祖述尧舜，宪章文武 — Chinese Idiom

Yao was the first legendary emperor of China. He was robust, intelligent, benevolent, and magnanimous. Although born into imperial wealth, he was humble, frugal, tolerant, and courteous. His reign was the most ideal golden age in ancient legends, characterized by "harmony among all clans, submission of all neighboring tribes, and peace under heaven."

When Emperor Yao grew old, he wanted to find a successor, so he summoned tribal chiefs from various regions for discussion. Before Yao, the throne was passed down from father to son or among brothers; he himself had inherited the throne from his half-brother Zhi. That day, after a meeting with his ministers, Emperor Yao sighed, "I have been on the throne for seventy years and am growing old, yet there is no one to succeed me. I truly don't know what to do!"

Yao's brother, Fang Qi, hastily said, "You shouldn't say that. Isn't there your virtuous nephew Dan Zhu, who is enlightened and yielding? How can you say there's no successor?" Emperor Yao smiled wryly, "'No one knows a son better than his father.' Don't I know what kind of person Dan Zhu is? He is unruly, fierce, and unlearned. If he were to ascend the throne, the people would suffer."

After a moment of silence, Emperor Yao smiled and said, "The world belongs to everyone. The one with the most virtue and talent should govern the world. Recommending the virtuous and capable for the world is everyone's duty." The treacherous minister Huan Dou, seeing an opportunity, said, "I believe Gonggong is a suitable candidate." Emperor Yao sternly replied, "Gonggong is eloquent and appears respectful and cautious, but in reality, he looks down on everyone. Such a petty person is not qualified to succeed me. Your recommendations for talent are not limited to those around us!"

"I've heard there's a virtuous scholar among the common people named Yu Shun," said the Four Peaks. Emperor Yao couldn't help but nod and smile, "I've also heard of him, but I don't know how virtuous he truly is." The Four Peaks replied, "Shun's mother died early. His father was blind but very stubborn, his stepmother was cruel and cunning, and his half-brother Xiang often boasted of his mother and treated Shun rudely. Yet, despite all this, Yu Shun always respected his father, loved his mother, and cared for his younger brother, managing to keep his almost fractured family harmonious. By the age of twenty, his reputation for filial piety was widespread."

Emperor Yao was delighted upon hearing this, so he invited Yu Shun, entrusted him with important responsibilities, and married both of his daughters to him. Of course, Emperor Yao also wished to secretly observe Shun's conduct through his daughters. Yu Shun consistently faced all changes calmly, acting with foresight, benevolence, righteousness, and humility; he spoke with honesty, integrity, and amiability. Emperor Yao was very satisfied with him. Three years later, he concluded his observation and formally abdicated in favor of Yu Shun. However, Yu Shun repeatedly declined, citing his lack of virtue. Nevertheless, Yu Shun eventually became the successor to the throne, completing the "abdication" that would be renowned for generations. The stories of King Wen's reverence for wise individuals and King Wu's valiant campaign against King Zhou, saving the people from great suffering, are also passed down through the ages.