The three men of the Miyoshi family, while conspiring to bring Yoshihide to the Shogunate, came to oppose Hisahide MATSUNAGA, who had gained hold of the administration of the Miyoshi clan after the death of former lord Nagayoshi MIYOSHI, and attempted to oust Hisahide under the nominal leadership of incumbent lord Yoshitsugu MIYOSHI.
三好三人衆は義栄擁立を画策する一方で、旧主三好長慶死後に三好氏の家政を握った松永久秀と対立し、主君三好義継を擁して久秀の排除を画策した。