In 796, he was appointed Mutsu no Azechi (Inspector of Mutsu), Mutsu no kami (the governor of Mutsu Province) and Chinjufu Shogun (Commander-in-Chief of the Defense of the North), all at the same time, to be in full command of the army, and the following year he was also appointed Seii taishogun (literally, "great general who subdues the barbarians").
延暦15年（796年）には陸奥按察使、陸奥守、鎮守府将軍を兼任して戦争正面を指揮する官職をすべてあわせ、加えて翌年には征夷大将軍に任じられた。