In 194, Tao Qian memorialised Emperor Xian to make Liu Bei the Inspector (刺史) of Yu Province (Yuzhou) but his request was not recognised by the Han court. However, "Liu Yuzhou" became Liu Bei's self-given title and became known to the public at that time. (The formal Governor of Yu Province, Guo Gong (郭貢), was busy fighting Cao Cao then, and did not bother about Liu Bei's usurpation of his governorship.) See Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 61. Later, Liu Bei received official recognition as Governor of Yu Province (豫州牧) by Cao Cao as a reward for his assistance in vanquishing Lü Bu.
