Qiang Jin Jiu

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The six prefectures of Zhongbo were offered to foreign enemies on a silver platter, and Shen Zechuan was taken into custody in the capital, reduced to a drowning dog—loathed and condemned by all.

Xiao Chiye followed the scent of the furor and made his way over. But instead of setting others on him, he kicked Shen Zechuan with his very own leg, rendering the latter an invalid. Who would expect this invalid to turn around and bite him in a counterattack until he was all drenched in blood?

That was the start of an epic feud between both men who tore at each other every time they come face-to-face with one another.

“Fate wants to bind me here for life, but this is not the path I choose. The yellow dust submerged my brothers deep under. I have no wish to bow in submission to an illusory fate. The imperial edict can’t save my troops, and the imperial court can’t fill the stomachs of my mounts. I’m no longer willing to lay down my life for this purpose. I want to surmount that mountain. I am going to fight for myself.”

Note: A ‘drowning dog’ is someone who is down and out, having lost favor or power.

Associated Names
One entry per line
Ballad of Sword and Wine
Bring In The Wine
QJJ
Song of the Wine
Thương Tiến Tửu
เชิญร่ำสุรา
将进酒
장진주
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Golden Stage (16)
Sha Po Lang (15)
Peerless (7)
Nan Chan (6)
The Husky and His White Cat Shizun (5)
Jun You Ji Fou (5)
Recommendation Lists
  1. To Be Read
  2. Lidos
  3. Already read / need to reread
  4. Charming MC danmei
  5. Novels that changed my perspective

Latest Release

Date Group Release
03/25/25 CeritanyaNyai c5
03/25/25 CeritanyaNyai c4
03/25/25 CeritanyaNyai c3
03/25/25 CeritanyaNyai c2
03/19/25 CeritanyaNyai c1
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102 Reviews sorted by


oceanstarjp
oceanstarjp rated it
July 12, 2021
Status: c148
This novel is gold! Although I usually stay away from politically heavy novels like this one, the plot is intriguing and engaging and usually find myself engrossed just to find out what happens next. The two main leads are even better. Man when they say enemies to lovers they mean enemies. I always love the enemies to lovers trope but this one is done in the best way possible. You can feel their hatred for each other with their actions, but the author has a way of making their actions... more>> against each other in such a way that it is purely foreplay. There is complete s*xual tension during their fights and scheming against each other and it's purely delightful to read. What I love most is seeing these two men have their own goals and plans. They are not so obsessed with each other that they become sappy lovers. No! They have their own desires and will do anything to reach their goals. These are two strong men with strong wills and their relationship is completely believable. I am so excited this will be adapted to a drama and I look forward to the end! <<less
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Achiless
Achiless rated it
June 4, 2021
Status: Completed
Alright, let me add some critique to the sea of positivity.

But first the positives: the first 200 ch were amazing both plot-wise and romance-wise.

This novel has mutual flirting + consent. Yes, consent. What else do I need to say? It's an enemies to lovers trope, and that happens much quicker than I thought it would. I would regard it as a quick-romance. It goes from mutual attraction, to having an affair (if I can call it like that), to realizing that they do love each other and expressing it.

... more>> "If you want to marry me, two million isn't enough. I want Lanzhou's smile, which is hard to buy."-Xiao Chiye

You ever had a man tell you "When I'm back from the battle, that city is my [insert name]'s"? I bet you haven't. I haven't either. But Lanzhou has.

The plot is one with twist and turns. I read another review saying that Lanzhou is unpredictable, even to the reader. I disagree. I think Lanzhou's goal is pretty clear to the reader. In the beginning, he wants to revenge his shiniang (mother figure) and brother, and he wants to be able to hold his head up high despite carrying the name of a traitor. In the process, he continues to climb up the social ladder and encounters numerous mysteries and corruptions. As the story progresses, he becomes more ambitious while being watched from all sides.

I also love how this story contains only grey characters. No one is good or bad. This author is able to express their respect for different morals, and I respect the author for that.

Many authors also somehow love to demonise the northern tribes, but this author didn't. Sure, they're one of the enemies of the protagonists, and they're demonised by the citisens of Dazhou. But not by the author. "An eye for an eye"-Hasen. When I read that, I almost cried of happiness.

THE LAST 100 CH, HOWEVER, WERE A BIG DISSAPOINTMENT.

QJJ is a clear example of high expectations, mediocre ending.

Towards the ending of the novel, the focus on the protagonists shifted to the side characters. The stories about the side characters are done pretty well, because I was able to enjoy them all to my surprise. But the protagonists' actions also diminish in the progress. The protagonists turn from active to passive.

The big big big problem is that despite that enormous focus on other characters, this story remains a single-MC story! That means that we all know (oh no, a spoiler) that the protagonists' are going to achieve their goals! Our interests lie in how they're going to achieve it, and what will happen during the process. In the last 100 ch, the protagonists become so fking passive, that they just stretch their arm and everything lands into their palms. The enemy's inner conflict (aka the side characters) did most of the work. Alright, that's exaggerated. The protagonists also worked hard, it's not a 100% golden hula hoop story. The last 100 ch were decent. But compared the the first 200 ch, it's a big big let down.

The final boss can't even be called a final boss (it doesn't even matter who you consider the final boss, cause they all were shit). The final boss just fcked himself up, the protagonists barely had to lift a finger.

Alright, that's exaggerated. The protagonists also worked hard, it's not a 100% golden hula hoop story. The last 100 ch were decent. But compared the the first 200 ch, it's a big big let down.

I also have a problem with some characters.

Firstly, Yao Wenyu.
Spoiler

This guy is supposed the be ultra biga smart and Lanzhou's strategist. But I can't see that. The only thing that proves that fact is how the characters regard him, but his actions don't prove that to the reader at all. YES, HE IS SMART, but is he smarter than Lanzhou? Barely. Until the very end of the story, I was still unable to see him throw a Zhugeliang.

I do really love his words "I'm still standing", but that's it. Anyways, rip my boy. MY BOYYYYYY

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Secondly, Xue something.
Spoiler

This man deserved more screentime at the end. He's a big old utilist and the only guy in this whole story who's goal is purely the wellbeing of the citizens, not his own. Yet, he had almost zero backstory and character insight. And his downfall happened so... easy. I would've expected him to at least throw a final show before his fall.

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Thirdly, third (haha, get it?) missy Hua.
Spoiler

God bless her awkward romance, but she's basically a tool to either give Qi Zhuyin a partner or to justify certain progressions in this story. I'm still unable to put my finger on how someone as smart as her, despite being kind, could get it into her head to help the enemy defeat the empress. Like couldn't she predict that the empress would die?

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The author should've made this story a multi-MC story, or at least made it close to one from the beginning.

But regardless, the story is worth it.
Spoiler

The best part is def the part where the protagonists were investigating Xue something's business with the boys and girls.=

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hy-d-ra
hy-d-ra
May 9, 2021
Status: c87
Since I'm not done with it, I'm not rating yet, but if it goes like this, it'll be interesting.

Just imagine the start of it. We see a young person, who is imprisoned and judged for his father's sins and is coerced to tell not the real "truth", but the "truth" that they want to hear. From a person who was not even close to his father and didn't live together with him. They tried to put all the blame on a young boy, just to please the cry of the... more>> crowd. Doesn't that scream of incompetence? Doesn't it interest you to figure out why? It did make me stop and start reading.

This system has rottened to the core, the corruption runs deep, the intrigues are nothing but a war of tug and both protagonists are left to live in this system to either accept it or slowly change it. Yesterday's friends can become today's enemies and today's enemies can become today's friends. Both MC and ML are the second type. One has a tag of a traitor's son, the other is a trapped beast. On the surface they can't stand each other's presence, but in reality, they became each other's biggest support. So they try to live and climb in this den of snakes and seek out the answers that keep piling and piling why they try to uncover the truth of what actually happened, who is behind all this.

The relationship between the two is scorchng btw :)

I liked how characters are not these clean types, they have feelings of righteousness, but MC especially is very different. And I'm very okay with that. It's politics, it's intrigue, I'm especially willing to watch an MC who does not shy away from killing bloodily with his own hands. So it makes it more vibrant and MC more complex. <<less
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anotherworld20
anotherworld20 rated it
March 19, 2021
Status: Completed
Author writing style is very different,

The scene transitions are not stiff and very beautifully smooth...

for example ch 150 on fallen leaves then the scene changed, ch 184 the raindrops falling into the water, the fish jumped and the scene changed, really beautiful and I was amazed many times...

... more>> This is the first time I read a novel with a beautiful and unique transition, I feel like watching a drama instead of reading a novel, the author is unique and stands out in this technique.

if you think you know the end, you're wrong... the author will make you think that everything is predictable, but it turns out we are blind this whole time.

This story makes you understand that there are not 100% good or bad people, everyone are just trying to survive. All characters have their own reasons, born in a war era makes them do whatever it takes.

The scene when Li Jianting hits the drums and sing poetry is very beautifully sad, every verse will show the events of each character...

CONCLUSION

After reading this novel I am TIRED,

my brain is squeezed, I cry for Yuan Zuo and Qiao Tian Ya....

Yin Chang character made an impression on my heart, many of his words touched me, such as

Good hunters will not easily reveal their purpose, they are patient, and their weaknesses are a disguise to lure the enemy.

The author made me understand the feelings of all the characters, why they make mistakes... until I can't blame Hashen, Amur, Doerlan and Bayin I still love them There is no right or wrong during the war years, and each has its own beliefs! They are also the heroes of their nation! <<less
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mimochi
mimochi rated it
April 8, 2024
Status: Completed
I just finished reading this at 3 am in the morning, despite knowing how the story end, I still carried away by its plot, characters and all those twisted political play that come with it. I love Qiang Jinjiu because its depth and intricacies, and each of distinguished characters. This is not our everyday bl love story, but how the author sprinkled those flirts and private scenes made me addicted to it. No immortal, no supernatural abilities just youths tried to live their best in turbulent times with whatever they... more>> have wits, or strenght while holding up their morals and duties along the way. <<less
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infatuated
infatuated rated it
March 30, 2024
Status: Completed
A great novel. Not without its flaws, but quite great overall. It's one of the classics of the genre for good reason.

Warning for minor spoilers below, major spoilers tagged

First, the positives that I think most would agree on:

  • An admirable depiction of the political scene. The author clearly thought out each of the plot points, and this especially shines in the first book and the beginning of the second. Because the cast was a lot more concentrated in Book 1, I think it was far easier to follow the threads of foreshadowing--simply because everything going on was happening in one location among the same essential characters. Also, very clever of the author for continuously soft-launching Yao Wenyu in this part of the story, to the point where he was memorable despite never showing up in person.
  • A very charitable portrayal of antagonists, poor people, and women, which is quite rare in most aristocratic court intrigue stories, both danmei and otherwise. The Biansha cavalry are villains, in a sense, but also just people trying to survive. In fact, they come out looking a lot better than the eight great noble clans of Qudu in general. The women are all pretty good, I liked the Empress Dowager the most, but the others are definitely easier to root for.
Re: grains and supply chain analytics--I actually... more>> liked this a lot. Sure, it's not as dramatic as love and war, but things like food and money are indeed the lifeblood of a nation. Ignoring the economical aspect in a political intrigue novel would leave a very, very large plothole. Plus, as a finance idiot, the grain conflicts were relatively easy for me to follow.

Now, onto something I do not share an opinion with most on (both positives and negatives). The characters! And the relationships between them. Let's get into it.

Book 1

Spoiler

Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye are basically the gold standard for danmei relationships around these parts. I think they're a good, balanced pair (lots of sword/sheath metaphors in play between them). However, I also agree with the critiques that their relationship is rather abrupt. The enemies + s*xual tension is written pretty well, and the lovers + s*xual tension is also written pretty well, but the transition between these two states is very fast and happens mostly offscreen (if at all). This is not too big of a problem, I feel. A bigger problem is the nature of their long distance relationship in books 2 and 3. Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye have different motivations, goals, and obligations, despite their similar circumstances (trapped beasts in Qudu). This was established at the start. This is fine. But when they escape the cage, this means that their paths mostly diverge. So, while both of them have character development, this development is (mostly) unaffected by their relationship. Whenever their goals intersect (see: the battle against Hasen at Duanzhou, which is one of the absolute highlights of the second half of the story), we get some amazing stuff. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen too often, so their relationship remains mostly stagnant. I would've loved to see how the changes to them as people changes their relationship, but from the beginning of Book 2 to the end of Book 3, the most major development either of them gets from their relationship is Shen Zechuan abandoning his self-sacrificial mentality (and even that wasn't 100% his relationship!)

Don't get me wrong, their relationship is qualitatively good and important to the plot, but I disagree that it's the best relationship in the book.

Now, onto one of the actual best relationships in the whole book (personal opinion only) : Qi Huilian and his impact on Shen Zechuan (and Xie Xiuzhuo, and Yao Wenyu). Of the handful of times I was very emotionally moved throughout the novel, two of them have to do with Qi Huilian: I believe that both his introduction and his conclusion were some of the best written parts of the entire novel. It is through Qi Huilian that we meet the stakes, that Shen Zechuan's life changes forever (and the seeds of his motivation are planted), and that we get some of the best monologues of the book. Even though Shen Zechuan is the protagonist, Qi Huilian is the actual bastion of idealism and hope in the country, and also the single person who has the largest impact on Shen Zechuan. Xiao Chiye gives Shen Zechuan the earring, but Qi Huilian gave Shen Zechuan his identity back (symbolized by the courtesy name).

Xi Hongxuan: everybody seems to hate this guy, but I quite like him. His signature noble greed is his downfall, but for a minor antagonist, he is resourceful and decisive, managing to exact his revenge on his clan even as he dies. Speaking of death, quite a few characters in this novel (all of whom are very different) die by fire. He is one of them. Possibly a metaphor signifying their entire life's work crumbling with them? Possibly a coincidence. Shen Zechuan's dealings with him were also a very good way to establish his (Shen Zechuan's) personality, intelligence, and vindictiveness.

Xiao Chiye and Li Jianheng have a very interesting relationship, and I really like how the author outlined the souring of it with Li Jianheng's change in position. A very realistic look at what that changed power dynamic would do to people--Li Jianheng knows what Xiao Chiye wants and has the power to grant it but cannot due to the considerations he must make. Li Jianheng himself is rather ignorant and wishy-washy, but you can't help but feel for him, and his last conversation with Xiao Chiye is also memorable.

Xie Xiuzhuo: not much to say about him other than that he's incredible! He's a foil to pretty much all of the important cast on the strategizing/governing side of things. He is selfless to an incredible degree

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Books 2/3

Spoiler

While I would say Book 1 is the strongest written and the most focused on Xiao Chiye's and Shen Zechuan's relationship (also with the most excellent 'antagonists' overall), the later books do excel at introducing and fleshing out neutral characters and allies.

The Xiao family is very close-knit and bound by love. This is evidenced by lots of small things, such as the jacket Xiao Fangxu refuses to get rid of, the fact that the Xiao family traditionally only take one lover (in steep contrast to Qi Shiyu), etc. However, Xiao Jiming gets incredibly sidelined after his injury. In wartime, it makes sense that he only takes on a commanding role behind the scenes, but even his wife and son have a more explicit presence w.r.t. Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye than he does. Which is fine, but I wish there was more. Xiao Chiye avenging his father's death, though, was a great moment.

Yao Wenyu is a great character, with a heartbreaking official introduction to the story. I'm glad that the author committed to the bit and didn't retcon his leg injuries. So often is disability and the curing of it used as a copout, so I'm glad it was well addressed with him. On one hand, life would objectively be easier without disabled legs and a life-threatening poison in the system, but on the other hand, Yao Wenyu would not even be present in the story had it not been for this misfortune. It is because of this change in him that his relationship with Qiao Tianya was made possible, and it is also because of this change that everything was cut short. Rather bittersweet to think about, more bitter than sweet when you consider the f*cking extras... I do wish we got to see more of the effects of Yao Wenyu's plots and plans, though. He's nominally the strategist, but the majority of the time when big events happen, Shen Zechuan is still the shotcaller while Yao Wenyu's contributions are not highlighted. I also wish we got more about his introduction to Qiao Tianya, the zither, and the Qiao and Shao clans. In general, I feel that if this was added, it would not only flesh out the relationship between Yao Wenyu and Qiao Tianya but also add gravity to the finale of Book 3.

Fei Sheng: no notes, perfect character. His father-son bond with old general Yin Chang moved me to tears. When he was begging to open the gates and save his adoptive dad even when everyone (including Yin Chang) had accepted the outcome? Heartbreaking. How he grows from a self-serving individual seeking power and fame to a worthwhile general ready to lay his life down on the line for the bigger picture? Incredible. His contentious frenemy relationships with Qiao Tianya and Huo Lingyun? Hilarious. I love this guy.

Qi Zhuyin is pretty incredible and generally a very likable character, especially considering her precarious position as a friend of the 'rebels' but a subject of the country. I disagree with the evaluations of her as Mary Sue (as mentioned in the author's notes) because while she's excellent, she's also on par competence-wise with fellow generals Xiao Jiming and Lu Guangbai (who nobody considers Gary Stus--fascinating how misogyny works, eh?) I like her dynamic with the guys and her backstory. I think that while some of the other women in the story (particularly Li Jianting, who is the epitome of a tragic and strong woman) deal with objectively worse consequences of misogyny (in this case, pe*ophilia and r*pe), Qi Zhuyin's breakdown in the desert where she questions what part of her isn't good enough is probably a universal experience to women in the world. On the other hand, Hua Xiangyi felt a lot like a plot device, only there to catalyze certain actions of Qi Zhuyin's. The only time we see her really caring about anything is when she burns the account books when her aunt the Empress Dowager dies. Their relationship is cute, though.

Hasen!! I really like Hasen, even if the whole gang dislikes him. There's a bit in the novel that goes something like '[he would] never kneel to Xiao Chiye. When the twelve tribes kneeled to Dazhou, countless people starved to death in the desert', and I think that including this was so important. To Dazhou, he is the enemy, but to Hanshe, he is a well-loved hero. He and Xiao Chiye are two sides of the same coin, and he never really goes too far in the warcrime department either. The battle he leads at Duanzhou is definitely the best and most gripping climax in the latter half of the story, and part of the reason for this is because he is such a compelling, developed, and competent antagonist--so much so that it takes nearly every relevant member of the Libei-Zhongbo cast to face off against him. Possibly one of the most human and sympathetic of the Biansha cavalry.

On the other hand, the Scorpions on Shen Zechuan's side are lacking in characterization. Li Xiong is very cute, but his storyline is rather abrupt. He changes loyalties all of a sudden, and the allusion to his longing for his hometown never really goes anywhere. Hairigu pretty much disappears after Qi Zhuyin disagrees with the land arrangements. I feel that the potential here is wasted. Huo Lingyun is another character who I think deserved more of a spotlight. Fengquan too--I caught the foreshadowing about Mu Ru and the earring and the Shao clan, but his schemes are unveiled too late in the story that the tension kind of goes nowhere and he feels shoehorned in, despite the fact that there was actually setup for him. Xie Xiuzhuo, I feel, is an example of a key player being foreshadowed more effectively.

There was also an interesting little gay backstory between Kong Ling and Lao Mu, which might've been to appeal to the tragic old man yaoi fans. While it didn't serve too much of a purpose story-wise, I appreciate it being there.

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One star is docked mostly because the ending of the novel is not as memorable or emotionally impactful as other parts of the story--especially when the ending of Book 1 was so strong. Despite the fact that the unveiling of the real behind-the-scenes individual and the battle against the officially established 'big bad' didn't happen until the end, the main duo had long since overcome their biggest challenges, while these major antagonists didn't really have much to counterattack with anymore. As such, the ending felt rather anticlimactic and didn't really display any of the cast at their best and brightest, both protagonists and antagonists. Other than this, though, a very worthwhile novel and compelling worldbuilding. <<less
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Anime.lover
Anime.lover rated it
July 23, 2023
Status: --
QJJ small review after letting it marinate in brain for a few months

One of the best novels I have experienced personally the MC was very complex the ML was a person with goals and feelings too which I loved and their relationship was one of the best I've read the slow trip from hate and disgust to the absolute understanding you are my soul relationship they ended up with just chef kiss 💋 (also they are extremely h:rney for each other which made me laugh)

side characters all had moments... more>> to shine and the antagonists my god they were brilliant some we would get a whole picture of their goals and lives or chapters into their stories and others we would get a peek and it would be just a enough

and man the female characters in this story were just great all of them were actually people and the battle scenes were so good I would get excited or scared just so immersed

And with how this Novel is structured it's such a good reread because you catch hints the author left that you missed.

The politics were also just can't put into words it definitely had me on the edge of my seat quite literally a lot of times

the story takes it's time which I appreciated it was nether slow paced or fast just right definitely will be following this authors other works from now <<less
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Burning_Rose
Burning_Rose rated it
September 3, 2022
Status: Completed
Characterization is great.

Equilibrium betwn couple is present. Healthy relationships. Story is detailed and plot oriented. Focus is given on every event not just on MC and Ml.

Beginning's confusing as the story starts from the middle of nowhere. Readers r directly thrusted into the ongoing plot with no whatsoever clue as to what is happening who is MC and just how the things are progressing.

... more>> Heavily focused on politics and war. The detailing of climaxes were severly lacking. The scenes which should be detailed were just implicitly written.

Relationship just forms right off the bat and couple development and intensity was lacking. At some point things just start dragging on.

According to me it's average. <<less
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iboxzn
iboxzn rated it
August 15, 2022
Status: c102
I dropped this story before I finished chapter 102. One of my problem why I can't stand reading it is because Chiye's calling Zechuan "wife". This is my pet peeves when reading bl / gl, one of them were being called as wife or husband. I hope the author knows they're writing a gay couple and not a hetero. If some doesn't care about it, but not for me. I dislike how cezhou was like some stereotypical mlm couples out there, the reason why I read danmei was bcs I... more>> can't handle the stereotypes in bl manhwa.

And also, the story is plotty, I have no idea what does Zechuan wanted to do. The story has a lot of characters, too. I'm so confused who's who because they're connected to e/o but thank god it has a character guides.

The thing I like about qjj is that it has a great plot, though it's plotty for me, but I'm still interested with it. I'm also getting attached to Cezhou, but I really can't stand the wife thing of Chiye. I know this will continue in the future so idk if should I pick it or not. And also, there's a wlw couple here so I'm really looking forward to read it before.

I want to read the author's other story, I think it's called nan chan? But I'm kinda worried if the ML is also like this to the other MC, too. I heard the dynamics are like Cezhou too. <<less
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overclouds
overclouds rated it
August 14, 2022
Status: c123
This is a great novel. But. It’s VERY plotty. It took me two days just to get through the first twenty or so chapters because you’re thrust into the story with no build up, just boom here are 50 different characters living their lives and plotting against each other, enjoy!

So that threw me off at first, but if you stick through it, it really gets very interesting. And the main couple made it worth it also, definitely in my top five best bl couples. So devoted to each other, I... more>> love them !!

HOWEVER, the reason for my four stars (which should be 3.5 really) is that after a certain point in the story, there’s just too much happening. It gets a little suffocating when things seem to be going right and plot points seem to be concluding... only to look at the chapter count and realize you’re not even halfway through. Personally, I think around chapter 120 things started to drag on and on and even though I want to keep reading for the main couple, it’s just really mentally exhausting.

So, in conclusion. This is a good novel, it has great characters and an amazing main couple BUT it can get to be too plotty and heavy. If you can push though the mental gymnastics this novel will make you do, then congrats but it’s just too long for me:d <<less
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ferrrrr
ferrrrr rated it
August 5, 2022
Status: Completed
Not gonna lie but QJJ will be always one of my top danmei novel all the times. Even its full with political conflict, a bit heavy (and sometime I’d get loss and gotta read twice to understand), but it was so good and I got no further complaints.

Out of danmei couple that I’ve came across, I think Cezhou shows me what is the real meaning of love. I love the way they keep showing how they always thinking and their feeling about one another. Guess the translators did a really... more>> good job in order to potray who is Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan.

Spoiler

And my heart will always be with you, Yao Wenyu. Just like Qiao Tianya T.T

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abhi_2296
abhi_2296 rated it
June 29, 2022
Status: Completed
OMG!!!! I cannot gush enough about this book.

I am leaving a review mid-way during the reading of my book for the first time because I couldn't contain myself. I will definitely add to the review once I complete.

First and Foremost, Qiang Jin jiu has everything I look for in a novel. However, be warned I can understand this book is not for everyone. Most people will enjoy, some people will absolutely love it and quite a few will not like it at all.

Yet I would say it... more>> is still worth a read.

Power Couple, Flawed Main Characters, Beautiful Sibling/Father-son Bonds, Elaborate Political plot, Fleshed out Enemy characters, Detailed side characters.

The beauty of this novel for me is that there has been some thought put into even the smallest interaction for each and every character in the novel. The author has put a concentrated effort into telling us not just a course of events with the main characters leading the show. Rather she has woven a story of many people and many lives all intertwined together by their actions, their passions, their motivations, their loyalties, their ideologies and beliefs, their greed, their envy, their hatred, their love.

The Main Characters, Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye are flawed. They are not a Mary/Gary Sue by any definition of the word. But while reading you come to understand them, their actions and the people around them. They are powerful, yet they lose too and have lost badly. What I like is that they are not invincible or completely OP.

This might be the first time that other than the main characters, I ended up loving so many side character

The plot, the twists and turns of this story literally got me to edge of my seat, they were so thrilling and I am only mid-way through.

Update:

I finished it. It has become my FAVOURITE Danmei novel of all time and I don't say this arrogantly but I have read almost all the cream of the crop danmeis. If you want to read better reviews, all you have to do is scroll through this website, some amazing reviews to read on qjj. But you know the best thing would be to just go and read this actual masterpiece of a novel.

I won't say more, just even months later

"lanzhou ah, where is lanzhou?"

"here...I'm here"

Makes me feel things. CeZhou is beautiful! <<less
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Ias_halfeld
Ias_halfeld rated it
December 16, 2021
Status: --
the romance part is incredible, the relationship between the MC and the ML is very good, it's all consensual and they support themselves in their goals without diminishing and imposing themselves on the other and I thought that was amazing. Now the story, it's good, but many times I found myself lost in the story, well I don't know Mandarin and there were times when the author threw many names in Mandarin and I found myself lost trying to remember where the names were, anyway it was ok It's hard... more>> to understand (I'm not used to reading political intrigue novels, the only one I read besides this was sha po lang) . I was a little disappointed because at times it felt like the protagonists just needed to point the finger for something to happen, especially towards the end. I think it's worth reading the novel is sensational and it's also worth remembering that it contains very heavy scenes:

Spoiler

MC literally skinned a person and left him alive.

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apart from that there is also animal cruelty, pe*ophilia, mentions of r*pe and several other things. <<less
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Huaixu
Huaixu rated it
September 16, 2021
Status: Completed
Thank you so much for translating this novel!

I signed up an account to write a review for this novel. The translation is much better than I expected. I initially read this novel in Chinese. The author's unique writing style is impressive, and the translator really done an awesome job.
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Rimamr
Rimamr rated it
July 11, 2021
Status: c158
I will write my opinion as spoiler because I'm sure some of you wont like to read negative opinions Not that I didn't like the novel it's one of my fev but have some objection

... more>>
Spoiler

This novel one of the best novel I ever read until CeZhou separated many event many stories, The writer didn't focus on the main couple and their story after they separate many chapters not even a letter between them

some of the event seem meaningless to me just to make the novel longer I finished the first 140 chapters in 3 days now not even read 5 chapter in day because nothing encourage me to keep reading

I don't say it not worth reading It's really amazing story as long as CeZhou together so hope they meet again soon because I miss them together so much

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heartlessbambi
heartlessbambi rated it
July 4, 2021
Status: c217
DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!!! (5/5)

This is heavy on political schemes and war. It says this is enemies become lovers, and here, enemies means bone deep grudge holding ones, who try to tear apart each other's throat, but later begin to have a better understanding and become each other's strength. If you're craving for some intimacy, don't worry, you won't be disappointed. This is a well balanced novel!!! (According to my taste, of course)

MC's cold demeanor, WOW!!! He never failed to surprise me. He's a super genius and... more>> when he kills, a ruthless killer!!!

ML- the wolf pup who loves freedom, SO strong, SO tall and smart!!!

Both MC and ML are super handsome!!!

Plz bare until at least chapter 10, 15 cause, at first you might not find anything special about this one, but I promise you, later you won't be able to stop!!! This one totally crushed my favourite list and now, is among top 3!!!

I must thank the author for writing this masterpiece, because the novel is like a poem!!! Translators are doing a great job here, every chapter is a gem. Totally fell in love with QJJ!!! <<less
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fiffia
fiffia rated it
May 4, 2021
Status: c105
Okay, soo.. I've read it two times so far. During the first time, I had no idea what's going on and just rushed through only stopping for a while on the CP scenes. But I've missed so much.

In the second read, I paid a lot of attention to the names, cases, cities, and everything and it was literally so worth it. The politics are really well written, but to enjoy it you have to pay attention to the plot first and well... have some interest in this topic. Also omg...... more>> the descriptions are so nice. Especially the nature ones.

As for the CP- I really liked them both. Their interactions are so funny and satisfying. I really liked how amongst the power struggles happening around them, you could still see that they are both still young. Their relationship might seem a lil toxic to some people at first but I honestly loved it especially after they both finally realized they're in love and supported each other.

Oh, also, the translation is honestly perfect and is progressing so fast.

I'm not even halfway through and I'm waiting for the translation to be completed, but I just wanted to say that it's really worth reading :) <<less
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jaeran26
jaeran26 rated it
April 28, 2021
Status: c122
Amazing!! I have been waiting for a story like this. Why is this novel not more famous?

Favourite BL novel so far. Imperial China, political intrigue, military themes, multifaceted characters and BL romance!

Plot, plot, and more plot. Never a boring moment. Seamless transition from plot to plot. Unpredictable.

Intelligent, strong, cunning and very grey main characters. Very much a power couple.

Good writing and excellent translations.
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XYJ
XYJ rated it
February 28, 2021
Status: Completed
I love this story so so so much.

The plot, the conflicts, the schemes, it's all a complex thing driven by the greed and interests of multiple groups that affect each other in unpredictable ways. It feels so real, the chaos and unpredictability, the way things rapidly spiral out of control, both for the main characters, the side characters, and the antagonists.

And the characters all feel 3D, multifaceted, unique, and distinct from each other. I love that most of them have internal struggles to deal with. And also, the main characters,... more>> especially, make me think of the saying "one man's hero is another man's traitor." <<less
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xstal
xstal rated it
May 14, 2023
Status: --
My all-time favourite danmei.

Every time I pick this up to read, it draws me into a fantastic world of mysteries, love, revenge, scheming, plotting and so much more. It has been a few months since I finished this, but still, it is not over me :) I would randomly pick some chapters to let myself escape into the world of Lanzhou or Ce an.

Rating - all the stars in the sky 🌃😉
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