I want to read about an MC that was not the best in his past life but wants to make the most out of his reincarnation. I don't want the cliché story about protecting the world, having friends and romance. Romance gets really tricky for all writers and let's just avoid that all together. I want an MC that is plotting to overthrow or betray people in power. Good management of money and world building doesn't feel rushed. If it has a system is welcome too. I remember I read something like that years ago but can't remember exactly. It was about an MC that his family served on the borders of the kingdom as punishment and MC always plotted against the royal family and got them killed or something like that.
How about female MC along the lines of rebirth of malicious empress of military lineage... don’t remember exactly but I’m pretty sure there is something along the lines of what you asked about in that story and similar novels on that recommendation list...
Supreme Magus. On Webnovel and many popular translation sites, mc reincarnates twice both lives full of despair and abuse in his third reincarnation he struggles to adjust to his new family. Wrought with trust issues along with paranoia and sense of thirst for power. World is also a magical world filled with different races and monsters. In summary, book is about the growth of mc (power and character growth) does have romance, action. He is also scheming. He doesn't care for the world either only his loved ones.
King of German Mercenaries, but the translation qualiy made me put it on hold Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece, but it's set in Classical Era, not Medieval Era
Sword dynasty It's about a youth trying to overturn the qin dynasty, the plot is complex. It's a wuxia novel and it's similar to Joy of Life or Ze Tian Ji The MC is a rather good strategist and there is no filler, no arrogant young masters, no dumb villains to make the MC shine.