads9.0Score—Shelves
43. 193 唐 A Popular Romance of Tang History 唐史通俗演义 Cai Dongfan蔡东藩Historical625k WordsCompleted [An introductory history, a comprehensive history of the Tang Dynasty, a chaptered historical novel, accessible true stories, heroes of the Sui and Tang] Want to learn the complete history of the Tang Dynasty without poring over dry history books? This Popular Romance of the Tang Dynasty is perfect for beginners. Written in an accessible blend of classical and vernacular Chinese, its hundred chapters connect the story of the Li Tang dynasty from beginning to end. Follow the chaos at the end of t 53Reads8.5Score—Shelves
44. 194 九 A Carefree Tale of Yunhua in Jiuzhou 九州云华逍遥记 Tian Huacai天华彩Eastern Fantasy174k WordsCompleted Ye Yi and Ling Ziyuan cultivate and wander through the mountains and rivers of Yunhua's nine provinces on the Cangyun Continent. The sect's people lend their full support to the Yunhua Dynasty, as heaven and earth together share life across the four seas of Yunhua. 309Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The Xianxia Novel Writer is Here

45. 195 沧 The Cangyun Calamity 沧云劫 Tian Huacai天华彩Eastern Fantasy154k WordsCompleted Ye Yi travels through the myriad worlds of the Cangyun Continent, battling demons and evil forces. Across the four seas lies a world of immortals and mysticism. Calamities and fate are unpredictable, and legends unfold across Cangyun Dazhou and the Immortal Realm. 226Reads—Score—Shelves
46. 196 华 The Legend of Hua Fei and Hua Xiaoyao 华飞与华逍遥传说 Tian Huacai天华彩12k WordsCompleted The Legend of Hua Fei and Hua Xiaoyao 99Reads—Score—Shelves
47. 197 云 Yunhua's Time Travel 云华时空穿梭 Tian Huacai天华彩Male-Channel Fanfiction18k WordsCompleted Yunhua's Journey Through Time and Space 59Reads—Score—Shelves
48. 198 华 Wind and Rain in Huayan 华炎风雨 Tian Huacai天华彩Male-Channel Fanfiction14k WordsCompleted Huayan Through Wind and Rain 46Reads—Score—Shelves
49. 199 云 The Strange Events of Yunjing 云京诡异事件 Tian Huacai天华彩7k WordsCompleted Strange Incidents in Yunjing 30Reads—Score—Shelves
50. 200 云 Yunhua's Memories 2 云华忆2 Tian Huacai天华彩15k WordsCompleted Memories of Yunhua 2 52Reads—Score—Shelves

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