Chapter 461: The Scholar and the Taoist Arrive

The Vistula River's water made a gurgling sound in the night.

At Riga's city walls, the Teutonic banner had been taken down and replaced with Great Ming's golden dragon flag.

But Zhu Yong knew this was only the beginning; the Baltic Sea's eastern coast still scattered the Order's remaining strongholds, and those white‑robed monks would not simply accept fate because Marburg fell.

Inside the Central Command Tent, candlelight shone brightly.

Zhu Yong stood before the map, his finger drawing a line northward from Riga.

"Here is Livonian Order territory; nominally a branch of the Teutonic Knights, but in fact it runs itself. Its Grand Master is Feng Plaitenberg, a hard nut." His fingertip rested on the Estonia area.

Li Wenzhong stood nearby, holding freshly pried intelligence from a captive's mouth, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Prince, this man has been operating in Livonia for over twenty years; his castles are many and tougher than Marburg."

Zhu Yong gave no reply. He had seen many hard‑to‑crack cities—Kaiping City, Helin City, Constantinople—each claimed to be impregnable.

"If a direct assault fails, go around, approach by sea, land in Estonia, cut off their rear. Livonia is coastal, and the Order's naval power is weak." Zhu Yong's finger traced an arc on the map.

Zhu Di entered from outside the tent, holding a freshly compiled list of captives; he glanced at the atmosphere inside and set the list on the table.

"Second Prince, the Riga captives have been tallied: 3,200 in total, 1,800 willing to join auxiliary troops, the rest to be sent to mine."

"Arrange it through Li Wenzhong, issue orders, depart at first light tomorrow, heading north." Zhu Yong folded the map.

Zhu Di nodded, turned to leave, then halted.

"Some of the surrendered Order soldiers said they were willing to guide us to Estonia."

"Those who can guide stay; the rest join auxiliary troops." Zhu Yong waved his hand.

Zhu Di strode out.

The tent curtains fluttered as night wind blew in, carrying the Baltic Sea's distinctive salty, briny scent.

Zhu Yong stood before the map, silent for a moment.

Riga had fallen; the great gate of the Baltic Sea opened.

But beyond the gate there are still many chambers; they must be cleared one by one.

Baltic winds blew from the north, bringing bone‑chilling cold.

Zhu Yong stood on the bow of the "Wu Wang" ship, gazing at the northern horizon.

Fog spread over the sea, the masts of dozens of steamships appearing and disappearing in the mist.

The army split into two routes.

Li Wenzhong led 40,000 troops northward by land, advancing along the coastline to sweep away the Order's strongholds.

He led another 40,000 by sea, landing in Estonia to strike directly at the Order's rear.

"Prince, the Estonia coast lies thirty li ahead." Wang Gui climbed down from the mast.

"Issue the order: the vanguard to the shore, prepare to land."

The fleet accelerated toward the coast.

On the shore lay low sand dunes, beyond which stretched flat farmland and villages.

A few local farmers were digging potatoes; seeing the looming black fleet on the sea, they dropped their hoes and fled.

Zhu Yong stepped down from the gangplank, his feet on the soft sand.

"Form the ranks."

The 40,000 troops formed ranks on the beach.

Iron armor glinted coldly in the morning light, flintlock guns pointed inland in unison.

Bayonets flashed coldly in the mist, warhorses snorting loudly.

"March southward; target Pedze."

Pedze is the Livonian Order's coastal stronghold; capturing it would sever the Order's link to the Baltic Sea.

After about two hours' march, a castle appeared ahead.

The castle was small, built of stone, gray and misty.

A Livonian Order banner flew on the walls—a white field with a black cross, much like the Teutonic Knights'.

But Zhu Yong knew these men were harder to deal with than the Teutonic Knights.

They had been operating on this land for over two hundred years; the castle was built like an iron barrel, walls thick, with many cannons mounted.

Hundreds of white‑robed knights stood on the walls, bearing crossbows, ready in strict formation.

"Form the ranks…"

The 40,000 troops formed ranks before the castle.

One hundred rear‑mounted line cannons were arrayed in a line, their muzzles aimed at Pedze's walls.

"Fire the cannons…"

The rear line cannons fired simultaneously.

Shrapnel shells ripped through the air, striking Pedze's walls.

Boom— Boom— Boom—…

After several volleys, a breach was blown in the wall.

"Longxiang Army, follow me to assault the castle."

Zhu Yong clamped his horse's girth and the warhorse surged forward.

The 40,000 troops followed closely, hooves thundering.

He charged through the breach, wielding Double Hammers to the left and right.

A white‑robed knight brandished a long sword and rushed at him; one hammer shattered the blade, the other struck the man's chest, denting his armor, and the whole body was flung outward.

The troops behind followed his path into the castle, flintlock guns firing in unison, sabers slashing.

Pedze's defenders numbered fewer than two thousand; within less than an hour they scattered.

Zhu Yong stood at the top of the castle, gazing at the newly conquered land.

"Send the order: round up the captives, sweep the battlefield."

Pei De Ze has taken it.

Meanwhile, Li Wenzhong reported via Land Route that he had taken several castles in southern Livonia and was advancing northward.

Zhu Yong finished reading the military report, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. His cousin fought wars and never gave anyone cause for worry.

The night was thick, and in the captive camp outside Pei De Ze's castle, Zhu Yong sat on the ground, watching the soldiers inventory the spoils.

The Livonia Knights Order had hoarded over two hundred years of Gold and Silver, packed into a dozen or so crates.

The scent of blood and gunpowder still lingered in the air, mingling with the salty brine drifting from the Baltic Sea.

"Prince, the Crown Prince's side has sent someone," Wang Gui said as he entered from outside, followed by a young civil official in his early twenties, wearing a seventh‑rank official robe, dust‑covered.

"I, the Ministry of Personnel clerk Lin Wen, request an audience with Prince Wu," the young official knelt, pulling a letter from his chest and handing it up with both hands.

Zhu Yong took the letter and unfolded it.

Zhu Biao's handwriting was as orderly as ever.

"Second brother, the European campaign is proceeding smoothly, Imperial Father is very pleased, and has dispatched thirty Confucian scholars and twenty Daoist priests in three batches to Europe; the first batch has already dispersed."

Descendant of the Kong family, Kong Xifan, leads the group; he has taught at the Yan Sheng Gong Mansion for many years, his learning solid, and Zhang Zhengchang, a direct disciple of Celestial Master Zhang Yuchu of Longhu Mountain, is also among them, their Daoist arts profound.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Revenue has allocated one million taels for the construction of schools across Europe; churches everywhere have been cleared and converted into schools, with Confucian scholars teaching literacy and Daoist priests lecturing on the Way of Heaven and Nature.

Europeans have been religious for centuries and have become muddled; they should be made to read the books of the sages.

Imperial Mother has been much better lately and often mentions you.

Guanyin Nu brought Qiong Wu into the palace to accompany Imperial Mother; Imperial Mother was delighted, saying Qiong Wu looks like you did in childhood.

"Take care."

Zhu Yong finished reading the letter, a faint smile tugging at his mouth.

"Clerk Lin, stand up! When will the Confucian scholars and Daoist priests arrive?"

Lin Wen rose, respectfully saying, "Yes, Prince, the first batch has disembarked at Bordeaux and is hurrying this way; they should arrive in about half a month."

Zhu Yong nodded, "Not bad."

On the third day after Pei De Ze's capture, the great army continued its push northward.

Along the coastline, castle after castle fell.

The Livonia Knights Order's Grand Master Feng Plaitenbeige finally could no longer sit idle.

He gathered the last troops—about five thousand—at Varga Castle in Estonia, preparing to fight Great Ming to the death.

Varga Castle, in southern Estonia, is the Livonia Knights Order's final stronghold.

Since Pei De Ze was breached, the Knights Order's remnants have all retreated into this castle.

Zhu Yong halted his horse, staring at the gray‑hued castle in the distance.

Varga Castle sits atop a small hill; its walls are high, the cannon mouths blackened, and the ramparts are filled with knights clad in white robes.