"Wind direction." Edward Benson's expression changed, and he suddenly covered his nose.

"What?" Thomas Harris asked in confusion.

"The wind direction is wrong," Edward Benson replied in a low voice. "The camp is to the north, and the north wind is strong. If we attack from the front, whether to kill or to set fire, it will be difficult."

"Then what should we do?" Thomas Harris was truly panicked now, and even the thirty-odd cavalrymen and retainers behind him, all with muzzled horses and bitless bridles, looked alarmed, though they could not make a sound. "Are we supposed to retreat now after coming all this way?"

"That would really be a joke." Edward Benson thought of the arrangements he had made with Charles Benson, and couldn't help but reply softly, "Even more laughable than defeat."

"Then..."

"Let me think..." Edward Benson pondered for a moment, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration. "What if we go around? If we attack from the rear of the enemy camp, not only can we set fire with the wind at our backs, but we can also confuse the Xianbei about our origins, making them even more panicked. And when the troops from the pass break through, we can attack from both front and rear!"

"That sounds good, but the enemy camp is backed by mountains and a river. How do we go around?" Thomas Harris was extremely anxious. "Are we supposed to abandon our horses and climb the mountain on foot?"

"It's freezing cold," Edward Benson replied, squinting his eyes. "Although the Luan River still flows in the middle, the edges must be frozen solid. We'll go down to the river and sneak along the bank!"

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts, but then suddenly understood.

"Brilliant!" Thomas Harris was immediately invigorated. "Young Benson, as expected of a nobleman who has studied military strategy, such quick thinking in the face of the enemy!"

"Let's go!" Edward Benson said no more, but took his horse and bent down to lead the way.

"Take the bits off the horses, and the men keep their silence." In this way, half an hour later, after a difficult detour, they succeeded. Seeing that the rear of the camp was almost completely undefended, Edward Benson finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Rest for a moment, then set the fires as planned!"

Set fire!

They still had to set fire!

Thirty-odd men attacking over two thousand was pure nonsense! Even if it was a night raid, even if these thirty or so were all well-equipped warriors, even if among them was Thomas Harris, a famous general known for his bravery in history, even if the enemy was completely unprepared, it was still nonsense!

To break the enemy, the only way was to set fire! Let the enemy camp fall into chaos, make them flee, trample each other, and kill each other!

A quarter of an hour later, Edward Benson and the others finished gearing up, then all raised their torches, said not a word, and rode straight in.

At the same time, in the rear of the camp, Frank Moore turned over comfortably, as if dreaming of something good, completely unaware that an old acquaintance, whom he had only met once, was getting closer and closer...

Until, in a daze, he seemed to feel a bit hot?

...

"The most important among them is the Xianbei chieftain of the central tribe, residing at Murong Temple. Some say he is the ancestor of the Murong Xianbei." — Book of the Later Han, Volume 90, Biography of the Wuhuan and Xianbei, No. 80

Chapter Six: Fierce Battle

"Is everything that A-Yue said true?" In Lulong Pass, James Benson, still lying in bed, was dumbfounded.

"It is exactly as I said." The young Charles Benson, fully armored, pressed his sword and bowed, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"A-Xun went out of the pass on his own with that Thomas Harris for a night raid? And wants me to send troops to support them quickly?" James Benson asked in disbelief.

"Only when you see the enemy camp on fire should you send cavalry to support," Charles Benson corrected him. "But for now, please go to the top of Lulong Tower and take command, uncle!"

James Benson hesitated, but in the end still asked, "You just said that His Majesty has just come of age and taken power, and wants to make achievements on the frontier?"

"Yes," Charles Benson replied patiently. "That is what my brother said."

"Then if we achieve something in this battle, I will definitely be promoted?" James Benson pressed further.

"But if the rescue is not timely and my brother suffers any mishap, I'm afraid uncle will be resented by the clan, and then you won't even be able to keep your position as Chief Clerk." Charles Benson said darkly, voicing his threat.

"That's true." James Benson, who had just been lying in bed, suddenly understood, threw off his quilt, then stopped abruptly. "But how exactly should I support them? What should I do in this situation?"

"Please go to the top of Lulong Tower and take command, and as soon as you see fire, immediately send cavalry to support!" Charles Benson helplessly repeated his earlier request.

"I'll do as you say, A-Yue... But where are my pants?"

"......"

"Where are my pants?" Frank Moore groggily got up, then slapped the thigh of a subordinate beside him. "You dog, get up! Are you lying on my pants?"

"Chief," the subordinate opened his eyes sleepily. "What are you doing? We've been up half the night, everyone's exhausted."

"There's something going on outside," Frank Moore said as he put on his pants. "Looks like the bonfire got too big and the wind blew it onto something. Seems like someone's already putting out the fire, but it doesn't hurt to go take a look..."

"If someone's already handling it, why bother, chief?"

"Dog!" Frank Moore put on his pants, grabbed the dirty sheepskin robe beside him, and slapped it across the other's face. "This is a good chance to show our faces in front of Lord Kezuique! How can we ignore it? Get up and come with me to take a look!"