Yoshimitsu also formed an auxiliary military force, called the Hokoshu, and worked to provoke two influential shugo daimyo families, the Yamana clan in the Meitoku Rebellion and the Ouchi clan in the Oei Rebellion, successfully suppressing both, and thereby strengthened the power of the bakufu, managing to unify the Northern and Southern Courts and eventually superceding the emperor's authority.
義満は奉公衆と呼ばれる軍事力を整え、有力守護大名の山名氏や大内氏を挑発してそれぞれ明徳の乱、応永の乱で追討し、将軍権力を固めて、南北朝合一を行い天皇に迫る権力を確立する。