就把(bǎ )目光盯住了益州这片土地。刘焉(yān )为汉鲁恭(gōng )王之后裔,以汉朝宗室身份,拜为中(zhōng )郎(láng ),历任雒阳令﹑冀州刺史﹑南阳太守﹑宗正﹑太常等官。当(dāng )他听说益(yì )州刺史(shǐ )郄俭在益州(zhōu )大肆(sì )聚敛(liǎn ),贪(tān )婪成风,他见天下有(yǒu )变(biàn )乱得(dé )征兆,欲取(qǔ )一安身立命之所,割据一方。便(biàn )向朝廷求为益(yì )州(zhōu )牧,封阳(yáng )城侯,前往(wǎng )益州(zhōu )整饬吏治。郗俭被(bèi )黄巾贼所(suǒ )杀后(hòu ),