Historical Fiction! The Characters Must Have Brains!! 历史类！一定要带脑子！！

1. 351 开 The Golden Age of Kaiyuan! What’s That Got to Do With a Poor Soldier Like Me? 开元盛世！关我穷鬼府兵啥事？ Let Go of the Promise放下了诺言Rural Life346k WordsOngoing Lin Feng accidentally transmigrated to the nineteenth year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty. The golden age was dawning, yet he felt no joy at all. Thirty li northeast of Yunzhou City, beneath Mount Baideng, beside the Sanggan River, in Zhuyuan Village, Yongding Township. As a conscript about to be cast aside, Lin Feng was consumed by worry. As the family's main breadwinner, he had no choice but to work hard in the fields. His family of five had only a little over ten mu of meager farmland 3.4kReads—Score204Shelves
2. 352 重 Reborn in Shu Han, I Become Chancellor Zhuge's Secretary 重生蜀汉，给诸葛丞相当秘书 Little Clerk of Jiange剑阁小吏Historical430k WordsCompleted An ordinary science student at a university transmigrates and is reborn in the Three Kingdoms era. He rises from a lowly grain clerk to become Chancellor Zhuge's right-hand man, “masterful in planning and meticulous in counsel, consulted on Yong and Liang.” He wages financial and technological wars, tackles floods, and builds waterworks. See how the protagonist puts modern technology to use, assisting Chancellor Zhuge in governing Shu Han and leading the northern campaigns, so that “Yong and Lia 257Reads7.4Score—Shelves

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   Fans of Zhuge Liang, give this a try! The protagonist travels back to the Three Kingdoms period, and his biggest advantage isn't a system, but rather knowing the course of history. However, he doesn't directly change everything; instead, he uses modern thinking to assist Zhuge Liang, gradually altering the fate of Shu Han, from the economic development of Chengdu to the governance of Nanzhong, and then to the Northern Expeditions in Longyou. This feeling is incredibly satisfying!

3. 353 被 Falsely Accused and Split from the Family! My Life of Fine Food Makes the Old Homestead Green with Envy 被冤分家！鱼肉生活馋哭老宅 Let Go of the Promise放下了诺言Rural Life363k WordsCompleted Lin Feng woke up to find the sky had fallen. He had transmigrated to ancient Great Liang, where his family of four was being driven out over a pitiful accusation: his cousin from his uncle’s household claimed he had stolen and eaten an egg. The egg belonged to his grandfather, the family patriarch. Enraged, the old man wanted to send thirteen-year-old Lin Feng away for forced labor. His usually meek father, long accustomed to being bullied, finally snapped. He took the whole family and left with 8.3kReads7.6Score738Shelves
4. 354 轮 Reincarnating in Anxi: A Million Deaths in the Great Tang 轮回安西：我在大唐的百万次赴死 Kirk of the South District南区柯克Historical168k WordsOngoing New title: The Tang Dynasty: I Became Invincible After Dying a Million Times [Alone Against All Odds | Ironclad Resolve | Strategy | Reborn] The seventh year of the Zhenyuan era, Tang Dynasty. Beiting has fallen, and the Anxi Protectorate has been cut off from the Central Plains for nearly thirty years. Across the vast Western Regions, white-haired soldiers fill the city. When Yang Shuo awakens, he finds himself the son of Yang Riyou, a garrison commander in Beiting. He has gained the ability to 57Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Both are good

5. 355 大 The Final Years of the Great Yong: A True Record 大雍末年：实录 Zhangnan Clerk漳南小吏Eastern Fantasy295k WordsOngoing [Traditional cultivation and political intrigue, no transmigration, no System, no golden finger. Meticulously researched setting and dialogue that feels like people speaking in the original Chinese.] Wu Zheng was once a constable, but an accidental turn led him onto the path of immortality. He once wielded the power of the imperial court to repel demon beasts, and within a sect, he protected all living beings. But when the beasts retreated, people’s hearts began to stir. He saw the political mac 15Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Although it's a fictional story, its elements can be found throughout history.

6. 356 明 Late Ming: Tear the Realm to Pieces, Then Rebuild the Great Ming 明末：山河全部打烂，再建大明 Waves Rolling On浪前滔滔Historical1.5M WordsOngoing Historians of later generations divided the Ming dynasty into three periods: the Northern Ming, the Southern Ming, and the Later Ming. Zhu Changrun, founder of the Later Ming, has received mixed assessments from China and abroad. A cold-blooded ruler, a racist, an emperor who rode the wave of industrialization, an Eastern Caesar... Western scholars often call him cold-blooded because, as the Northern Ming neared its end, he stood by without lifting a finger while members of the Zhu clan in the n 43.5kReads8.1Score4.3kShelves

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   The protagonist transmigrates into the body of a Ming Dynasty prince, who is fond of maritime trade. He has built a city in Taiwan and already has dozens of warships.

7. 357 骑 Mount & Blade: Rise to World Domination in an Era of Peace, Starting with Patricide 骑砍：太平年从弑父开始问鼎天下 Fishing Enthusiast1垂钓客1Male-Channel Fanfiction1.8M WordsOngoing Just started getting ratings, and they'll rise later [historical epic + political scheming + ensemble cast]. The protagonist is Han Chinese, but he isn't the author's favorite. [You can enjoy this even if you don't know the Mount & Blade games! The System can train super-strong soldiers, and they're all normal people, not brainless NPCs.] He transmigrates to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and becomes the adopted son of Zhang Yanze, the "Cannibal Ogre." On the very first day, his fath 31.1kReads7.4Score3.5kShelves

   Reader note

   Unbiased and unbiased, great book recommendations!

8. 358 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 845Reads9.5Score107Shelves

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   A must-read classic book [making a funny face]

9. 359 穿 I Transmigrated to the Ming Dynasty as the Emperor’s Brother-in-Law and Saved Zhu Xiongying from the Start 穿越大明成国舅，开局救了朱雄英 Er Bai二白Historical690k WordsOngoing In the fifteenth year of Hongwu, Zhu Xiongying, the Emperor’s eldest grandson, dies, and his body disappears. Not long afterward, a young doctor arrives in the capital with a small apprentice. Thanks to his exceptional medical skills, he quickly becomes the talk of the town. His apprentice, in particular, looks almost exactly like the Emperor’s eldest grandson. “My father died young, leaving me only a compass and a white lotus jade pendant. Before my mother passed away, she said I had an older s 2kReads5.4Score196Shelves

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   Zhu Biao's death had a reason.

10. 360 我 I Am the King of Chu in the Spring and Autumn Period 我在春秋当楚王 Little Mage Bread法师小面包Historical2.5M WordsCompleted I've started a new book, Family Cultivation: The Qin Clan's Immortal Path. I hope you'll support it. This is a dazzling age: King Fuchai of Wu marches north to vie for supremacy, King Goujian of Yue endures humiliation and annexes Wu, the Three Clans divide Jin, and the Tian clan replaces Qi. But I, King Xiong Zhang of Chu, am the brightest star of this era. 7.1kReads8.6Score413Shelves

    Reader note

    This book is worth reading.

11. 361 明 Late Ming: From Three Small Plots of Farmland to the World’s Granary 明末：从三口薄田到天下粮仓 May the Green Mountains Bring Good Fortune青山如意Historical683k WordsCompleted Lin Zhao woke up one day to find himself a small landowner without a father in the city of Yaozhou, in the first year of the Chongzhen reign. He had a hundred mu of poor farmland, a mother who did nothing but cry, and two elderly servants too frail to walk. The clan elders wanted to seize his family’s property, thinking he was too young to stop them. The grain merchants laughed at his incompetence and waited for him to go bankrupt so they could swoop in. But did none of you know what was coming 43Reads6.3Score109Shelves

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    I recommend a historical fiction novel about infrastructure development and conquest in the late Ming Dynasty! The story begins with a difficult start, focusing on survival through farming and clearing land to ensure basic needs are met. Then comes road construction, city building, industrial development, and gathering refugees from the chaos of war. The daily life of farming is relatable, and the power grows steadily in the mid-to-late game, gradually transforming from a small village into a powerful force vying for supremacy. There are no outrageous plot twists, and the story unfolds gradually. If you enjoy historical farming novels, don't miss this one! It's a perfect blend of elements.

12. 362 1 1938: I Break Through the Encirclement with My Bangdi as a Blade 1938，我用梆笛为刃突出重围 A Fish Comprehending Heaven and Earth参悟天地一条鱼Modern Romance193k WordsCompleted [Strong Female Lead + Spy Thriller + Siblings Fighting to Survive + Love of Country and Family] March 1938, on the eve of the great search of Fengtian City. Three days before Su Wanqing’s sixteenth birthday, her mother presses a bangdi flute into her hands, while her father pushes her and her younger brother onto a mule cart headed out of the city. When a puppet policeman’s red nose presses against the cart curtain and a Japanese military policeman’s saber cleaves through the snow, the girl from 8Reads—Score—Shelves

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    The story of the Anti-Japanese United Army is written with the stark coldness of a winter in Fengtian, yet its suspense is as captivating as a ginseng king with six-petal leaves. Witness how the heroine, Su Wanqing, uses her clapper flute as a weapon to break through the encirclement.

13. 363 我 I Switched Sides to Zhang Han and Rebuilt Great Qin, Leaving Liu Bang in Tears 我转投章邯再建大秦，刘邦哭麻了 Young Master Ying Gao公子嬴高Historical1.9M WordsCompleted Zhao Long transmigrates to the end of the Qin dynasty and joins Xiang Yu’s eight thousand Jiangdong troops. When Xiang Yu insults him after he offers a strategy, Zhao Long switches sides to Liu Bang and renders outstanding service. After the fiefdoms are assigned in Xianyang, Liu Bang is dissatisfied with the division of power. Secretly wary of Zhao Long’s achievements and suspicious of his identity, he angrily drives Zhao Long away and plots to kill him. Xiang Yu looks down on him, and Liu Bang 23kReads8.6Score2.2kShelves

    Reader note

    For the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, I recommend the first book; for the Qin Dynasty, the second; I deleted the one about the Three Kingdoms' rise to power because the later ones are fantasy. I remember one Three Kingdoms novel about leading a proletarian dictatorship. For the Tang Dynasty, I recommend "Returning to the Tang Dynasty with a Warehouse." For the Song Dynasty, I recommend the Liangshan Uprising and another one about time travel as the Jingkang Emperor. For the Ming Dynasty, I recommend "The Ming Empire." For the Qing Dynasty, I read "Training the Pacific" online, which was quite good. As for the Republic of China, there are too many, but Tomato (a popular Chinese author) doesn't have many good ones; most don't relate to reality, so I read those online.

14. 364 三 Three Kingdoms: I Empower Famous Generals and Defend China with Liu Bei 三国：强化名将，我和刘备护华夏 Zhu Kang'an祝康安Historical325k WordsOngoing A deadly showdown between two Systems! Two former brothers, obsessed with island-nation culture, steal the Summoning System and journey to Yamatai to pledge themselves to Himiko, summoning famous generals from across the history of the world. I wield the Enhancement System and join Liu Bei's ranks, raising the Peach Garden banner to fight for supremacy. Famous generals of the Three Kingdoms against legendary warriors from all of history! When Sanada Yukimura and Achilles lead their armies in an 660Reads—Score118Shelves

    Reader note

    This book really requires some brainpower to read! [Cool]

15. 365 穿 Transmigrating to the Great Qin: I Reveal from the Start That I Dug Up Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum 穿越大秦：开局自爆挖了秦始皇陵 I'll Wait for You in July我在七月等你Historical1.0M WordsCompleted Gu Qin: Thanks for the invite. I'm in Great Qin, just transmigrated, and the First Emperor caught us digging up his tomb. What do we do?! This is urgent, waiting for replies online! Netizen 1: Hey, I know you're in a hurry, but don't panic just yet! Netizen 2: Congratulations, Mount Li's convict laborers just got another guest! Netizen 3: I suggest you hand over your hot pot base recipe right away and try to get your sentence commuted! Netizen 4: Hurry and ask Zheng if he wants an Emperor Member 791Reads7.8Score100Shelves
16. 366 从 Building a Clan Starting in the Great Qin Dynasty 从大秦开始建立世家 Mister Zhicao志才先生Historical1.0M WordsCompleted [Great families · history · everyone is the protagonist · ending: a golden blade fells a fierce tiger · great works all tell the same story] In the long river of history, how easy is it to establish a great family that will endure? “The Li family’s success comes down to just two things: optimism and fearlessness. Our Li clan has never been afraid of being brought down to earth.” Keep an open mind and stand firm. My Li family will endure throughout history and remain active in its pages. Li Xin t 22Reads6.5Score—Shelves
17. 367 帝 The Rise of an Empire: I Extend the Ming Dynasty by Seven Hundred Years! 帝国崛起：我为大明续命七百年！ Little Shark Living in Antarctica住在南极的小鲨Historical3.7M WordsCompleted [System + alternate-history Ming Dynasty + decisive and ruthless + iron-blooded emperor + farming] The Ming Empire is growing weaker by the day. Shen Yu, whose soul has transmigrated into this world, becomes the ninth prince. Let’s see how he makes the Ming realm shine brighter than ever. 29.8kReads8.8Score2.4kShelves
18. 368 穿 Rules for Transmigrators: I Become an Online Keyboard Warrior in Great Ming 穿越者守则：我在大明当键盘侠 Liu the Son of a Thousand Cutthroats刘杀千刀的Historical2.4M WordsCompleted (Alternate history + no System + no golden finger + imperial examinations and political intrigue + one female lead) Chen Ke, a transmigrator, enters the Jiajing era. From a boy who tended cattle to top scorer in the imperial examinations, from Hanlin compiler to Earl of Jinghai, he cuts a path through one challenge after another, navigating the treacherous court with care at every step. With a brush in his left hand and a sword in his right, he uses modern knowledge to maneuver among the uprigh 4.8kReads8.7Score297Shelves

    Reader note

    Absolutely top-tier, opened low and closed high.

19. 369 逍 The Carefree Little Landlord 逍遥小地主 Block the West Tower堵上西楼Historical3.0M WordsCompleted He was lucky enough to transmigrate, and even into the family of a wealthy landlord. He'd never have to worry about food or clothes, but he had no intention of wasting his life doing nothing. So Fu Xiaoguan casually set a few things in motion, never expecting the impact to be so enormous. The emperor wants to make him a first-rank official, the princess wants him as her husband, the daughter of the Minister's household refuses to marry anyone else, the barbarians want his head, the Yi Kingdom wa 36.4kReads8.9Score4.3kShelves

    Reader note

    An 18-year veteran bookworm recommends two books I finished reading in the last two days; they're readable.

20. 370 三 Three Kingdoms: Yuan Shao's Rebellious Son Smashes the Imperial Seal from the Start 三国：袁家逆子，开局摔玉玺 Young Master Xiaoyi公子小易Historical2.3M WordsCompleted He transmigrates to the end of the Han dynasty and becomes Yuan Yao, son of Yuan Gonglu, a dead man walking in his own coffin. With a father who’s dead set on rebelling and becoming emperor, Yuan Yao immediately sees no future for himself. If he wants to survive, he must stop his father, Yuan Shu, from repeating history. He’ll have to oppose him at every turn. “Sun Ce wants to trade the Imperial Seal for Father’s elite troops? I’ll smash the seal myself and see how he plans to make that trade!” 55.9kReads8.7Score5.5kShelves
21. 371 祖 With Our Ancestors' Blessing, the Great Ming Rises 祖宗保佑之风起大明 Old Man in a Straw Raincoat烟雨蓑翁Historical425k WordsCompleted [No System + Massive Infrastructure Projects + Advanced Technology + Ming Empire] In the final years of the Ming dynasty, society is in turmoil, with natural disasters and human calamities leaving nine out of ten households empty. After Xu Da forcefully drags Xu Xian along, he arrives in the Ming dynasty. With his own strength alone, he will save Chongzhen, restore the people's livelihoods, reclaim Taiwan, and conquer North America. With the help of a host of ancient Chinese scientists, he will 4Reads—Score—Shelves

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    Xu Xian, a lazy bum from the 21st century, is forced to go online and start his business in the Ming Dynasty. Though lazy, he is loyal and righteous, taking his country and its people as his responsibility and the revitalization of the Ming Dynasty as his mission! He will save Emperor Chongzhen and bring glory to the Ming Dynasty. He will reclaim Taiwan and occupy North America. Wherever the sun shines, it is Ming land! Where the moonlight falls, all are citizens of the Ming Dynasty!

22. 372 全 The Whole Family Transmigrates: 18 Ways to Survive in Ancient Times 全家穿越：古代生存十八法 The Butterfly Doesn't Want To蝴蝶不愿意Ancient Romance3.1M WordsCompleted The whole family transmigrates to ancient times after an accident. Whether that counts as good luck or bad luck is anyone’s guess. They’ve barely woken up when they find out the family has no money, no land, and a mountain of debt to repay. Not one of them has a golden finger, either. But the dog that came along with them is rather interesting. Could it be some kind of divine hound? This big family has to put food on the table, keep the household harmonious, and make progress in their studies. W 49.9kReads9.5Score5.4kShelves
23. 373 秣 Saddling Up in the Waning Tang Dynasty 秣马残唐 Utterly Useless Little Rookie很废很小白Historical3.3M WordsCompleted He transmigrates to the end of the Tang Dynasty and becomes a refugee on the verge of starving to death. The moment Liu Jing opens his eyes, he sees a tragic world of warring fiefdoms, endless conflict, and people living in misery. Corpses litter the land, and for hundreds of miles, not a wisp of cooking smoke rises. Yet he also sees the romance of warhorses and flashing weapons, of heroes with the courage to swallow the world. This is the worst of times, and the best of times. Looking back at t 103.5kReads8.4Score10.3kShelves

    Reader note

    Both books are alright, but the pacing is a bit slow, and the authors update infrequently. [Smile]

24. 374 乱 Chaos and Famine: My Daily Divinations Fill My Storehouse with Food and Meat! 乱世荒年：我每日一卦粮肉满仓！ Rising From the Abyss风起于渊Historical2.0M WordsOngoing Hunter + farming + stockpiling grain before making a move + rebellion and conquest + ten kingdoms, countless beauties [Current fate star: Mountain dweller] [Today's fortune: Blessings and misfortune intertwined] [Great fortune: At the northern foothills of Second Black Mountain, a deer has died of old age in the mountains. Go there to claim its entire hide and carcass.] [Fair: At the foot of Little Black Mountain, a pheasant is caught in the brambles. Hurry over and you might find something extr 291.4kReads8.3Score23.8kShelves
25. 375 老 There's a System in the Old Well Back Home 老家古井有系统 Mr. Ordinary平常先生Historical140k WordsOngoing Transmigration + alternate history + multiple dynasties. One lifetime of experience, one lifetime of reincarnation. In each life, two people belong together, yet on the road, I am always alone. Other people's lives become my own path. Too many things witnessed, too many helpless moments. And still, I can never escape regret. —Reads—Score—Shelves
26. 376 大 The End of Dayan: Winds Rise in Hanzhou 大衍末路：邯州风起 Ai Yuan艾原Historical789k WordsOngoing [Transmigrate to the Late Ming] [Imperial Son-in-Law] [Not Mindless] [Not a Power Fantasy] [No System] [New Book] In the first year of the Chongzhen reign, at the end of the Ming dynasty, there are no golden fingers, no System, and the story unfolds at a measured pace. Zhao Yanzhi, a modern office worker, transmigrates by accident and becomes the illegitimate son of a landowning family in Handan during the early years of the Chongzhen reign. The realm is on the verge of chaos, bandits roam every 1.1kReads—Score113Shelves

    Reader note

    This is truly a masterpiece from the late Ming Dynasty that grows more profound with each reading! It's not just about political intrigue, warfare, infrastructure development, and farming; it also depicts the struggles between good and evil in a chaotic world, the weight of survival for ordinary people, and the unwavering commitment of those who defend their land. Unpretentious, grounded, and full of life, it's a truly excellent read, worthy of repeated rereading.

27. 377 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Historical716k 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 4.5kReads8.8Score165Shelves

    Reader note

    This is not a mindless article.

28. 378 封 Godhood! On the Eve of the Fall, I Lead Chongzhen in a Desperate Counterattack 封神！亡国前夜我带崇祯绝地反击 Li Yushuiqing立羽水青Historical402k WordsCompleted I transmigrated into the scene of Chongzhen’s suicide, with the Ming dynasty only an incense stick away from its fall! The [National Fortune System] bound itself to me, tying my fate to the Ming dynasty’s. If Chongzhen put a noose around his neck, I’d have to die alongside him! With no other choice, I tore down the white silk and blurted out a prophecy about Wu Sangui surrendering to the Qing, the Ten Days of Yangzhou, and the queue hairstyle and change of clothing. Chongzhen was stunned on the 85Reads8.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Starting at Coal Hill, he saves the Emperor Chongzhen from suicide. Then, he cleverly foreshadows the Yangzhou Massacre, leading the Emperor to raid corrupt officials' mansions and uncover 380,000 taels of silver. He kills corrupt officials, pays off the army, and pulls off a hardcore comeback! This late Ming Dynasty novel with a system for saving the nation is fast-paced, detailed, and a must-read for anyone looking for something to read!

29. 379 汉 Emperor Wu of Han: This Transmigrator Has Some Nerve 汉武帝：这个穿越者太敢说 I Want to Eat Mangosteen我要吃山竹Historical2.4M WordsCompleted The good news: He transmigrated to the Han Dynasty with a head full of knowledge and met Huo Qubing, the Marquis of Champion. The bad news: He landed on a battlefield, where a Han army was about to be ambushed and wiped out by the Xiongnu, while its commanding general was preparing to flee. After struggling with the decision, Lu Ming chose to reveal that he was a transmigrator and help General Wei Qing turn the ambush around and wipe out the Xiongnu. Emperor Wu of Han: How can you prove you’re a 9.5kReads8.8Score787Shelves

    Reader note

    I personally think this looks pretty good.

30. 380 大 The Splendor of Daying 大瀛风华 The Marquis's Claws侯爷的爪爪Historical235k WordsOngoing (Dual transmigration, ensemble cast, slow burn, slice of life) A couple argues on a bridge, then transmigrates together. Transmigrating as the crown princess, Zhao Mingxi discovers that her family were invaders. Three hundred years ago, the Yuan clan crossed the sea from Dongying, slaughtered the people of Shenzhou, and secured their rule. Now she sits in court, facing pressure from the noble families to abdicate and being mocked with the claim that “a woman is unfit to be heir.” As she looks —Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It's still quite good, not mindless. The setup in the beginning was a bit long, but the world-building is excellent, and there are no cheat codes or special abilities. The royal family is particularly outstanding.

31. 381 开 A Puppet Emperor from the Start: I Summon China's Legendary Heroes 开局傀儡皇帝，我召唤华夏英灵 Little Baozi Is a Bean小小包子是个豆Historical1.2M WordsOngoing On the first day Xiao Cheng transmigrated, the entire court was laughing. They laughed at him for being the most pathetic puppet emperor, and laughed that he wouldn't live to see the end of the year. Xiao Cheng didn't answer back. He was counting, figuring out how many of those smiling faces in the hall would still be around by year's end. On the third day, Gao Lishi cleared out the imperial harem. A month later, Zhang Juzheng's performance assessment system had half the court on its knees. L 5.2kReads7.2Score343Shelves

    Reader note

    Let's take a look at the historical power struggles of both sides, which involved using their brains.

32. 382 大 Great Qin: Beating Xu Fu to a Pulp Sends the First Emperor’s Favorability to Zero 大秦：暴揍徐福，始皇好感度清零 Fish Stewed in a Stone Pot27石锅炖鱼27Historical80k WordsCompleted [History + Transmigration + Qin Dynasty + Fusu + Lighthearted + Comedy + Infrastructure + Mass Recruitment + Age of Exploration] Qin Feng had just won a billion yuan in the lottery when a baseball sent him to his grave. When he opened his eyes again, he had become Fusu, the First Qin Emperor's eldest son. At Zhangtai Palace, Xu Fu was presenting the First Emperor with an “elixir of immortality.” Furious, Qin Feng kicked Xu Fu flying, then gave him two more punches for good measure. He felt much 4Reads—Score121Shelves

    Reader note

    The beginning is hilarious. The protagonist gets beaten up by Xu Fu right at the start, causing the First Emperor's favorability to plummet. The protagonist then realizes what's happening and starts putting on a show – it's laugh-out-loud funny. It's a base-building story, no romance, and so far it's quite lighthearted and not at all mindless. If you're looking for something to read, give it a try.

33. 383 初 Daily Life with the Army in the Early Tang Dynasty 初唐随军日常 Eight-Mao and Chubby Cub八毛和肥崽Ancient Romance2.7M WordsCompleted [Completed, No Rebirth, No Special Powers, Slow Pace, Includes a Wife] As a woman who had transmigrated, Ming Luo arrived with lofty ambitions. Unfortunately, reality was stronger than she was. The feudal jewel she had once looked up to, the so-called Zhenguan Era, turned out in the end to be nothing more than a glorious age that devoured its people. 12.1kReads8.6Score960Shelves

    Reader note

    A story of daily life as a military doctor on the battlefield in the early Tang Dynasty, featuring my favorite Prince Qin, Li Shimin. No system, no cheat codes, historical setting, leaning towards realism. Set in the early Tang Dynasty. The female protagonist and her father serve as military doctors. Through her exceptional medical skills and intelligence, she earns a large reward and opens a clinic in Chang'an. Don't miss it if you enjoy stories of ordinary people striving for a better life; the cheat codes are perfectly placed! The female protagonist is intelligent, resourceful, and loves money, pursuing a high-quality life. However, due to her humble origins, she must work hard to earn money through medicine. With her advanced medical skills, she rises from a military doctor to a renowned physician in Chang'an, making connections with many famous and powerful figures. The female protagonist is career-driven; the majority of the over one million words focus on her daily life as a military doctor on the battlefield. The romance revolves around Prince Qin, but the female protagonist maintains a clear-headed, modern perspective, sometimes appearing conflicted. The author states there is no romantic pairing, and the male protagonist isn't considered a main character; it feels like a mutually beneficial relationship. A must-read for those who enjoyed "Chang'an Little Restaurant" but want a more hardcore setting!

34. 384 明 A Survival Guide to the Late Ming: From the Start, I Pretend to Be a County Magistrate 明末生存指南：开局假冒知县 Huogu Dada火谷大大Historical304k WordsOngoing [Just Started Getting Ratings] [Multi-Character Dialogue] [Late Ming] [Rise to Power] [Farming] [Dual Transmigration] [Wild Imagination] Lin Mancang transmigrates, starting out as a lowly page. Before his young master can even take up his post, he is shot dead by bandits. Taking the young master's appointment papers, Lin Mancang impersonates him and becomes a county magistrate. But the county seat is crumbling, nine out of ten homes stand empty, and food and money are scarce. By chance, he obtai 5.4kReads8.0Score558Shelves

    Reader note

    Take a look at this one.

35. 385 大 The Young Lord of Han Who Secures the Nation 大汉安国小郎君 The Holy Monk Settles in the Kingdom of Women圣僧落户女儿国Historical117k WordsCompleted The Han Dynasty is proud. The Han people have their own backbone, too. Your status is something you’re born with. In the Han Dynasty, being born into the wrong family can be fatal. I am the legitimate youngest son of the An family of Baling, a noble and descendant of Lord An. In Chang’an, my family is among the most illustrious. Put simply, from the moment I was born, I stood where others could never reach, even after a lifetime of striving. Fine clothes, delicious food, servants all around me: 9Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    This book doesn't have a particularly amazing opening, but it gets more enjoyable as you read on!

36. 386 我 My Glory Days in Dongguan 我在东莞的高光岁月 Warm Wine, Waiting for the Wind温酒等风来Urban394k WordsOngoing My name is Chang Da Qiang. I was born in a small, underdeveloped county town in the late 1980s. My parents were farmers, and in those days, when everything was desperately poor, I graduated from a junior college and looked for work in my hometown. After hitting one dead end after another, I made a bold decision: I headed south to Guangdong to try my luck. Through hard work, I finally had the experiences that inspired this novel. 2.1kReads—Score117Shelves

    Reader note

    These books are all super good (modern, time-travel, suspense, detective), there's bound to be one you'll love!

37. 387 那 The Happy Years I Spent in Dongguan 那些年我在东莞的幸福往事 Sparse Shadows in the Courtyard疏影庭前Urban299k WordsCompleted [Urban everyday life] + [multiple heroines] + [first person] My name is Hao Jian. I'm a college graduate who left a small inland county to make a living in Dongguan. A female classmate who'd been quite a flirt back in school introduced me to the city. I thought I'd find a factory job and earn some money, but things didn't go as planned. I ended up in a bar, and that's where my life took an unexpected turn. 5.6kReads6.0Score510Shelves
38. 388 大 Ming Dynasty Imperial Guards: From the Start, I Take Down the Eunuch in Charge 大明锦衣卫，开局扳倒守备太监 Gentle Breeze, Rolling Waves清风徐浪Historical617k WordsOngoing [No System + Scientific Development + Financial Takeover] After a frigate’s deputy captain transmigrates into the body of Xu Da’s descendant, he falls on hard times and scrapes by writing cargo receipts at the docks. Then, thanks to his wealth of knowledge, he spots at a glance that the tribute ship inspected by the eunuch in charge of coastal defense is riding suspiciously low in the water. He seizes the opportunity to bring down the corrupt official. Starting with river defenses, he ventures i 6kReads8.2Score545Shelves

    Reader note

    The book vividly portrays a variety of supporting characters, from minor officials and dockworkers to stewards of powerful families, each with their own agendas. The protagonist doesn't rely on crushing his opponents but instead uses information and rules to find a way out. If you enjoy stories that combine strategic battles with farming elements, you should check out this book.

39. 389 管 Guan Hai Entrusts His Orphan to Me: I Lead the Yellow Turbans to Conquer the World 管亥托孤，我带领黄巾争霸天下 Country Lane乡间小路Historical569k WordsOngoing The rating just came out, and it'll go up. I already have two completed novels with over a million words: "Transmigrated to the Late Han Dynasty, I Cling to Liu Bei's Leg" and "Three Kingdoms: What! Diao Chan Is My Sister!" Chen Lin is unexpectedly rescued by Guan Hai, but before long Guan Hai dies. With his dying breath, he entrusts all the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou to Chen Lin. On one hand, Chen Lin faces the mess of hundreds of thousands of elderly people, women, and children among the Qingz 423.3kReads8.5Score68.9kShelves

    Reader note

    The first one is highly recommended, a different perspective on the Three Kingdoms. (Those who read without thinking, disregard what I said.) The fifth and sixth are excellent completed books from a long time ago.

40. 390 赤 Red Sky: The Dynasty Cycle 赤霄：王朝周期律 It's Really a Dog真的是狗Historical342k WordsOngoing Note: This is an epic war story. Don’t see that the protagonists are two men and assume it’s the sort of “two male leads” story some female readers enjoy. It isn’t! There are two male protagonists named here only because there isn’t room to list more than a dozen. Each subsequent volume will have its own protagonist, and the complete story will feature more than a dozen protagonists. Each protagonist belongs to a different historical period. Faced with the crises of their time, whether struggles 147Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Both books are logically rigorous. They place particular emphasis on political systems, financial conditions, and logistical supplies, even devoting considerable space to the implementation of political reforms. The author adheres to a people-centered view of history; the first book attempts to deconstruct the dynastic cycle through fragments of heroic epics. The second book elucidates the importance of checks and balances and the author's perspective on history as a people-centered one (not inherently virtuous and righteous, and often even ignorant, but undeniably determining the course of history).

41. 391 霓 Neon Gray 霓虹灰 Sparse Shadows in the Courtyard疏影庭前Urban257k WordsCompleted Lin Huan is twenty-four and makes a living in the urban entertainment industry. Strikingly handsome, he has long since grown calm and detached after all he has been through. With a close family member suffering from a serious illness, the crushing burden of daily life and financial pressure bear down on him. To shoulder the responsibility of providing for his family, he works hard and steadily, seeking only a reliable income, a way to keep his family's hopes alive, and the chance to build an ord 195Reads—Score—Shelves
42. 392 垂 I Sat Bolt Upright on My Deathbed: Yuan Shao Is Actually Me 垂死病中惊坐起，袁绍竟是我自己 Young Master Xiaoyi公子小易Historical886k WordsOngoing I jolted upright on my deathbed and became Yuan Shao, a member of a family that had produced three generations of dukes and a regional warlord. It should have been a pretty good start, but unfortunately, I transmigrated at the wrong time. After a crushing defeat at the Battle of Guandu and another disaster at Cangting, Yuan Shao died vomiting blood, overcome with grief. Hebei was thrown into chaos. With Cao Cao holding the advantage and the Yuan clan’s fortunes in decline, what was I to do? Surr 143.3kReads8.5Score19.4kShelves
43. 393 晋 Chronicles of the Late Jin Dynasty 晋末风云录 Extra Chapter News番番外闻Historical817k WordsCompleted My new book is out! Please visit Tomato Novel to read my work. I hope you’ll enjoy it. The story covers the period from the late Jin to the early Sui, beginning with Emperor Hui of Jin, nicknamed the “Meat Porridge Emperor,” and ending with the fall of Chen Shubao, the last emperor of the Southern Dynasties. Yang Jian, Emperor Wen of Sui, unifies north and south, ending nearly 300 years of division and turmoil across China and restoring unity. This period is rarely mentioned in textbooks. Beyon 320Reads8.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Interesting, good-looking

44. 394 纨 The Awakening of a Spoiled Brat 纨绔的觉醒 Sparse Shadows in the Courtyard疏影庭前Historical423k WordsCompleted Lin Hao is a timid modern-day corporate drone who wakes up as an outrageously spoiled heir in ancient times. He decides to vent all the frustration he swallowed in his former life: squandering money, talking back, causing trouble, whatever it takes. After blowing through the family fortune and turning everyone against him, he unexpectedly gains the ability to "awaken" at the lowest point of his life. Now able to see the true face of everyone around him, he begins to take back everything that bel 257Reads—Score—Shelves
45. 395 错 Mistaking Liu Hong for My Father, He Gives Diaochan to Me as My Wife 错把刘宏当爹，他送貂蝉做我老婆 My Name Is Zhang Fei吾名张飞Historical1.1M WordsOngoing [He Cai Diao Qiao Zhen, Lü Gan Mi Zou Chen] [No angst, no omissions] Liu Biyi accidentally transmigrates to Luoyang at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty and obtains the Wife-Taking Godhood System. After a mishap, he mistakes Liu Hong, who is traveling incognito, for the cheap dad the System has arranged for him... 285.8kReads8.3Score55.5kShelves
46. 396 笑 A Humorous Take on Zizhi Tongjian: The Northern and Southern Dynasties 笑谈资治通鉴之南北朝 History in My Pocket兜里装着历史Historical2.1M WordsOngoing During the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420–589), regimes changed constantly and heroes emerged one after another. Armies clashed across the Central Plains as plots, schemes, stratagems, and military tactics arose in endless succession. It’s a thrilling period! But this was also an era of great ethnic integration, as northern peoples gradually assimilated with the Han amid the turmoil of war. In short, the Northern and Southern Dynasties were a time of upheaval and diverse development in Ch 8.6kReads9.4Score944Shelves
47. 397 烬 Ashfire Case Files 烬火探案 Sparse Shadows in the Courtyard疏影庭前Mystery692k WordsCompleted In Chi Li, a city governed by a rigid martial order, countless crimes lurk beneath rules that conceal them. Strange murders keep occurring, case after unsolved case piles up, and the truth is buried beyond reach. The protagonist, Lin Jin, carries a secret past. Meticulous, cool-headed, and decisive, he understands the darkness and loopholes beneath the rules of the martial world. He enters the treacherous maze alone, becoming a seeker of light. Following the smallest clues, he hunts for the trut 113Reads—Score—Shelves
48. 398 大 Great Ming: From Book Boy to the Strongest Imperial Guard 大明：从书童到最强锦衣卫 Jinghai's Most Devoted Lover京海第一深情Historical1.1M WordsCompleted Zhou Chu transmigrated to the Zhengde era of the Ming dynasty. To survive, he was sold to the Lu family as a page. Just as Zhou Chu was helping the family’s second young master study and make steady progress, disaster struck the Lu family. Its members were thrown into prison. Zhou Chu took the Lu family’s only daughter with him, earning money while bribing the guards to make life in prison more comfortable for the family. Then Zhu Houzhao died, and Zhu Houcong took the throne, changing the era n 45.9kReads8.9Score5.3kShelves
49. 399 在 A Bandit in Late Ming China: My First Heist Was Sun Chuanting 在明末当山贼第一次就抢了孙传庭 A Vast Sky in a Grand Dream大梦长空Historical2.2M WordsCompleted While traveling, Zhou Yan's mind wandered for a moment, and he found himself in the eighth year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty. Forced to become a bandit, he never expected the first person he robbed to be Sun Chuanting, the last pillar of the Ming Empire. With Zhou Yan's arrival, will the crumbling Han dynasty still fall? Will Sun Chuanting, whose death was said to mark the fall of the Ming, still die in battle at Tong Pass? Will Lu Xiangsheng, praised as a once-in-a-generation talent 69.8kReads8.6Score8kShelves

    Reader note

    A book that requires brainpower, the second one is highly recommended.

50. 400 大 Age of Discovery: Ruling the Seven Seas 大航海：七海纵横 Jialuowasi伽罗瓦斯Anime Fanfiction1.5M WordsOngoing (No formulaic tropes, no invincibility, no System, no brainless protagonist, no arrogant chosen one. Enter at your own risk!) 1531, the dawn of the Age of Discovery! Ma Hengyuan, a hardcore gamer, transmigrates to the 16th century with his experience from a max-level run of Age of Discovery. He becomes Frederick Correia, a fallen Portuguese noble! This is the most barbaric of times, and also the most golden. Gold coins fly alongside cannon fire, while spices share their color with blood. Ahead 5.4kReads8.8Score744Shelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend this gem of a book! The protagonist is reincarnated into a fallen Portuguese nobleman in the 16th century. There's no system, no magic to instantly become stronger. To survive? He has to rely on his own life, licking blood from the edge of a knife! The novel vividly portrays the cruelty of the Age of Exploration: the horrific scurvy, ship maggots, the calm winds, and the ruthless pirates and corrupt officials who devour their men. The protagonist uses modern ship hydrodynamics to modify his warships and employs masterful micro-management in storm corridors to evade ambushes. In this hellish arena where human life is cheap, he uses real money and an iron fist to win over people, gradually transforming a group of lowly outlaws into an invincible fleet. The raw, exhilarating feeling of turning the tide against all odds amidst storms and gunfire is more thrilling than any overpowered fantasy novel—I'll stay up all night to read it!

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