When vassals participated in military action initiated by their lord with their own soldiers or showed their military exploits on the battlefield (contributing service), the lords were in return required to recognize 'participation' and 'military exploits' of the vassals not for their own private battle or war but for a legitimate 'official battle' in order that they be granted favor and compensated for their service, or receive new territory as a reward (the granting of favor and compensation for service).
主人の軍事行動に当たり家来が手勢を引き連れ参陣し、又は戦場において軍功を挙げた場合（奉公）、主人はこれに対し、その「参陣」「軍功」が単なる私闘・私戦ではなく正当性のある「公戦」におけるものだと認定し、御恩と奉公御恩したり、新領地を恩賞として与えたり（御恩と奉公御恩）すべきものとされていた。