《资治通鉴·汉纪·汉纪四十五》
无论是远求先代有关废黜和选立皇帝的旧制，还是近观皇帝登极的前例，没有一次不询问三公九卿，广泛征求大家意见的，使继承帝位的人选，上应天心，下合众望。
远寻先世废立旧仪，近见国家践祚前事，未尝不询访公卿，广求群议，令上应天心，下合众望。
According to ancient rituals for deposing and appointing emperors, and the precedents for previous emperors' coronations, there hasn't been a single case where the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers weren't consulted, and their opinions sought. That is so that the new emperor can have both the mandate of Heaven and the support of the people.