Novels like The First Secretary
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as The First Secretary, best match first.
- 1 The Secretarial Official's Rise 小秘官途 After being pushed aside, a junior secretary sets out on the path to rising to power... 233Reads6.7Score—14d adds
- 2 Transmigration: The Rise and Fall of Officialdom 穿越:宦海沉浮 There are many ways to change one’s fate. Su Zhe is a grassroots employee whose only dream is to own an apartment in the county seat, then marry and start a family. But the sea of officialdom is turbulent. From the day he set foot on this path, his life was destined to be anything but peaceful. —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 3 The Road to Power 官途 This novel portrays ten years in the official career of the high-ranking official Li Xiangdong. Spanning economically moderately developed regions, remote and impoverished areas, and prosperous developed regions, it follows the protagonist as he faces the varied crises and challenges brought on by different places and positions. A realistic web novel. 1.3kReads6.9Score11914d adds
- 4 A Political Career: A Far-Reaching Vision for the Nation 仕途:江山志远 Yang Zhiyuan returns from Beijing to his hometown and starts out in poverty alleviation. Step by step, he rises from the grassroots ranks, earning the appreciation of his superiors and a boundless future. But the times are harsh, and every step is a struggle. Someone has to shoulder the burden and press onward. If it benefits the country, I will give my life for it: how could I avoid it for the sake of my own fortune or misfortune? See how Yang Zhiyuan carves out a whole new world. 7Reads6.9Score—14d adds
- 5 A Prodigy's Path to Power 天骄仕途 The world of officialdom is full of unseen clashes and schemes, ruthless enough to kill without spilling a drop of blood! It may look like flowers embroidered on brocade, but beneath the surface, it’s a pot boiling over a raging fire! Lu Mingyuan, a small-town exam grinder, rose from humble beginnings, enjoyed a meteoric career, took command of power, and improved people’s lives, composing a magnificent chapter for a new era! 8Reads8.2Score—14d adds
- 6 Reborn: From Breakup to the Top 重生:从分手到巅峰 Reborn in a parallel world, he transmigrates into the body of a man named Qin Yi. From the start, he is a low-level employee, and because of his job, his girlfriend dumps him on the spot. —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 7 The Past of Power 权峰往事 This is a special kind of workplace, one filled with all the ambitions and aspirations, triumphs and dreams that men pursue... 2.9kReads8.2Score27614d adds
- 8 The Power Game: A Scandalous Political Career 权路迷局:绯色官途 The arrival of a female leader from outside gave Hao Feng, a county government office secretary who had long been suppressed, a chance to turn things around. After falling into a shocking trap, Hao Feng emerged stronger and was entrusted with important responsibilities. From then on, his career in government took off. He unraveled one mystery after another, rose rapidly through the ranks, and ultimately reached the pinnacle of power. 851Reads9.0Score10314d adds
- 9 Changing Shi Dakai’s Fate, Starting at the Dadu River 改变石达开命运,从大渡河开始 There is a System, with a focus on realistic history and an ordinary golden finger. This isn't a mindless power fantasy where the System raises an army for the protagonist. If that bothers you, don't read this. Shi Dingqing, a third-year university student, transmigrates into the body of a low-ranking soldier under Shi Dakai, the Wing King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. It's May 1863, and Shi Dakai will be defeated and die in June. Shi Dingqing is currently marching alongside him. How is this 5Reads8.0Score414d adds
- 10 The Road to Power: Rising Step by Step from the Grassroots 官道雄途:从基层开始步步高升 [Officialdom] + [Political Intrigue] In the early 1990s, the winds of change were sweeping across the land. The entire nation was cautiously trying to adapt to a new world. A young man rose from humble beginnings, keeping pace with the times as he climbed step by step to the pinnacle of power. 28Reads5.9Score—14d adds
- 11 The Uncrowned King 无冕之王 Jing Tao is reported during the public notice of his appointment as director. After his promotion falls through, his former leader makes a decision on his own and sends him to gain experience at the grassroots level. Under Jing Tao’s leadership, the community is reborn. Using his strengths, he actively takes part in the process of democratization and helps address a wide range of social issues, including housing, education, healthcare, elder care, and people’s livelihoods. He truly fulfills the 26Reads6.7Score—14d adds
- 12 A Clash of Power 权力对决 After someone else takes the position he earned at the Bureau of Construction, Ma Changtian follows his female superior to the countryside, where he begins a struggle against fate. Money, beauty, and the undercurrents of corruption test Ma Changtian as he fights his way upstream. Should he advance or retreat? A battle for life and death is drawing near... 36Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 13 Officialdom: After Putting Myself on the Line, I Rose Straight to the Top 官场:以身入局后,我青云直上 [Authentic Political Intrigue] [Highly Anticipated] [No System] [No Mindless Plot] Serving in government is both a technical skill and an art. It calls for political tactics, but even more so for political wisdom. Gu Mingchuan has barely become a secretary to a Party committee secretary when he falls victim to one underhanded scheme after another. Watch as he navigates both sides of the political arena, turns the tables, and climbs step by step to the pinnacle of power! 8.6kReads7.9Score89514d adds
- 14 The Official's Secretary 官秘 Blades flash and swords clash in the shadows. After a special reception, Liang Xiaosu is drawn step by step into a quagmire by the unseen hand working behind the scenes. She maneuvers between opposing sides, facing danger at every turn while carefully planning her next move... 37Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 15 Cheng Wuxu's Fifth Book 程无序的第5本书 [An Incomplete Guide to Officialdom] Political elites aren't made in a day. Zhao Zhiliu carves out a path to promotion through betrayal, scheming, and stepping on others, joining forces with newcomer Ning Xiaofei to keep working miracles and reach the pinnacle of life. 32Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 16 The Unorthodox Sword on the Road to Officialdom 仕途之剑走偏锋 While others are scrambling to transfer into city government offices, he chooses to head down to the grassroots level, moving from the top to the bottom. In truth, he is taking this unconventional path to make himself stronger. This is a comeback story set in the world of politics. A man from humble beginnings relies on his own intelligence and courage to overcome obstacle after obstacle on his career path, ultimately becoming a talented young leader in charge of an entire region... 3Reads—Score—14d adds
- 17 The Boss from Hell 极品老板 This superior barged into her life, and their relationship took a curious turn... 11Reads5.7Score814d adds
- 18 The Game of Power 权利的游戏 Reborn in 2001, Gao Yuan decides he won’t lie flat anymore. He’ll ride the waves and fight his way forward in officialdom. Subtle dealings and favors, ruthless political power struggles, intense clashes of ideals, and the unpredictable ups and downs of a career in government. This is the story of a young official’s journey of transformation. 498Reads7.4Score10314d adds
- 19 The Road to Power 问鼎权途 Through one ordinary day after another and one trial after another, watch Lin Zheyu ride the waves, overcome every obstacle, and climb to the very top... 984Reads8.5Score10314d adds
- 20 A Rising Star in Politics: From the Grassroots to the Dragon's Gate 官场红人:从基层开始,鲤越龙门 After an accident, Tang Yi went overnight from an invisible office worker to the heart of a power struggle. In this trap-filled arena of fame and fortune, he must choose between conscience and ambition: expose the truth or cozy up to the powerful? A gripping battle for political advancement begins! 207Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 21 Reborn in Officialdom: The Road to the Top 重生官场,巅峰之路 The road to power is hard to navigate. You must not only dodge attacks from both sides, but also hold fast to the conviction of serving the public. When you prosper, work for the good of all; when you are down, keep yourself above reproach! This is the story of a third-generation official’s rise to the top. Jiang Ning is reborn in 1991. Driven by the convictions in his heart, he will lead a life utterly different from the one he lived before. Years of ups and downs in the political arena pass. W —Reads7.0Score—14d adds
- 22 Aspiring to the Azure Clouds 欲上青云 My new story is here! Feel free to read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you enjoy it. Your support motivates me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 23 Reborn on the Road to Power 重生之官道 [Not Wish Fulfillment + No Mindless Protagonist + Everyday Life + Wits and Strategy] Enter at your own risk To most people, officialdom looks calm on the surface, yet beneath it currents run deep, full of deception and intrigue. Is it a web of power and influence, or a battle between black and white? The truth is, choosing the right path matters more than working hard! In his previous life, Wang Ze was conscientious and responsible, but lacked the heart of a strong man. Timid and afraid to make 801Reads6.8Score10414d adds
- 24 The Ups and Downs of Officialdom: It All Began When a Leader Jumped from a Building 宦海沉浮:从领导跳楼开始 Zhu Tianyu has faced setbacks for half his life. Rumors about his girlfriend have set tongues wagging, and people keep eyeing the company under his management. With one obstacle after another in this difficult world, watch as he turns the tide and defeats his rivals! 10Reads—Score—14d adds
- 25 A Book by Xingbao 星宝的一本书 My new work is out! You can read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Your support motivates me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 30Reads8.6Score—14d adds
- 26 Reborn: An Ordinary Career in Government 重生之平凡官路 Xu Wen was once a minor deputy section-level official, an ordinary grassroots worker with no connections. He was fixated on getting promoted, but never managed to achieve it. Then he suddenly returned to the day he first joined the workforce. Determined to live well and make up for his past regrets, he never expected that, little by little, he would rise to the heights he had once admired from afar. —Reads8.2Score—14d adds
- 27 The Grand Chess Game of Politics: I Am the Player 官场大棋局:我是执棋人 In his previous life, he had planned every move with care. Yet just one step from the pinnacle of power, an unseen hand shoved him into the abyss. His career came to a bitter end, and he died with regrets. Now, returned in a dream, he found himself back at the crossroads where he had graduated from college and faced a life-changing choice! Zhao Weimin, carrying decades of precise memories from the future and a lifetime's worth of political wisdom, calmly placed the first piece that would rewrite —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 28 Ride the Wind and Break the Waves 乘风破浪 At the lowest point in his life, Xue Jialiang has lost all hope. Then a mysterious figure appears, and his fate takes a turn for the better. He rapidly bounces back, becoming a hot commodity… 1.4kReads8.5Score18914d adds
- 29 Twenty Years in the Political Arena 官场二十年 The ordinary experiences of an ordinary young man in officialdom. There is no expert to guide him and no benefactor to help him, only the authenticity of the little things he has experienced, the loneliness that follows the bustle, and the uncertainty of knowing he still has to keep moving forward. Xiao Heli in this story perseveres, and luck is on his side. He seems to have achieved a little success and looks impressive on the surface, but inside he is in pain. He cannot tell whether the road h 106Reads6.4Score—14d adds
- 30 Officialdom: Just Fired, Already Pursued by a Beauty 官场:刚被免职就被佳人缠上 The tides of officialdom bring endless temptations: money, beautiful women, and power. When all of these were placed before Zhao Chen, a man who had always taken life in stride, he somehow stumbled into a world of sensual pleasures. Watch as he turns the tables at will, deftly escapes the traps of passion, and rises steadily through the ranks. —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 31 Reborn: Seeking Justice in the Political Arena 重生之宦海寻凶 He had once enjoyed a brilliant political career, with a smooth path to advancement, but was persecuted and framed as a corrupt official. He was thrown in prison and even lost his life. Reborn, he will personally kill his enemies and protect his family. Amid the shifting currents of officialdom, he will follow roughly the same path as in his previous life, expose the real culprit, and clear his name. In the political arena, he will use the advantages of being reborn to foresee the future, choose —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 32 Tides of the Political Arena 宦海沉浮 After more than twenty years as an official, Zhang Yanyu suddenly returned to the 1990s after an accident, carrying twenty years of historical memories. Would he be able to change the course of events? Watch as the family’s once-neglected, useless son gradually becomes its leading figure. Stay tuned! His sudden rise, however, made him a stumbling block to those whose official careers had once been smooth sailing. See how he cuts through every obstacle along the way. The tides of officialdom rise —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 33 Officialdom: Five Years in Office, Leading the County Out of Poverty 官场:上任五年,带全县脱贫致富 In 2018, just after Wu Shixie takes office, he is faced with a severe crisis: the local government is strapped for cash and can't even pay its employees. Watch how he puts resources to work, manages the budget, promotes capable people, and uses a range of governing methods to transform the county! Once you take office as a local official, you must devote yourself to the people and plan for generations to come. Watch how Wu Shixie leads the whole county out of poverty and toward prosperity, givin 653Reads—Score—14d adds
- 34 Rising Through the Ranks of Officialdom 官场之青云直上 He was promoted and appointed, only to be sent to a remote mountain township in the middle of nowhere. Was it a demotion, or was there another assignment? Ouyang Ming upheld his sense of justice and fought for the people. He cleared away the fog, broke through the deadlock, stood out, navigated political intrigue, and punished lawbreakers. Righteous and fearless, Ouyang Ming climbed step by step toward the peak of his life. 199Reads—Score—14d adds
- 35 Climbing the Ladder: I Really Want to Get Ahead 步步高升:我真是太想进步了 Gao Sheng majored in Chinese Language and Literature. In college, he was a class officer, presented a polished image, earned excellent grades, and joined the Communist Party. During the 2010 graduation season, he landed a job at Bingzhou Industrial Investment Group, a state-owned enterprise under the provincial capital in his hometown. Coming from a rural background, he thought that joining a state-owned enterprise would let him put his outstanding abilities to use and build a brilliant future. 131Reads—Score—14d adds
- 36 Power Struggles: The Organization Department Sends Me Down to the Grassroots 官场争锋:我被组织部下派去基层 This is a cathartic rebirth novel set in the world of officialdom. In his previous life, Qin Zhen was betrayed and turned into a tool for others to purge their rivals, meeting a tragic end. Reborn before the turn of the millennium, he sees through everything, rejects his girlfriend's arrangements, and joins a provincial government agency, becoming a deputy section chief in the Organization Department. Before long, he is sent down to the grassroots as a deputy township head. From then on, he soar 3Reads5.8Score—14d adds
- 37 Officialdom: Brother, I Thank Your Ancestors for Eight Generations! 官场:兄弟,我谢你八辈祖宗! Let's set out again with Gao Weijun! The end of your past life was merely someone else's beginning. You were played for a fool without even realizing it. Not this time! Watch as these brothers stand shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, and walk the road together! Stop falling out with people at the drop of a hat. That's childish! 33Reads6.9Score—14d adds
- 38 The Road to Power 权力官途 262Reads7.3Score—14d adds
- 39 The Road to Power: From Secretary to the Top 权力之路:从秘书走向巅峰 Song Siming, a master's graduate of Dongda, was recruited by Donghai Television through its talent program. He worked hard but had no knack for sucking up, so his immediate superior kept him down. His wife was unfaithful, and his in-laws looked down on him. The only thing keeping him going was his beloved son, until a paternity test report shattered him. Just when all seemed lost, a glimmer of hope appeared: an older alumnus from Dongda had become a prominent figure in Donghai City, and Song Sim 65Reads8.9Score—14d adds
- 40 Rising Through the Ranks: Starting as a Township Chief 平步青云:从乡长开始 Wu Zheng, a cadre reassigned to a new post, faced a hostile welcome on his very first day as township chief. Using his iron-fisted methods, he launched a determined counterattack, climbed one step at a time, and rose to the pinnacle of power. As he advanced, the daughter of a high-ranking official became his confidante, while a group CEO became his close friend. Together, they worked to give ordinary people a better life. 147Reads8.3Score—14d adds
- 41 The Debtor 欠债人 Bian Xiangyang was drowning in debt. Overwhelmed after his divorce, he jumped into a river to end his life, but Jiang Zihao happened to be there and stopped him. Jiang hatched a sinister scheme and hired him for two million yuan to murder his mistress, Wang Lili. But Bian was completely won over by Wang Lili's beauty and courage. He learned that everything she did was for revenge, came to understand her, and fell in love with her. He went on to climb the career ladder and begin a new life... The 11Reads—Score—14d adds
- 42 A Smooth Rise: Starting as a Grassroots Police Officer 平步青云:从基层民警开始 Wang Meng is a grassroots police officer, born with a cold, stern face but kind at heart and with a deep hatred of evil. After offending the criminal underworld, he was framed and fired, and spent his life in poverty and hardship. On the verge of death, he finally understood one thing: only by holding power could you control your own fate. When he opened his eyes again, he discovered that he had been reborn in 2001, three days before he was framed. Drawing on his knowledge of how events woul 372Reads6.2Score—14d adds
- 43 The Road to Officialdom: I Rebuild and Reign Supreme 官路鸿途:重整旗鼓我为王 A career in government is like Mount Everest: so high that the air is thin! It is also like a ladder reaching to the heavens, seemingly impossible to climb! And yet countless people continue to press forward, one after another! Qin Junyu was just an insignificant member of this vast crowd of climbers. One drunken night gave Qin Junyu more than twenty years of memories out of nowhere. In those memories, Qin Junyu, once a force to be reckoned with in the business world, had been defeated by politi 2.5kReads7.4Score18414d adds
- 44 Reborn: From Suspension and Self-Criticism to the Pinnacle of Power 重生:从停职检讨到权力巅峰 (This book needs extensive revisions, so updates are temporarily suspended.) You only get a few chances in life to give it your all. Returning to 1997 with memories of his past life, he starts by writing a self-criticism after being suspended, then rides the tide upward, rises rapidly through the ranks, and ultimately reaches the pinnacle. 6Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 45 The Silent Al: Book 5 沉寂的阿尔的第5本书 (This story is entirely fictional... and decidedly unconventional...) East, west, north, or south, square as a brick, wherever you need me, that’s where I go! After starting over, Wang Yangming takes the first step toward seizing control of his life, only to discover that the wind stirred by this little moth of his is getting stronger and stronger... This is the story of an ordinary man with a bit of a conscience, steadily striving to improve himself and throwing himself into the fray with all 4Reads6.5Score—14d adds
- 46 A Commoner's Road to Promotion 草根升迁记 Wang Yifan is just a low-ranking school police officer. By chance, after suffering a romantic setback, his luck suddenly turns around. He rises steadily through the ranks and reaches the peak of his career. 1.2kReads8.5Score11414d adds
- 47 The Red Road to Power 红色仕途 The virtuous are wise, and the truly benevolent are sages. Ouyang Shuntian wins the favor of a beautiful bank president, rises swiftly through the ranks, and reaches the very top. 509Reads6.1Score—14d adds
- 48 A Political Prodigy 官途奇才 At fourteen, prodigy Lu Yimin scored nearly perfect marks on the college entrance exam. Some people claim his intelligence comes from being conceived through illicit relations, just like Confucius, and absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Find out whether Lu Yimin truly absorbed that energy, and how he creates a legend in the world of officialdom... All place names, character names, and storylines in this book are fictional. Please do not assume they refer to real people or events 330Reads7.3Score—14d adds
- 49 Beneath the Courtroom: Crime and Punishment in the Gaps of Procedure 庭审之下:程序缝隙中的罪和罚 This story follows legal professionals in Jiangzhou as they uphold their faith in the rule of law and maintain professional standards while handling a series of complex cases. From investigating cases at the grassroots level to participating in international judicial cooperation, they rely on facts and apply the law, defending fairness and justice in their respective roles. Their work reflects the practice and ongoing questions of building the rule of law in contemporary China. Note: This is a f 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 50 Unstoppable on the Road to Power 仕路横行 Born to a humble family in a poor, remote village, he refuses to abandon his grand ambitions. With bold resolve, he draws companions to his side, while a beautiful woman keeps him company and stirs envy. Through the shifting tides of officialdom, he navigates a chaotic career, taking on one post after another. He strides through snow-white breakers, singing as he goes; wherever his misty sails pass, the green reeds sway. 8Reads7.1Score—14d adds

















































