Overview

A protocol for transferring leadership through a designed sequence of succession, ensuring a designated heir ultimately receives the position.

Steps

1. Designate the Ultimate Heir

   • Identify the most worthy successor
   • Secure commitment from current leader
   • Document the intention clearly

2. Establish Transfer Sequence

   • Create a chain of succession through brothers
   • Each holder passes to the next in line
   • Sequence ends with designated heir

3. Build in Safeguards

   • Make the protocol a binding command
   • Ensure all parties understand the sequence
   • Create social pressure for compliance

4. Handle Refusal Gracefully

   • If designated heir refuses, respect their choice
   • Allow them to demonstrate virtue through refusal
   • Return succession to normal lineage pattern

Example Application

King Shoumeng of Wu's succession plan:

• Desired heir: Ji Zha (youngest, most virtuous)
• Sequence: Shoumeng → Zhufan → Yuji → Yumei → Ji Zha
• Each brother was to pass the throne to the next
• Ji Zha ultimately refused, so Yumei's son took the throne

Decision Points

• If designated heir consistently refuses, honor their choice
• If protocol is interrupted, follow established precedent
• Balance between protocol and virtue of refusal

Expected Outcomes

• Orderly transition of power
• Demonstration of virtue through refusal
• Family harmony maintained through clear expectations

Validation

1. Confirm the succession sequence is clearly documented and all parties in the chain understand their roles and timing
2. Verify that safeguards exist for each transition point — binding commands and social pressure ensure compliance
3. Check that the protocol accounts for refusal by the designated heir, with a graceful fallback to normal lineage succession