My Five Favorite Historical Novels 我最喜欢的五本历史小说

1. 1 大 The Prince of Yongle of the Great Tang 大唐永乐王 Qiu Qingyi秋清逸Historical1.6M WordsCompleted (Slow burn: Late Sui to early Tang + Five Great Clans’ legitimate bloodlines + Three wives and four concubines) After a stroke of incredible luck, Li Jun opens his eyes once more to find himself a baby, born over a thousand years ago at the end of the Sui dynasty. He shares a name with the clan’s young leader. Follow him as he leads tens of thousands of clan members who love picking fights and are desperate for him to have lots of descendants, constantly pushing women at him, through their daily 13.6kReads7.9Score979Shelves

   Reader note

   I think the editor is happy that this book has not been blocked!

2. 2 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 8.8kReads9.5Score1.5kShelves

   Reader note

   History is not as boring as you think.

3. 3 三 The Three Kingdoms, Unromanced 三国不演义 Wang Jueren王觉仁Historical215k WordsCompleted A historically accurate Romance of the Three Kingdoms! Did Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei never swear brotherhood in the Peach Garden? Did Zhuge Liang never borrow arrows with straw boats? Open this book and discover the real Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, and others from history. This is all you need to read to learn about the Three Kingdoms. The Three Kingdoms era was a time of upheaval and change, and heroes emerged in droves. Official histories, unofficial legends, and fictionalized account 3.6kReads9.6Score516Shelves
4. 4 东 The Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms 东周列国志 Feng Menglong冯梦龙Historical677k WordsCompleted More than five hundred years of upheaval in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods unfold in this book! The Zhou royal house declined and the feudal lords rose. The Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period took turns dominating, while the Seven Warring States fought for control of the Central Plains. From the brief hegemony of Duke Zhuang of Zheng to Duke Huan of Qi uniting the feudal lords; from Wu Zixu’s quest for revenge to the battle of wits between Sun Bin and Pang Juan; from 94Reads9.1Score—Shelves
5. 5 雍 Yongzheng: The One and Only Roar Between Heaven and Earth 雍正：天地古今惟一啸 Zheng Xiaoyou郑小悠Historical404k WordsCompleted Beginning with the struggle over succession during the Kangxi reign, this book recounts the dramatic history from the Kangxi Emperor’s death in the 61st year of his reign to Nian Gengyao being ordered to commit suicide in the third year of the Yongzheng reign. The story unfolds along two threads. One follows Yongzheng’s major political measures, including establishing a council of ministers, secretly designating an heir, reforming the land tax, and putting down the rebellion of Lobzang Danjin. T 302Reads9.5Score—Shelves
6. 6 三 Three Kingdoms: The Son of Heaven? The Strongest Army Wins! 三国：天子？兵强马壮者为之！ Jun Zuimengxin君醉梦心Historical3.3M WordsOngoing [Martial warrior] [Feel-good read] [No System] [Commoner origins] [Warlord] [Overbearing] [General Who Shakes the Heavens] At the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, the imperial court was corrupt, eunuchs and imperial in-laws fought endlessly, and powerful local clans and wealthy families seized land. The rich owned fields stretching to the horizon, while the poor had nowhere to plant a foot. Commoners had no way to serve their country. Starving and desperate, they had only one choice: take up a bl 37.7kReads8.6Score2.4kShelves

   Reader note

   These four books are all my favorite historical novels, and the first and third books are both the Three Kingdoms. The protagonists are all from the bottom of the army. They are extremely cold, extremely selfish, and regard human life as nothing. The second book is about the end of the Three Kingdoms, the protagonist is Liu Chen, and he used the power of Ji Han Yizhou to realize the Northern Expedition. The fourth book is about the end of the Tang Dynasty. The protagonist is also an emperor. Later, he relied on machinations to turn over the situation, gradually mastering the military power, and the power of the court to realize the resurgence of the Tang Dynasty.

7. 7 三 The Romance of the Later Han of the Three Kingdoms 三国之季汉演义 Sending a Letter Through the Clouds, a Thousand Miles Away遥寄云书万里Historical1.7M WordsCompleted When Liu Chen, who had killed himself at the Zhaolie Temple, wakes again, his body is inhabited by the soul of a transmigrator from a later age. Looking upon the crumbling lands of the Shu Han, he thinks of the approaching Sixteen Kingdoms of the Five Barbarians. For his own sake, and so that the Han people will never suffer such a calamity again, Liu Chen decides to risk everything and turn the tide, starting at Jiange! No golden finger, a slow pace, and not a conventional power fantasy. 4.7kReads8.7Score475Shelves
8. 8 三 Three Kingdoms: Beginning with the Yellow Turban Rebellion 三国，从黄巾起义开始 Tang Jikhan唐吉可汗Historical1.8M WordsCompleted At the end of the Han dynasty, during the Three Kingdoms era, there are Five Realms of Strategists, Seven Warlords of the Turbulent Times, Ten Peerless Beauties, and Twenty-Four Legendary Generals. When young Li Xin opens his eyes, he has transmigrated to the end of the Han dynasty, becoming a Yellow Turban rebel swept up in the uprising. Only then does he discover that behind the clash of swords and horses lies a horrifying sight: bones strewn across the wilderness, not a single rooster crowing 4kReads7.8Score282Shelves
9. 9 唐 The Late Tang Emperor Defies Fate 唐末皇帝逆天改命 Poor Catcat可怜的猫catHistorical527k WordsOngoing In 893 AD, just ten years after the Tang Dynasty put down the great Huang Chao Rebellion, Li Keyong held sway over Hedong while Zhu Wen coveted the Central Plains. Warlords carved up the realm and stood against one another, and the chaotic prelude to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era had already begun. His commands reached no farther than the capital region, and he had been reduced to a puppet controlled by powerful warlords and eunuchs. The tragic final Tang emperor, Li Ye, let out a soul 321Reads8.9Score—Shelves
10. 10 我 My Grandfather Is Zhu Yuanzhang 我祖父是朱元璋 Time Thief岁月神偷Historical6.5M WordsCompleted I have the most illustrious name: Zhu Yuntong. I am the legitimate grandson of the founding emperor of Great Ming, and the legitimate son of Crown Prince Zhu Biao. My mother is the daughter of Chang Yuchun, and my maternal granduncle is Lan Yu. I am the most illustrious imperial grandson in Great Ming, and the most influential and legitimate heir to the throne. I will usher in a different Great Ming, magnificent beyond compare, its sun and moon shining bright. It will embrace all rivers and welc 277.8kReads9.4Score30.9kShelves

    Reader note

    According to the recommendation requirements, I selected five books, in order, representing my preference. Currently, these books have very high ratings. The first book travels through an era similar to the Tang Dynasty, and sees how the prince became Wu Zhao's designated heir and how he deposed the cheap dad from the throne of the emperor. The author Yue Guan, the plot description is in-depth, the characters are distinctive, but there are too many female protagonists! The second time travel is similar to the Ming Dynasty. How the county magistrate who led the whole county to beg became a dandy imperial master, characterized by creativity and fun! The third book is the story of the second grandson defeating Zhu Di and re-establishing the Ming Dynasty! The plots of the fourth and fifth books are also very good and the styles are different!

11. 11 抗 Eagle of the War of Resistance: From the Start, I Steal the Japanese Fighters 抗战雄鹰，开局就抢鬼子战斗机 Muzi Who Likes Mirrors喜欢镜子的木子Urban3.4M WordsCompleted During the War of Resistance, a group of patriotic young men from wealthy families joined the Chinese air force, taking part in one of the war’s most tragic battles. In 2023, a young pilot’s aircraft malfunctions during a combat exercise, forcing him to parachute to safety. He stumbles into that disaster-stricken era and throws himself, without hesitation, into its tragic battlefield. 7.3kReads8.8Score683Shelves

    Reader note

    The first one, I think, is the top one about time travel in the early Ming Dynasty. The Douyin shrimp animation adaptation has hundreds of millions of views and is very popular in daily life. The emotional description of the thief is absolutely outstanding; the second book is a rare Tomato book about traveling through the air force of the Republic of China, with descriptions of different battlefields in China, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, etc.; Needless to say, the third book is the best I have read in these years. One of the best books, it is not only interesting but also useful for learning historical facts. Almost all the orthodox emperors who have been in power for a long time are introduced in history. The fourth book has a compact and reasonable plot, which makes up for the regrets of the Shu Han. The fifth book is more of a refreshing style, but it is very reasonable. However, this book is best used as an audiobook. Some chapters in the original text are too sensitive and were killed. The chapters in the audiobook are more complete.

12. 12 从 Starting with Ying Zheng: Emperors of Every Dynasty Arrive One After Another 从嬴政开始：历代君王陆续降临 A Bowl of Hot Dry Noodles来碗热干面Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [Lighthearted + humorous + adventure] History buffs, enter at your own risk After Qin Shi Huang died, he was transported to a walled city. One day inside equaled one year in the outside world. Each time the city gates opened, the setting was different, bringing all kinds of fantastical adventures. On the third day, Hu Hai arrived. “Father, you have to get justice for me!” Twelve days later, Liu Bang arrived. “Brother Zheng, don't tell me you still don't know your Qin has fallen!” Wang Mang arriv 64.6kReads9.6Score7.1kShelves
13. 13 三 The Revival of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms 三国之蜀汉中兴 Crow Shadows on a Cold Pond寒塘鸦影Historical5.0M WordsCompleted After the Three Kingdoms had split into three, Lu Meng crossed the river in white disguises and launched a surprise attack on Jingzhou. What would have happened if Guan Yu had been rescued? Liu Feng, who had transmigrated into this chaotic era, still wasn't used to crouching atop a galloping warhorse as he raced through the night toward Maicheng! 9kReads8.7Score748Shelves
14. 14 亮 Bright Sword: The Iron-Blooded Expedition in the War Against Japan 亮剑：抗日之铁血远征 Brother A Niu's Blue-and-White Passion阿牛哥的蓝白情怀Urban1.6M WordsCompleted Napoleon once said: “When the lion is asleep, even flies dare to land on its face and buzz. China is a sleeping lion. Once awakened, it will shake the world.” In Chu Xiong’s eyes, the Japanese pirates were those foolhardy flies. They were the ones who woke the sleeping lion of the East! This is a story about the War of Resistance that has no System and no Li Yunlong. The resistance was the work of millions of people. There is no System or Li Yunlong here, and I hope everyone will still show this 19kReads9.1Score1.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The first one, I think, is the top one about time travel in the early Ming Dynasty. The Douyin shrimp animation adaptation has hundreds of millions of views and is very popular in daily life. The emotional description of the thief is absolutely outstanding; the second book is a rare Tomato book about traveling through the air force of the Republic of China, with descriptions of different battlefields in China, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, etc.; Needless to say, the third book is the best I have read in these years. One of the best books, it is not only interesting but also useful for learning historical facts. Almost all the orthodox emperors who have been in power for a long time are introduced in history. The fourth book has a compact and reasonable plot, which makes up for the regrets of Shu Han. The fifth book is more of a refreshing style, but it is very reasonable. However, this book is best used as an audio book. Some chapters in the original text are too sensitive and were killed. The chapters in the audio book are more complete.

15. 15 朔 Dragon’s Roar in the Northern Frontier 朔北龙吟 Coffee at 71 Degrees71度的咖啡Historical1.4M WordsOngoing Transmigrated into a frontier army scout, he found himself facing tens of thousands of Tiele cavalry from the start. A series of covert battles and mysteries unfolds around a royal secret: twenty years ago, someone tried to force the Grand Princess into marriage. The emperor enters the game himself, pitting his wits against all the powers at play. Schemes within schemes, plots within plots, each conspiracy linked to the next. See how the protagonist faces this treacherous crisis, growing from a 15.2kReads9.2Score1.7kShelves

    Reader note

    I recommend this book "Shuobei Dragon Song", which is the pinnacle of historical fictional themes. Let's see how the special time-travel instructor counterattacks life.

16. 16 守 On the Day of the Wake, My Sisters-in-Law Put Me on the Throne 守灵当天，我被众嫂嫂推上皇位 Kitchen God of the Wood Stove柴火灶王爷Historical646k WordsOngoing [Alternate Dynasty + Transmigration + War + Political Intrigue + Ensemble Cast + The Golden Finger Has Been Cut in Half] A high school boy named Tian Shu wakes up one morning in an ancient funeral hall. His widowed sisters-in-law swarm around him, showering him with care. In a feudal age of chaos, the powerful clans hold sway. The System is practically useless, and each sister-in-law has her own agenda. Born into a poor family, can he defy fate, change his destiny, command a vast empire, and mak 5kReads8.8Score236Shelves

    Reader note

    [Imaginary dynasty + time travel + war + conspiracy + group portraits + the golden finger was cut in half] Tian Shu, a male high school student, woke up and traveled through the ancient mourning hall. The widowed sisters-in-law swarmed over and showed their utmost concern. In troubled times and feudal times, noble surnames are in power. The system is in vain, and the sisters-in-law have their own agendas. Can he, who comes from a poor family, change his fate against the odds? Sitting on thousands of miles of land and leaving a name in history! Or is it impossible to escape fate and become a miserable cannon fodder for someone else's marriage?!

17. 17 我 With My Blood, I’ll Save These Mountains and Rivers 我以我血挽山河 Black-Hearted Little Beaver黑心小海狸Historical1.6M WordsCompleted [Not a Power Fantasy + Slow Burn + Multiple Storylines + No Golden Finger + Passionate Conquest of the Song] At the end of the Northern Song dynasty, Bianjing was under siege, and the realm was falling into enemy hands. After his soul traveled nine hundred years through time, Gu Yuan found himself on the snowy plains outside Bianjing, where he and a band of fleeing soldiers happened to rescue the reborn Princess Zhao Yingluo. Through careful planning at every turn, he rose to become the era’s gr 31.6kReads9.2Score3.1kShelves

    Reader note

    In my mind, this book ranks second, and no other book ranks first.

18. 18 相 Prime Minister Zhuge's Northern Expedition, Liu Shan Leads Wei Yan in a Surprise Attack on Chang'an 相父北伐，刘禅率魏延奇袭长安 Mulin Shanbao霂霖山宝Historical3.0M WordsCompleted A purple-gold crown binds his hair. He wears a red brocade robe embroidered with flowers from Xichuan, armor linked with beast-faced plates, and a beautifully crafted lion-patterned belt. In his hand is a gleaming gold, tiger-headed spiked club, and beneath him is a Fire Dragon steed. And you're telling me this is Liu Shan? Liu Shan: “For internal affairs, ask Imperial Father. For external affairs, ask the Chancellor. If there's anything else we can't decide, ask Wolong!” Zhuge Liang: “Your Maje 6kReads8.7Score463Shelves

    Reader note

    He wears a purple gold crown with hair tied on his head, a Xichuan red cotton flowered robe on his body, an animal-faced head-swallowing chain armor, an exquisite lion belt tied around his waist, a bright gold tiger-headed mace in his hand, and a fire dragon colt under his crotch. You told me this is Liu Chan? Liu Chan: If you are not sure about domestic affairs, ask your prime minister; if you are not sure about foreign affairs, ask the prime minister; if you are not sure about everything, ask Wolong! Zhuge Liang: This traitor doesn't want to care about anything!

19. 19 明 The Ming Dynasty: Those Stories, Complete Edition (2021 Expanded Edition) 明朝那些事儿·全集（2021年 增补版） The Bright Moon of Those Days当年明月Historical1.6M WordsCompleted Those Things About the Ming Dynasty mainly tells the history of the Ming dynasty over the three centuries from 1344 to 1644. Drawing on more than twenty sources and miscellanies from the Ming era, including the Veritable Records of the Ming, Comprehensive Mirror of the Ming, History of the Ming, and Comprehensive Records of the Ming, it was reviewed and recommended by Ming history expert Mao Peiqi. Take in three hundred years of Ming history and see a different Great Ming dynasty. The Ming dynas 15.6kReads9.6Score3.3kShelves
20. 20 大 A Complete History of the Great Song: From Its Founding to Yashan 大宋全史：从开国到崖山 Nanlong南陇Historical1.5M WordsCompleted This book offers a sweeping panorama of the three centuries of upheaval that shaped the Song dynasty, from Zhao Kuangyin’s founding of the dynasty after the Chenqiao Mutiny to its fall in the naval battle of Yashan. With a deft touch, the author traces the Northern Song’s prosperity and height of power, as well as the Southern Song’s retreat to a corner of the realm, and delves into the dynasty’s remarkable achievements and fatal weaknesses in politics, military strategy, economics, and culture. 32kReads9.5Score5.9kShelves
21. 21 太 The Fall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom 太平天国覆灭记 Zhao Nanfeng赵南风Historical2.7M WordsCompleted The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom uprising led by Hong Xiuquan dealt a heavy blow to the Qing government. Yet this massive peasant uprising also caused incalculable losses, with tens of millions of deaths, making life even harder for an already burdened population! This book explains the causes and course of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom uprising, as well as its eventual downfall, and offers some of my own unique insights into the movement. It also covers how, in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom’s later y 17.5kReads8.8Score575Shelves
22. 22 诡 The House of Dread 诡舍 The Sound of Wind and Rain at Night,夜来风雨声丶Mystery2.1M WordsCompleted [Infinite-flow + Mild Horror + Survival + One Female Lead] A driverless bus carried a group of cursed people to a strange black lodge… Inside the lodge stood a door stained red with blood. At regular intervals, the cursed were forcibly dragged through the blood-red door and into terrifying worlds, where they had to complete horrifying events… After Ning Qiushui survived one bizarre and terrifying story after another inside the lodge, narrowly escaping death each time, he discovered that none of 746.7kReads9.6Score126.3kShelves
23. 23 冒 Impostor of the Langya Clan 冒姓琅琊 Eastern Zhou Young Master Nan东周公子南Historical1.5M 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 499.8kReads9.7Score57.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book, the Terminator that travels through history, is unprecedented and probably will never come after. The second book, Ming Penetrating the Ceiling, is extremely rigorous. In the third book, the author often comes up with new ideas when researching history, but the plot is therefore fragmented, which leads to people who love it to death and curse it to death. Fourth and fifth, they are physically published and score very high, so I won't introduce them much.

24. 24 喜 Joy in the Tang Dynasty 喜唐 Weiwei's Wei微微的薇Historical3.6M WordsCompleted Bright and glorious is the Tang, favored by Heaven to rule the myriad lands. Our founding ancestors answered Heaven’s call, and the four imperial clans followed its ways. Heaven granted us boundless blessings, and our clans share a common virtue. Our descendants carry on the legacy, offering sacrifices to the gods and matching the Pole Star. What did it really mean for all nations to pay tribute? Was it about uncritically worshipping foreign languages, or going abroad and being treated as honore 145kReads9.4Score15.9kShelves

    Reader note

    The first book, the most awesome historical text on the Internet. The second book, the best Tang Dynasty text on Tomato. The third book, a very good Song Dynasty text.

25. 25 回 Back to the Song Dynasty to Be a Tyrant 回到宋朝当暴君 Painting Lingyan画凌烟Historical3.2M WordsCompleted In the halls of government, rotten wood holds office. Between the palace steps, beasts feast on their salaries. Men with hearts like wolves and the ways of dogs crowd the halls of power. Toadies and bootlickers fill the ranks of government, bringing the state to ruin and the people to misery! You dare demand to know whether the sword in my hand is sharp? 224kReads9.4Score26kShelves
26. 26 四 The Scandalous Tales of the Four Great Beauties 四大美人艳史演义 Su Yan Zhuren素阉主人Historical104k WordsCompleted Uncovering the untold stories of the Four Beauties [History + biographies + the Four Beauties + unofficial anecdotes] Xi Shi, whose beauty could topple a kingdom as she washed silk, was caught in the turmoil of a chaotic age. Yang Yuhuan’s glance could captivate an entire city, but her passionate love became a shackle of fate. Wang Zhaojun left the frontier with a mournful song, bringing a brief peace between the Han and the Xiongnu. Diao Chan ingeniously set a chain of schemes in motion, turnin 115Reads8.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A book worth reading over and over again. You will gain new understanding and gain every time you reread it [Blow a kiss]

27. 27 瓦 The Saga of Wagang Stronghold 瓦岗寨演义 Liang Langchuan梁朗川Historical74k WordsCompleted The Tale of Wagang Stronghold is set amid the chaos of the late Sui dynasty and vividly recounts how the heroes of Wagang rise up to resist tyranny. The story follows bold outlaws such as Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong, Shan Xiongxin, and Xu Maogong, chronicling their legendary exploits: gathering at Wagang, seizing the imperial tribute, rebelling in Shandong, and joining forces with eighteen rebel kings to fight the Sui court. The book features both bloody battles amid flashing blades and clashes of w 876Reads9.5Score—Shelves
28. 28 大 Great Ming: I Command a Million Soldiers, and You Want to Talk to Me About Ancestral Rules? 大明：朕拥兵百万，你跟我谈祖制 Mo Yunfan墨云凡Historical2.5M WordsOngoing Synopsis: Great Ming + Emperor + Political Intrigue + Age of Empires System [At its peak, this novel had 600,000 readers. Its comic-drama adaptation, The Carpenter's Empire, is now updating on multiple platforms. Read with confidence!] The Taichang Emperor is on his deathbed. The Great Ming court is in turmoil, three major cases have erupted at once, treacherous ministers are plotting to force a palace move, vassal states are turning away, the borders are in revolt, and powerful nations are clos 93.6kReads8.3Score6.5kShelves

    Reader note

    The handsome armor and the fighting between cold weapons make people's blood rush! The protagonist of this book traveled through the Ming Dynasty and became the Apocalypse Emperor. He owns the Imperial Age system. On the track of historical development, he conquered Mongolia through explosive troops and Hou Jin. He produced food through the farmland of the system, manufactured weapons and armor through the arsenal, and trained warships through the docks, opening up the great navigation era of the Ming Dynasty! The author also made a PPT by himself, which is really awesome, hahaha! The writing is good, there is a plot, there is power and logic, the characters are vivid and flesh-and-blood, and there are pictures of easter eggs at the end of each chapter, which gives a strong sense of immersion and can be followed!

29. 29 五 A History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 五代十国史 Qing Yi青易Historical449k WordsCompleted A focused analysis of the briefest and most chaotic period of division in Chinese history. The book reveals how, behind the military men’s grip on power, society struggled to rebuild its order, and how this turmoil gave rise to the civil official politics of the later Song dynasty. A profound study of social transformation and the patterns of power changing hands, it offers a distinctive perspective and rigorous reasoning. 56kReads9.6Score6.7kShelves

    Reader note

    Learn to see the world from the perspective of great men and read stories

30. 30 天 The Heavenly Eye Feng Shui Master 天眼风水师 Light of the Dao道之光Urban1.3M WordsCompleted [A feng shui novel] [Featuring feng shui, Daoist medicine, psychology, and economics; read faces and phone numbers] [Practical insights] [Explaining the esoteric with science] My master hastily taught me the art of divination and passed down a few books. Before I even had the chance to formally begin my training in the mountains, he sent me down into the world to help people... Where can I even go to complain about that? Amid the mortal world, I help others and cultivate myself. 519.8kReads9.6Score103.1kShelves
31. 31 曾 Zeng Guofan's Methods of Scholarship 曾国藩治学方法 Hu Zhefu胡哲敷Historical77k WordsCompleted This book explores three dimensions: self-cultivation, managing affairs, and reading. Its discussion of self-cultivation advocates integrating “resolve, insight, and perseverance,” building a foundation for body and mind through meditation and a regular routine. Its approach to managing affairs reveals, through practical examples such as running a household and leading an army, the unity of hands-on action and institutional innovation. Its discussion of reading emphasizes “mastering one field” a 344Reads9.0Score178Shelves
32. 32 铁 Ironblooded Late Ming 铁血残明 Ke Shanmeng柯山梦Historical2.5M WordsOngoing In the late Ming dynasty, Spain and Japan gradually restricted the outflow of silver, reversing the capital inflow that the Ming had enjoyed since the early sixteenth century. The commercial and smallholder economies that coexisted under the Ming were both hit by deflation. Combined with the effects of the Little Ice Age, one domino after another fell, plunging the realm into chaos. In the eleventh month of the sixth year of the Chongzhen reign, the roving rebels crossed the river south of Mianc 105.4kReads9.3Score10.7kShelves
33. 33 大 Great Ming: I Told You to Hang Yourself, Not Rebuild the Ming Dynasty 大明：让你上吊，没让你重建大明 Tiger of Fire vvvv火之虎vvvvHistorical3.0M WordsCompleted He opens his eyes on the eve of the Jiashen upheaval. Li Zicheng has already breached Beijing, the Manchus beyond the passes are eyeing the capital, and court officials are closing in to force the issue. Faced with a nightmare from the start, what should the Chongzhen Emperor do… This work’s style: history as its bones, art as its wings. It respects real history and does not rewrite established events, using artistic storytelling to fill the regrets history left behind. A note for readers: This 7.5kReads8.9Score605Shelves
34. 34 两 The Han Dynasty’s Tumultuous Years (3-Book Set) 两汉风云（套装共3册） Little Clerk of the Bohai Sea渤海小吏Historical622k WordsCompleted Twenty-four battles reveal the shifting fortunes of four centuries under the Western and Eastern Han! Twenty-four clashes uncover truths obscured by the mists of history, both on the battlefield and at court! Why was Liu Bang, despite his clear advantages, besieged at Mount Baideng? What was the secret weapon that allowed Han cavalry to sweep across the Xiongnu during Emperor Wu’s reign? Why did Huo Guang, personally chosen by Emperor Wu, dare to risk deposing an emperor? Why did Wang Mang, welc 1.4kReads9.5Score393Shelves
35. 35 大 The Ming Dynasty: Li Jinglong’s Unusual Life 大明，李景隆的别样人生 Time Thief岁月神偷Historical2.3M WordsCompleted I am Li Jinglong. This is my story, and the story of the Great Ming. 152.1kReads9.2Score16.2kShelves

    Reader note

    There are also some that are 9.5 Or above, but if you limit it to 5 copies, then there will be a surplus of 5 copies.

36. 36 寒 The Commoner Who Became Chief Minister 寒门首辅 Nangong Chenchen南宫沉沉Historical1.5M WordsCompleted When Gu Changliu wakes up, he has become a country scholar. He has no grand ambitions: he just wants to pass the provincial examination, become a minor official, put down roots, and spend his life in harmony with the woman he loves. But the officialdom is no easy place to get by. He had hoped to be a lazy nobody, but the political infighting leaves him no choice but to press forward with all his might. If he can't be a carefree salted fish, then he will take flight like a great roc, rising ninet 4.3kReads8.6Score245Shelves

    Reader note

    Just watch what I recommend, and you won't say a word after watching it.

37. 37 永 The Yongle Emperor: Zhu Biao 永乐大帝：朱标 Fourth Prince四王爷，Historical4.2M WordsCompleted (Decisive and ruthless! No System! Court intrigue and power struggles! Conquering the northern frontier!) A top wilderness survival expert transmigrates into the parallel world of the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, becoming his eldest son, Zhu Biao! From then on, the Yongle Emperor is no longer Zhu Di. At home, he executes Lady Lü to stabilize the inner court. Abroad, he trains iron cavalry and formations of musketeers, repeatedly sweeping through the Tatars, Jurchen, Oirats, and the Little Cher 42.2kReads9.0Score4.4kShelves
38. 38 李 Li Chengqian Takes Charge of the Tang Dynasty, Says I, Du He 李承乾当大唐话事人，我杜荷说的 I Was Once a Fresh-Faced Young Man曾经也是个青涩的少年Historical3.0M WordsCompleted [Soul Transmigration to the Tang Dynasty + Defying Fate + Lighthearted Daily Life] After transmigrating into Du He, he thinks he'll get to enjoy the life of a rich young man. Then he realizes it's the seventeenth year of the Zhenguan era, and he's approaching the day when Li Chengqian's failed rebellion will be exposed. And the news of their plot is about to get out! The result will be an execution by a cruel method! Before Du He has even been dead seven days, his beautiful princess wife is alre 18kReads8.0Score1.4kShelves
39. 39 娘 My Wife Is Actually a Female Demon Lord 娘子竟是女魔头 Toast Toast土司吐司Historical2.5M WordsCompleted After transmigrating, Wang You found himself married on the spot. Not only did he become a county magistrate, he also got to marry a beautiful bride... But on their wedding night, he was poisoned and carried away. His wife's family are a band of local tyrants, every one of them a peerless martial artist. In a tiny county yamen, there are more than ten people scheming against one another. The maid who is always smiling can take down more than a dozen burly men. His wife practices martial arts eve 41kReads9.0Score4.2kShelves
40. 40 宋 History of the Song: Annals of Emperor Taizu 宋史·太祖本纪 Tuo Tuo脱脱Historical21k WordsCompleted He may have been the best “actor” among the founding emperors in Chinese history. In 960 CE, a carefully orchestrated “forced enthronement” at Chenqiao Station propelled Zhao Kuangyin from a general of the Later Zhou into the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty. Over drinks, he stripped the founding generals of their military power; amid the shadows of an axe and candlelight, the mystery surrounding his bizarre death remains unsolved to this day. Some call him a wise ruler who ended the chaos o 163Reads8.4Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The scary thing about this kind of book is that the more you read it, the more superficial you feel.

41. 41 北 The Heavenly Khan of Northern Qi 北齐天可汗 Bing Tiaoyue冰调悦Historical1.0M WordsOngoing The story of a normal person gradually going mad. [Historical power struggles] [Northern and Southern Dynasties] [Madmen] [Coming-of-age protagonist] Also known as The Strange Tales of Northern Qi, The Prince of Lanling Is My Little Brother, and Why Is There Another Lunatic? My Great Qi Is Doomed. Absurd version: Gao Yin: Father! Uncle is so handsome. I like him so much. Can you peel off his face and give it to me? Gao Yang: The Crown Prince is right! Little brother, you wouldn't be so stingy, w 48.1kReads9.0Score6.9kShelves

    Reader note

    Very nice, grass jelly

42. 42 历 Two Thousand Years of History Through the Eyes of an Immortal 历史永生者的上下两千年 Kunlun Fish昆仑鱼Historical486k WordsCompleted After transmigrating to the final years of King Zhou of Shang, the protagonist finds that his elder brother is E Lai, ancestor of the Qin state, and his younger brother is Ji Sheng, ancestor of the Zhao state. Able to live forever, he heads straight to Mengjin to pledge his loyalty after hearing that King Wu of Zhou has ascended the throne. He slowly builds up his credentials, rising from junior officer to senior officer and then to magistrate, until he has a fief of his own... He accompanied Ki 1.8kReads8.0Score111Shelves

    Reader note

    These five books, I personally feel, are pretty good historical novels in the series!

43. 43 1 1853: Reshaping the Han People's Realm 1853，重塑汉人天下 Oxygen Gas Is Toxic氧汽有毒Historical700k WordsOngoing [Late Qing Dynasty] [Struggle for Supremacy] [Development] [No System] The third year of the Xianfeng reign, 1853 in the Western calendar. That year, Jinling fell, and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom officially took control of Tianjing. Anti-Qing forces reached their peak. That year, Sun Huai'an formed a local militia in the name of defending his home and country, training his own new army. That year, the Small Sword Society launched an uprising in Shanghai, and Sun Huai'an knew his opportunity had 35.1kReads8.1Score2.4kShelves
44. 44 晚 The Greatest Military Governor in the Late Tang Dynasty 晚唐藩镇，天下第一节度使 The Casual-Notes Daoist随笔道人Historical3.0M WordsCompleted The Tang dynasty was at the height of its glory, yet its political failings could only be reversed by a hero of the ages. As the saying goes, rise and fall are governed by fate, and after reaching its peak, prosperity must decline. After three hundred years of glory and turmoil, the magnificent Tang dynasty finally crumbled. That year, Chen Congjin arrived in this world. He would bring this chaotic era to an end. 124.3kReads8.9Score11.3kShelves

    Reader note

    A 5000-hour bookworm, I highly recommend it. You will definitely not regret reading these five books. These are the five books you will stay up all night reading.

45. 45 有 With Me on the Throne, How Can You, Zhao, Claim the Throne? 有朕在，你赵大如何黄袍加身 The Black Duke's Mask黑公爵的假面Historical1.1M WordsCompleted Modern-day Guo Yi unexpectedly transmigrates into the body of a nine-year-old boy with the same name in ancient China. It’s the chaotic era of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, in the third year of Qianyou under the Later Han. This Guo Yi is the eldest legitimate son of Chai Rong, Guo Wei’s adopted son, who is still known as Guo Rong at this point. The boy is called Guo Yige. As a history buff, Guo Yi knows what happens to the young Yige: he will be one of the members of the Guo family condem 18.5kReads7.7Score2.8kShelves
46. 46 小 The Rise of a Little Landlord 小地主崛起路 How Could One Know with Empty Sleeves两袖清风怎知Historical652k WordsOngoing The story of a transmigrator who only wants a quiet life, but is forced to change the world by the brutal, dehumanizing nature of the feudal system, and to surpass himself. (This story is entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental.) 508Reads—Score—Shelves
47. 47 从 The March to War 从军行 Rain Falling in the Dust风尘落雨Historical5.6M WordsCompleted “Where is the Imperial Guard? Who dares ride with me across the battlefields of the northern desert and trample the Yanrong King’s tent beneath our horses?” A general in a red cloak sat astride his horse, saber in hand. “We will go!” the battle-hardened soldiers before him answered in unison. A boy from a small mountain village joined the army only to spare his family some taxes. All he wanted was to save enough money to marry his childhood sweetheart. As his military achievements mounted, he ro 24.9kReads9.2Score2.6kShelves
48. 48 穿 Transmigrating to the Warring States: Two Rice Balls in the Second Year of Eiroku 穿越战国：永禄二年的两个饭团 Deep Dive Premonition深潜预知Historical1.2M WordsOngoing Sengoku Japan, in the second year of Eiroku. Two rice balls save a life. No System, no golden finger. Only increasingly hazy knowledge of the future, a bold yet cautious way of handling affairs, and a man from a later age who rises from humble beginnings. Starting with nothing, he survives the chaos, stands tall, and fights his way to prominence, eventually vying for supremacy in the Sengoku era. He studies medicine and builds castles, trains in swordsmanship and spearmanship, and learns the p 2.4kReads—Score326Shelves

    Reader note

    Is the Warring States period possible in Japan? It started at the end of the twilight period, with conquests in troubled times, farming and construction, shipbuilding and cannon building, and fighting for hegemony. The protagonist fights the Jurchens in the middle period, establishes the Liaodong Army, builds treasure ships, fights the Netherlands and Portugal in Southeast Asia, takes over India, discovers Australia, seizes the Middle East, enters the Americas, and fights against the Western powers.

49. 49 争 The Struggle for Han 争汉 Yu Qiuyun S于秋陨SHistorical635k WordsOngoing In the chaotic final years of the Han dynasty, there are only three men I, Zhang Yi, admire. When it comes to maneuvering, I'm second only to Liu Xuande. When it comes to shamelessness, I'm far behind Sun Shiwanzhi. When it comes to lechery, Cao Mengde's skill at kicking in widows' doors leaves me in the dust. But when it comes to staying alive by lying low, the three of them together don't come close to me! The Han has lost its deer, and all under Heaven are chasing after it! 6Reads5.2Score—Shelves
50. 50 乱 A Chaotic Sui-Tang Era 乱隋唐 Not Yet Fulfilled未济Historical1.4M WordsCompleted After transmigrating to the Sui and Tang era, Qin Meng rose from an ordinary foot soldier to a general whose name struck fear across the northern frontier, thanks to the support of his adoptive father, the Prince of Backer Mountain. He went on to serve at court, becoming a minister concerned with the distant troubles of the jianghu. Through Qin Meng’s exploits on the battlefield and his skill at governing, we witness the story of the Sui, brilliant as a shooting star, and the Tang, prosperous at 1.1kReads8.6Score100Shelves

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