Chapter 188 - 186. I Will Go II

Third-person POV   It didn't take long for Hong er and her entourage to arrive

at southwest fort. During 4 days of Hong er's journey to the site, the enemy

persistently attacked the fort and gave a quite big damage to the fort and

soldiers.   The general started to get anxious as the reinforcement that

the nearby stationed general had sent to him almost used up. Not to mention, his

soldiers had fought days and nights, their energies were drained from last

night's surprise attack and they need some time to replenish their Qi. He was afraid that they wouldn't be able to hold it out if this continues for another

day.   Just as he was thinking about sending another letter for

back up, one his guards come up to him and reported that there was an entourage

claimed that there were here to help them. However, the guards were suspicious

as the entourage only consisted of less than 25 people, not to mention they

were wearing a black cape and a red mask.   At first sight, they were quite surprised to see the

iconic red mask and have a feeling that they were Xu elite forces. However,

they were in a war, they couldn't just let any random people enter their base

camp. Furthermore, they weren't sure if it was really Xu elite forces as they

have no reason to be here.   Therefore they decided to call their general to let him

identify them himself. The general gritted his teeth in frustration, he hoped

that the visitor was really the assistance that they need and not a trick from

those mischievous pirates.   He walked out from his tent and glanced at the gate from far

away. He scanned the group from head to toe while approaching the group. A

group of red masked people with a slender figure in fiery red armor beneath her

black cloak seems familiar to his eyes.   He knitted his eyebrows when he saw the bulging belly of the

woman that he assumed as the group's leader. Since he is a very sharp person,

he quickened his steps.   General: 'The red mask that symbolizes Xu elite forces. In addition, a pregnant woman, it is no doubt that it is Her Majesty Empress herself with her

unit.'   He immediately kneeled down on one knee and cupped his fist

towards the pregnant woman. The soldiers that stood nearby were shocked to see

their general fell on his knee. Since their general kneeled to the unknown

woman, they also kneeled and bowed their heads to the group.   General: "This official greets Your Majesty Empress!

Thanking Your Majesty Empress for your graciousness to help us!" The soldiers that kneeled with him widened their eyes in

astonishment to know that the pregnant woman was their empress herself. Who

would expect such a high-status person to come to their brutal and unsightly

place such as here? Not to mention, she was pregnant with 7 months old baby.   Soldiers: "This lowly one greets Your Majesty Empress!"   Hong er took off her mask and told them to rise. Even though

her lips were smiling, her eyes were not. She didn't waste any time and went

into the main topic.   Hong er: "General Yi, Ben Gong has to discuss a few things

with you, maybe another place will do?"   General Yi: "Of course Your Majesty Empress, if you don't

mind we hold our discussion in our humble tent."   Hong er: "En."   General Yi turned his head towards his personal servants and

commanded.   General Yi: "Summon the others."   Servants: "Yes, General!"   General Yi personally guided Hong er and a few personnel of

her elite forces into the tent that was used as a meeting room. At first General

Yi offered his seat to Hong er, but Hong er politely rejected him.   Hong er: "Ben Gong won't sit there. You are the leader, Ben

Gong is here only to assist you."   General Yi: "Your Majesty Empress flattered me. However

there is one matter that I have been concerned about."   Hong er: "What is it?"   General Yi: "Why would Your Majesty Empress come here? This

official believes that Your Majesty Empress are aware of the brutality and

viciousness of battlefield, yet why?"   Hong er: "*Sigh, Ben Gong had accompanied father to many

battle and can't let go of this burning spirit. After married to His Majesty

Emperor for quite a while, Ben Gong realized that sitting idly in the Back

Palace doesn't suit me."   General Yi: "Does His Majesty Emperor informed about Your

Majesty Empress's presence in here?"   Hong er: "Of course not hahaha~ Do you think that he would

let me go here if he knew it?"   General Yi snorted and decided to not ask any further. Less

then a minute, General Yi's subordinate arrived at the tent and respectfully

gave their greetings to Hong er.   Hong er: "Without any delay, let's start our meeting. How is

the current situation?"   Assistant general: "Replying to Your Majesty Empress, just

now we checked that there were about 30 sh.i.p.s harbored at the fort 15 km across

ours. We have taken down about 10 of their sh.i.p.s and they had destroyed 8 of

ours."   Hong er: "How many do we get?"   Assistant general: "We still have 1 large warship and 7

medium warsh.i.p.s still undamaged, 5 medium warsh.i.p.s can still be used however it

had received several attacks."   Hong er: "Soldiers?"   Assistant general: "About 3 thousand, Your Majesty

Empress."   Hong er: "Them?"   Assistant general: "Around 5 thousand both pirates and

bandits."   Hong er: "So, are there any suggestions from all of you?"   General Yi: "If I may ask, how many did Your Majesty Empress

bring here?"   Hong er: "A couple dozens of Xu elite forces including me

and 5 thousand troops on their way here."   General Yi: "How long will it take them to reach here?"   Hong er: "Another 3 days."   General Yi and the others clenched their fist in

exasperation, nonetheless they are still hope. With Hong er and a few of her

elite forces, they could hold up the attacks of the pirates. However, there was

something bothering General Yi.   General Yi: "This-"   Hong er swiftly glanced at General Yi and grinned.   Hong er: "Let's continue the discussion, shall we?"   General Yi shut his mouth and choose to ask her after the

meeting.