On October 28, the emperor issued an imperial decree to the government officials and farmers in Kyushu provinces, stating 'Hirotsugu was a gyakuzoku (rebel). He was making people suffer by raising unjustifiable rebellions. He would incur divine punishment due to extreme disloyalty. Those who followed him should return to their former allegiance immediately. If you killed Hirotsugu, you would receive goi (Fifth Rank) or higher.'
9月29日、「広嗣は凶悪な逆賊である。狂った反乱を起こして人民を苦しめている。不孝不忠のきわみで神罰が下るであろう。これに従っている者は直ちに帰順せよ。広嗣を殺せば5位以上を授ける」との勅が九州諸国の官人、百姓にあてて発せられた。