Michael VI took advice on the rebellion, especially from Michael Psellos

Summary:
Michael VI sought advice in this perilous situation, approaching Psellos (among others) as if he were a beloved adopted son. Psellos, who had no quarrel with him, advised three changes: (1) To end his diagreement with Keroularios, who had great power in this situation and would join the rebels if Michael did not win him over; (2) To send an embassy to Isaakios (I), asking him to disband his army, promising him all he safely could and also working to try to destabilise his army; (3) To assemble the troops of the west with other remaining forces, invoke alliances with neighbouring barbarians, strengthen existing mercenaries, appoint a good general, making his forces adequate to oppose the numbers everywhere opposing them. Later Michael rejected (1), enough to cause his downfall. He accepted (2) and (3), but accomplished nothing on (2). On (3), he did quite well 
Dates:
1057 
Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
  • Michael 6's supporters did not rouse the remaining troops against his contingents nor do anything else to break up the rebel army (:) οὔτε τὰς λειπομένας τάξεις ἐπὶ τὰς ἐκείνων συντάξεις ἐκίνουν Psellos: Chronographia VII 9.5-7
  • Michael 61's second counsel to Michael 6 was to send an embassy to Isaakios to disband his army, promising him as much as he safely could and other provisions; and to work on his army and try to disband it (:) πρεσβείαν πρὸς τὸν τυραννευκότα στέλλειν διαλῦσαι τὸ σύνταγμα Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.9-13
Emperor Michael VI Stratiotikos (Michael 6)
  • Michael 61's third and best counsel to him was to assemble the troops in the west, unite his remaining forces, invoke alliances with neighbouring barbarians, strengthen existing mercenaries ... (:) τὰς ἐν ἑσπέρᾳ τάξεις συναγαγεῖν Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.13-18
  • When some of those well-disposed to him pricked him into action saying that he needed advisers, lots of money and an army, he summoned a great many people with noble minds who had hitherto been scorned (:) ἔνιοι τῶν προσκειμένων ἐκείνῳ νύττοντες διώρυξαν τὴν πλευράν Psellos: Chronographia VII 9.7-11
  • Thirdly Michael 61 advised him to put a good general in charge, make his battalions adequate and oppose the armies everywhere moving against them; he accepted his advice (:) δέχεται μὲν οὖν τὰς γνώμας ὁ βασιλεύς Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.18-21
  • He treated Michael 61 too as an adopted son, pretending, as if he had done something extraordinary, that he had long held him close to his heart (:) ὅτι με ἔχοι πάλαι ἐγκόλπιον, ὡς ἄτοπόν τι πεποιηκώς, σχηματίζεται Psellos: Chronographia VII 9.12-13
  • Later he rejected Michael 61's first counsel, which was enough to cause his downfall; he did work at the second and third suggestions, but nothing was accomplished on the second; the western armies were prepared and reinforced (:) ἥτις δὴ αὐτῷ καὶ κατολιγωρηθεῖσα εἰς καταστροφὴν ἤρκεσε Psellos: Chronographia VII 11.1-7
  • Michael 61, as he bore him no malice, at once advised him to do three things (:) τρία ταῦτα ποιῆσαι εὐθὺς ἐβουλευσάμην αὐτῷ Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.1-2
  • Knowing that he was at odds with Michael 11, who was angry with him, Michael 61's first counsel was to resolve the quarrel: Keroularios had great power in this situation and would join the rebels if he did not win his adherence (:) ἐκ διαφόρου γνώμης τῷ μεγάλῳ ἀντικαθεστήκοι ἀρχιερεῖ καὶ δυσόργως εἶχεν ἐκεῖνος αὐτῷ Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.2-9
  • Michael 61's second counsel to him was to send an embassy to Isaakios 1 asking him to disband his army, promising him as much as he safely could and other provisions; and to work on his troops and try to disband his forces (:) ἐπαγγείλασθαί τε αὐτῷ ὁπόσα μὴ ἐπισφαλὲς δοῦναι Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.9-13
  • His supporters did not rouse the remaining troops against Isaakios 1's contingents nor do anything else to break up the rebel army (:) οὔτε τὰς λειπομένας τάξεις ἐπὶ τὰς ἐκείνων συντάξεις ἐκίνουν Psellos: Chronographia VII 9.5-7
Michael I Keroularios, patriarch of Constantinople (Michael 11)
  • As Michael 6 was at odds with Keroularios, who was angry with Michael, Michael 61's first counsel was to resolve the quarrel: the patriarch had great power in this situation and would join the rebels if Michael did not win his adherence (:) ἐκ διαφόρου γνώμης τῷ μεγάλῳ ἀντικαθεστήκοι ἀρχιερεῖ καὶ δυσόργως εἶχεν ἐκεῖνος αὐτῷ Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.2-9
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • As he bore Michael 6 no malice Psellos at once advised him to do three things (:) ἐγὼ μηδὲν ἐκείνῳ μνησικακήσας Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.1-2
  • Knowing that Michael 6 was at odds with Michael 11, who was angry with him, his first counsel was to resolve the quarrel: Keroularios had great power in this situation and would join the rebels if Michael did not win his adherence (:) ἐγνώκειν ὅτι ἐκ διαφόρου γνώμης τῷ μεγάλῳ ἀντικαθεστήκοι ἀρχιερεῖ Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.2-9
  • His second counsel (to Michael 6) was to send an embassy to Isaakios 1, asking him to disband his army, promising him as much as he safely could and other provisions; and to work on his army and try to disband his ranks (:) ἐπαγγείλασθαί τε αὐτῷ ὁπόσα μὴ ἐπισφαλὲς δοῦναι Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.9-13
  • His third and best counsel (to Michael 6) was to assemble the troops in the west, unite his remaining forces, invoke alliances with neighbouring barbarians, strengthen existing mercenaries ... (:) τρίτην ἐπὶ τούτοις γνώμην προστέθεικα τὴν κορυφαιοτάτην καὶ κρείττονα Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.13-18
  • Thirdly he advised Michael 6 to put a good general in charge, make his forces adequate and oppose the hordes everywhere moving against them; the emperor accepted his advice (:) γενναῖόν τε τούτοις στρατηγὸν ἐπιστῆσαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 10.18-21
  • Michael 6 adopted him too, pretending, as if he had done something extraordinary, that he had long held him close to his heart (:) ὅτι με ἔχοι πάλαι ἐγκόλπιον, ὡς ἄτοπόν τι πεποιηκώς, σχηματίζεται Psellos: Chronographia VII 9.12-13