Use when a ruler dies on military campaign and succession must be secured before news spreads. Covers securing final wishes, maintaining secrecy, road closures, heir retrieval with military escort, and formal installation before announcing the death, following King Zhao's field succession precedent.
A procedure for securing succession when a ruler dies on military campaign far from the capital.
When a ruler dies in the field, there is danger of chaos, rival claimants, or enemy exploitation. Quick action is essential.
Secure the ruler's final wishes
Maintain secrecy temporarily
Conceal and transport
Retrieve the legitimate heir
Install the heir
Only then announce the death
When King Zhao died on campaign, his ministers had him offer the throne to his brothers multiple times. They declined. The ministers then secretly retrieved his son from Yue, installed him as King Hui, and only then disbanded the army and announced the death.
Smooth succession without civil war or enemy exploitation of the power vacuum.