Everyday Life and Practical Knowledge: Books That Teach You Something 生活百科，涨知识的书

1. 51 战 The Warring States (Complete in Four Volumes) 战国（全四册） Hua Buzhu华不注Historical946k WordsCompleted In the final years of the Warring States period, the world is on the brink of upheaval. Seventeen-year-old Li Si refuses to live like a rat in a latrine, so he sets off to study at the Jixia Academy in Qi. He learns from the strengths of the various schools of thought and meets Mao Yuan, a man of extraordinary courage; Qing Shu, a refined and studious young man; Ma Shi, a talented free spirit; and his destined rival, Han Fei. They face one challenge after another, having to cooperate even as the 103Reads9.5Score—14d adds
2. 52 兵 The Thirteen Chapters of the Art of War 兵法十三篇 Zhang Huili张辉力Historical163k WordsCompleted Vast Taihu Lake, its waters shimmering in the sunlight. Sun Wu solemnly bids a final farewell to his friends, including Wu Zixu, then leaves the State of Wu and the place that holds so many memories for him. It has been thirty years. The past drifts by like smoke, seeming both a lifetime ago and vivid as ever... Back then, he left his homeland of Le'an in the State of Qi and went into hiding in Wu. He advised his friends, assassinated King Liao, killed Qingji, and subdued the rebels. He presente 323Reads9.5Score10214d adds
3. 53 十 Ten Socializing Techniques 十神社交术 Philosopher Cat哲学猫Urban130k WordsCompleted This is an unconventional guide to the art of social interaction, inspired by the author’s insights into “Daoist Eight Characters fortune-telling” and “Western pickup artistry.” It is completely different from the books on relationships you see in everyday life: not only is it easy to understand, it is also highly practical. Let’s look at the true nature of human beings in social interactions from a different perspective… 36Reads—Score—14d adds

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   Books on philosophy and psychology are well worth reading!

4. 54 三 The Principles of Ternary Consciousness and Memory Mapping 三元意识与记忆映射原理 Philosopher Cat哲学猫Sci-Fi & Apocalypse102k WordsCompleted This book deciphers the secrets of human longevity through philosophical reasoning. Tomato's number one original philosophical masterpiece, The Threefold Consciousness and Memory Mapping Principle, explores ideology, human nature, the secrets of human longevity, the truth behind ancient history, the origin of the moon, the mystery of the Great Flood, reasoning about past-life memories, an analysis of homosexuality, depression, multidimensional worlds, the differences in how men and women are att 1.5kReads9.2Score47514d adds
5. 55 宠 He Spoiled His Concubine and Neglected His Wife. Reborn, I Broke Off My Engagement to the Scumbag and Married the Prince 宠妾灭妻，重生我退婚渣男嫁王爷 Zhi Zhi之知Ancient Romance640k WordsCompleted The physical book is available on all major platforms. Formerly titled Riding the Phoenix. [Reborn + Powerful Female Lead and Male Lead + Nation and World + Political Schemes] Before the age of seventeen, Shen Yu was the legitimate daughter of a military family who could wield a blade and charge into battle. After seventeen, she became the frail wife of Jiang Manor's Vice Minister Jiang. Her father and brothers died in battle, and the entire Shen family was honored for their loyalty. Bearing 87.6kReads9.5Score12k14d adds

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   I really liked it. The characters were well-developed and vivid, and the plot wasn't clichéd, unlike other authors who mindlessly follow trends. I was fortunate to witness Xie Tingzhou and Shen Yu's story, as well as Han Feng and Yan Liangguan's, during the "Cold Wind and Slight Cold" period.

6. 56 针 The Acupuncturist's Strange Tales 针灸师的异闻录 Wen Wusu文无素问Urban195k WordsCompleted The Clinical Adventures of an Acupuncturist and His Friends in the Mystical Arts: When acupuncture meets the mystical arts, and medical principles shed light on strange phenomena. A book that will make you see Chinese medicine anew, from the transmission of pathogenic qi to spirit-light divination and fire offerings, unveiling the invisible battlefield of life behind Chinese medicine. Perhaps one day, in the hands of a Chinese medicine practitioner, it can become a reference book for finding the 3.8kReads8.9Score75514d adds

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   I'm so glad I found this amazing gem when it was still a new book.

7. 57 风 A Bizarre Tale of Feng Shui! 风水奇谭！ Chen Jiu辰九Urban555k WordsCompleted Chen Yan, a top student at a 985 university, suffered a devastating blow at just twenty-two: His roommate set him up and framed him, driving him into a dead end; His girlfriend of three years cheated on him; his father was hospitalized with a serious illness, and he couldn't even scrape together the 5,000-yuan deposit. His loan payments were overdue and collectors were after him. He was about to become... Just as he sank into utter despair, a mysterious old Daoist appeared, opened his heavenly e 3.9kReads8.5Score31614d adds
8. 58 一 I Transmigrated and Became the Beloved Bride of a Crippled Marquis 一朝穿越，替嫁残侯成团宠 Chen Jiu辰九Ancient Romance230k WordsCompleted [Historical transmigration + medical skills + marriage before love + two strong leads who dote on each other + suspense and court intrigue] Shen Qingci, a top surgeon, transmigrates into the body of a bride forced into a marriage swap. She becomes the new bride meant to bring good fortune to Xiao Yan, the blind and crippled Marquis of Dingbei. On their wedding night, she takes his pulse and immediately sees through it: “My lord, you’ve been poisoned. Someone wants to keep you in darkness forever 123Reads—Score—14d adds
9. 59 与 Coexisting with a Big Shot, I Became Unstoppable 与大佬共生，我强到飞起 Chen Jiu辰九Modern Romance284k WordsCompleted One day, I woke up with a man in my head. It wasn't a hallucination or a split personality. He was the real deal, a top-tier boss: Lu Yunzhou. The ruthless business tycoon who ruled the corporate world was now nothing more than a ghost trapped in my mind. And so, things started looking like this: When someone gives me a hard time, he scoffs in my head: [Third file from the bottom left. Throw it in his face.] When someone frames me, he directs me remotely: [The recorder's in the right-hand drawe 140Reads—Score—14d adds
10. 60 一 A Female Feng Shui Master's Work Diary 一个女风水师的工作日志 Tai Zirui泰子瑞1.0M WordsCompleted The author met a feng shui master and exchanged contact information with her. After seeing her work journal, the author found some of its contents worth reading. They also carry on traditional culture, so the author is sharing them here with her permission. 435Reads8.2Score—14d adds

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    If you want to learn true Feng Shui knowledge for improving your fortune, you should read this book carefully and attentively.

11. 61 宇 The Big Bang: We Are All Made of Stars 宇宙大爆炸：我们都是星辰 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意Urban13k WordsCompleted The Big Bang: We Are All Stardust —Reads—Score—14d adds

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    Tomato University Students

12. 62 积 Positive Psychology 积极心理学 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意39k WordsCompleted Positive Psychology 11Reads—Score114d adds
13. 63 幸 The Psychology of Happiness 幸福心理学 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意33k WordsCompleted The Psychology of Happiness 4Reads—Score114d adds
14. 64 量 A Historical Novel of Quantum Mechanics 量子力学历史小说 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意10k WordsCompleted A Historical Novel About Quantum Mechanics —Reads—Score—14d adds
15. 65 看 Learn Physics Through Novels: From Kepler's Laws to Universal Gravitation 看小说学物理：从开普勒定律到万有引力 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意11k WordsCompleted Learn Physics Through Novels: From Kepler's Laws to Universal Gravitation —Reads—Score—14d adds
16. 66 看 Learn Philosophy Through Novels: The Echoing Gong 看小说学哲理：铜锣声声 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意Historical21k WordsCompleted Learn Life's Lessons Through Novels: The Clanging of Copper Gongs —Reads—Score—14d adds
17. 67 看 Learn Math Through Novels: The Discovery of Imaginary Numbers 看小说学数学：虚数的发现 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意8k WordsCompleted Learn Math Through Novels: The Discovery of Imaginary Numbers —Reads—Score—14d adds
18. 68 看 Boost Your IQ Through Novels: When the City Gates Burn, the Fish in the Moat Suffer 看小说提高智商：城门失火，殃及池鱼 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意Male-Channel Fanfiction11k WordsCompleted Boost Your IQ Through Novels: When the City Gate Catches Fire, the Fish in the Moat Suffer —Reads—Score—14d adds
19. 69 中 A Cultural Guide to the Dao De Jing 《道德经》中华文化编写 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意Historical6k WordsCompleted A cultural adaptation of the Dao De Jing —Reads—Score—14d adds
20. 70 白 A Plain-Language Commentary on The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art 《九章算术》白话文注解 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意Historical8k WordsCompleted A plain-language annotation of The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art 4Reads—Score214d adds
21. 71 人 Man Is Born Free, Yet Everywhere He Is in Chains “人生而自由，却无往不在枷锁之中” Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意13k WordsCompleted “Man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains.” —Reads—Score—14d adds
22. 72 人 Human Cognition and the Endless Quest to Explore the Universe 人类认知与宇宙探索的无尽征程 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意Urban28k WordsCompleted The Endless Journey of Human Understanding and Cosmic Exploration —Reads—Score—14d adds
23. 73 如 How to Become a Modern-Day Royal Consort 如何成为当代驸马 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意Marriage & Romance8k WordsCompleted How to Become a Modern-Day Prince Consort 1Reads—Score—14d adds
24. 74 如 How to Make a Rich Woman Fall for You? 如何让富婆爱上你? Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意7k WordsCompleted How do you get a rich woman to fall in love with you? 4Reads—Score—14d adds
25. 75 如 How to Win a Rich Woman's Favor? 如何获得富婆欢心? Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意7k WordsCompleted How to Win the Heart of a Rich Woman 1Reads—Score—14d adds
26. 76 泡 The Art of Seduction 泡妞攻略 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意Marriage & Romance11k WordsCompleted Pick-Up Guide 5Reads—Score—14d adds
27. 77 甘 I’ll Drink Illusions Like Spring Wine, and Ask No Truth of the Abyss 甘吞虚妄作春醪，不向深渊问假真 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意7k WordsCompleted I’ll gladly drink delusion brewed like spring wine, and ask no abyss whether it’s true or false. —Reads—Score—14d adds
28. 78 西 Performing Crosstalk with Tomato Novels: A Humorous Commentary on Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases 西红柿小说和我一起展示相声表演：笑谈注解伤寒杂病论 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意13k WordsCompleted Tomato Novel joins me in presenting a crosstalk performance: Laughing Through the Annotations to the Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases —Reads—Score—14d adds
29. 79 环 Environmental Engineers Build a Green Great Wall 环保工程师铸就绿色长城 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意10k WordsCompleted Environmental engineers build a green Great Wall —Reads—Score—14d adds
30. 80 支 A Volunteer Teacher’s Starlight Classroom 支教老师星光课堂 Artistic Conception at the Orchid Pavilion兰亭画意55k WordsCompleted A Starry Classroom for Volunteer Teachers 1Reads—Score—14d adds
31. 81 中 Five Thousand Years of Chinese History: The Classic Original Edition 中华上下五千年（经典原版） Anonymous佚名Historical418k WordsCompleted This book traces the development of Chinese civilization across five thousand years of history, from Pangu creating the world and Yu the Great controlling the floods, through Qin Shi Huang’s unification of China, to the Ming and Qing dynasties and modern times. It covers key eras such as the contending philosophies of the pre-Qin period and the prosperous Han and Tang dynasties. Concise accounts highlight the connections between historical events and figures, offering a clear overview of the bas 33.4kReads9.6Score3.9k14d adds

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    Many books have broadened my horizons and increased my knowledge.

32. 82 大 The Ming Dynasty (2 Volumes) 大明王朝（共2册） Liu Heping刘和平Historical653k WordsCompleted 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 43.1kReads9.6Score7.7k14d adds
33. 83 我 My "A Piao" Girlfriend 我的“阿飘”女友 Valley of the Kings帝王谷9k WordsCompleted My "Ghostie" Girlfriend 4kReads—Score8014d adds

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    Great book! [I highly recommend it too!][I highly recommend it too!][I highly recommend it too!]

34. 84 归 My Wife Returned, and She Turned Out to Be a Princess of Beijing's Elite Circle 归来妻子，身份竟是京圈公主 Valley of the Kings帝王谷11k WordsCompleted My Wife Returns, and She Turns Out to Be a Princess of the Capital’s Elite Circle 5.4kReads—Score8714d adds
35. 85 校 I Caught the Campus Beauty's Fox Tail 校花的狐狸尾巴，被我摸到了 Valley of the Kings帝王谷Modern Romance12k WordsCompleted I Got My Hands on the School Beauty’s Fox Tail 799Reads—Score—14d adds
36. 86 青 My Childhood Friend Hates Me, Yet a Daring Game Made Her Kiss Me 青梅讨厌我，大冒险却抓我接吻 Valley of the Kings帝王谷10k WordsCompleted My Childhood Friend Hates Me, Yet a Dare Made Her Kiss Me 452Reads—Score—14d adds
37. 87 女 My Girlfriend Got a Marriage License with Her Childhood Sweetheart 女友与小竹马领证 Valley of the Kings帝王谷13k WordsCompleted My Girlfriend Got a Marriage License with Her Childhood Sweetheart 423Reads—Score414d adds
38. 88 再 On the Day of My Remarriage, My Ex-Wife's Older Sister Nearly Flipped the Table 再婚这天，前妻姐差点掀桌子 Valley of the Kings帝王谷12k WordsCompleted On the Day of His Remarriage, His Ex’s Older Sister Almost Flips the Table 17.9kReads—Score10314d adds
39. 89 白 The Meaning of the White Tiger 白虎通义 Ban Gu班固Historical53k WordsCompleted The Baihutong, also known as the White Tiger Discussions or the White Tiger Treatise on Virtue, is a collection of proceedings from an officially convened meeting on Confucian studies during the Eastern Han dynasty, as well as an imperially sanctioned work interpreting the Confucian classics. It holds an exceptionally important place in the history of Confucian thought and Han political thought. In 79 CE, the fourth year of Emperor Zhang of Han’s Jianchu era, the emperor personally convened a la 28Reads8.6Score—14d adds

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    Cultivate oneself, regulate one's family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world! [Under pressure][Under pressure][Under pressure]

40. 90 天EN The Heavenly Eye Feng Shui Master 天眼风水师 Light of the Dao道之光Urban1.3M WordsCompleted [A feng shui novel] [Featuring feng shui, Daoist medicine, psychology, and economics; read faces and phone numbers] [Practical insights] [Explaining the esoteric with science] My master hastily taught me the art of divination and passed down a few books. Before I even had the chance to formally begin my training in the mountains, he sent me down into the world to help people... Where can I even go to complain about that? Amid the mortal world, I help others and cultivate myself. 672.6kReads9.6Score138.4k14d adds

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    A must-see! You can even try renaming it yourself.

41. 91 中 Unsolved Mysteries in Chinese History 中国历史未解迷案 Kuding Tea 2024苦丁茶2024Historical2.7M WordsCompleted Chinese history stretches back a long way and is full of fascinating things. Some aspects, however, remain baffling. Scholars have offered their own theories about a few of these mysteries, but most remain mere speculation. This book takes a look at history's great unsolved mysteries. 82Reads6.6Score—14d adds

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    Read historical stories and expand your historical knowledge 👈

42. 92 龙 A Crooked History of the Dragon Throne: The Emperors Who Went Off Course 龙椅歪史：那些跑偏的九五之尊 Kuding Tea 2024苦丁茶2024Historical1.2M WordsCompleted Across the brilliant five-thousand-year history of China, more than four hundred emperors appeared between Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng, who first took the title of emperor, and Puyi, who abdicated at the end of the Qing dynasty. Some were brilliant rulers who expanded their territories, while others were mediocre caretakers who merely maintained the status quo. And then there were the eccentric sovereigns, whose behavior was bizarre and whose actions were absurd. These unconventional rulers added 2Reads—Score—14d adds
43. 93 中 Stories of Famous Generals in Ancient China 中国古代名将故事集 Kuding Tea 2024苦丁茶2024Historical1.1M WordsCompleted The celebrated generals of ancient China shine like a galaxy of stars. Sun Wu wrote The Art of War, laying the foundations of military science, and led thirty thousand troops into Ying in a feat that seemed miraculous. Bai Qi fought more than seventy battles without a single defeat and buried 450,000 Zhao soldiers alive at the Battle of Changping. Han Xin famously said, “The more troops, the better,” and helped Liu Bang lay the foundation for the Western Han dynasty. Wei Qing won seven battles i 9Reads—Score—14d adds
44. 94 跟 Learning Feng Shui from Third Grandpa 跟着三爷爷学风水 Ding Xingxing521丁星星521Mystery2.1M WordsCompleted Born into a family of Feng Shui practitioners, I became someone who defies fate the moment I entered the world of Yin-Yang Feng Shui. As one strange event after another unfolded, I learned to recognize fortune and misfortune, ward off disaster, and handle everything with ease. To all the brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunties passing by, please leave a book review here! Remember to comment, too! Thank you! If you like learning, remember to bring your brain along. There’s plenty of useful informa 34.1kReads8.8Score2.9k14d adds

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    Look at this!

45. 95 国 Cultivation Survival for the Nation's Fortune: I Can See Hidden Hints 国运修仙求生：我能看见隐藏提示 Ye Mofan叶默凡Urban1.5M WordsOngoing [National Fortune Survival + Livestreaming + Immortal Cultivation + God-Tier Hints] Blue Star’s resources are running dry, and the National Fortune Game has arrived! Two people from each country are randomly selected to enter the Cave Realm and cultivate immortality. If a contestant dies, their country’s national fortune will be deducted and a natural disaster will follow. Resources obtained by contestants in the Cave Realm have a chance of being returned to their countries with a critical bonus 53.7kReads7.8Score5.2k14d adds

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    Life Encyclopedia, Books to Expand Your Knowledge

46. 96 恒 The Constant Register of Parables 恒籍寓鉴 Xuanyuan Badao轩辕霸道Modern Romance1.2M WordsOngoing Synopsis of The Book of Constant Records: Tales to Awaken the Mind and Discern the Truth With “drawing wisdom from the classics to illuminate the questions of today” as its guiding principle, this book selects over a hundred classic fables and anecdotes from the various schools of philosophy, historical biographies and notes, and folk tradition. These include “The Frog at the Bottom of the Well” from Zhuangzi, “Making Up the Numbers” from Han Feizi, and “The Man from Qi Who Worried the Sky Would 10Reads—Score614d adds

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    The Deer on the Clouds: A Tale of Three Warriors Struggling for Their Path At the foot of the vast Taihang Mountains lies Qing Shi Town, bordered by a river to the east and mountains to the west. Caravans come and go in an endless stream, yet the town is constantly besieged by river bandits and mountain outlaws, causing immense suffering to its inhabitants. Three young men in the town, all ambitious and determined, ultimately take vastly different paths due to their differing approaches to life. The townspeople of Qing Shi Town all know that Li Laoshi is a steadfast and honest man. His ancestors have farmed three acres of meager land on the west side of the town for generations, working from sunrise to sunset. His greatest wish is to save enough money to replace his mud-brick house with a brick and tile house. He often says, "People shouldn't be greedy; just seek stability." Occasionally, caravans in the town hire him to help load and unload goods, paying him daily wages without complaint, accepting whatever he is offered. Some people advised him, "Brother Li, you're strong, why not join a caravan on a long journey? One trip could earn you half a month's wages." He always shook his head, "Traveling long distances is too dangerous. If we encounter river bandits, I'll lose my life. It's more secure to stay in the fields." Later, the brocade weaving industry flourished in the town, and someone from a neighboring village invited him to partner in opening a weaving workshop, saying that the profit from brocade weaving was three times that of farming. However, he worried that he wouldn't be able to learn the weaving skills or find a market for the products, so he ultimately refused. In stark contrast to Li Laoshi, Wang Yongmeng was a well-known "trailblazer" in the town. He was strong and healthy, with a fiery temper, and always dreamed of making a name for himself. Seeing that caravans were frequently robbed, he gathered a dozen or so young and strong fellow villagers to form a caravan protection team, vowing to "wipe out the river bandits and dominate the Taihang Mountains." Initially, he did manage to repel several small groups of river bandits with his brute strength, and caravans were willing to pay him handsomely for escorts. But he was impatient and, after a few victories, became increasingly arrogant, ignoring advice and insisting on launching a preemptive strike to wipe out the river bandits' lair. Someone warned him, "Chief Wang, the river bandits' hideout is located at Eagle's Beak Cliff, a treacherous location, and they are allied with mountain bandits. We cannot act rashly." He patted his chest, "What's there to be afraid of? With my strength and the bravery of my brothers, we can definitely take them down in one fell swoop!" As a result, he led his caravan deep into Eagle's Beak Cliff, only to be ambushed by the river bandits and then attacked by mountain bandits. More than half of his brothers were killed or wounded, and he himself lost a leg. The caravan disbanded, and its former prestige vanished. Meanwhile, the most inconspicuous person in town was the scholar Su Mingyuan. He came from a poor family and was physically weak, yet he always loved to be engrossed in books, pondering matters. The townspeople laughed at him, calling him a "bookworm," saying he was useless and would amount to nothing. Su Mingyuan paid no heed to the gossip of others. Besides reading, he spent his days listening to stories told by passing caravans at the teahouse, or observing the flow of people and goods at the town entrance. He discovered that while the river bandits were fierce, they only robbed and didn't kill, and their relationship with the mountain bandits was superficial; the mountain bandits, though ruthless, were extremely loyal and maintained connections with the government of neighboring counties. More importantly, he heard that the newly appointed prefect was determined to eradicate the banditry but lacked effective strategies. One day, the river bandits came to plunder again. Wang Yongmeng's remaining troops fought bravely, Li Laoshi hid at home with the doors and windows tightly shut, while Su Mingyuan went alone to the river bandit camp. Everyone thought he was going to his death, but three days later, he returned with a letter written by the river bandit leader. It turned out that Su Mingyuan had told the bandit leader, "The prefect has already mobilized troops and will soon besiege Eagle's Beak Cliff. If you continue to be bandits, you will only face death; if you surrender to the government and atone for your crimes, you can not only save your lives but also receive land from the government and live a peaceful life." The bandit leader, who was already unwilling to live a life of constant danger, was tempted by Su Mingyuan's analysis of the pros and cons and his willingness to vouch for him. Su Mingyuan then rushed to the mountain bandit camp and told the bandit leader, "The bandits have decided to surrender to the government, and the government will definitely concentrate its forces to deal with you. You already have a grudge against the bandits, so why not take this opportunity to help the government annihilate the remaining bandits? You can get revenge and atone for your crimes. Why not?" The bandit leader, who had always been wary of the government's military strength and resented the bandits for taking his territory, thought it over and agreed to Su Mingyuan's proposal. Subsequently, Su Mingyuan went to the prefectural government office and offered the prefect a "divide and conquer" strategy. He suggested that the prefect first pardon the surrendered river bandits, then let the river bandits and mountain bandits fight each other, allowing the government to reap the benefits. The prefect was delighted and immediately adopted his plan. Within half a month, the river bandits and mountain bandits clashed, resulting in heavy casualties. The government seized the opportunity to send troops and wiped out the banditry at the foot of the Taihang Mountains in one fell swoop. Afterwards, the prefect reported to the court, recommending Su Mingyuan for an official position. Su Mingyuan politely declined, only requesting that the prefect reduce the taxes of Qingshi Town for three years and allocate funds for road repairs. The prefect agreed to both. After the roads were repaired, merchant caravans traveled more frequently, and Qingshi Town became a bustling commercial center. Su Mingyuan opened a trading company, and through honest business practices and a keen business sense, his business grew larger and larger, making him a well-known wealthy merchant in the area. He also frequently helped the poor and built schools, earning him the deep respect of the townspeople. Li Laoshi, however, remained devoted to his meager three acres of land. Although Qing Shi Town had become prosperous, he refused to change his way of life; his days were peaceful, but he remained poor. Wang Yongmeng, due to his disability, could only survive on the charity of the townspeople; his former ambitions had long since vanished. Someone asked Su Mingyuan, "You had neither money nor power back then, how were you able to accomplish such a great feat?" Su Mingyuan smiled and said, "Those who aim high achieve only the middle, those who aim for the middle achieve only the lowest. If I only thought about living a peaceful life, I would only end up as poor as Li Laoshi; if I only relied on reckless courage, I would suffer a crushing defeat like Wang Yongmeng. What I sought was the peace and tranquility of the entire town, and lasting peace. Although I didn't achieve instant success, I still fulfilled my heart's desire." He paused, then continued, "Even in dire straits, there is hope. When Qing Shi Town was besieged by bandits, it seemed like a dead end, but in reality, it concealed a turning point. The conflict between river bandits and mountain bandits, and the government's determination, were all forces that could be leveraged. By assessing the situation, acting in accordance with the trend, knowing when to advance and retreat, and being clear about what to take and what to leave behind, one can find hope in dire straits and take the initiative in the midst of conflict. The benefits of this world are always reserved for a few people with foresight and wisdom." Years later, the elders of Qingshi Town would still tell children the story of Su Mingyuan. They said that true wisdom lies not in reckless action, nor in complacency, but in having lofty aspirations, understanding the times, knowing how to leverage resources, and making the right choices at the right time. Like a stag atop a mountain, never confronting wolves head-on, but instead using the mountain's natural defenses and going with the wind, it can survive and thrive in harsh environments, becoming a powerful predator in the forest.

47. 97 一 The Three Kingdoms: History So Addictive, You Can’t Put It Down 一读就上瘾的三国史 SpikeHistorical191k WordsCompleted The Three Kingdoms era was marked by endless warfare and rival warlords, and is now familiar to everyone thanks to Romance of the Three Kingdoms. But the novel isn't history, and some of the famous stories we all know never actually happened! Did Zhuge Liang really borrow arrows with straw boats? Why is Zhang He known as “the Three Kingdoms strength tester”? How did Fei Yi live a life worthy of the title “master of pacing”? Did Cao Zhi really love his sister-in-law? Why is Cao Cao's life said to 1.1kReads9.5Score10014d adds
48. 98 资 Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance: Zhou Chronicle, Modern Chinese Edition 资治通鉴·周纪（白话版） Sima Guang司马光Historical66k WordsCompleted Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government is a monumental chronological history of ancient China, compiled by Sima Guang during the Northern Song dynasty. It covers 1,362 years of history, from the Warring States period to the Five Dynasties. This book presents the “Zhou Annals” as a standalone work, translated in full into clear, modern language for contemporary readers. This edition covers all five volumes of the “Zhou Annals,” from the twenty-third year of King Weilie of Zhou (403 BCE) to the 15Reads8.6Score814d adds
49. 99 趣 The Song Dynasty, Told with a Twist 趣说大宋王朝 Historical and Military Archives历史军事档案室Historical696k WordsCompleted The emperor's art of statecraft in a single cup of wine, the fateful legend of the “fragrant boy's birth,” a prophetic monk who foretold that “the inspector would become emperor,” and the schemes and ambitions behind a yellow imperial robe... The founding of the Song dynasty was far more fascinating than the history books suggest! Discover Zhao Kuangyin's rise from street urchin to founding emperor: his “forced” ascension at Chenqiao Station, the mysterious prophecy at Xiangyang Temple, the lig 4.9kReads9.5Score22314d adds
50. 100 奸 Tales of Treacherous Ministers: The Five Fiends and Six Bandits of the Northern Song 奸臣传之北宋五鬼六贼 Trajectory轨迹Historical49k WordsCompleted [A roll call of treacherous ministers, with a touch of spicy humor and theatrical satire!] The Biography of Treacherous Ministers: The Five Ghosts and Six Bandits of the Northern Song is like a blacklist of history's ultimate “villain club”! No need to transmigrate to the Song dynasty. You can “watch remotely” as these self-serving, scheming power brokers stir up trouble. Wang Qinruo, Ding Wei, Chen Pengnian, Liu Chenggui, and Lin Te, along with Cai Jing, Tong Guan, Wang Fu, Liang Shicheng, Zhu 7Reads8.4Score—14d adds

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