Novels like Ruling the Realm: The First Secretary
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Ruling the Realm: The First Secretary, best match first.
- 1 The Officialdom Rankings: Rising and Falling in the Political Arena 官榜：宦海浮沉 [Officialdom] + [Political Intrigue] + [Period Novel] Returning to the 1990s, Chen Guohua, a civil servant, relies on the foresight that comes with being reborn to emerge from a desperate predicament and finally get a new lease on life. But before he can enjoy his fresh start, he's given a mission at a moment of crisis and sent to Qianlou Town. There, he must face entrenched local factions, an impoverished township, and investors with ulterior motives... Chen Guohua fears nothing. He meets each 4Reads7.0Score—Shelves
- 2 The Political Arena 宦海 [Political intrigue + satisfying revenge] “Hold office and bring blessings to the people!” Song Yang, who grew up in a small mountain village, stumbled into officialdom by chance. Since he was there, he decided to make the best of it. He overcame one obstacle after another, braving every challenge as he contended with forces from all sides, while one tale of love and hatred after another unfolded around him. His highest principle, from beginning to end, was to serve the people’s interests, and i 119Reads6.4Score—Shelves
- 3 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 78Reads8.9Score—Shelves
- 4 Reborn to a Career in Officialdom 重生之官运 Wu Zhuoran, a university graduate selected for a government post with no connections to rely on, stumbles into politics by chance. With his intelligence and courage, and through tireless effort, he makes like-minded friends, resists temptation, and challenges and defeats every obstacle in his way, step by step reaching the pinnacle of his political career and his life... 106Reads6.3Score—Shelves
- 5 Reborn in the Political Arena: My Patron Falls from Power at the Start 重生官场：开局靠山倒台 [Not a power fantasy + Not a reskinned story + No System + No female lead + Political power struggles] People say the character for “official” has two mouths, but that's not really true. A true official is the subtle link between those two mouths. He must be able to pass on orders from above and guide those below. In his previous life, he spent thirty years struggling in officialdom without making any progress. Reborn, he found his powerful patron had fallen. This time, Ren Wu would take his fat 1Reads8.4Score—Shelves
- 6 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 640Reads—Score—Shelves
- 7 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. 198Reads—Score—Shelves
- 8 A Weathered Political Career 沧桑官途 Without attaching himself to power, and without using it to bully others, Gong Zheng unexpectedly embarked on a career in public service. Starting by taking the fall for the county Party secretary, he skillfully leveraged every opportunity and rose steadily through the ranks, while also experiencing the ups and downs of officialdom... 227Reads—Score—Shelves
- 9 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! 9Reads8.2Score—Shelves
- 10 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. 489Reads7.4Score103Shelves
- 11 A Chronicle of Officialdom 官场纪实录 The author works within the system and draws on real experience in officialdom. This is not a wish-fulfillment story; there aren't that many gratifying moments in the system. To make the story more entertaining, some things will be exaggerated and others invented. As for what is real and what is made up, readers can decide for themselves. The place names and personal names are deliberately mismatched, not what you might think. 556Reads—Score106Shelves
- 12 The Road to Power: Who Holds the Reins? 官路之谁主沉浮 Who will rule this vast land? His superior is murdered, his girlfriend betrays him, and Lin Feng reaches the darkest moment of his life. Demoted to the Bureau of Religious Affairs, he has nothing to do all day. Unwilling to waste away, Lin Feng finds a new way forward: he works with the Tourism Bureau, makes full use of his department’s role, and promotes temple construction and tourism. At the same time, he secretly assists Liu Qingqing, captain of the city criminal investigation brigade, in in 347Reads—Score—Shelves
- 13 Political Power at Its Peak: The Real Game of Power 官场巅峰：真实的权力游戏 When his superiors sent someone down to inspect the place, Ye Xingsheng accidentally offended the female leader while swimming in the pool. He thought his chances of promotion were gone, but instead he rose rapidly through the ranks... 5.3kReads7.8Score421Shelves
- 14 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. 144Reads8.3Score—Shelves
- 15 The Pinnacle of Power 仕途巅峰 The world is cruel, and people are heartless. Rain falls at dusk, when flowers are quick to fade. The morning breeze dries, but tear stains remain. I long to write down what’s in my heart, yet can only speak to myself by the railing. It is so hard, so hard, so hard. We are parted now, and nothing is as it was. My ailing soul swings like a rope in autumn wind. The horn sounds cold, and night grows late. Afraid someone will ask, I swallow my tears and pretend to be happy. I hide it, hide it, hide 9Reads—Score—Shelves
- 16 Officialdom: Power in Interwoven Hands 官场：权利交织 Shang Quancai never expected that simply bragging would let two women turn the tables on him. He didn't want to lose face in front of them, so if he bragged to the point where nobody could prove him wrong, then it wouldn't count as bragging, right? Wasn't there a saying in official circles that nothing is impossible, only people who can't get things done? Besides, once you've taken a dump, can you really sit back down in it? 329Reads6.1Score108Shelves
- 17 The Mission of Justice 正义的使命 Life is a play, and fate takes its course. He cares for the people and serves the public selflessly. Amid a tangled web of circumstances, Li Yuanlang cuts through obstacles and faces every challenge head-on, composing a magnificent chapter for a new era!! 16.6kReads9.3Score100Shelves
- 18 Officialdom: The Road to Power Begins as a Police Officer in a Detention Center 官场：掌权之路从看守所民警开始 Yang Junbang, a police officer with the criminal investigation squad, was framed and demoted to work at a detention center. There, Yang Junbang met his benefactor and ultimately embarked on a path to defy fate and change his destiny. 1Reads—Score—Shelves
- 19 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! 28Reads6.9Score—Shelves
- 20 The Righteous Path to Power 官途正道 This is a silent battle between good and evil, and a silent struggle between the polished public image of a county Party secretary and the darkness behind it. This is a journey through life that lays bare human nature, and a compelling story of a career in politics... This story is entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental! 84Reads6.9Score101Shelves
- 21 A Life in Officialdom: The Stories of Women in Politics 人在仕途：官场女人那些事儿 (Realistic political workplace + case-based stories + no harem) It’s hard to be a person, harder to be a woman, and harder still to be a woman in politics. But women in politics have their own rules for survival. Drawing on my 17 years navigating the political world, with firsthand experience across township, county, municipal, and provincial offices, I’ll show you what a woman in politics is really like! 17Reads8.9Score—Shelves
- 22 Reborn: From Junior Clerk to the Very Top 重生：从小科员直达巅峰 (Rebirth + urban life + officialdom) Zhang Zhengyu, middle-aged and stuck in a rut, is involved in a car accident while hosting an official reception. When he wakes up, he has returned to 1995 and become a clerk at Linshui County’s Investment Promotion Bureau. Having achieved little in his previous life, he decides to seize this chance to make a name for himself, rise steadily through the ranks, and reach the pinnacle of power! 1kReads7.1Score—Shelves
- 23 I Started Climbing the Official Ladder as a Grassroots Civil Servant 我从基层公务员开始混官场 The protagonist, Chen Gong, comes from a family of high-ranking officials. He is strong-willed and upright, with a bit of cleverness. His father thinks he isn't suited to the world of officialdom, so he arranges an ordinary job for him at a company, far from politics. But Chen Gong, born into privilege, has no interest in a nine-to-five life of going through the motions. He quietly quits and enters the world of officialdom, venturing alone into its treacherous depths. Bold and unrestrained, he w 220Reads6.1Score100Shelves
- 24 A Book by Zhanfu 栈斧的一本书 Chen Yuanmin hit rock bottom, but he never gave up. Confident that life would span two hundred years, he vowed to ride the waves for three thousand miles. In the end, he reached the pinnacle of power. 52Reads6.4Score103Shelves
- 25 Reborn in the Political Arena: I Can See the Trajectory of Fate 重生官场：我能查看命运轨迹 Hou Longtao never believed in fate, until he gained the ability to see the paths of destiny. Can a golden-scaled carp be content to stay in a pond? Once it encounters wind and clouds, it becomes a dragon! From then on, Hou Longtao, able to see the paths of destiny, charges ahead, making his mark in the political world. —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 26 Tides of Officialdom 宦海沉浮 The most powerful relative in his family is his second aunt’s husband, a village deputy director, and their most valuable possession is a radio salvaged from a junkyard. Yet he not only made it to the city, but also became an official. Let the wind howl and waves crash, and I’ll stroll through the courtyard at my own pace. No matter how fierce the winds or rough the seas, I’ll cut through the waves! Spring breeze at my back, I’ll ride my horse at a gallop and see all of Chang’an’s flowers in a s 210Reads6.3Score—Shelves
- 27 Reborn in Politics: Defying the Odds 重生仕途：胜天半子 Greed is like fire: if left unchecked, it will spread across the land. Desire is like water: if not restrained, it will flood the heavens. His father is thrown into prison, and his mother jumps to her death. Who is the mastermind behind it all? Qi Mingdong is reborn ten years in the past. Following clues and patiently piecing them together, he uncovers the truth, brings down the person who orchestrated everything in his previous life, turns the tide, and builds a great legacy. His political care 17Reads5.5Score—Shelves
- 28 A Grassroots Rise: The Loach of the Commune Climbs the Ranks 草根逆袭：公社泥鳅的官场路 In his early twenties, Feng Xiaole has only an elementary school education. A rural “intellectual,” he looks ordinary, but his eyes are sharp and lively. Quick-witted and eloquent, he has an optimistic streak to his core. He often says, “There’s always a way forward when you reach the mountain, and wherever there’s a road, there’s Feng Xiaole.” And this is the man who somehow manages to carve out his own path in the world of politics. 1Reads—Score—Shelves
- 29 The Storm in Officialdom: A Start at the Provincial Government 官场风云，从省政府开局 Tan Wen transmigrates back to 1992. Thinking of all the opportunities he missed in his previous life because he didn’t understand the rules of officialdom, he vows that this time, reborn, he’ll make his way through the political world and rise swiftly through the ranks. He’ll also seize the opportunities brought by reform and opening up to make his fortune the right way. 27Reads6.1Score—Shelves
- 30 Reborn: Ruling the Officialdom 重生：纵横官途 In his previous life, his family fell into ruin. He watched every member of his family die while he was in prison, then died in despair. In this life, he pays tribute to himself before entering prison, determined to return and avenge his family. Amid the favors and treachery of officialdom, how will he find the hidden hand pulling the strings? 9Reads8.3Score—Shelves
- 31 The Power of Officialdom 官势 Lin Qingyan, a son of a farming family, tackles poverty alleviation and cracks down on organized crime, taking one steady step at a time. He builds momentum, harnesses it, and seizes every opportunity, racing ahead and rising through the ranks. In the face of temptation, he never forgets his original purpose; faced with threats, he never backs down. "I will never coexist with evil" is his motto, and serving the people is his way of governing... 584Reads6.2Score—Shelves
- 32 Medical Officer 医官 [Master Returns from the Mountains + Political Intrigue + Miracle Doctor + Broken Engagement + Rise in Government + Female CEO + Chasing His Wife to the Crematorium + Pinnacle of Power] Fang Yu is a doctor, bringing relief to people amid the tumult of the medical world. Fang Yu is an official, using his influence and charm to serve the people. Witness the thrilling life of Fang Yu, a peerless miracle doctor who saves lives with a needle in his left hand and wields power for the common good with 1.7kReads8.9Score223Shelves
- 33 A Physician’s Road to Power 医者官途 No rebirth, no System, no harem: pure, hard-nosed political maneuvering. After his superior is transferred, he is pushed aside by petty rivals and suppressed by others. He abandons medicine for politics and embarks on an official career. A doctor carefully navigates the political world, breaking through traps amid open and covert attacks to forge a smooth career path all his own. 24Reads—Score—Shelves
- 34 No Regrets in Serving the People 为民无悔 Love brought upheaval; I left the faith behind for a new path. A strange past emerged, and my journey through love was tangled with complications. The waves are fierce. How can I ride them and break through the currents? Love is tangled. Where can I find my way home? My strange past only brings more uncertainty. After years of hardship, I finally found the dignity I once sought, but by then, the satisfaction I had hoped for was gone. What remained in my heart was countless ordinary people, yet I 53Reads8.5Score—Shelves
- 35 A Stunning Rise Through the Ranks 升迁：一鸣惊人 Facing obstacles at every turn in the workplace, he rises to the top and becomes unstoppable. Wei Yiming had been living a smooth and easy life, until his arrogant, short-tempered new boss ruined everything on her very first day. From then on, she picked on him at every turn and ordered him around constantly. One chance act of courage brought him face-to-face with the woman of his dreams, lighting up a life in which every step had been a struggle. After years of keeping his head down, he finally 1.9kReads8.4Score223Shelves
- 36 The Seat of Power 官之位 Orphaned as a boy, Zheng Qing is taken in by a soon-to-retire provincial official after receiving a keepsake left by his father. At the same time, he is forced to shoulder the burdens of two generations far too soon. His enemies are practically untouchable! After entering the political arena, Zheng Qing follows his elders’ dying wishes to serve the people while fighting his way up at all costs, hoping to one day clear his father’s and grandfather’s names and avenge their deaths. Unfortunately, p 13Reads6.8Score—Shelves
- 37 Reborn: Conquering the Political Arena 重生之纵横官场 Zhuang Jiang, a young man from Earth, transmigrates to another world and discovers that it is remarkably similar to Earth. With the backing of his family and the knowledge he has brought from Earth, Zhuang Jiang enters the world of politics, climbing step by step until he reaches the top. 996Reads7.5Score—Shelves
- 38 From Fresh Graduate to Power Broker 从毕业新生到官道大佬 Chen Yang, a graduate of a prestigious university, should have been on the path to success, but his boss undermined and framed him. A twist of fate set him on the road to an extraordinary life. Colorful characters make their entrances, and one thrilling battle of wits follows another. With exceptional courage and intelligence, he navigates the turbulent political world, overcoming every obstacle until he finally reaches the pinnacle of power! 522Reads9.0Score—Shelves
- 39 The Pinnacle of Power: Rising Smoothly Through the Ranks 权巅：平步青云 [Political Intrigue] [Officialdom] [Clever Protagonist] [One Heroine] The tides of Officialdom rise and fall, and the winds of change rage. Reborn into the Li family, Li Zhengze vows to carry on the glory of the generations before him! Watch as this young man from the Li family finds his footing in a turbulent new era. He navigates the chessboard of power, outwitting threats both open and hidden. He breaks through deadlocks, forges a new path, and ultimately dares to seize victory from Heaven it 32Reads—Score—Shelves
- 40 The Pinnacle of Political Power 官途巅峰 Three years ago, he was a low-ranking county government clerk, but he got caught up in a corruption case and saw his future destroyed. Now he’s determined to take control of his own fate and stir up storms across the land! 282Reads—Score—Shelves
- 41 White Mountains, Black Waters 白山黑水 In a small forestry town in Northeast China, an ordinary vocational high school graduate steps into society. He starts out as a forest ranger, seizes an opportunity to transfer to a government office, and enters public service. By a stroke of luck, he gets involved in the seedling trade and becomes a profit-driven plant dealer, earning his first fortune. Gradually, he realizes that getting further in life requires the backing of power. So he earns money while cultivating his political career. A 130Reads8.8Score119Shelves
- 42 One Step to the Clouds 一步青云 A mountain can crumble, and a river can run dry. Lu Zhengliang is suppressed by his superior and betrayed by his beloved wife, sending his life into a downward spiral. At his lowest point, he relies on sheer courage to win the favor of a benefactor and the support of a beautiful woman. In the end, he builds a grand empire and becomes a winner in life. 1.7kReads8.7Score178Shelves
- 43 A Smooth Road to Office: Starting as a Selected Graduate in the Provincial Party Committee 官道坦途：从省委选调生开始 [This story is entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real events may be used as a reference.] Reborn in 2011, Lin Zhi becomes a provincial government selection-program official. His very first posting is at a provincial department, where he vigorously promotes the province’s industrial transformation and works to improve the lives of its people. Riding the wave of the emerging mobile internet, he deftly seizes the opportunity and founds a world-famous tech company. With a keen eye for opportuni 208Reads5.9Score—Shelves
- 44 The Pinnacle of Power in Officialdom 官场之权利巅峰 Officialdom is an invisible battlefield, rife with deceit, intrigue, and ever-shifting power struggles. Amid the chaos, Lu Weiming is like a breath of fresh air. Lu Weiming never forgets this: A good official serves the people and benefits the community. To be an official is to be a good one, with two burning convictions in your heart: kindness toward others and a sense of responsibility heavier than a mountain. With a heart full of passion and clean hands, Lu Weiming faces pressure from the p 61Reads—Score—Shelves
- 45 A Comeback in Public Service 仕路逆袭 On the eve of his wedding, his lover breaks up with him and his boss starts targeting him. His life hits rock bottom... New to politics, He Qiang is struck by the coldness of the world. Just as he gives up and decides to lie flat, one act of heroism turns his fortunes around: he wins a huge prize and his political career takes off... Follow the extraordinary rise of a political prodigy, from township clerk to the top. 16.1kReads9.0Score1.1kShelves
- 46 Reborn in the Political Arena: My Road to High Office 重生官场：我的青云路 This story may take a little while to get going, but trust me: the more you read, the more hooked you’ll get, and the more satisfying it becomes. This is an ensemble power fantasy centered on officialdom. Please bear with the author if you encounter any illogical or awkward parts. I’ll keep doing my best (ง ˙o˙)ว. He was reborn, returning to 2004. Cancer hadn’t ended him; instead, it had given him eyes that could see through people and a backbone strong enough to crush every thorn in his path. 21Reads—Score—Shelves
- 47 Weng Xiaoge’s 12th Book 翁小哥的书第12本书 After choking to death on a rice cake, the heroine was reborn and took up the post of Party secretary, governing a region and bringing prosperity to its people. The ladder of officialdom has ten rungs, each one a new height. She can play the game of officialdom however she likes. Fearing no hostile forces, she draws on the experience and abilities she gained in her previous life. This time, she refuses to bow to fate. She challenges Heaven and refuses to believe in destiny. Using herself as a bl —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 48 The Pinnacle of Power: Defying Heaven's Mandate 权力巅峰：胜天半子 The road to officialdom is hard, with one obstacle after another. Li Tongwei spent ten years rising and falling in the political world. Reborn, he sets out on the same path once more, but with new insights and a keen understanding of its ever-shifting currents. Watch as he climbs step by step to the pinnacle of power, roots out corrupt officials, and paves the way to a happier life for the people. 17.4kReads8.8Score1.2kShelves
- 49 The Pinnacle of Political Power 权路巅峰 Also known as Power at Its Peak and Tao's Official Career. [Power at Its Peak]+ [Multiple Heroines]+ [Feel-Good Political Drama] While investigating someone, Luo Zekai discovered a video of them that was not meant to be made public. Not only did he accidentally uncover a shocking secret, but most devastating of all, his wife and mother-in-law were part of it too... He carried ideals in his heart, yet was swept along by the tide of reality; he longed for power, yet knew the abyss that lay beneath 614Reads7.8Score101Shelves
- 50 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! 6Reads—Score—Shelves
