After a bout of furious cursing, Yang Yunhui's out-of-control emotions slowly settled.
Only after seeing Yang Yunhui calm down did Lu Batian dare to speak cautiously.
"My lord, this subordinate knows his crime. Kill or flay me—I will have no complaints."
Lu Batian was clever. He offered no excuses and directly admitted his guilt.
Seeing Lu Batian's attitude, Yang Yunhui's anger finally subsided.
"Prepare five hundred thousand taels of silver. Bring out all the treasures in your residence as well. I'll add some of my own and send them to Lord Li as an apology."
Yang Yunhui could only bleed heavily to make Li Xuancang let this matter pass.
Lu Batian looked utterly distressed.
"My lord, this subordinate cannot produce five hundred thousand taels of silver!"
Lu Batian often slaughtered innocent civilians to claim military merit, plundered others, and squeezed the common people and local powerful clans dry, but even he could not produce so much silver. He could only look pleadingly at Yang Yunhui.
"Give whatever you can. I'll cover the rest for you for now."
Yang Yunhui also knew Lu Batian's situation. This was his trusted subordinate, and he could not simply abandon him, so he could only bleed heavily himself.
"Thank you, my lord. For your great kindness and immense virtue, this subordinate will never forget it, even when his teeth are gone."
With Yang Yunhui backing him up, Lu Batian was overjoyed. He kowtowed to Yang Yunhui in thanks.
"Leave!"
Yang Yunhui raised a hand and dismissed Lu Batian.
"Cool Prefecture has gained a fierce dragon crossing the river. I only hope he won't affect us."
A worried look appeared on Yang Yunhui's face.
Of Cool Prefecture's seven commanderies, Sweet Spring Commandery was the most important.
For merchant goods to circulate onto the grasslands, Sweet Spring