How was power passed along in ancient China?

In ancient China, power was primarily passed along through hereditary succession, where leadership typically remained within royal families or dynasties. The Mandate of Heaven played a crucial role, justifying the emperor's rule as divinely sanctioned, which could be revoked if the ruler became tyrannical or failed to govern wisely. Additionally, power could also shift through military conquest or rebellion, leading to the rise of new dynasties. This system created a cyclical pattern of dynastic rise and fall throughout Chinese history.