Ahmad ibn Tulun spent his first four years in Egypt engaged in disputes with Ibn al-Mudabbir, the widely disliked attendent of finance, through their agents in Samarra. In the end, Ibn al-Mudabbir was removed from office. In 256/870, Baykbak was murdered and the Egyptian apanage was given over to Yarjukh, whose daughter Ahmad ibn Tulun had married. Under Yarjukh, Ahmad was reconfirmed as vice-governor over Fustat and given authority over Alexandria, Barka, and the frontier districts.
It is at this time, using the pretense of facing the rebel governor of Palestine Amajur, that Ahmad obtains the caliph's permission to purchase a large number of slaves to form an Egyptian military. This is the first Egyptian army independent of the caliph.
Shrewd maneuvers at court and well placed gifts kept Ahmad from being recalled by the caliph and helped him win favor over Ibn al-Mudabbir. In 257/871, the financial administration of both Egypt and the Syrian Marches were placed under Ahmad as well, most likely to keep the information secret from al-Muwaffaq, the caliph's brother who was gaining greater influence over the empire.
It is at this time that the first Tulunid coinage appears, copper fils produced in Fustat with the mysterious symbol |<>|| which many have argued is a stylized version of Ahmad.