Headscratchers / Marco Polo

• Regarding the punishment of Marco's father and uncle: was it Marco showing them Cruel Mercy (with a side of he who passes the sentence swings the sword), or was it because simply sparing them wasn't enough to satisfy the Khan, or what? Basically, whose idea was it for Marco to brand them?
  • Kublai's most likely. Looking at Marco's facial expressions when he did it, it becomes rather clear he seriously didn't want to brand his father and uncle.