The Herbalist's Manual

LI YIN MAN is a famous doctor in Binhu, Danzhou. Finding that the social status of a local doctor very low, he wishes his son, LI SHI CHUN, could take the imperial civil examination and become an imperial official. Under the influence of his father’s profession, CHUN indulges himself in the studies of herbs. He even does not stop treating people when he is preparing for the exam. He meets TUNG CHING, who pretends to be the Goddess of Medicine and practices medicine for free, and appreciates her kind-heartedness very much. MAN made a promise to his late friend of his that CHUN will marry NG MO YUNG, the niece of the Duke of KING, after the exam. The Duke of KING, nevertheless, looks down upon them. YUNG falls for CHUN’s talent and looks very much forward to marrying him. SISTER YAT, who is a widow, faints during a difficult delivery. Her family members believe that she has died and so bury her……

MAN asks CHUN to study in at a local school in preparation for the exam. CHUN has no choice but to do as told. YAT has become friends with CHING, who has saved her. She even regards CHING as her son’s second mother. CHING is influenced by her foster father, LITTLE BUDDHA, and has developed a great interest in medicine. Seeing that there is discrimination against women practicing medicine, she decides to become a physician herself. Fisherman KAM SHUI comes to CHUN for his leg problem. As CHUN has promised his father not to practice medicine when he is preparing for the exam, he turns to CHING for help. CHUN gets to know PONG HIN, an outstanding student of the imperial medical school. He would like to borrow some medical books from HIN. HIN refuses at first but changes his mind later because of CHUNG’s sincerity. CHUN and CHING gather herbs for medical use in the countryside……

YUNG has very poor health. CHUN prepares some nourishing herbal soup for her. KWO is picking herbs when he sees CHING, who leaves a remarkable impression on him. KWO’s wife died a few years ago. Now that he has found someone he likes, CHUN encourages him to go for her. CHUN, nevertheless, does not realize that it is in fact CHING whom KWO likes, the very girl he himself admires. KWO helps CHING mend her house. She mistakes that CHUN has arranged this. CHUN plans to express his love for CHING and calls off his engagement with YUNG after the exam. CHUN encourages KWO to propose to the girl he likes. He even gives KWO a betrothal gift. Mistaking that KWO has come to propose on behalf of CHUN, CHING accepts right away. CHUN is sitting for the exam in Wuchang. He has accidentally offended CHAN, one of the examiners. Later, he sees YIM SAI FAN, the son of imperial official YIM SUNG, committing fraudulence and corruption during the exam……

YUNG looks for CHUN in Wuchang without telling the Duke of KING. She is attacked by some thieves on the way. Luckily, HIN comes to her rescue. HIN finds her even more charming now he has bumped into her again. CHING hears that a miracle doctor has made a wrong diagnosis and his patient died as a result. She looks into the case and finds that the doctor is LITTLE BUDDHA, who is both skillful and adventurous in using different kinds of herbs. He never declines patients with terminal illness too. Nevertheless, since he does not have any reference books, accidents happen from time to time. CHUN, who has been in a coma, has no idea that it was CHING who saved him. CHING would like to take CHUN home. But fate has it that it is YUNG who does the job, making him believe that YUNG is the one who saved him. CHUN is shocked when he hears from KWO that CHING has agreed to marry him……

The Duke of KING is furious that YUNG insists in marrying CHUN. When CHING has come back from Wuchang, she is shocked to learn that CHUN has married someone else. As for KWO, he is willing to cancel his engagement with CHING as he realizes now that she has never loved him. YAT blames KWO for leading CHING’s losing a good man. The two bicker with each other all the time and make an argumentative couple. MAN agrees to let CHUN practice medicine and even teaches him all his skills. YUNG leads a simple life after marrying CHUN. MAN’s wife, CHEUNG KIU, regards YUNG as her successor. She teaches her everything about what makes a good housewife, thus putting tremendous pressures on YUNG. YUNG and her former maid, KIN HEI, are on very good terms. And HEI comes to visit her very often. Magistrate LAM has been poisoned after taking CHUN’s herbal medicine. He believes CHUN has made a wrong prescription……

KIU passes most of the household chores to YUNG. YUNG, who is not used to doing housework, finds this a burden. She is so nervous that black spots appear on her face. CHUN studies overnight to try to work out a formula to cure her. She, nevertheless, feels abandoned and believes that he dislikes her appearances. CHUN asks LITTLE BUDDHA to cure YUNG. LITTLE BUDDHA, who is a bit of an eccentric, gives him the cold shoulder instead. HIN goes to Binhu to see YUNG. As she hides her identity deliberately, he thinks that he has mistaken somebody else for her. CHUN pays a visit to LITTLE BUDDHA again. Meanwhile, CHING shows up. Only then does CHUN know her relationship with LITTLE BUDDHA. LITTLE BUDDHA would like to treat YUNG at first, yet for fear that this will hurt CHUN he changes his mind. He writes down a prescription and hands it to CHING. He lets CHING decide if she should give it to CHUN……

CHING is touched by CHUN’s love for YUNG and decide to hand him the prescription. What is more, she asks LITTLE BUDDHA to take CHUN as apprentice. CHING and CHUN have therefore become fellow students. YUNG has recovered. KIU does not ask her to do housework anymore. Having got nothing to do now, YUNG asks HEI to teach her how to cook. An epidemic breaks out in the village. A panic buying of medicine goes on among the villagers. CHUN requests the Duke of KING and magistrate LAM to keep the villager informed of the epidemic situation and give out free treatments as well as medicine. Magistrate LAM, for fear that so doing will let the imperial government know about the epidemic, refuses to do so. As a result, the epidemic has gone out of control; many have died. HIN, who is an intern in Binhu, volunteers to help out at Wai Man Drug Store. The situation is getting worse. CHUN sets up a temporary quarantine station at the town gate……

Villagers who have caught the disease are gathered up on the mountain for treatment. CHING, MAN and other also stay there to assist CHUN. CHING and CHUN work closely together in finding out a prescription for the epidemic. Seeing that CHUN is as keen as her on practicing medicine, CHUNG cannot help but fall for him again. YUNG has cooked some delicious dishes to thank CHUN and others who have been fighting hard against the disease. KIU knows only then that YUNG has been learning cooking secretly. HIN raises funds from the official so that he can buy expensive herbs for the patients. CHUN is very grateful to him. Inspired by LITTLE BUDDHA, CHUN has come up with a sterilization method in which vinegar is used. Some unscrupulous merchants are selling fake medicine to the villagers. CHUN drives them all away. With CHUN and CHING taking good care of them, the patients are recuperating. CHUN, who is burnt out, has caught the epidemic himself……