The mandate of heaven meant that the Chinese emperor...
A. Could take as many wives as he wanted.
B. Had authority from heaven to command.
C. Lived a life of luxury.
D. Should live high above his people.

Question

kohai · Answer

There are four principles to the Mandate:
1) Heaven grants the emperor the right to rule,
2) Since there is only one Heaven, there can only be one emperor at any given time,
3) The emperor's virtue determines his right to rule, and,
4) No one dynasty has a permanent right to rule.

In summary, it meant that he had the authority from heaven to command.