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 of 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, it didn't take him long to recognize Hong er.

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 is 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 ships harbored at the fort 15 km across ours. We have taken down about 10 of their ships 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 warships still undamaged, 5 medium warships 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.