I believe it is because they were dictators
1. Feudalism
2. Summons
3. King John
4. Standing Army
5. Cleithenes
The rifles along with the machine guns that they used.
The mandate of heaven is the thing that Chinese emperors claim was given to them by their deities. A ruler earns it from the previous emperor when he retires, or when he dies. It could be lost when another dynasty takes over and takes the mandate of heaven.