Although Yan Zhen knew that Zhou Tieyi would not truly execute Sima Li, he had to intercede immediately, fearing that this unpredictable heir of the Zhou family might do something even more drastic. If Sima Li were to die in Tianbao Tower, the business would suffer a truly devastating blow.
"Commander, he is young and ignorant. Please, in consideration of his father's service to the state, deal with him leniently."
With someone providing him an out, Zhou Tieyi felt his Establishing Majesty for the evening was nearly complete. He casually snapped off a table leg, picked it up, and said to Sima Li with a smile, "Considering this is your first offense, I will give you a small lesson: thirty strokes of the cane."
Chapter 52