Answer:
D. the Zhou Dynasty's justification for its leadership
Step-by-step explanation:
The "Mandate of heaven" is an ancient chinese philosophical concept created by the Zhou Dynasty. It was used to justify it's rule and overthrow the Shang Dynasty. This mandate determined if and emperor deserved it's position or not. The "mandate of heaven" stated that:
1. Heaven grants the emperor the right to rule.
2. One heaven means just one emperor at any given time.
3. The emperor's virtue determines his right to rule.
4. No dynasty has permanent right to rule.
As you can see, although the mandate justified the emperor's rule, as god did with the western kings, here, the ruler could be removed if not virtuous enough.