Xu You (hermit)

The emperor allegedly offered him the royal throne towards the end of his rule.

[4] The legendary ruler Emperor Yao regarded Xu with utmost respect and requested that he be his teacher.

Towards the end of Yao's rule (traditionally believed to be circa 2256 BC),[5] the ruler chose Xu as his successor.

[6] (Much later, the Chinese sage Confucius greatly lauded Yao's decision to appoint Xu as the next emperor in line.

[8] Legend goes on to state that an abashed Xu "washed out" his ears' contents into the Ying River, contaminating it.