 The Han central government recognised Zhang Lu's authority over Hanzhong Commandery and appointed him as General of the Household Who Guards Civilians () and the Administrator of Hanning ().According to the "Records of the Three Kingdoms", Zhang Lu received a jeweled seal from the common people of his realm, which was a sign from Heaven that he was to become a king.Many of his subordinates urged him to declare himself king, but his adviser Yan Pu () warned that to do so would bring disaster.