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1
A General History of China 中国通史
The world-famous writer Cervantes said, “History gives birth to truth; it can withstand time and preserve old tales and past events. It is a record of ancient times, a warning for the present, and a lesson for future generations.” History is a mirror that records the successes and failures, prosperity and decline, triumphs and tragedies, transitions and renewal of human society. It also foreshadows humanity's future.
26.1kReads9.6Score4.2kShelves
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- 2 History of the Song: Annals of Emperor Taizu 宋史·太祖本纪 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 142Reads8.4Score—Shelves
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Tales of the Spring and Autumn Period: Chronicles of Heroes Across the States 春秋那些事：列国豪雄录
Do you know the real story behind "Duke Zhuang of Zheng Defeats His Brother at Yan"? Do you know that Shi Que, celebrated for putting duty before family, was actually responsible for the decline of the State of Wei? Do you know whether King Ping of Zhou moved east by force, or whether a secret deal was involved? The truth of history isn't always found in the main text of the histories. This book takes you beyond the Spring and Autumn Annals' subtle style and reveals the hidden power struggles hi
7.2kReads—Score488Shelves
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Chinese History That Gets You Hooked from the First Page 一读就上瘾的中国史
A sweeping series on the historical patterns of five thousand years of Chinese history, helping you build a rational, objective, and pattern-seeking framework for a new way of thinking! This series is, in fact, a history book even more captivating than a novel. Starting with the Qin and Han dynasties, it covers the Jin dynasties, the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Sui and Tang dynasties, the Song, Liao, Jin, and Xia dynasties, the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and the Taiping Heavenly Ki
37.5kReads9.5Score5.4kShelves
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- 5 A History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 五代十国史 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. 71.1kReads9.6Score9.6kShelves
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Five Thousand Years of Chinese History 中华上下五千年
Arranged chronologically, this book selects major events, influential figures, remarkable achievements, and brilliant cultural accomplishments from five thousand years of history. It strives to reach new heights in accuracy, appeal, and insight. Through a rigorous structure and innovative design, it explains Chinese history from every angle, offering fresh perspectives and multiple layers of analysis while vividly and concisely recounting the basic course of China's historical evolution and the
36.9kReads9.6Score4.5kShelves
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Zeng Guofan's Methods of Scholarship 曾国藩治学方法
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
342Reads9.0Score159Shelves
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Archaeology of China: 11-Volume Set 考古中国：全11册
The Archaeology of China series is a collection of investigative nonfiction works by authors including Yue Nan. Written over the course of thirty years, it explores eleven major archaeological projects and discoveries in China. Drawing on field interviews with people involved, archaeological reports, and extensive historical sources, the author vividly reconstructs the inception, excavation, and research of eleven projects: the Dingling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty; the Terracotta Army at the Mausol
1.4kReads9.5Score359Shelves
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Unofficial History Isn't Necessarily False 野史未必假
[The full-cast audio edition is now available. Give it a listen!] From the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the Ming and Qing dynasties, discover the truth behind popular unofficial histories! This book examines 22 popular historical tales from China’s earliest dynasties through the Ming and Qing, using vivid reconstructions, close study of historical sources, and logical analysis to uncover the truth behind them. Was Qin Shi Huang’s biological father Lü Buwei? Did Emperor Taizong of Song m
26kReads9.6Score4.3kShelves
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Five Thousand Years of Chinese History (Complete in Four Volumes, Illustrated Edition) 中华上下五千年(全四册)(彩色插图版)
This book selects one brilliant jewel after another from the five-thousand-year history of the Chinese nation. In clear, lively language, it invites young readers to explore unforgettable moments from the past: the beautiful and mysterious legends of ancient times, the rivalries among states during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the dazzling glories of the Tang and Song dynasties, and the stirring tales of heroes, great leaders, and people of noble spirit. As readers listen to
10.6kReads9.6Score1.2kShelves
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- 11 A Popular History of the Former Han 前汉通俗演义 [Cai Dongfan's Historical Romance, The Complete Founding History of the Han Dynasty, The Qin-Han Rivalry, A Plain-Language History, Political Intrigue and War] This book is Cai Dongfan's A Popular History of the Former Han, a classic historical novel that recounts the dynasty's rise and fall from the chaos at the end of the Qin through the middle and late Western Han. Spanning one hundred chapters, it begins with Lü Buwei's extraordinary investment and Qin Shi Huang's unification of the realm, a 128Reads8.3Score—Shelves
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A Popular History of the Later Han 后汉通俗演义
[Historical Romance Grounded in the Official Record, The Complete History of the Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms, An Easy Introduction to Official History] A Popular History of the Later Han is a classic historical novel in episodic form and a continuation of A Popular History of the Former Han. Across one hundred chapters, it follows the full historical arc from Wang Mang's usurpation of the Han and Emperor Guangwu's restoration, through the decline of the Eastern Han, to the division of the rea
105Reads8.6Score—Shelves
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- 13 A Popular Romance of Tang History 唐史通俗演义 [An introductory history, a comprehensive history of the Tang Dynasty, a chaptered historical novel, accessible true stories, heroes of the Sui and Tang] Want to learn the complete history of the Tang Dynasty without poring over dry history books? This Popular Romance of the Tang Dynasty is perfect for beginners. Written in an accessible blend of classical and vernacular Chinese, its hundred chapters connect the story of the Li Tang dynasty from beginning to end. Follow the chaos at the end of t 53Reads8.5Score—Shelves
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A Popular History of the Five Dynasties 五代史通俗演义
[A Classical, Accessible History of the Entire Era | A Beginner's Guide to History | A Complete Overview of the Ten Kingdoms] Can't get through dry official histories? This popularized retelling of the Five Dynasties uses a story-driven, episodic format to make this lesser-known period of turmoil easy to understand. Its sixty chapters cover the rise and fall of all five dynasties, Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou, while also tracing the history of the Ten Kingdoms' r
62Reads9.2Score—Shelves
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The Saga of Wagang Stronghold 瓦岗寨演义
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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The Political Gains and Losses of China's Dynasties 中国历代政治得失
Collected lectures by Mr. Qian Mu, Chinese Political Traditions Through the Ages offers concise overviews and comparisons of the political systems of the Han, Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It traces their changes and developments, and points out their advantages, disadvantages, gains, and losses.
5.4kReads9.5Score1.7kShelves
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- 17 The Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms 东周列国志 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 83Reads9.1Score—Shelves
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The Secret History of Manchuria, Part One 满洲秘史（上部）
[Bandits + Northeast China + Local life + War + Japanese spies + Manchukuo + Republican era + Romance] A woman's turbulent journey through a chaotic age, a blood-soaked epic of Northeast China. From bandit chieftain's wife to a secret pawn of the Japanese, she witnesses every secret behind Manchuria's birth, caught between love and hate, home and country… The story takes place in Northeast China in the early twentieth century, spanning the period from the Russo-Japanese War to the establishment
15.7kReads9.5Score1.7kShelves
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- 19 The Chinese Labor Corps: A Coppersmith’s First World War 华工军团：一名铜匠的第一次世界大战 [Cross-border romance + an underdog's rise + a hero of World War I + rural life + bandits] From a wedding hall in Shandong to the trenches of Europe, an epic expedition by an ordinary man! On the day of his wedding, Shandong coppersmith Li Zhongfu discovers that soldiers and bandits have joined forces to massacre Wuji Town, where his fiancée Su Huizhen lives. At the brink of life and death, Li Zhongfu saves the townspeople, but Su Huizhen disappears. After accidentally uncovering the secret behi 531Reads9.5Score—Shelves
- 20 The Secret History of Manchuria, Part Two 满洲秘史（中部） [Bandits + Northeast China + War + Japanese spies + Manchukuo + Republican era + Romance + Collaborators] A woman's turbulent journey through a chaotic age, a blood-soaked epic of Northeast China. From bandit chieftain's wife to a secret pawn of the Japanese, she witnesses every secret behind Manchuria's birth, caught between love and hate, home and country… Manchurian Secret History, Part Two continues the first volume. Set against the real historical background of Northeast China from late 193 3.1kReads9.5Score490Shelves
- 21 Pillars of the Nation: A Century of Chinese Business Rivalries, Parts One and Two 国之重器：百年中国商战传奇（上下部） [Grand historical saga + Self-Strengthening Movement + coastal and frontier defense + Sino-French War + China Merchants' Steam Navigation Company] The late Qing business world is rocked by turbulent waves, and a tycoon of his generation turns the tide! See how pioneers of industry build an economic Great Wall in the face of despair! In the final years of the Qing dynasty, Western powers force the Qing government to open treaty ports, while Western steamships monopolize China's shipping. Chinese 201Reads9.6Score—Shelves
- 22 The Prequel to the Chinese Empire: The Hegemony of the Spring and Autumn Period 中华帝国前传之春秋争霸 [History + Chinese orthodoxy + the transformation from Zhou to Qin + institutional reform] After two hundred years of rival powers rising, see how a hegemon rewrites history. Based on historical works such as the Zuo Zhuan, the Records of the Grand Historian, and the Discourses of the States, this book tells the stories and introduces the figures of more than two centuries of Spring and Autumn history in vivid detail. Centered on the struggle for supremacy, it weaves together the major events an 58Reads9.3Score—Shelves
- 23 The Old Grandmother of Yue Family Village 岳家庄的老祖母 [A grandmother builds a business + Yue Fei's family teachings + brotherhood] A mother's love makes her strong, and she becomes the soul of her clan. One mother's thirty-year flight lays the foundation for her family's six-hundred-year legacy. During the Hongwu reign of the Ming dynasty, Yue Guangyong, the thirteenth-generation descendant of Yue Fei, dies young in Tangyin County, Henan Province, where his family has lived for generations. He leaves behind his widowed wife, Yue Yushi, and their tw 563Reads9.3Score104Shelves
- 24 The Secret Histories of the Four Great Beauties 四大美人秘史 [The Four Beauties, classical historical romances, complete uncensored public-domain editions, stories of celebrated women in history, ancient tales] This complete collection contains the original, unabridged texts of The Romance of Xishi, The Romance of Wang Zhaojun, The Romance of Yang Guifei, and The Romance of Diaochan. It recounts the turbulent lives of the Four Beauties, whose beauty was said to make fish forget to swim, geese forget to fly, the moon hide, and flowers blush. Together, thes 476Reads9.2Score100Shelves
- 25 Ingenious Inventions of Ancient China 中国古代奇技淫巧 The authors of this book searched through vast collections of historical records, painstakingly gathering hundreds of long-lost secret arts and techniques passed down through the centuries. These include forging antiques, identifying treasures, alchemy, health practices, beauty techniques, fortune-telling by characters, martial arts, and spiritual cultivation. Their scope ranges from contemplating the heavens and earth and making uncanny predictions to calming the mind, curing illness, and riddi 8.9kReads9.6Score1.5kShelves
- 26 1,000 Questions About Chinese History 中国历史1000问 Descendants of Yan and Huang, let us open the pages of history, brush away the dust of time, and seek the historic footprints of our founding ancestors as they forged a path for the Chinese nation to survive and thrive! Arranged chronologically, this book begins with prehistoric civilizations in ancient times and continues through the end of 2010. It covers a longer span of time than any comparable book, which is its first distinguishing feature. Second, like other books of its kind, it selects 56.5kReads9.6Score2.7kShelves
- 27 Thirty Years in the Jianghu (Seven-Volume Set) 江湖三十年（全七册） Dai Gou spent his life roaming the martial world. Over several decades, he witnessed all kinds of scams and cons. In his later years, he gave up that life and revealed its tricks and rules to the world, hoping to keep future generations from being swindled. These scams include human trafficking, fortune-telling, artificially aging antiques, theft, card sharping, beggar gangs, cheating at games, confidence schemes, and honey traps... After decades of hard knocks, Dai Gou finally became the boss o 4.3kReads9.6Score727Shelves
- 28 A Popular History of the Song Dynasty 宋史通俗演义 [Classical historical fiction based on official history | A popular history of the Song dynasty | Cai Dongfan's Historical Romances of the Dynasties] Read one volume and discover the full rise and fall of the Song dynasty across 320 years. Told in a complete narrative spanning one hundred chapters, this popular history of the Song begins with Zhao Kuangyin's Chenqiao Mutiny and his ascension to the throne, then follows the founding of the Northern Song, the Alliance of Chanyuan, Wang Anshi's ref 21Reads8.3Score—Shelves
- 29 A Popular History of the Eastern Jin and Western Jin Dynasties 两晋通俗演义 [An introduction to history, a complete history of the Two Jin dynasties, a popular episodic novel, an accessible read about official history, the Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms] If you want to make sense of the confusing history of the Two Jin dynasties and the Five Barbarians and Sixteen Kingdoms, this popular retelling of the Two Jin period is an excellent introduction. Cai Dongfan uses accessible storytelling to unravel complex historical records, eschewing dry classical textual analys 11Reads8.4Score—Shelves
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Kangxi the Great (1): Seizing the Palace and Taking the Reins 康熙大帝(1)夺宫初政
This is the first volume, The Coup and the Early Reign, in the historical novel series The Kangxi Emperor. Kangxi ascended the throne at the age of eight, with four regents appointed by the late Shunzhi Emperor: Sonin, Suksaha, Ebilun, and Oboi. Oboi grew arrogant over his achievements and acted tyrannically. After the senior statesman Sonin died of illness, Oboi won over Ebilun and executed Suksaha for refusing to cooperate with him. He seized control of the government, often roaring in the imp
1.8kReads9.6Score136Shelves
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- 31 A General Reader's Guide to Historical Knowledge 历史常识通识读本 The historian and philosopher R. G. Collingwood once said, “Today comes from yesterday, and yesterday is contained in today. Yesterday, in turn, contains the day before, and so on, all the way back to antiquity. The history of the past still exists today. It has not died.” History serves as a mirror, recording humanity’s successes and failures, prosperity and decline, and the rise and fall of eras. What happens today will be history tomorrow. As the years pass and day gives way to night, the whe 52.1kReads9.6Score1.2kShelves
- 32 A Popular History of the Qing Dynasty 清史通俗演义 [A Tale of the Qing Dynasty #Popular History #The Rise and Fall of the Ming and Qing Dynasties #Political Intrigue and Warfare #Legends of Emperors #History in Plain Language] This classic historical novel recounts the full 268-year rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty, from the origins of its ancestors in the Changbai Mountains to Xuantong's abdication and the dynasty's collapse. Told across one hundred chapters, it follows the story clearly and avoids obscure historical material. It begins with N 103Reads8.8Score—Shelves
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A Popular History of the Ming Dynasty 明史通俗演义
[Classical historical novel | An authentic historical epic about the founding of the Great Ming] A popular historical epic spanning all 276 years of the Ming dynasty’s rise and fall, complete in one hundred chapters. It begins with Zhu Yuanzhang becoming a monk in Haozhou and joining the Red Turban movement, then unfolds the grand struggle for supremacy among the warlords at the end of the Yuan dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang, Chen Youliang, and Zhang Shicheng vie for power, while classic battles such as
25Reads8.0Score—Shelves
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The Chaos of the Two Jin Dynasties 两晋之乱
The Jin Dynasty was a period with little presence in the history books. It ended one age of chaos only to begin another. During the Jin, the exclusive dominance of Confucianism was broken, and philosophy, literature, art, history, and technology all underwent changes, with some fields emerging as independent disciplines. New ideas included the indigenous schools of metaphysics and Daoism, as well as Buddhism, which had spread east from India. Grassland cultures of the frontier peoples gradually
2.7kReads9.6Score437Shelves
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The School of Mind in the Ming Dynasty 大明心学
This is a sweeping historical novel starring Wang Yangming. The story begins with Wang Yangming’s birth in 1471, the seventh year of the Chenghua era, and ends with his death aboard a boat in Nanan, Jiangxi, in 1529, the seventh year of the Jiajing era. Spanning fifty-eight years, the novel paints a vivid, panoramic portrait of the extraordinary life of one of the Ming dynasty’s greatest figures: the omens surrounding his birth, his youthful ambitions, his enlightenment at Longchang, his campai
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- 36 The Little Immortal Lord of Many Treasures 多宝小仙君 Duobao, an Immortal Lord and deputy manager of one of the Heavenly Court’s branch treasuries, earned eight hundred Fortune Points a month. After more than three hundred years of diligent service, he was sent down to the mortal world to undergo trials when his subordinate, the Golden Boy, stole thirty thousand Fortune Points from the treasury. His boss, Zhao Gongming, gave him the boot himself. Reincarnate? Sure. Into a rich family? Dream on. His new identity is Wang Duobao, the son of Wang Jia 243Reads—Score—Shelves
- 37 The History of an Embroidered Bed 绣榻野史 “The Embroidered Couch” alludes to the secrets hidden deep within women's quarters and behind brocade curtains, while “Unofficial History” signals that this book recounts court intrigues and street-side tales absent from the official record, passed around by the common folk. Through the case of an honest family in Jiangnan forced into prostitution, the novel lays bare the dark picture of the Jiajing era of the Great Ming, where officials and merchants collude, corruption runs rampant, and the pe 1.5kReads—Score136Shelves
- 38 Dreams of the Golden Vase 金瓶梦迷 The moon over Linqing shines on the Customs House sails Whose romance does the Qing River hide at night? Cooking smoke drifts over Zishi Street, through centuries gone by Who still awaits that unfinished fate? Embroidered shoes shatter the bluestone path The wine's fragrance has intoxicated countless eyes Lights flicker atop Lion Tower, like the passing years Who, behind the curtain, secretly clicks the abacus? Plum blossoms in a golden vase, who pities the ill-fated beauty? A pot of springtime 2.2kReads—Score159Shelves
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A Nonfictional History of the Qing: Three Centuries of the Great Qing in Detail 清史不演义——细说大清三百年
This book offers a detailed account of Qing dynasty history, beginning with the rise of the Qing in the northeast and continuing through the abdication of Emperor Xuantong, covering nearly three hundred years of history. It divides Qing history into eight stages, from the dynasty's rise and establishment of nationwide rule, through the prosperous eras of Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong and the decline of the mid-Qing period, to the upheavals of the late Qing. Each stage is discussed concisely wi
10kReads9.5Score1.5kShelves
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The Legend of Yue Fei 岳飞传
A historical epic novel by Huan Zhu Lou Zhu. Based on the life of Yue Fei, the famous Southern Song general who fought against the Jin, it begins with Yue Fei learning martial arts as a boy and vowing to serve his country. It vividly depicts how he formed the Yue Family Army, fought the Jin forces, and won one victory after another, until he was framed by treacherous officials and met a tragic end. The novel celebrates his unwavering loyalty and devotion to his country.
884Reads9.6Score—Shelves
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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）
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
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- 42 The Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties: Complete, Edited Edition 隋唐演义-精编完整版 An epic tale of heroes rising amid chaos. Qin Qiong sells his horse, revealing a hero at the end of his rope; Cheng Yaojin robs the imperial tribute convoy, showing off his street smarts; and Li Shimin's Xuanwu Gate Incident reshapes the course of history. Blending the official historical record with folk storytelling, it weaves a legendary tale steeped in history and the spirit of the jianghu. 757Reads9.6Score—Shelves
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Tales of the Northern Song Dynasty 关于北宋的那些事
A new work is here! I hope you'll head over to Tomato Novel to read it. I hope you enjoy it. Your support is what keeps me writing, and I'll do my best to tell every story well!
9.4kReads8.4Score1.1kShelves
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China's Twelve Most Dangerous Dinner Parties 中国最危险的十二个饭局
[Historical Intrigue Anthology] [Short Story Collection] [Game Theory and Psychology] [Unveiling History] Wine cups clink, and murderous intent lurks beneath the surface. One banquet can be enough to change the fate of a dynasty. This book brings together twelve deadly banquets recorded in the history books, including the Feast at Hongmen, Cao Cao's Wine-and-Plum Gathering, the Meeting at Mianchi, and the Gathering of Heroes. Xiang Yu, Liu Bang, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Lin Xiangru, Zhou Yu, Yue Fei, y
457Reads9.3Score153Shelves
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- 45 The Ming Dynasty (2 Volumes) 大明王朝（共2册） The novel of the hit drama Ming Dynasty 1566, rated 9.5 on Douban, is essential reading for Taiwan’s political circles and a political reference book for Singapore’s cabinet. It is the celebrated work of Liu Heping, screenwriter of Yongzheng Dynasty and author of No War in Peking. Centered on the downfall of the powerful official Yan Song, the book tells the gripping story of a complex anti-corruption campaign in the Ming Dynasty. It uncovers the mystery behind Jiajing, one of the most unconvent 43.8kReads9.6Score8kShelves
- 46 Turbulent Years (1960–1969) 动荡年代（1960－1969） Turbulent Years recounts major events in the development of modern Chinese history from 1960 to 1969. It covers the Central Committee's Shanghai Conference and its decision to continue the Great Leap Forward, the proposal of the Four Modernizations, the official establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the People's Liberation Army's participation in the fight against U.S. aggression and aid to Vietnam, the Cultural Revolution, the February Countercurrent, and other historical events. 6.2kReads9.4Score718Shelves
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I Am Hongli, Building a Golden Age for the Qing Dynasty 朕是弘历打造大清盛世
[Political Intrigue + Harem Rivalries + Factional Strife + Romance + Emperor] Hongli ascended the throne at twenty-five and ruled for sixty years, making him the longest-reigning and longest-lived emperor in history. He governed with diligence, excelling in both civil and military affairs, and led the Qing to the height of its golden age. Yet factional strife raged through the court, conflicts in the deep palace never ceased, and danger lurked behind the splendor. In the end, the golden age ga
15.7kReads8.3Score435Shelves
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- 48 Empress Dowager Cixi and Her Three Favored Eunuchs 慈禧皇后与她的三个宠爱太监 [Eunuchs + Palace Secrets + Empress Dowager Cixi + Court Intrigue] From the time Empress Dowager Cixi entered the palace to the day she ruled from behind the curtain, she shared an unusual relationship with three eunuchs: An Dehai, Li Lianying, and Xiao Dezhang. They were like master and servants, like friends, and more than anything, like old companions. She doted on the three eunuchs, who relied on her favor to do as they pleased, throw their weight around, and take part in court affairs. This 51.3kReads9.0Score3.2kShelves
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When Lilacs Bloom: Adventures in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms 丁香花开之五代十国历险记
On the day his dissertation defense failed, Hao Xinren, a history PhD student at Yanjiang University, was also dumped by his girlfriend. With a lilac flower in hand, he transmigrated to Later Liang during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, and stumbled right into Zhu Yougui murdering his father. When Zhu Yougui spotted him, Hao Xinren was thrown into the imperial prison to await execution. Fortunately, Guo Xiangyu helped him escape. Hao Xinren won Guo Xiangyu's heart and earned the favo
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Tribute, War, and Trade: Ming China in the Age of Exploration 朝贡、战争与贸易：大航海时代的明朝
This book examines the clash and competition between the Ming dynasty’s tributary system and global trade. It explores in detail why the tributary system was established, how it took shape, and the challenges it faced in practice, while surveying the historical details of the immense conflict between the Ming dynasty and the wider world against the backdrop of the Age of Exploration. From geopolitical structures, ruling philosophies, and political institutions to private overseas trade, monetary
40Reads8.7Score—Shelves
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