TALES OF THE 24 EXEMPLARS: SHUN THE GREAT

EMPEROR SHUN (2255 B.C.) : FILIAL PIETY THAT GOT THE ATTENTION OF THE GODS
Emperor Shun had humble beginnings.  With a blind  and unreasonable father, a wicked stepmother, and a lazy and proud step-brother to deal with, nary a complaint came from him.  Instead, he was agreeable to all of them through his filial piety. He served them humbly and faithfully. His act of filial piety moved Lord Buddha who sent an elephant to help him plough and birds to help take up all the weeds.  

At that time, Emperor Yao ruled the land.  He was a humane and just ruler.  The nation was at peace under his rule.  He was much loved and respected by his citizens.  However, the great Emperor  was getting old and he wanted to select a worthy successor to the throne. This was when he heard about the filial son, Shun.  Living with such a difficult and contemptuous family, Shun did not resent them; instead he was a devoted son and brother. Emperor Yao was impressed with what he heard of Shun and so he sent nine of his sons to assist Shun with the farming work. He also sent his two daughters, E Huang and Nü Ying to serve Shun as his wives. Shun was put through years of training and testing by Emperor Yao, and when he felt satisfied with Shun's capabilities, he abdicated the throne in place of Shun. Under the reign of Emperor Shun, the people of China prospered.
Sources:
http://nirvana-sg.com/24-filial-exemplars/shun-the-great
http://www.yogichen.org/cw/cw43/bk144.html

COMMENT

This sounds more like a fairy tale.  Too good to be true.  It could also have been the Emperor's PR men who came up with the propaganda to make him look good.