During Masakado’s
rebellion, the imperial
court didn’t send out its
own army—they had
other warriors like
Masakado fight against
him, right?

Indeed. Though they did
fight under the court’s
command... keeping a
conscriptional army cost
too much. Hiring warriors
was small group but
stronger,as a result
cheaper.

But they wouldn’t
fight for free,
would they?

Nay. The court offered
rewards in the form of
ranks and titles. ’Twas
common in those days
to grant social status
instead of land as a
reward.