Novels like Taking the Reins: A Perilous Career in Government
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Taking the Reins: A Perilous Career in Government, best match first.
- 101 The Official's Rise and Fall: Breaking the Deadlock Through Influence 仕途沉浮之借势破局 [Primarily aimed at male readers, but female readers may enjoy it too] + [No System, no wild fantasy] + [Realistic political intrigue] + [Power plays] + [Urban slice of life] A story about Huang Zheng, a chemistry prodigy from a poor family, who gives up a recommendation to pursue graduate studies at Tsinghua so he can look after his parents, then returns to his hometown for a job after earning his bachelor’s degree and embarks on a career in public service… Above the clouds, every step is fraug 16.3kReads8.7Score1.4k14d adds
- 102 The Invincible Foolish Doctor of the City 都市无敌傻医 A complete, highly rated novel with guaranteed quality. Violent Miracle Doctor + Stunning Beauties + Urban Cultivation Lin Feng was supposed to be a master returning from the mountains to enjoy the city and its beauties. Instead, a mysterious person grievously wounded him, leaving him an idiot. He ended up living with Aunt Xiu in an urban village. A jade gourd restored his mind, gave him a new inheritance, and granted him even greater power. “Idiot...” “You're the idiot!” Lin Feng feels like cry 9.3kReads9.1Score87114d adds
- 103 The Female CEO's Live-In Son-in-Law 女总裁的上门龙婿 A once-in-a-generation prodigy lost his memory and married into his wife's family. His mother-in-law mocked and bullied him at every turn, doing everything she could to tear the couple apart. During one argument, she nearly killed her son-in-law by accident. Then, one day, his memories returned. He now held power over the world and possessed incomparable wealth and influence. His mother-in-law beamed at him. “Dear son-in-law, when are you two going to get down to it? We can't wait to hold our gr 6.1kReads9.1Score81514d adds
- 104 Ripples in the Sea of Officialdom: Reborn on the Road to Power 宦海微澜:重生仕途路 Lin Yanzhou died. He died on the front line of flood control, swept away by the breach in the Huai River embankment, on the levee he had guarded for twenty years. His forty-eight years of life had been painfully meek. No connections, no backers, no resources. He was afraid to accept invitations, in case he couldn't afford to return the favor. He was afraid to accept gifts, in case he got in trouble and dragged his wife and children down with him. After twenty years, he was still only a deputy 61Reads—Score—14d adds
- 105 The Dragon Hides in the Abyss: A Tale of Ruthless Power Plays 龙隐于渊:铁血权谋 Amid the tide of reform and opening up, Lin Qinghai, a boy who was abducted as a child, grows up under his adoptive mother’s military-style discipline. He enters the National University of Defense Technology as the top scorer in his province and proves his mettle in live-fire exercises, only to lose his chance to compete in an international special forces tournament because of interference from a mysterious force. His encounter with Wang Wan’er, the daughter of a military family, entangles his f 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 106 Seven Days, Half a Month Apart 七天隔半月 The old factory hadn't been demolished, but people's hearts were already in disarray. Some wanted to make a quick buck, some wanted to climb the ladder by stepping on others, and some just wanted to keep their quiet little lives, only to get dragged into all kinds of inexplicable trouble. Threats sounded like jokes, schemes like farces. Everyone thought they were the one moving the pieces, but they all turned out to be pawns in someone else's game, struggling between pressure and desire. One acc 10Reads8.3Score—14d adds
- 107 The Official Road Under the Sun 阳光下的官道 [No System + no rebirth + traditional political intrigue + slow burn. The author is a veteran writer of political novels, with over ten million words published. His works are realistic and highly readable, not mindless power fantasies. Read at your own discretion!] In the world of officialdom, everyone schemes against everyone else. How can Cao Rui, a commoner, stand out and make waves? This is a true political novel by Xiaohua. It boasts strong logic and an even stronger story. Quality guarante 4.1kReads9.3Score50514d adds
- 108 Officialdom’s Disciple: After Coming Clean, I Rose Straight to the Top! 官徒,摊牌后我青云直上! He came top in the exams, only to have someone take his place. With no connections or backing, Lin Bei is left heartbroken when his wife betrays him. He marries into the Su family and endures three years of humiliation. Then an accident sends him soaring to success! The Su family regrets everything when they see what he’s achieved! Through the twists and turns of officialdom, he finally rises to the top! 12.3kReads8.1Score1.4k14d adds
- 109 Political Rivalries: A Grassroots Rise to Power 官场争锋之草根逆袭 New to officialdom, Lu Zhaoyuan carries lofty ideals, only to be battered at every turn. After enduring hardship, he glimpses the logic behind power: “Only those who truly serve the people can go far!” Standing on the precipice between conscience and desire, what choice will he make? 6.6kReads7.9Score55714d adds
- 110 From Secretary to the Top Leader, Rising to Great Heights 平步青云从一把手秘书开始 With both his career and marriage at the lowest point of his life, the minor official Lin Yanzhou stumbles into a new post by chance. From then on, he enters a fast track to the top, changes his fate, and makes his way through the workplace with careful moves and growing success, embarking on a bloody path to promotion... 1kReads—Score—14d adds
- 111 The Turbulent Road to Power 官路风云 Lin Hai, a former soldier, angered powerful people while helping someone in need. He was transferred to a township government job, where his fight against local criminal forces brought him a steady stream of attacks and obstruction. But with sheer determination, he rises from adversity. Using his exceptional intelligence and endless array of tactics, he punishes criminals, upholds justice, and crushes every enemy beneath his feet. In the treacherous world of politics, he makes his way through th 103.3kReads9.1Score5.9k14d adds
- 112 Don't Mess with Me! I'm My Own Backing! 别惹我!我自己就是背景! My new story is out! You can read my work on Tomato Novel. I hope you enjoy it. Your support inspires me to write, and I'll do my best to tell every story well! 26.7kReads8.3Score2.3k14d adds
- 113 Ruling the Realm: The First Secretary 权掌山河:第一秘书 After graduating from college, Zhong Dexing failed the civil service exam twice and had no choice but to make a living helping his older sister sell fruit. Then a turning point came: advice from a mysterious leader helped him land a civil service job. With his political savvy, he rose steadily through the ranks and made his way into an even more powerful circle. 27.3kReads8.9Score2.7k14d adds
- 114 The Wind Blows Through Xizhou City: Part Two 风过西周城第二部 The second volume of the long anti-corruption novel Wind Over Xizhou City continues the story begun in the first. Planned to span thirty-three chapters and 390,000 characters, it once again unfolds among the offices of Xizhou County, in the western plains. Career and love, human relationships and social customs, the rules of survival, and advancement at work: a series of collisions between people and events, emotion and rules, conscience and human nature. It paints a vivid, tangled portrait of e 139Reads—Score—14d adds
- 115 Top Broker 顶尖掮客 This book starts with the protagonist, Feng Tianchen, a simple private-car driver, and follows his brutal struggle through the world of politics. It is a battlefield without gunfire, a terrifying vortex that ordinary people cannot escape once they enter. But to a seasoned political operator, it is the perfect stage for a masterful performance. See how Feng Tianchen rises from a humble driver to the pinnacle of life through his own efforts. 4.7kReads8.9Score45214d adds
- 116 My Connections Reach the Heavens. What's Wrong with Advancing Just a Little Faster? 我人脉通天,进步快亿点怎么了? A king of soldiers retires from the military and enters government like a raging dragon. Every three years he takes a small step forward; every five years, a giant leap. His meteoric rise stirs up the political world! His enemies cry out in alarm: “This man is a monster! Who let him into government?!” With his commitment to serving the people and his brilliant strategic skills, Gu Yunfeng builds connections that reach the highest levels, then steadily climbs to ever-greater heights! 15.8kReads8.3Score1.1k14d adds
- 117 A Legendary Life: The Road of Officialdom and Business 传奇人生之官商之路 A star of destiny descends upon a humble family and shines on Yu Yuan, who is about to graduate from high school. He awakens a super brain and turns his life around! Follow his journey as he becomes a top student, a rising star in science and technology, a business prodigy, and a rising star in officialdom. 5kReads8.6Score52214d adds
- 118 Toward Glory 走向辉煌 Born into a poor family, Ma Zhiyuan enters government after graduating from college and faces danger at every turn. With an indomitable will and a deep understanding of life, he carves a path through the political arena, presses forward at work, finds love in his personal life, and ultimately turns his life around, achieving a brilliant career. 77Reads—Score—14d adds
- 119 The Pinnacle of Power: Reborn, I’m Miles Ahead 颠峰官途:重生一世的我遥遥领先 In her previous life, Chu Xian was killed through the vile and brutal schemes of Li Mengting, the woman who betrayed him, and her family... Reborn, Chu Xian decisively leaves Li Mengting behind and chooses Su Yingxue, the pure goddess who loves him wholeheartedly and can give his career a tremendous boost. In this life, he will not only make the Li family, his enemies who killed him, pay, but also use his reborn perspective and life experience to rise to the very top! More importantly, he’ll do 26.2kReads8.7Score2.7k14d adds
- 120 The Pinnacle of Power: Starting with My Discharge from the Military 权力巅峰,从退伍转业开始 Tags: Urban, Political Career Just after transferring from his decisive and efficient post as a battalion commander to a local government job, the protagonist suffers a double blow: His girlfriend dumps him to climb the social ladder, while his unfamiliarity with the rules of officialdom leads him to misjudge an important decision due to a lack of information, leaving him in a tight spot. With the help and guidance of a lively female colleague, he begins to see through the unspoken rules hidden 7.2kReads7.3Score63914d adds
- 121 The Second Secretary 二号秘书 Chen Mo is an ordinary man who studies hard and earns a civil-service post. Starting with routine work at the municipal government, he stands out thanks to his excellent writing skills and tact, eventually becoming the mayor’s secretary. The book is practically a survival manual for government secretaries, offering a detailed look at everything from drafting documents and coordinating meetings to managing relationships with superiors and subordinates and liaising on projects. As the protagonist 7.7kReads7.6Score48514d adds
- 122 Restarting Life on the Road to Success 重启之人生青云路 Actually, every novel is a portrayal of real life! Whether what you watch or read is... yourself!... I hope you see yourself! 1.1kReads7.3Score10714d adds
- 123 Officialdom: Rising to the Top from the County Party Office 官场:从县委办开始青云直上 (Everyday life in government, career-building, diary-style realism, a secretary’s daughter, not reborn, one female lead, no System) Wu Ming’s dream was simple: he only wanted to work in a township government until retirement. But then he was unexpectedly seconded to the County Party Committee Office. He merely put his writing skills to use, but did such an outstanding job that the office gradually began to take notice of him. At the same time, a twist of fate brings him into contact with Yang Xi 125Reads8.9Score14314d adds
- 124 I’ve Made It to Division Chief, So Why Are You Crying? 我成正科级别,你哭什么? [Officialdom + Wish Fulfillment + Comeback + Leveling Up + Lots of Beautiful Women + The Protagonist Never Suffers] When you’re at the top, friends and family gather around. When you hit rock bottom, no one gives you the time of day. Qin Li is determined to always have a house full of distinguished guests, and so he must keep climbing to the summit... 2.3kReads8.8Score23114d adds
- 125 My Retired Husband Is the Heir to a Powerful Family 退役老公是豪门继承人 [Marriage First, Love Later] [Sweet Romance] [Monogamous, Slow-Burn Love] [Short Drama Now Streaming] At the airport, Jiang Wanyin caught her boyfriend cheating just after he’d returned from abroad. Acting on impulse, she grabbed a man who looked like a soldier and asked, “Are you looking for a girlfriend?” The man replied, “No… but I am looking for a wife.” Jiang Wanyin had planned to play along and figure out what to do afterward, but the man wouldn’t let her back out. “Miss Jiang, are you hav 49.9kReads9.0Score4.8k14d adds
- 126 The Pinnacle of Power: Starting as a County Party Secretary's Secretary 权力巅峰:从县委秘书开始 In his previous life, Qi Yang was investigated by an inspection team and died as a result. There must have been a shocking conspiracy behind it. In this life, Qi Yang starts out as a county committee secretary and cuts his way through every obstacle, rising step by step. He makes his mark in the game of power, ultimately avenging himself and reaching the pinnacle of power. 288Reads—Score—14d adds
- 127 The Ridgeline 山脊线 [How cruel is society? Look at how battered I am! How strong am I? Watch me rise smoothly through the ranks!] The grassroots front line is a crucible that refines the strong, a gilded stage for the average, and a sinkhole that eats away at the weak. 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 128 On the Road to the Azure Clouds: Turmoil in the Officialdom 青云在路上之官路风云 Though no one has yet bestowed the Book of Huangshi upon him, he remains steadfast and strives to rise among the clouds. Life is a series of encounters along the road to growth, and every meeting must be treated with care. Ling Chen graduated with a degree in journalism from the Chinese Department. When he took the civil service interview, a close friend from university sabotaged him, causing him to fail. To pay for his cancer-stricken father's treatment, he gave up on graduate school and findin 71Reads—Score—14d adds
- 129 Township Officials 乡镇干部 A humorous, witty story about Zhu Zhenggang, a grassroots township official, and the strange incidents he encounters on the job. Through his experiences, it offers a glimpse into the lives and governance of officials at the township level. 288Reads9.0Score—14d adds
- 130 Reborn in Politics: From Townships to the Pinnacle of Power 重生官场:从乡镇基层到权力巅峰 [Reborn in the Political Arena + Grassroots Township Civil Servant + A Chance Encounter Saves a Beauty + Secretary + Standing Up for the People + Rapid Rise to Success + Pinnacle of Power + Claiming the Throne] The road to office is hard, harder than climbing to heaven... On a path tangled with money, power, and sex, Wu Tianze, reborn into a second life, cuts through every obstacle. He takes on the powerful and battles capital, never abandoning his principles or putting anything before the peopl 89Reads9.0Score—14d adds
- 131 The Bitter and Sweet of Bureaucracy 机关的苦辣酸甜 This story follows Lu Zhenyu, a brilliant graduate of a prestigious university. After joining the government, he finds that he cannot shake his scholarly nature. As he struggles with the clash between ideals and reality, see how he experiences the bitter and sweet sides of life in the bureaucracy. 25Reads6.5Score—14d adds
- 132 County Party Secretary’s Aide: Notes from the Grassroots Political Scene 县委秘书:基层仕途笔记 A Tsinghua prodigy lands a job at the county Party committee office, unaware that the previous secretary just jumped to his death. The Party secretary values him, the office director is wary of him, the deputy director is hostile, and his coworkers wait to see what happens. Beneath the surface, tensions simmer. Harassment, frame-ups, rumors, traps, and temptations of power and sex come one after another. With sheer ability, he turns the tables, exposes falsified achievements, roots out corrupt o 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 133 I Have a Date with the Emperor of the Ages 我与千古一帝有约 I Made a Pact with an Emperor for the Ages is a thrilling, imaginative transmigration novel. The protagonist, Qian Wanneng, accidentally travels through a tunnel in time and arrives in the mysterious, ancient era of the Qin dynasty. Faced with an unfamiliar world and unknown challenges, he isn't consumed by fear. Instead, he quickly adapts and finds his place in this new world through extraordinary intelligence and courage. Across the vast lands of the Qin dynasty, Qian Wanneng displays an aston 28Reads—Score—14d adds
- 134 Tales of Mingdu 明都往事 Spring in Mingdu is always marked by rising winds and falling sand, leaving everything hazy and frustrating. But this year was strange: the wind never came, and summer arrived all at once. The heat was unbearable, and the weather was getting stranger by the day. In the end, I decided to ignore it. I slumped into my office chair, narrowed my eyes at the screen, and mechanically tapped away at the keyboard. Life still had to be lived from nine to five, in a dull, orderly routine. What was there to 318Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 135 Reborn in Politics: Qi Tongwei's Rise to the Top 官场重生:祁同伟的逆袭青云路 [Political Intrigue + Reborn Comeback + Intelligence + In the Name of the People + Male-Oriented Power Fantasy] “This time, I, Qi Tongwei, will never bow to fate!” Reborn back in his university days at Handong University, Qi Tongwei looks at the “marriage proposal” Liang Lu hands him and tears it up with a sneer. “Teacher Liang, Hou Liangping is a better match for you.” In his previous life, he knelt his way to the position of Public Security Department director, only to fall to gunfire at Lone 120Reads—Score—14d adds
- 136 Temptation in the Political Arena 官场诱惑 From the grassroots to the top, from integrity to losing one's way: the ultimate struggle over desire, conscience, and career advancement. This is a realistic, documentary-style literary work. 35Reads6.7Score—14d adds
- 137 A Political Prodigy 官场奇才 My new work is out! You can read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you enjoy it. Your support is what keeps me writing, and I'll do my best to tell every story well! 30.2kReads8.4Score2.2k14d adds
- 138 After Accidentally Saving a Leader's Secretary, I Race to the Top 意外救下领导秘书后,我一路狂飙 Ye Dongcheng, an ordinary young man who entered government service after graduating from Southeast University, had been quietly working in officialdom while holding on to his ambitions. But the gears of fate suddenly shifted because of a good deed his father did. One day, his father accidentally rescued a mysterious middle-aged man and received an inconspicuous USB drive in return. Who could have imagined that this drive would be like a key opening Pandora's box, drawing the Ye family into a sho 134Reads7.7Score—14d adds
- 139 The Long Road to the Azure Clouds 青云漫漫路 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! 10Reads—Score—14d adds
- 140 Back on the Road to Office: Making Waves in Legal and Political Circles 重走官途之在政法圈风生水起 First, there are no melodramatic plots built around a reborn protagonist’s foreknowledge. The story closely reflects the realities of officialdom, with strong logic and a clear central plot. Second, it fills a gap in rebirth novels by exploring legal and political subject matter, offering an in-depth look at political maneuvering and rhetorical tactics from within the legal and political system. Third, it avoids the multiple-heroines trope. Most rebirth stories feature several heroines, which fe 397Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 141 The Pinnacle of Power: Starting as a Female Leader's Secretary 权力巅峰:从女领导秘书开始 Wang Hongyi is framed by a rival of his female superior. Not only is he disciplined, he is completely cast aside. Reborn, he refuses to be pushed around any longer. He takes the initiative, leaving his enemies trembling and begging for mercy, while influential figures from every quarter vie to recruit him. Nothing can stop him as he makes his way to the top. (This is an authentic political novel that strives to portray the realities of officialdom. Some events are included for the sake of the pl 6.9kReads8.9Score46114d adds
- 142 Officialdom: From Town Mayor to a Bright Future 官场:从镇长开始平步青云 Tang Xiangyu graduated just in time to catch the last wave of job assignments. Unwilling to settle for the status quo, he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and build a legacy for his own era! But the road through officialdom is hard. Every step forward is another rung on the ladder, and only he knows the hardships and heartache along the way. See how Tang Xiangyu turns the tide and writes a glorious life of his own! 17.2kReads8.8Score2.1k14d adds
- 143 EN Think I Have No Connections? My Dad Is the God of War! 欺我没背景?可我爸是战神啊! [Exposure-driven]+ [Patriotism]+ [High-octane] A father in prison, a mother who died young, a grandfather with dementia, and an older brother who vanished... Yue Xiaofei transmigrated here, and thought he’d landed in the worst possible situation. But then he found a photograph of his father with a message written on the back: [Son, if anything happens, go to Uncle Zhao. He’s your father’s best friend!] Clutching the photograph, Yue Xiaofei endured countless hardships before finally reaching his 11.3kReads7.6Score65014d adds
- 144 Just Got a Government Job and Got Dumped? I Turned Around and Became the County Magistrate's Secretary 刚上岸就分手?反手我成县长秘书 Tags: Politics, Comeback, Veteran, Power Struggles, Face-Slapping In the summer of 2008, just before his transfer out of the military, Lu Hao is abandoned by his girlfriend, Lin Xueer. A twist of fate leads him to rescue Su Ya in a crisis. His abilities earn him a position as her secretary, drawing him into the vortex of power. Lu Hao ventures into the grassroots ranks, gathers evidence, and joins forces with Su Ya to take on local kingpin Zhang Minghai and his interest group. This novel follows 17.7kReads7.7Score1k14d adds
- 145 My Road to Department Head: A Country Kid’s Comeback 我的厅长之路:农村娃的逆袭 A country boy passes the civil service exam in another province and works his way up from a township to the county seat and then the provincial capital, rising from a junior clerk to department head. This is a story of turning his life around, with all the hardships and bitterness along the way. Perhaps it will offer something for many readers to learn from. 34Reads—Score—14d adds
- 146 Breaking Free: The Road to Rising Through the Ranks 破茧:官阶成长之路 No being reborn, no wish fulfillment, no NTR, no golden finger. Through hard work, ordinary man Rao Cheng writes his way through the journey of a grassroots official breaking free of his cocoon, revealing the warmth and wisdom of grassroots governance. This is not only a story of an official’s growth, but also a realistic guide to grassroots governance. —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 147 The Road to Power: The Pinnacle of Officialdom 官道:权力巅峰 Peng Zijuan’s Notes on Climbing the Career Ladder Peng Zijuan was an ordinary female official who had hoped to lead a quiet life. But her husband, Wu Dashan, chose a rich woman over her and divorced her. Wu Dashan said, “You’re a woman. Why are you always thinking about becoming an official?” Peng Zijuan replied, “That’s right. I want to become an official!” Wu Dashan said, “You’re a woman. You should stay home and take care of the kids. Stop thinking about becoming an official all the time!” Pe 1.8kReads6.7Score12914d adds
- 148 Notes From the Political Arena: Book Two 官场笔记第二部 The story of an ordinary man's struggles, devoted wholeheartedly to serving the people. 1. This is a realistic political novel with tightly reasoned storytelling, written in a realist style. 2. It begins with an ordinary employee in the Provincial Personnel Department and follows his steady progress, one step at a time. 3. It features political infighting, economic development, romance, and power plays in the business world. 4. It offers a distinctive take on economic development, personnel sele 186Reads—Score—14d adds
- 149 A Life in Politics 仕途人生 After graduating from university, Chen Minghao gave up the chance to stay in the provincial capital and returned with his girlfriend to her hometown, a remote county. To his dismay, his influential parents assigned him to work in a far-flung village. They eventually broke the couple apart by every means at their disposal. Little did they know that Chen Minghao came from a powerful family. With his family's support and his own hard work, he overcame every obstacle and rose swiftly through the ran 19kReads9.1Score1.3k14d adds
- 150 My Beautiful Boss Won’t Leave Me Alone 美女领导缠上我 A female leader's driver saved her during an unexpected crisis, earning her trust from then on. He helped her cut through obstacles in the political arena, advance her career, and thrive at every turn. 6.1kReads7.6Score43314d adds

















































