Novels like The Second Secretary
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as The Second Secretary, best match first.
- 1 The Pinnacle of Power 权欲巅峰 Power at the Peak, also known as The Corrupt Official, is a sweeping novel about a cadre's growth and redemption. Born into a poor family, Song Ziwen rises step by step from a technician to a leadership position, but for a time loses his way amid power and temptation. After being transferred to the northwestern province, he comes to his senses. He visits remote mountain villages to learn about the hardships of the poor, leading the people in building roads, controlling floods, promoting educatio 45Reads6.7Score—14d adds
- 2 Making It to the Top 当大官 My new work is out! You’re welcome to 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! 1.2kReads6.3Score10014d adds
- 3 I Turned Officialdom Upside Down, Starting with a Disciplinary Inspection Inquiry 从被纪委问询开始掀翻官场 Suspended, betrayed, and abandoned by his entire circle. Then, in the cold interrogation room of the Discipline Inspection Commission, he says, “If you want to live, prove it to me.” From then on, he holds the secrets and plays every move carefully, turning her from the woman interrogating him into someone who cannot live without him. 3.8kReads7.6Score24514d adds
- 4 From the Yellow and Huai Rivers to the Clouds 黄淮布衣入青云 A major work of realistic political fiction about personal growth. In the early 1980s, in the impoverished floodplain where Anhui, Shandong, and Henan meet, Lin Yanqiu is born into a poor farming family whose generations have worked the land. He breaks free from the fate of the countryside through diligent study. In high school, an inspiring teacher awakens his ideals; at university, a mentor broadens his horizons. After graduation, he puts down roots at the grassroots level and enters public se —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 5 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
- 6 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
- 7 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
- 8 Officialese 官腔 Behind power lie worldly savvy, strategy, and human relationships. Only the truly shrewd can play this game well. Xia Dong starts out stuck on the sidelines in the county committee office, then rises to become director of the county education bureau. Just when he thinks his troubles are finally over, he finds himself caught between danger on both sides. Let’s see how he breaks through the impasse. 98Reads7.1Score—14d adds
- 9 The Pinnacle of Power: Saving a City Leader in the Night 权力巅峰：从夜救市领导开始 (This book has multiple female leads, no cheating or NTR, and plenty of feel-good moments.) First sword after being reborn: cut down the one you love! In his previous life, Gao Ran was a low-ranking official who was meek, obedient, and above reproach. And yet he was dumped, bullied, and exiled. In the end, worn down by hardship and sorrow, his hair frosted white, he climbed the stage alone, sick and old. He died depressed and far from home. In this life, he will live differently and take another 5.3kReads7.3Score42414d adds
- 10 The Road to Office and Commerce: My Wife and Child Are in a Parallel World 官路商途：妻儿却在平行时空 A lone wolf in the political arena, unstoppable on the official path: Zhang Ping, a minor county government clerk reborn, rises steadily through the ranks with his fragmentary memories of the future. He maneuvers across the political landscape and amasses tremendous power, yet remains utterly alone. When the timelines converge, he would rather give up his empire than seize back the life that belongs to him! 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 11 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
- 12 The Peak of Politics: Winning with a Rebellious Streak 2 巅峰官场：胜在反骨2 [Rebirth + officialdom + revenge + one heroine + satisfying read + no saintly protagonist] Reborn in 2001, Zheng Gongcheng uses his foresight to earn three exceptional promotions. In 2003, he takes charge of Fengyang County’s Party Committee, sees through the ways of officialdom, governs with dedication, improves people’s lives, and rises to the top. This book is dedicated to readers who enjoyed The Pinnacle of Officialdom: Winning Through Defiance and to fans of officialdom novels. May the “unr 39Reads7.7Score—14d adds
- 13 The Deputy Secretary on Temporary Assignment 挂职副书记 Zhuang Xiaobo, vice chairman of the Writers' Association, arrives in Jiangcheng on a transfer order and takes up a deputy secretary post overseeing cultural projects. With nothing but his pen, he pries open a web of corruption. His scholar's cunning cuts to the bone. With no powerful backer, he relies on ink and paper to fight his way through... 153Reads—Score—14d adds
- 14 A Comeback in Politics: I'm a Living Legend 官场的逆袭，我就是传奇 With no connections, he creates a miracle of promotion in officialdom. With no power, he tramples the arrogant young masters underfoot. With no financial backing, he can still spend money like water... Step by step, he rises to the top and becomes a legend in officialdom. 215Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 15 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
- 16 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
- 17 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
- 18 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—14d adds
- 19 A Transfer Order to Cangshan 一纸调令入苍山 With a single transfer order, Zhen Shihua was “sent” to Cangshan Forest Farm. Everyone thought this young man’s life was over before it had even begun. But they had no idea that what lay hidden in the mountains was far more complicated than they could imagine. There were black bears, old scores, and tangled webs of obligation; schemes, shifting fortunes, and human hearts more treacherous than wild beasts. All he wanted was to patrol the mountains, but Cangshan’s mist insisted on pressing down ov 18.2kReads8.2Score1.5k14d adds
- 20 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 67Reads—Score—14d adds
- 21 From the Countryside to the Seat of Power 从乡野到中枢 A college graduate serving as a village official steadily rises through the ranks... a true incorruptible official. He takes on corrupt officials in a battle of wits, moving from the countryside to the township, then from the township to the county seat. Each time, his outstanding record earns him another promotion. 124Reads—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 Exiled to the Countryside, I Rose Rapidly Through the Ranks 发配乡下后，我的仕途一路狂飙 After the old Party secretary falls from power and his wife betrays him, Chen Yuan, once a top aide, never dreamed he'd be sent deep into the mountains to take a post at an abandoned resort that had been left undeveloped for years. In his memory, the place was a remote backwater where not even birds would shit. His career and marriage are both in ruins, and he thinks his life is completely over! However, during the new leader's first inspection after taking office, he specifically chooses the ab 53kReads8.5Score5k14d adds
- 24 The Road to Power: A Chance Encounter with a Heiress 官路争锋，从邂逅豪门千金开始 [No cheating, no transmigration, no rebirth. Political advancement and tangled romance, ordinary man and rich beauty, realistic and engaging.] When Li Zhi graduates, he turns down a high-paying job in the provincial capital and a chance to pursue graduate studies, leaving his hometown for his girlfriend’s city and passing the civil service exam for a small township. He thinks they’ll live happily ever after, but her parents tear them apart. Starting alone in a remote township far from home, he b 10Reads—Score—14d adds
- 25 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
- 26 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
- 27 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
- 28 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
- 29 Reborn in 1992: The Red Road 重生92红色征途 He spent his previous life in poverty. Now that he has a chance to live again, he is determined to change his fate and rewrite the heavens. The story follows three generations of one family across a thousand years, from Earth to Mars and beyond, through the colonization of Mars and the rebuilding of Earth. A red journey spanning a thousand years! 1.2kReads—Score—14d adds
- 30 The Mind of an Official 官念 There are ten ranks in the official hierarchy. The higher the position, the greater the power. Wu Youliang starts his political career as a lowly village official without an official post, transforming from a passionate young college student into a shrewd veteran who has weathered the ups and downs of political life. After rising to a high position, he retires with honor. At last, he comes to understand the true nature of power. 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 31 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
- 32 Reborn: Battling for the Road to Power 重生之官路争锋 A career in public service is a long and arduous road! Reborn in the year 2000, Qi Fei enters government service to fulfill his father’s dying wish, only to be assigned by the personnel bureau chief, who is currying favor with the county Party secretary, to the poorest township. Drawing on the advantages of being reborn, he leads the people toward prosperity, outwits his political rivals, and fights his way up from the grassroots through a world of deceit and intrigue. He braves every obstacle a 46Reads—Score—14d adds
- 33 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
- 34 Loving You With All I've Got 拼尽全力爱着你 After graduating from graduate school, Hao Qiang found himself unable to get a job because his field of study was so obscure. He went to work at a construction site instead, but the foreman ran off with the money. Determined to get his wages back, Hao Qiang stood his ground at the unfinished building. There, he came upon a gang of thugs kidnapping a woman. He risked his life to save her, only to be beaten to the ground by the criminals... A moving, heartbreaking story... 17Reads—Score—14d adds
- 35 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
- 36 Officialdom: Rising Through the Ranks, a Female Leader Trains Me to Become a Party Secretary 官场：进部：女领导培养我当书记 There's a saying in political circles that people express in subtle terms. First, you have to be capable! Then, someone has to say you're capable! Finally, the person who says you're capable has to be capable too! The political arena is full of ups and downs and endless power struggles. Junhao has already risen to a fairly high rank. In the eyes of others, he's simply enjoying the shade beneath a powerful patron, having received an exceptional promotion after meeting a good boss. But after takin —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 37 Officialdom: The People Trust Me, So Even in Death, I Have No Regrets! 官场：百姓信我，我死亦道哉！ There is no golden finger, no hilarious power fantasy, and no one who has transmigrated. This book will slowly push its male lead into the anguish of officialdom, all the way to his death. Yuan Tong repeatedly finds himself trapped in deadly predicaments. Death seems like an everyday nuisance at his side, but he cannot forget the people's high hopes for him. Integrity is a crime. Serving the people is a sin. Yuan Tong, born to a poor family, is caught in the middle of it all. He watches those wh —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 38 The Brash Official 官道莽夫 By a twist of fate, Li Nanxing was swept into the heart of a fierce struggle and made a pawn in someone else’s game. He thought he was doomed to be crushed, but somehow he carved out a bright future for himself! From then on, he rose rapidly, with a lovely wife by his side and both fame and fortune in hand! 172Reads6.1Score—14d adds
- 39 Officialdom: A Reborn Playboy’s Ascent to the Top 官场：纨绔重生跨越巅峰 [Reborn + officialdom + political struggles + economic development + patriotism] A spoiled young heir weathered a lifetime of setbacks. Reborn, he used his foresight to lead his family out of hardship. In finance, he guided his brothers to sweep all before them. In politics, he dodged one open and covert attack after another. In the economy, he selflessly served his country and its people. Follow Li Linxuan through the heart-pounding world of officialdom as he devotes his passion to millions of 694Reads7.3Score—14d adds
- 40 My Survival Game in the Civil Service 我的体制内生存游戏 Zhou Zhengyi is a struggling student from a third-rate college, with a girlfriend who looks down on him and no prospects for the future. Hoping to pass the civil service exam and land a secure government job, he signs a loan-shark-like contract and enters the legendary “Guaranteed Pass” boot camp. Here, everything has its price, and the rules are dark. From the moment he is forced to swallow his first answer against his conscience, power begins to quietly reshape him. Money, women, opportunities 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 41 Thirty Years of Political Ups and Downs 宦海沉浮三十年 A rural boy claws his way out of the countryside and into the world of politics, enduring relentless suppression in a grueling struggle to defy fate and change his life. After being tested in multiple workplaces and weathering the ups and downs of several relationships, he is repeatedly beaten down, only to turn the tables again and again. With no connections or backing, how far can he get in thirty years in politics? Is the problem the individual, or the system? A thought-provoking story. It al 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 42 The Power Pinnacle of a Humble Official 寒官之权力巅峰 The story of a poor young man with no connections who, through exceptional intelligence, unyielding resolve, and a pragmatic approach, finds opportunities in adversity, stirs up the world from humble beginnings, and ultimately fulfills both his personal ambitions and his ideal of serving the people. 32Reads—Score—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 The King of Soldiers Enters Politics and Breaks the Deadlock with Force 兵王转业之官场以力破局 This novel has been adapted into an audiobook. Once he enters the political arena, he thrives. With brothers at his side, resources brought together, and strength to break through any impasse! Lin Zhenyu, a Dragon Fang special forces soldier codenamed Ghost King, is reborn. To save his critically ill grandfather, he has no choice but to leave the military and enter politics! A man of unwavering integrity, Lin Zhenyu vows to work for the welfare of 5.4kReads8.2Score42614d adds
- 45 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... 547Reads6.2Score—14d adds
- 46 A Second Chance at an Official Career 涅槃官途 (The rating has just appeared and will keep rising. These are three completed, million-word political novels with high ratings, so please read with confidence. Feel free to share your valuable feedback: the author is always willing to listen.) This is a thoroughly authentic political novel, portraying every aspect of officialdom's human relations and social conventions, and revealing its culture and political maneuvering. The best part of the game is this: the people who set the traps still don' 331Reads7.1Score13914d adds
- 47 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—14d adds
- 48 The Ladder of Power: It All Starts with a Phone Call 权力阶梯：从一通电话开始 Upright and incorruptible, yet skilled in the art of taking the indirect route. Cleansing the murky currents, he is even better at planning ahead and breaking deadlocks. Li Yulin is a lone, courageous cadre. He presses on against the tide, refusing to give an inch! He swears to let the light of justice pierce the dark web of power! 8Reads6.1Score—14d adds
- 49 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! 16Reads8.9Score—14d adds
- 50 Claiming the Summit: A Path to the Clouds 问鼎.青云 [Rating will rise] Wang Chaoxian passed the civil service exam, only to be exiled to a poor, remote village? Sorry, this is my beginner's village! From the start, I had one impoverished village, and every achievement depended on my own efforts! Starting as the village deputy party secretary, I rose to govern an entire region! What others saw as a dead end in officialdom, he turned into a grand game of strategy! Since you kicked me down to the grassroots, I'll turn this poor, remote place into my 52.3kReads8.5Score5.1k14d adds
