The Yongle Encyclopedia

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Yongle Encyclopedia was commissioned by the Ming emperor Yongle to record and preserve native Chinese cultural traditions, reflecting his interest in supporting and promoting them. This is evident in the vast range of topics covered in the encyclopedia, including literature, history, science, and technology, among others. Therefore, option D is the best choice. Option A is incorrect because the Yongle Encyclopedia was meant to build upon, rather than break with, past traditions. Option B is incorrect because while the encyclopedia includes information on Zheng He's voyages, it was not primarily focused on them. Option C is incorrect because the Yuan dynasty ended before the Ming dynasty, and the encyclopedia was commissioned by a Ming emperor. Option E is incorrect because the Yongle Encyclopedia was completed in 1408, while Diderot's encyclopedia was published over 300 years later in the 18th century.