Around this time, Tsunemune visited FUJIWARA no Tadazane, who had been confined in Chisoku-in Temple because of Hogen War, and asked for guidance on fine points of political affairs and reportedly grew ambition for the position of regent and adviser to the Emperor ("Gukansho" (Jottings of a Fool)).
この時期に経宗は保元の乱で知足院に幽閉された藤原忠実を訪ねて、政務の機微について教えを乞い、摂関への野心を育んだという（『愚管抄』）。