Isaakios I began by cancelling many decisions of his predecessor, Michael VI, causing indignation in the army and the church by removing much of their wealth. But he also remitted the dues of the great church, and distanced the palace from these matters by giving the patriarch the emperor's right to appoint the megas oikonomos. But most of his measures involved raising money from rich monasteries and private landowners. To have money to pay the army, he exacted taxes in a disciplined way, drawing up rolls, installing honest tax-collectors and making individual entries, so as to develop accurate records of money exacted. He reduced salaries attached to offices. Worse still, he confiscated private estates to the fisc, ignoring their chrysobulls. He was specially severe on monasteries, often leaving the monks only enough for the bare necessities of life. Psellos realised there was something noble in Isaakios' attempt. But the new emperor chose the wrong time, and attempted to solve all problems at once. A more cautious approach might have succeeded