Imperial Title Establishment Procedure

A governance procedure for creating a new imperial system and legitimizing rule over unified territories.

Overview

When unifying multiple states under one ruler, establish new titles and systems to reflect unprecedented achievements.

Steps

1. Convene council: Summon ministers (丞相, 御史, 廷尉) to deliberate on appropriate titles

2. Review historical precedents: Examine titles of past rulers (Three Sovereigns, Five Emperors)

3. Select title components:

   • Combine '皇' (from Three Sovereigns/三皇) with '帝' (from Five Emperors/五帝)
   • Create title '皇帝' (Emperor)

4. Establish imperial terminology:

   • Commands are called '制' (zhì)
   • Orders are called '诏' (zhào)
   • Emperor refers to himself as '朕' (zhèn)

5. Abolish posthumous titles:

   • Eliminate practice of successors naming predecessors based on conduct
   • Rationale: Prevent subjects from judging rulers

6. Establish succession numbering:

   • First ruler: 始皇帝 (First Emperor)
   • Successors: Second Emperor, Third Emperor, continuing to ten thousand generations

Expected Outcomes

• Clear hierarchical distinction from previous rulers
• Unified imperial terminology across the realm
• Legitimized dynastic succession

Validation

• Verify that ministers (丞相, 御史, 廷尉) were convened and historical precedents from Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were reviewed
• Confirm that all imperial terminology (制, 诏, 朕) is established and consistently applied across official communications
• Check that posthumous titles are abolished and the sequential numbering system (始皇帝, Second Emperor, etc.) is formally decreed