After Chen Fen swept his gaze over the bamboo slips one last time, the reading of the roster for the Annual Salary distribution was complete.
"The Annual Salaries for all surviving and uninjured Sharp Warriors from Sha Village have been fully distributed," Chen Fen announced loudly, closing the bamboo slips.
As soon as he finished speaking, the dozen or so households in the village that had not yet received their Annual Salary descended into panic.
"My son's name wasn't called! Could something have happened to him on the battlefield?"
"No, that can't be. My son has only been enlisted for two years. Nothing could have happened to him, he's only seventeen."
"No, he must be fine."
"Sir, my son, Wu Lin, is he really not on the list to receive the Annual Salary?"
"Sir..."
Everyone who had not received their payment was distraught, including Zhao Ying. She had been on edge the entire time, but now, her heart leaped into her throat, and her face turned pale.
