Complex sentence: Hirotsugu's cause was supported by discontented farmers and local influential families and, making use of his official position at Dazaifu, Hirotsugu soon had an army of about 10,000 to 15,000 men assembled.
Split into simpler sentences: Hirotsugu's cause was supported by discontented farmers and local influential families. Making use of his official position at Dazaifu, Hirotsugu soon had an army of about 10,000 to 15,000 men assembled.