Also, both Mencius and Xunzi believed in the basic equality of all people at birth. Instead of hereditary authority, they advocate ethical meritocracy.
In this sense, they were critical of the political system of that time (hereditary nobility, not based on actual talent and education).
Nonetheless, their political systems that they advocate are still grounded in heaven as a model of morality for us to emulate.
This moral connection to heaven is seen in the theme of cooperation between heaven and humanity, and the aim to maintain cosmic equilibrium (balance).