Working with Sadaijin (minister of the left) Tadahiro KONOE and Naidaijin Sanetsumu SANJO, he played a key role in submitting a plan to the emperor to give the Mito clan an imperial decree (Bogo no mitchoku - a secret imperial decree).
左大臣近衛忠煕や内大臣三条実万とともに献策して、水戸藩へ勅諚を賜るよう運動する（戊午の密勅）。