The Vermilion Pencil (朱筆 or 硃筆) was the official register of imperial decrees in Imperial China. Like other oriental monarchies, official sanction of all public acts were conveyed by the impression of a seal. Any remark or directive of the emperor of China was written in red, commonly styled "the vermilion pencil."
See also
Hanlin Academy Qing dynasty
References
Further reading The Vermilion Pencil - New York Times - May 27, 1884