On the other hand, some middle and lower class nobles, who had been appointed kokushi to rule a local province, decided to settle in the same area, whereas the others became 'zuryo' (custodial governors) and made fortunes or expanded shoen holdings, thus establishing relationships with the Imperial family and 'sekkan-ke' (the families which had produced the regents and the chief advisors to the emperor).
一方、中下流の貴族は国司として地方に下り土着する者が出る一方で受領となって財を築きあるいは荘園を築き、皇室や摂関家などと関係を結ぶ者があった。