 However, Dou did not do so, and treated Sui officials and scholars kindly, and therefore at times Sui officials would even surrender their cities to him.He soon had more than 100,000 soldiers under his command.In spring 617, Dou claimed the title of Prince of Changle and also changed the era name that his followers used, from Emperor Yang's "Daye" () to "Dingchou" (), thus subtly signifying an official break from Sui.