Zhu Xiong Ying wanted to cultivate outstanding talents for some surrounding countries, including experts in governance theory, academics, and morality, and it was very likely that he would also cultivate a group of professional officials and nobles who would yearn for the Central Plains dynasty.

The Imperial College's School of Foreign Peoples officially began enrolling students, regardless of whether you came from the Ryukyu Kingdom, Annam, Cambodia, Siam, or Champa. Whether you paid tribute on time or not, or never paid tribute at all, didn't matter much; Zhu Xiong Ying, the Crown Prince, was extremely generous.

Huang Zicheng was very excited. He felt proud and satisfied that the Crown Prince had appointed him to manage the Court of Foreign Barbarians, and he felt that he had finally found a place to use his talents. In Huang Zicheng's view, it was only right to let the barbarians feel the enlightenment of the sages, and it was also something that the Ming Dynasty should do. This was the work of education!

If taught well, he will not only be in the Four Barbarian Institutes in the future, but may actually become the Imperial Academy. He could become the Chancellor and a respected authority among the scholars of the Ming Dynasty.

Whether Huang Zicheng would get excited or not, to be honest, Zhu Xiong Ying didn't really care. He was just trying to make the best use of everyone's talents.

Zhu Xiong Ying mainly disapproved of Huang Zi Cheng's single-minded pursuit of restoring the Zhou rites. However, to say that Huang Zi Cheng had no ability or knowledge at all would be a lie.

They'll only use him a little. If Huang Zicheng can't even handle these things, then don't blame Zhu Xiong Ying for being completely disappointed. At that point, Huang Zicheng might really have to go to some remote, obscure place.

In a good mood, Zhu Xiong Ying continued to handle his affairs with a smile. Wang Cheng En cautiously approached and said, "Master, Lord Li requests an audience."

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly and said, "Let him come over."

It seems Li Shanchang is truly getting restless and can no longer continue his 'leisurely' retirement at Fulong Palace. However, this visit might also be a test.

Upon seeing Zhu Xiong Ying, the elderly Li Shanchang immediately knelt down, saying, "This sinner, Li Shanchang, pays his respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly stood up and helped Li Shanchang up. "Lord Li is of one mind with His Majesty, risking his life to seize the empire. He is the foremost meritorious official! In the past, His Majesty wielded a three-foot sword and led only a few thousand men, struggling amidst numerous warlords. If it weren't for Lord Li's voluntary surrender, His Majesty would not be where he is today!"

Li Shanchang thought to himself: Since you two know my contributions, why have you made me so miserable now!

As for Zhu Xiong Ying, he was thinking to himself: "He's just putting on an act, he's still so arrogant. I haven't even exerted any effort yet, and he's already gotten up on his own. It seems he hasn't seriously reflected on his actions!"

The two foxes, one old and one young, each had their own thoughts and ideas, but this did not affect their seemingly harmonious relationship, nor did it stop them from having a lively conversation. However, the topic of their conversation remained largely unaffected.

For example, Zhu Xiong Ying kept praising Li Shan Chang's talent and reminiscing about his past achievements. Li Shan Chang, on the other hand, kept being 'humble' and frequently 'apologizing'.

That's about it. Everyone knows what's going on, and everyone knows that this is just superficial harmony, just a charade.

Li Shanchang was well aware that the Crown Prince was evading him and trying to fool him. Zhu Xiong Ying was also well aware that Li Shanchang still harbored pride and resentment, and was not necessarily truly apologizing or being subdued.

Wang Chengen was a quick-witted person. He had been serving by the side and noticed that the Crown Prince had casually scratched his eyebrow with his little finger while chatting and laughing. He understood immediately.

Less than a third of the time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed before Wang Chengen cautiously reports, "Your Highness, the time is almost up. The Duke of Wei is still waiting for His Majesty."

Zhu Xiong Ying glared and cursed angrily, "You dog of a lackey! Lord Li is the foremost meritorious official, while Duke Wei is merely a junior. What's wrong with making him wait?! Even if the Prince of Zhongshan were here, he should wait!"

Wang Chengen immediately knelt down, prostrating himself on the ground, not daring to utter a word.

As for Li Shanchang, he was secretly pleased, but he quickly stood up and said, "This sinner dares not! Since Your Highness has official business, this sinner will take his leave now!"

Xu Yungong certainly had no official business to attend to with Zhu Xiong Ying, but as Zhu Xiong Ying's core member and future brother-in-law, Xu Yungong naturally had to shoulder some of the blame. For example, if Zhu Xiong Ying didn't want to continue fooling the old fox Li Shanchang, Xu Yungong should "appear."

After Li Shanchang left, Zhu Xiong Ying calmly said, "Let's give him a servant to do his bidding, just to treat this old man well. He's almost eighty years old."

Wang Chengen naturally understood all this. As Zhu Xiong Ying's personal eunuch, Wang Chengen's status in the palace was no joke.

The main reason was that Zhu Yuanzhang disliked using eunuchs, and he would beat and scold them if he didn't like them. In Zhu Xiong Ying's opinion, there were no eunuchs whom Zhu Yuanzhang truly trusted.

As for Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude towards eunuchs, he would use them if he could, but he wouldn't be particularly close to them, and there was no question of trust. He might find them useful now, but he might not need them in a couple of days. Even if he did use eunuchs, he wouldn't trust them much, and he wouldn't give them any particularly important tasks.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying was different. Regardless of whether Wang Chengen bestowed a name upon him or not, Wang Chengen had gained Zhu Xiong Ying's trust over the years and was almost always by Zhu Xiong Ying's side.

Wang Chengen knew about many things, big and small, good and bad. He also did many things that Zhu Xiong Ying couldn't do himself.

In fact, such eunuchs were household slaves. The trust of their masters was extremely important to them because all their power came from their masters.

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