Tao Qian

Tao Qian (陶謙, rōmaji: Tō Ken) is the Governor of Xu province who was attacked by Cao Cao's forces after one of his officers murdered Cao Cao's father. Along with Taishi Ci, Liu Bei was sent by his lord Gongsun Zan to aid Tao Qian, and successfully held off the attack. Tao Qian fell ill soon afterwards and entrusted his holdings to a reluctant Liu Bei.

Historical Information
Originally from the Danyang region, Tao Qian came into the services of the Han Dynasty and suppressed various uprisings in their name. He also helped stem the chaos caused by the Yellow Turban Rebellion during his time as governor of Xu Province. Tao Qian then participated in a campaign to subdue a different rebellion at Liang Province, but he did not get along well with his commander Zhang Wen, a sentiment also shared by both Dong Zhuo and Sun Jian.

Though Tao Qian was content with governing his territory as well as the recently gained Yang Province, he was attacked by Cao Cao's army in 193 for personal reasons. Because Cao Cao's father Cao Song had been killed by Tao Qian's officer Zhang Kai out of greed, the ambitious warlord retaliated by invading Xu Province and decimating the people living there.

When Liu Bei rushed to his aid, Tao Qian generously returned the favor by providing him with enough troops to face Cao Cao. This act was considered remarkable in a time when honor and loyalty placed second to power and self-interest. Before his death in 194, he also gave Liu Bei full control over his lands.

Trivia

 * He is sometimes called Yan Qian in the Dynasty Warriors Encyclopedia, most noticeably in Mi Zhu's entry.