In that case, even putting aside the final point of moral righteousness and looking purely from a military perspective, the probability of a successful night raid is still very high. Once the enemy camp falls into chaos, the various tribes are very likely to abandon camp and return to their own groups.

After stating these reasons, Thomas Harris looked somewhat expectant as he once again bowed to James Benson: “Opportunities in war are fleeting. I, though unworthy, am willing to kill the enemy for the country. Please, my lord, grant me one hundred cavalrymen to raid the camp tonight. As long as we can shake the enemy camp, then you can send in the infantry to support us... We are sure to win a great victory!”

Behind him, Edward Benson nodded repeatedly. These words sounded truly imposing—he really did have the bearing of a fierce general!

However, James Benson, who held the power, looked at the enemy camp just a few li away, hesitated for a long time, and finally spoke: “Yigong, return and rest for now. This matter... shall be discussed further!”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone atop Lulong Tower felt relieved, Thomas Harris was dejected, while Edward Benson narrowed his eyes slightly.

……

“James Benson, a native of Lingzhi in Liaoxi, was the granduncle of the Taizu. He was recommended as a Filial and Incorrupt, and during the Xiping era, served as Chief Historian of Right Beiping, later promoted to Magistrate of Xiangping.” — “Old Book of Yan”, Volume 29, Biographies 15

Chapter Three: Conversation

Night had fallen. In the room beneath Lulong Tower where Edward Benson lived alone, he had removed his armor and wore the standard crimson straight robe of the Han army. The visiting Thomas Harris sat restlessly. Beside him was a brand-new Shu brocade worth a fortune, and atop it lay a beautifully decorated yet sturdy hard bow.

By this point, how could Thomas Harris not know who this well-dressed young man before him really was? The eldest son of Mary Benson's family! The family was immensely wealthy, and he himself was handsome and talented—at such a young age, he was already a Deputy Scribe in the Accounting Office with a salary of two hundred shi... Wealthy, good-looking, capable, and from a noble family—clearly a young aristocrat with boundless prospects.

It was just that, since the other had served as an official in Yangle City since coming of age, he himself had never had the chance to meet him.

But now, the question was: why would such a promising young noble pay so much attention to a commoner he was meeting for the first time? Not only had he spoken up for him atop Lulong Tower, but now he had invited him over, gifting him precious Shu brocade and a fine bow?

“Robert Benson values me so highly, I am truly flustered. May I ask if there is something you seek?” At that time, such directness was common, and Thomas Harris, being a frontier knight-errant, naturally asked outright when he had doubts.

At this point, Thomas Harris paused slightly and added an extra piece of information: “My parents both died of plague when I was young. I often followed my uncle to your family's Anli business to trade horses, and received much care from Mary Benson. So, if it is within my power, I will certainly not refuse.”

Edward Benson smiled slightly at these words. Wasn’t it obvious? Of course he wanted something—but what he wanted was the man himself.

That’s right, Edward Benson suddenly realized that this “tiger general of Jiangbiao” his mother had once mentioned was actually just a squad leader, and a fellow townsman at that. He was immediately interested—given his own status and family background, recruiting a squad leader as a guest was hardly unusual, right?

And once the idea arose, he couldn’t suppress it. Why not? Just because, years later, he might become some so-called “tiger general of Jiangbiao”?!

Of course, while thinking this, Edward Benson spoke in a more refined manner: “Today’s events were nothing much, really. It’s mainly that your bearing, Brother Yigong, truly won my admiration, so I specially invited you over to get acquainted! As the saying goes, ‘to don armor and take up arms is to face death’... Since we have donned armor and stand at the frontier, we should disregard life and death and serve the country! Brother Yigong, do you know the origin of this saying?”

“I really must ask for your guidance.” Thomas Harris, a frontier knight-errant, was naturally at a loss.

So Edward Benson quickly explained.

It turns out that the phrase “to don armor and take up arms is to face death” comes from the Zuo Commentary version of the “Spring and Autumn Annals”.

It tells of a battle between Qi and Jin. The Jin commander Xi Ke was gravely wounded and couldn’t help but tell his charioteer Xie Zhang and the right-hand man Zheng Qiuhuan. Xie Zhang, seizing the chance to speak with Zheng Qiuhuan, immediately replied, meaning roughly:

“I am also badly wounded, my blood has stained the wheels red... But since we have donned armor and taken up weapons, we should fight to the death for our country—what does it matter if we are wounded? You are a commander, I am a charioteer, we each have our duty on the battlefield! So, as long as we are not dead, please, Commander, keep fighting!”

Thus, this phrase later came to refer specifically to a soldier’s duty: that once a soldier comes to the battlefield, he should disregard life and death and pursue the interests of the nation.

In the Eastern Han, the classics were held in the highest regard. Those who did not understand the classics had no right to high office. At this moment, Edward Benson used this allusion. Though the meaning was simple, it carried great dignity and greatly pleased Thomas Harris:

“So there was such a principle in the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’?”

“Who says there wasn’t?” Edward Benson shook his head and sighed. “It’s just a pity that those local gentry and assistant officials are all greedy for life and afraid of death, making your patriotic heart go to waste, Brother Yigong. And after this incident, I fear that your fellow officers here at Lulong Fortress will see you as a thorn in their side.”