Seeking Historical War Stories With No System, Preferably Where the Protagonist Starts From the Bottom 要历史战争文，不要系统，最好🐷脚从最弱小发育

201 烽 Beacon Fire: The Rise and Fall of the Nine Tripods 烽火：九鼎沉浮录 Tree-Gum Cola Flavor树胶可乐味Historical124k WordsOngoing In the winter of the first year of the Xin era, the jade steps of the Cheng Dynasty's Taiji Hall were soaked in the blood of the imperial clan. Emperor Chengyuan Yuan Zhang, who murdered his brother and seized the throne, led two hundred thousand troops north to invade the Xianbei, only to find his army shattered and its armor strewn along the White Wolf River; The old Southern Yuan faction, lying low in Jiangdong, wove a vast web of legitimacy and conspiracy amid the misty rains of Taihu Lake; —Reads—Score—Shelves

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The protagonist is an indigenous person who truly rises from weakness to the pinnacle of life. There's no system involved. You might want to give it a try.

202 民 The Republic and the Qing: Thirty Years in the Brotherhood Underworld 民清：袍哥江湖三十载 Deer Beneath the Banana Tree蕉下焦鹿Historical109k WordsOngoing The Book of Songs says: “How could I say I have no clothes? I’ll share my robe with you.” It speaks of loving one another and sharing a robe with one’s brothers in arms. From this grew a term, or perhaps an organization: the Paoge Society, a sworn brotherhood active during the Qing and Republican eras. The Paoge stand for loyalty, brotherhood, the world of martial heroes, and revolution. Revolution against corrupt politics, a declining society, failing education, and crooked thinking... They cal 27Reads—Score—Shelves

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Three thousand years of martial arts world, a place where all sorts of people mingle, and an unprecedented upheaval awaits. With heroic spirit, we forge brothers from all corners of the land, and with sword and spear, we conquer a beautiful land!

203 雪 Intrepid Blade’s Path in the Snow 雪中悍刀行 The Warlord Who Played with Princes烽火戏诸侯Eastern Fantasy4.5M WordsCompleted The jianghu is a beaded curtain. Great and small figures are its beads; great and small stories, the strings that bind them. And loyalty and affection are the spirit that gives those beads their luster. The story is drawing to a close. The final chapter will end with those words: “Waiter, bring us some wine.” 11.5kReads9.7Score603Shelves

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The first book, "The Pinnacle of Novels Below Masterpieces," needs no further explanation of its prestige. The author's writing speed is explosive, but the quality is truly high. "Snow in the Middle" is a completed work, so you can read it with confidence. The second book boasts a 9.4 Rating and 564,000 readers. It's a rebirth story set in the Ming Dynasty—the numbers are phenomenal! It's sophisticated and strategic, not just mindless entertainment. The third book, while not as popular as the first two, features the author "Tianxiang Tong," a name that was once renowned across the internet. The writing style and prose are guaranteed to be excellent! The fourth book is by a relatively new author, but the book itself is safe and reliable. The author updates 6000+ words daily at a stable pace, and it promises to become even more exciting! The fifth book is by Huang Yi, the progenitor of time-travel novels. With Huang Yi's work, who can compete? The sixth book features a novel theme and bold techniques. If you like this kind of story, hurry up and read it—it might be gone in a minute!

204 穿 Transmigrated to the End of the Yuan Dynasty, I Forge an Imperial Edict to Pacify Henan 穿越元末，我矫诏镇河南 Fragrant in the Peach Blossom Spring桃花源里香Historical109k WordsCompleted Transmigrated into the fifth year of the Zhiyuan era under the Yuan dynasty, Fan Mengduan is a low-ranking clerk in Bianliang. Above him, Mongol officials bully and exploit the people. Below him, the common folk are crushed by harsh taxes. They can endure no more, and neither can he. Though only a humble functionary, he forges a secret edict sealed in a wax pill, impersonates an imperial envoy, and wipes out the top power brokers of Henan Province in a single night. He seals off the Yellow River 11Reads—Score—Shelves

Reader note

As the mists of history are gradually lifted, a lowly official transforms into a highly sought-after talent. The Yuan Dynasty's grand vision grows ever larger. If you were in this situation, what would you do? Would you usher in a golden age for the Yuan Dynasty? Or would you directly create an ideal world? Or would you fail and fade into the dust of history? Success in history is never accidental; there is always a specific inevitability behind it!

210 东 Eastern Jin: Heir to the Gongsun Line, Seizing Murong’s Liaodong 东晋：公孙遗脉，截胡慕容辽东 Handing Things Out at Meetings开会发东西Historical683k WordsOngoing In 370 AD, Wang Meng led the Great Qin iron cavalry to destroy Former Yan, leaving Liaodong ripe for the taking. After transmigrating as a descendant of Gongsun Du, he finds that his ancestors’ legacy has been occupied by the Sima and Murong clans for a century. Armed with knowledge from a later age, he secretly builds up his strength and seizes Wang Meng’s victory at the height of the Qin-Yan war! Murong Chui is left fuming, Wang Meng regrets his loss, and Liaodong, wrested away so long ago, re 4.2kReads—Score269Shelves

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This one perfectly meets the requirements.

211 平 The Gunfire of Pingxi 平西枪声在 May the Elderly Find Peace老者安之Urban509k WordsCompleted [No System]+ [Not a mindless wish-fulfillment story]+ [Slow pace]+ [No System] I open my eyes and find myself a translator. I seize the chance to clear my name right away. Hell, who’d want to be a translator and get shot? I start out as a guerrilla leader and take part in the War of Resistance Against Japan, the War of Liberation, the War to Resist America, and the self-defense counterattack. 379Reads6.3Score—Shelves

Reader note

How about starting with guerrilla warfare?

213 武 The Martial Arts Empire 武林帝国 Xiao Qi Jiao骁骑校Historical1.2M WordsCompleted At the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Zhou, in a remote town on the northwestern frontier, Yuan Feng was a small, thin orphan with dark skin. Taken in by the owner of a horse-meat shop, he lived a lonely, uneventful life, constantly bullied. Everything changed the moment he used his superb knife skills to kill the leader of a band of horse thieves... Ancient roads and frontier towns, clashing spears and armored horses, blood-red sands. The sculpted head on an ancient silver coi 3.4kReads9.0Score507Shelves

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A book you can't wait to read in one sitting.

214 元 Legend of the Primordial Spirit Heroes 元灵英雄传 Cute and Handsome小萌帅Eastern Fantasy1.0M WordsCompleted Once upon a time, the realms of Heaven and Earth were connected. The gods of the heavenly domains protected humanity, while mighty human martial cultivators roamed the world. The alliance between gods and humans held the foreign races of the earthly realm and the demons of Heaven’s domains at bay, temporarily halting their expansion. But then the Gate between Heaven and Earth suddenly closed. The gods fell or vanished, and humanity’s great powers dwindled and withdrew from the world, leaving man 498Reads—Score—Shelves

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Fantasy history military intrigue is back to the real world of war.

216 扶 Raising the Song Dynasty to Greatness 扶摇大宋 Plain White of Cizhou刺州的素白Historical188k WordsOngoing After a final farewell on a rainy night, Cai Tiao leaped from the twenty-seventh floor. When he opened his eyes again, he had become Cai Tiao, the fifth young master of the Cai family in Bianjing, during the third year of Yuanfu in the Great Song. A soul from the modern age, reborn by the will of Heaven. He began his studies at three under the eminent Daoist Xu Zhichang, outshone the literary world with his poetry and calligraphy at five, and was hailed by the entire Daoist community as the "hei 32Reads—Score—Shelves

Reader note

A good historical article, worth reading.

217 不 I Stop Li Yuan from Becoming Emperor and Snatch the Tang Dynasty for Myself 不让李渊称帝，我截胡李唐江山 Apple Banana Chocolate苹果香蕉巧克力Historical1.1M WordsCompleted [Special Forces King Transmigrates + Power Struggles at the End of the Sui Dynasty + Steals the Tang Dynasty from Li Yuan + Rewrites History + Political Scheming and Hegemonic Ambitions + Warlord Rule in a Chaotic Age + Strategy and Tactics + Unifies the Nine Provinces + Crushes All Rivals + No System + Full of Passion] A special forces king transmigrates into the end of the Sui dynasty: Han Zheng arrives in the midst of chaos! The Sui dynasty's fate is sealed. Its lands are shattered, and warlo 8.4kReads6.8Score828Shelves

Reader note

It perfectly meets your requirements. It's about the struggle for power at the end of the Sui Dynasty, with heroes vying for supremacy. There's no system involved; the characters gradually grow stronger. It's the best historical novel I've read recently!

218 汉 Tales from the Han Dynasty 汉朝时期那些事 Qianzhong Swordsman黔中刀客Historical1.1M WordsCompleted At the end of the Qin dynasty, the realm fell into chaos and heroes rose up everywhere. Chen Sheng, Xiang Liang, Xiang Yu, Zhang Han, Liu Bang, and countless other heroes burst onto the stage. The book’s battle scenes are grand and sweeping, one after another, each packed with explosive action and never a dull moment. Its heroes are vividly portrayed, and their clashes are thrilling and spectacular. The story twists and turns, with memorable episodes, while the writing is witty and humorous, bri 556Reads8.2Score—Shelves

Reader note

This is a very engaging historical war novel set at the end of the Qin Dynasty and the beginning of the Han Dynasty. The novel depicts a time of great chaos, with numerous heroes rising to power and constant warfare. Countless heroes, including Chen Sheng, Zhang Han, Xiang Yu, Liu Bang, Long Ju, and Fan Kuai, emerge and make their mark. The book features magnificent and epic battle scenes, one after another, each more thrilling than the last, with no dull moments. The heroes are vividly portrayed, their duels are exciting and thrilling, the story is full of twists and turns, and the writing is witty and humorous, connecting the past and present, and offering insightful commentary. It's a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable read, allowing readers to quickly absorb various knowledge points. A truly worthwhile read.

219 历 Historical War of Nations: The Yellow Turban Rebellion from the Start 历史国战：开局黄巾起义 Lazy Fish Never Turns Over咸鱼丶不翻身Urban1.8M WordsOngoing (History + nation-versus-nation war + famous generals + livestreaming + national destiny + political scheming + passion) The historical nation-versus-nation war begins. Having lost its historical records, Huaxia forfeited the initiative and spent twenty years mired on the battlefield, losing all its accumulated strength. Li Chen, who transmigrated here, is inexplicably chosen as the sixteenth contestant. Bearing the name of Huaxia, he enters the battlefield to fight for a glimmer of hope. Lookin 68.6kReads9.0Score5.5kShelves

Reader note

I personally think it's good.

220 明 Getting By in the Late Ming 明末混日子 Swatting Mosquitoes in My Sleep睡觉打蚊子Historical1.2M WordsOngoing A little nobody arrived in a brand-new world. What path would he take here...? Perhaps he would change this place. Perhaps he would remain nothing more than a speck of dust, arriving quietly and leaving just as quietly. Perhaps he would try his hardest and still fail. Whatever happened, life would go on, and tomorrow would still come. He just wouldn't be that young man anymore. 290Reads5.3Score—Shelves

Reader note

Class has started, it seems.

221 乱 Conquering the World in Turbulent Times 乱世之征伐天下 From Within a Book来自书中Historical1.3M WordsOngoing He spent his life waging wars. The world only ever called him a warmonger, bloodthirsty and fond of slaughter. How could they know what he truly thought? Fighting war with war may not be the best strategy, but it is the fastest way... 109Reads—Score—Shelves

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That's pretty much what I'd like to see. [Please follow me][Please follow me][Please follow me]

224 唐 Tang Scenery 唐景 Xi Hengxi熙恒熹Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Zhang Wen, a modern-day office worker, transmigrates to the eighth year of Wude in the Tang dynasty. Only three short months remain before the Battle of Taigu, where an army of one hundred thousand Tang soldiers will be wiped out! Without a System or a golden finger, he relies on the forward-thinking mindset of a modern man to defy fate and save tens of thousands of Tang soldiers. Once he enters the imperial court, Zhang Wen uses cunning methods and endless schemes to leave the century-old ar 4.2kReads7.2Score530Shelves

Reader note

A lighthearted and humorous time-travel story set in the Tang Dynasty without any system!

225 欲 Ascend to the Ninth Heaven 欲上云霄九重天 Reading Ink, Listening to the Wind读墨听风Historical2.5M WordsOngoing A coral pendant engraved with a fire phoenix emblem draws Qi Ming, a destitute youth who lives on credit at a teahouse in Tianque City, into a shocking secret plot sweeping across four kingdoms. The moment the iron hooves of the Longxiang Army smash through the door, he still has no idea that the token his parents left him is the “key” that can overturn the world. The grand machinations governing the realm have barged into his life without warning. From a tide of Gu poison in a dungeon to a pack 571Reads—Score—Shelves

Reader note

"Ascending to the Nine Heavens"—An epic tale of emperors, interwoven with power struggles and tender emotions. "A boy who left home at sixteen becomes an emperor in the nine heavens." When Qi Ming was sixteen, his parents fled Tianque City, leaving him behind and separating him from his loved ones for eight years. He walked alone in the snow, struggled in power struggles, and was tempered in the crucible of war—from a street urchin to a general, from an exile to the founding monarch, he treads through thorns, climbing step by step to the pinnacle of power. "Xiao Lin said: 'I will conquer this world with my own hands.'" "Qi Ming replied: 'I want the people to accept this world with smiles.'" Two drastically different paths to emperorship: One ruthless and decisive, forging a dynasty with iron and blood; the other gentle and yielding, paving the way to success with the hearts of the people. When these two heroes confront each other, beneath the nine heavens, will it be the tears of the common people or the light of a prosperous era? "To ascend to the highest heavens, the common people say it is difficult, more difficult than ever." "Climbing the steps slowly, what fear is there of the long and arduous journey?" — A top-tier historical romance novel by Tomato, spanning over ten years, this story is a thrilling tale of a young man's growth into a wise ruler, filled with intense war, dynastic creation, and high-IQ political intrigue, with no dull moments. "This is not just one person's rise to power, but the rebirth of an era."

228 乱 The Northern Wastelands in a Chaotic Age 乱世北荒 Holding Hands to Say Thanks执手以谢Historical114k WordsOngoing An alternate-history power fantasy with a slow build, this novel focuses on romance, beauty, warfare, and bloodshed... One nation falls, and ten thousand nations rise. After the ancient empire that unified the Northern Wasteland continent collapsed a thousand years ago, a thousand years of chaos began, as princes, nobles, heroes, warlords, and feudal lords all vied for supremacy. War and slaughter became the continent's eternal refrain, leaving the land devastated and its people in misery. Yet e 29Reads—Score—Shelves

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No system, no technology, the protagonist leads an army to conquer the world. This book has both romance and war, giving you a unique experience.

229 我 I Hold Power in Eastern Wu 我在东吴当权臣 I'm the Laziest in Wu'an武安我最懒Historical220k WordsCompleted My soul transmigrated to the end of the Han dynasty, where I became a lowly soldier in the Jiangdong camp, likely to end up in a mass grave at any moment. In my previous life, I read history and laughed at “Sun of Ten Thousand,” mocked as he was chased by eight hundred of Zhang Liao’s men. I thought him incompetent. In this life, with a cold blade pressed against my neck, I finally understood: in these chaotic times, human lives are as worthless as grass. Since I’ve come here, I can’t let his 51Reads—Score—Shelves

Reader note

Then this one meets the requirements.

230 第 The Number One Son-in-Law: I Really Don't Want to Rebel! 第一赘婿，我真不想造反啊！ Tangyuan2023丸子2023Historical4.5M WordsCompleted Historical fiction, a touch of ensemble cast, not mindless wish fulfillment, everyday interactions with the heroines, and family life. Also known as: My Wife Is a Grandmaster. Who Wouldn't Lie Flat? No one helps me reach for the clouds, so I tread through snow to the mountaintop alone. If fortune was never meant for me, I'll climb Kunlun by myself! The strategist risks everything by entering the game, all to bring Dongling back into the light! One vow: “I hunger to feast on the flesh of the nort 18.7kReads7.8Score1.7kShelves

Reader note

No exaggeration, the plot unfolds reasonably, and highly recommended by the renowned author @2023 🍁 I'd like to recommend these two books. The only downsides are 🌈the beginning is slow-paced, but there are many foreshadowing elements 🌈. After a million words, looking back, you realize everything the author has planted is a setup, and it's surprisingly addictive. 🍁① The protagonist, Ling Bufan, unexpectedly travels back to the Great Qian Dynasty 🍓which seems unrelated at first glance, 🌈but is actually a preordained arrangement. High intelligence, multiple female leads, 🍀business battles and court intrigue—rich in elements, highly recommended!

231 春 When Spring Comes to Jiangnan, the Flowers Bloom 春到江南花自开 A Lean Tiger Still Has Its Roar虎瘦雄风在Historical1.1M WordsOngoing The Song dynasty was the only dynasty in feudal China without a curfew, and a turning point in Chinese history. It left behind far too many regrets. This novel is set in the late Southern Song. The protagonist, Zhao Xuan, is a low-ranking soldier at Diaoyu Fortress. After being gravely wounded in the bombardment that killed Mongke Khan, he is sent back to Lin'an by Wang Jian for treatment, and the story begins. The first half of the novel follows the History of Song closely. Zhao Xuan rises and 177Reads8.1Score—Shelves

Reader note

Go read "Spring Comes to Jiangnan and Flowers Bloom Naturally." The protagonist travels back to the late Southern Song Dynasty, starting as a lowly soldier and rising to become the deputy general of Diaoyu City. Severely wounded, he returns to Lin'an to recuperate. Considered mentally challenged by Wen Tianxiang, he assists Jia Sidao in defending the city, engages in fierce battles with Kublai Khan, and establishes new-style schools. Later, the protagonist is demoted from the capital. After the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty, he rescues Wen Tianxiang, and the wheels of history begin to slowly change direction.

234 大 The Song Dynasty Textile Worker 大宋纺织工 Revised Version修正版Historical1.6M WordsOngoing This story takes place in an era very much like the historical Northern Song dynasty. Its physical world is also very similar to Earth as readers know it, composed of the elements on the periodic table. There is no spiritual energy and no ghosts. The only invisible thing is electricity. The protagonist’s golden finger is the ability to gain knowledge, though he needs some kind of medium to obtain it. This is a story with multiple female characters. It explores feelings, but not romance. There is 730Reads—Score—Shelves

Reader note

Set against the backdrop of the Jingkang Incident, the story begins with a young monk at the Daxiangguo Temple. It lacks a systematic approach, and the "golden finger" (gaining advantage) lies in technical knowledge.

235 日 Japan's Warring States: The Ambitions of the Man Who Would Rule the World 日本战国：天下人的野望 Lan Bingche岚冰澈Historical278k WordsOngoing Reborn after death, he transmigrated to Japan’s Sengoku era, right at the time of the Incident at Honnoji. The Sixth Heaven’s Demon King, Oda Nobunaga, was destined to die. Japan, on the verge of unification, would once again fall into a patchwork of warring powers. As the saying goes, heroes are made by their times, and heroes also emerge from their times. Now, the times belong to me. The ambition to rewrite the history of Sengoku Japan and rise to the pinnacle of power as the ruler of the real 165Reads—Score102Shelves

Reader note

A historical political intrigue story, unsystematic but not mindless. It focuses on political struggles and military strategy, emphasizing decisive action; those with an overly compassionate or naive heart should avoid it.

236 明 An Unconventional Scholar at the End of the Ming 明末另类书生 Three Rivers Return Home三水归途Historical465k WordsOngoing [No System] [Inventions and improvements inspired by the technology of the era] “Gibberish! What country’s language is that? I can’t understand you. Next.” “Oh, you want to trade with the Ming? No problem. You’ll need to improve your Chinese, or you won’t pass inspection.” That’s what it’s like at the overseas tributary affairs office. Lu Yu, a modern man, transmigrates to the late Wanli era of the Ming. He makes money, takes the imperial examinations, invents and improves things, and starts fro 1Reads—Score—Shelves

Reader note

No system, the protagonist rejects the emperor route, clears internal strife and eliminates external threats, creating a new world.

237 穿 Transmigrate to the Three Kingdoms: I Am Liu Qi 穿越三国：吾乃刘琦 Jiu Shu Ci久舒辞Historical164k WordsCompleted [No System] [Political Intrigue and Scheming] [Building an Elite Cavalry and Infantry] [Cold Weapon Duels] [A Rich Sense of Three Kingdoms History] [Massive Infantry and Cavalry Battles] [Marrying Beauties, but Not as a Womanizer] [Dedicated Civil Officials and Loyal Generals] [A Kinsman of the Han Imperial House, Rebuilding the Han Dynasty Three Times] A modern special forces soldier and PhD in Three Kingdoms history transmigrates as Liu Qi, eldest son of Liu Biao, governor of Jingzhou. Inside, 274Reads—Score—Shelves

Reader note

A fast-paced Three Kingdoms novel, without systems or god-like figures, featuring cold weapon battles between generals, large-scale naval warfare, land cavalry charges, one-on-one duels between generals, political intrigue, human manipulation, intertwined interests, and marriage alliances between powerful families—everything you want to read is here…

238 明 Late Ming: Becoming Emperor Was Never My Wish 明末：称帝非我愿 A Weary Bird Returns to Its Old Woods倦鸟落旧林Historical1.8M WordsCompleted [No System + No Cheat Abilities + Ming Dynasty + Rebellion] Wang San, worn down by society and working grueling 24/7 shifts, becomes another Wang San, a villager in Baishui County, Shaanxi, near the end of the Ming dynasty. A terrible famine strikes, and people resort to eating one another. Wang San is frail and sickly, on the verge of becoming someone else’s meal, when his brother Wang Er comes charging back and saves him. As Wang San leaves with Wang Er, he discovers that his brother is well-c 5.8kReads8.7Score329Shelves

Reader note

This book is definitely the biggest cheat code; the transmigrator's mindset is the key to his success.

239 明 The Fake County Magistrate on the Late Ming Frontier 明末边关假县令 Zi Wu紫乌Historical466k WordsCompleted Han An, a history PhD student, transmigrates to the late Ming dynasty and impersonates a county magistrate in a border region to stay alive. In the second year of the Chongzhen era, the people teeter on the brink of death, traitors and bandits run rampant, the corrupt court is powerless, and the Manchus in Liaodong watch like hungry tigers. Hong Chengchou, Huang Taiji, Li Zicheng, Zhang Xianzhong, and other figures are about to take the historical stage. If history is allowed to race along its o 1.7kReads8.3Score146Shelves

Reader note

Who understands this?! This new book is absolutely amazing. The protagonist transmigrates into a young pageboy and is kidnapped by a female bandit. To save his life, he tricks the bandit leader into pretending to be the county magistrate's wife. Just as they agree on the profit sharing, the soldiers come knocking on their door.

240 水 Water Margin: From the Start, I Take Out Shi Wengong 水浒之开局干掉史文恭 This Nickname Has Been Used Ten Thousand Times该昵称已被使用一万次Historical926k WordsCompleted After transmigrating, he takes Shi Wengong out immediately. Right under Song Jiang's nose, he sets up his own little faction. Song Jiang says, “I want to accept the imperial amnesty!” Amnesty, amnesty, what kind of damn amnesty is that? After finally getting the chance to transmigrate, he's going to see this rebellion through to the end! 99Reads—Score—Shelves

Reader note

Water Margin novels, starting from a small leader

241 红 Secret Records Behind the Red Walls: A Complete History of China's Unofficial Past, Unabridged 红墙秘录：中国野史大全（无删节完整版） Xu Xiaotian许啸天Historical2.7M WordsCompleted This complete collection is like a secret key unlocking the hidden chambers of China's imperial past, guiding readers into shadowy corners that official histories leave shrouded in secrecy. From the ancient legends of Unofficial History of the Xia and Shang to the imperial passions and court intrigues of The History of the Imperial Harem in the Song Dynasty, The History of the Imperial Harem in the Ming Dynasty, and Unofficial History of the Yuan Dynasty; from the extravagant excesses of The Ero 1.6kReads9.3Score256Shelves

Reader note

Grand historical text

242 帝 The Emperor: A Young Man's Journey Through the Land 帝：山河少年行 A Light Garment一袭轻衣Eastern Fantasy4.8M WordsCompleted By a twist of fate, Qin Ziyu obtained the Mo Bing Token and forged a bond with the Ancestral Dragon. Every step forward brought him into contact with secrets of an even higher order. Trapped in layer upon layer of intricate schemes, he presses on through an endless climb and game of wits, driving himself ever forward. 5Reads—Score—Shelves

Reader note

A torrential downpour forced a large group of bandits to flee north through the mud. The patrol troops had gradually moved into Woniu Mountain, launching a pursuit and interception, and the bandits dared not stop for a moment. A large cart laden with grain and gold and silver became stuck in a mud pit, blocking the advance of the group. "What's going on up ahead!" "Why is it stopped?" The bandit leader, wearing a straw hat, spurred his horse forward, his hooves splashing mud everywhere. "Second Master, the cart is stuck in the mud!" The bandit driving the cart struggled to whip the packhorses. The packhorses neighed, but the cart wheels remained stuck in the mud. The bandit leader, seeing the wheels deeply embedded in the mud, reined in his horse. "You all go and push the cart!" "Hurry!" The bandit leader called to the bandits who were still moving to help push the cart. The bandits put down their bundles and waded through the mud to help push the cart. "Push!"