In 806, he had so-called 'Tokusei ronso (argument over virtuous government)' with FUJIWARA no Otsugu in front of Emperor Kanmu, and although he strongly opposed Otsugu's insistence to cease the military affairs and construction in order to reduce farmers' burdens, the Emperor adopted Otsugu's insistence and canceled the punitive expedition to Ezo and construction of Heian-kyo Palace
806年には桓武天皇の前で藤原緒嗣といわゆる「徳政論争」を行い、農民の負担軽減のために軍事・造作を停止すべきとの緒嗣の主張に強く反対するが、天皇は緒嗣の主張を採択し、計画中であった蝦夷征伐と平安宮造宮の中止、造宮職の廃止と木工寮への統合が決まった。