Final answer:
The Chinese people could expect their rulers, under the Mandate of Heaven, to provide moral leadership, promote societal welfare and maintain order in the state. Failure to meet these expectations could eventually lead to the ruler losing their mandate and being overthrown.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Mandate of Heaven in Chinese history, the Chinese people could expect their rulers to uphold a strong sense of morality and order, while promoting societal welfare as a return their loyalty and obedience. The idea was primarily that a ruler must prove his legitimacy and moral leadership, including support for agriculture, the arts and the welfare of the common people. For instance, dynastic rulers were pressured to promote the welfare of commoners or they risked losing their support and the mandate becoming rescinded.
If a ruler failed to uphold these standards, natural disasters, rebellions, or poverty among the people were considered signals that the ruling dynasty may lose its Mandate of Heaven. This principle justified the overthrow of bad governments and allowed the common Chinese people, who were loyal and obedient to their ruler, to expect proper governance, fair treatment, and overall welfare improvement from their ruler.
Learn more about Mandate of Heaven