 For much of Chinese history , the position of Emperor was determined by primogeniture ; the position would pass from father to first @-@ born son upon the father 's death . While Khitan succession was also kept within families , an emphasis was placed on selecting the most capable option , with all of a leader 's brothers , nephews , and sons considered valid choices for succession . Khitan rulers were expected to hand over power to a paternal relative after serving a single three @-@ year term . Abaoji signaled his desire to become a permanent ruler at his accession in 907 , securing his position by killing most of the other Khitan chieftains . Between 907 and 910 Abaoji 's rule went unchallenged . It was only after 910 , when Abaoji disregarded the Khitan tradition that another member of the family assume the position of Great Khan , that his rule came under direct challenge . In both 912 and 913 members of Abaoji 's family , including most of his brothers , attempted armed insurrections . After the first insurrection was discovered and defeated , Abaoji pardoned the conspirators . After the second , only his brothers were pardoned , with the other conspirators suffering violent deaths . The brothers plotted additional rebellions in 917 and 918 , both of which were easily crushed . 
