[The first scene in the editing of the Hongzhi Pharmacopoeia: deciphering the 9th of August 1503, in the Ming dynasty].

Abstract

On the 9th of August, 1503 the 10th Ming Emperor, Hongzhi, conveyed his desire to the Grand Secretariat that the Pharmacopoeia be edited. In response, the Grand Secretariat conveyed to the Emperor its intended procedure; namely, to choose two directors-general from among the members of the Hanlin Academy and to have the Imperial Academy of Medicine actually carry out the editing of the Pharmacopoeia. The Imperial Academy of Medicine, however, proposed another idea to the Emperor; that Imperial Academy members only be responsible for the editing. In consequence, the Grand Secretariat insisted on testing the ability of the Imperial Academy members. Though the Hongzhi Emperor agreed with the Grand Secretariat's policy and ordered it, the Imperial Academy of Medicine withdrew on the grounds that its ability was insufficient. The Hongzhi Emperor consented to this and sent a new order that the Hanlin Academy alone should carry out the editing. Nonetheless, as a face-saving measure, the Imperial Academy of Medicine was chosen to select a member as an editor, and the editing of the Pharmacopoeia commenced. The editing was completed on the 3rd of March, 1505, and it was then presented to the Hongzhi Emperor. This Pharmacopoeia, was entitled "Yuzhi bencao pinhui jinyao," and included a preface by The Hongzhi Emperor.