Novels like Officialdom: Power in Interwoven Hands
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Officialdom: Power in Interwoven Hands, best match first.
- 1 Battle of the Heart 心争 Just before graduating, university student Cui Dongshan gets dumped by his girlfriend. His parents have already arranged a better career path for him, but he no longer has any desire to compete for one. Going against his family’s wishes, he becomes a village official in Yaxi Village. As he learns from life in the countryside, he also meets Li Xi. He wants to do practical work with both feet on the ground and climb the ranks one step at a time. —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 2 A Shadow War for Power: I Rise to the Top 权力暗战：我一飞冲天 Wang Mancang, a township civil servant, accidentally saves He Chaomei, director of the county Discipline Inspection Commission's Supervision Office. From then on, his career takes off and fortune smiles on him... 126Reads6.3Score—14d adds
- 3 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
- 4 The Official's Son-in-Law: Rising to the Top from Deputy Town Mayor 官婿：从副镇长开始青云直上 Serve as an official, and bring prosperity to your people! Wang Longsheng enters the family of officials as a live-in son-in-law, determined to serve the people, and endures contempt for three years as he bides his time. He thinks his moment to rise like a dragon has finally come, but instead he is plunged into a treacherous whirlpool of power struggles. Watch as the third-in-command of the lowest-ranked township in the city refuses to fear the powerful, dares to fight corruption, remains incorr 104Reads—Score—14d adds
- 5 Contending for the Realm of Mountains and Rivers 山河问鼎 What should you do if your marriage, career, and family all betray you at once? Lie flat? Zhao Shanhe isn't that kind of person. If fate won't favor someone from an ordinary background, then it's time to take a gamble. Follow the story of an underling in a powerful family who fights his way to the top... 45Reads8.7Score—14d adds
- 6 I Rise in Officialdom, and My Ex-Fiancée Starts Chasing Me 我官场崛起，退婚的女友开始倒追 [A novel let down by its title. A different kind of political drama, blending career and romance, with multiple heroines, a plot-driven story, and a realistic touch.] Chen Hai’s fiancée is the cherished first love of a powerful official’s son. To force Chen Hai to let her go, she has him demoted to a small rural town. His career hits rock bottom, and his fiancée breaks off their engagement. Chen Hai can only start over and find someone to help him rise again. He thinks the eldest daughter of the 15Reads—Score—14d adds
- 7 From Odd Jobs to the Top of a Small Town 从打工开始走向小城巅峰 As long as you are kind and hardworking, Heaven will surely look favorably upon you. This book tells the inspiring story of Lin Feng, a laborer who endures a life full of twists and hardships, from being laid off by a state-owned enterprise and going out to find work to making a stunning comeback as a county Party secretary. It vividly portrays the many facets of life. 10Reads—Score—14d adds
- 8 A Most Unusual Path to Power 非常权途 As the driver for a beautiful female executive, Zhou Tianyu was under enormous pressure. After helping his boss with a small favor, he earned her appreciation and quickly went from being a mere chauffeur to holding a leadership position. But this was only the beginning… 2.2kReads8.8Score24014d adds
- 9 Official Career: The Tides of Turmoil 官途：暗潮狂飙 Humanity advances through desire, and it is desire that builds its cages: cages of power, wealth, institutions, freedom... All are cages of human nature. In Jinghai City, an undercurrent is stirring, growing ever more turbulent as the storm begins to rage... 655Reads8.8Score22614d adds
- 10 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
- 11 Reborn in 1988: A Small-Town Cadre's Defiance of Fate 重生1988小镇干部的逆天改命 In his previous life, Lin Chen’s life plunged into darkness after he was framed. Reborn, he faces the impoverished countryside and undercurrents of officialdom once more. Watch him use his past-life experience to navigate policy and people’s hearts; See how he rises from a suppressed newcomer at the grassroots level to a ruthless force stirring the tide of reform, forging a path to wealth and success in officialdom in the 1980s! —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 12 The Road to Officialdom: From Humble Beginnings to Rising Step by Step 官途：从寒门崛起到步步高升 The rules of officialdom come down to three things: integrity, caution, and diligence. Lin Xiangdong always held fast to his commitment to honesty, handled matters prudently, and worked hard for the people. Never forgetting his original aspirations, he advanced step by step, rising ever higher. 83.6kReads8.8Score4.9k14d adds
- 13 The Cold and Warmth of the Halls of Power 官场冷暖 Zhang Ming is an ordinary grassroots civil servant. Navigating the gap between personal relationships and the rules, he climbs step by step to the pinnacle of power. This is a story of political maneuvering, difficult choices, and personal redemption. The protagonist, Zhang Ming, starts out as a low-ranking township clerk. After demonstrating extraordinary courage and ability during an unexpected incident, he catches the attention of his superiors. In the treacherous world of officialdom, he 25Reads6.8Score10014d adds
- 14 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. 1.5kReads8.7Score16514d adds
- 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 8Reads—Score—14d adds
- 16 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... 147Reads—Score—14d adds
- 17 Dropped into the Grassroots: From the Start, I'm Stuck with Ten Billion in Bad Debts? 空降基层，开局就背百亿烂账？ Chen Yuan, a "Beijing official," has just parachuted in as the top leader of Tushui District, only to find the government compound gates blocked by petitioners. A fiscal black hole worth tens of billions, unfinished projects scattered across the city, deeply entrenched local factions, and a calculating superior. Every move is deadly, and danger lurks at every turn! How will Chen Yuan, a newcomer, maneuver through the traps and temper himself into a blade aimed straight at the unwritten rules? Th 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 18 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
- 19 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 130Reads8.8Score11914d adds
- 20 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 1.9kReads8.4Score22314d adds
- 21 A Young Police Officer's Reversal of Fortune 小民警的逆袭人生 The woman before him left Li Jia with a jumble of conflicting feelings. He could look down on anyone else. Back in the village, he was his family's pride, and his classmates practically put him on a pedestal. But to her, he was nothing. It's true that a change of environment can change a person. As soon as her career started taking off, she seemed to become a completely different person. He couldn't make sense of it. He looked at his girlfriend, dressed to the nines in a work uniform, and felt 61Reads—Score—14d adds
- 22 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. 561Reads—Score10614d adds
- 23 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
- 24 The Self-Cultivation of a Minor Bureaucrat 小官僚的自我修养 What exactly is the system in China? It seeps into every aspect of society and people's hearts, reaching every corner. It is ever-present, like a shadow. This book is a guide to surviving within the system, and can also serve as a case study to learn from. With penetrating thought, firsthand insight, and delicate prose, the author recreates the true story of an ordinary man growing into a minor bureaucrat. The petty rivalries, wine, women, wealth, and power of local officialdom; the humiliation 494Reads8.7Score11814d adds
- 25 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
- 26 The Winds of Power: Rising from Obscurity 权路风云之微末起青云 Tian Feng starts out as a young man from humble beginnings, working his way up from the grassroots. He puts down roots in his job, tackles the public’s problems with care, works diligently, and treats people with sincerity. Through his ability and sense of responsibility, he grows step by step, achieving remarkable results in an ordinary position. He builds his life through hard work and rises from humble beginnings. Follow this ordinary young man as he stays grounded, honors his original purpos 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 27 Reborn: I Quit the Civil Service and Found Freedom as a Boss's Driver 重生不当公务员，领导司机很逍遥 A new story is out! You can read my work 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! 12Reads7.3Score—14d adds
- 28 The Official’s Path 宦途 Pei Wenhui has three degrees and comes from an ordinary family. Lost in the bewilderment of graduating straight into unemployment, he unexpectedly finds his life's main path: passing the civil service exam. The doors of government offices swing open. Behind the impressive titles lies an invisible abyss, and the first heartbeat of a commoner stepping into the arena of power and wealth is heavy and fever-hot. From an outsider pouring tea and running errands to a participant touching core interes 35Reads6.0Score—14d adds
- 29 The Pinnacle of Power in Officialdom 官场之权力巅峰 Ye Xingsheng is widely regarded by his colleagues as a model worker. He's diligent and hardworking, with an outstanding record, yet the leaders don't appreciate him. 22Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 30 A Modern-Era People’s Official 当代民吏 This is a modern novel about an ordinary person navigating a career in government. It does feature a “System,” but it isn’t a wish-fulfillment fantasy. It’s more like a guidebook to working within the system, with the “System” serving only as a voice-over that explains things. For ordinary readers, it offers a look at how people work and live within the system. For those already working within it, it offers a deeper understanding of how to conduct yourself and get things done. WTF? He gets hit b 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 31 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
- 32 The Road to Power: A Nobody's Rise to the Top 官道：小人物的权势巅峰 You have to give it your all at least once to earn the right, someday in the future, to raise a glass of cheap wine to the self who refused to settle for an ordinary life! Li Tao, a subordinate, and his superior Bai Yulu support each other through the political arena, cutting through every obstacle as they climb together to the pinnacle of power!!! 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 33 Supreme Power 至尊权力 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! 8.7kReads7.3Score1k14d adds
- 34 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
- 35 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. 16.2kReads9.0Score1.1k14d adds
- 36 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 126Reads6.4Score—14d adds
- 37 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 316Reads—Score—14d adds
- 38 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
- 39 In the Name of the People: I, Zhao Dehan, Will Become Zhao Gao 名义：我赵德汉要做赵高 [The Name of the People + The Knockout + Tazhai + behind-the-scenes mastermind] My name is Zhao Dehan. My family has been farmers for generations. We’ve known poverty and hunger, but if the money isn’t mine, I wouldn’t dare pocket a single cent or touch a single cent. I haven’t spent a single penny! On Blue Star, I was a gang’s number-two, sharing the same name as Zhao Dehan from The Name of the People. I was caught in a special crackdown on organized crime and spent more than ten years in priso 173Reads6.0Score—14d adds
- 40 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
- 41 Officialese 官话 He spouts nothing but empty platitudes for the sake of his political career. His silence and patience are only temporary, as he bides his time until the day he can make his move. His official-sounding talk is all for others. He puts on airs and strikes poses at every turn, building momentum year after year as he climbs higher. His lifelong lies were never what he wanted, but the temptations of politics were too hard to resist. His promises were never meant to deceive, but in matters of the heart 600Reads9.1Score5714d adds
- 42 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!! 16.5kReads9.3Score10014d adds
- 43 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... 100Reads6.3Score—14d adds
- 44 The Great Way Is for the People 大道为民 Are generals and ministers born to their stations? Even commoners can change the world. He was extraordinarily talented, yet willingly started from scratch in one of the country’s officially designated poverty-stricken townships. He had a fortune, yet chose to seize the moment and venture boldly into the changing times. And he had the power to foresee his beloved’s future, so he swore to protect the woman he loved. In that noisy, restless era, an era brimming with hope, everything was just begin 5.1kReads8.9Score63114d adds
- 45 The Grassroots Promotion Path: From Contract Social Worker to Politics 基层晋升路：从编外社工到政坛 Volumes 1-7 follow Chen Shiyi's growth in a rural community. Volume 8 onward shifts to stories set in urban communities, touching on some issues that are closer to current realities. Feel free to skip ahead if you're interested. Volumes 1-7 mainly follow Chen Shiyi, a contract social worker who becomes a community secretary thanks to his strong work performance. After receiving excellent evaluations in two consecutive terms under municipal policy, he is promoted to a member of the township and s —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 46 Rise to Power: Starting as a Secretary 崛起：从当秘书开始 Just as Su Qingyun’s political career seemed doomed, he became the secretary to a female county magistrate. Thus began a dream of urban power struggles and worldly ambition, leading him to the pinnacle of officialdom... 623Reads6.6Score10614d adds
- 47 Surveying the Eight Directions from the Officialdom 官途观四海八荒 By 2018, Wang Chenyu had become the richest Chinese person in the world. When a global financial crisis swept through the markets, one bad call sent him into a downward spiral. Then his business partners swindled him, and he was forced to jump from a building to protect his wife and children at home...! As he hit the ground from the top floor of his company headquarters, his head split open and time and space went haywire. He returned to the days before he went into business, when he was serving 14Reads—Score—14d adds
- 48 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! 270Reads—Score—14d adds
- 49 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—14d adds
- 50 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. 20Reads—Score—14d adds
