Answer:
During the Zhou dynasty (1046 BCE - 256 BCE), rulers were chosen based on the concept of the "Mandate of Heaven". This concept held that a ruler's right to rule came from divine approval, and that if a ruler failed to govern justly and effectively, he would lose the mandate and could be replaced.
Under the Zhou dynasty, the king held the mandate and was supported by a network of noble families who acted as vassals. The king's legitimacy was reinforced through religious rituals and offerings, and his authority was further strengthened through the use of appointed officials to manage the affairs of the state. These officials were typically chosen based on their qualifications and abilities, rather than their social status or birth.
In practice, the system of succession was not always peaceful, and the selection of rulers was sometimes influenced by political struggles or military force. However, the idea of the "Mandate of Heaven" served as a guiding principle and a justification for the ruling dynasty's legitimacy throughout the Zhou dynasty and beyond.