A Chinese emperor could remain in power as long as he followed the concept of the Mandate of Heaven and was a virtous leader. Having the mandate also meant he had the right to rule. The four principles of the mandate are 1.Heaven grants the emperor the right to rule. 2. Since there is one heaven, there can only be one emperor at a time. 3. The emperor's virtue determines his right to rule. 4. No one dynasty has the permanent right to rule.