Having obtained the medicinal powder grinded by the deputy chief, they sprinkled it meticulously on the foul-smelling rat corpses before people poured some wine over them.
"Everyone, cover your noses and mouths, so as not to inhale this smoke," said the deputy chief.
He indicated that everyone should cover their noses and mouths, and after seeing them all comply, he threw in a torch.
The torch spun a few times in the air, and just at the moment it landed, a shimmering blue light flashed over the pile of rat corpses, then flames erupted, engulfing the ghastly, stinking bodies.
Gazing at the fields ablaze, the villagers seemed contemplative. Eventually, they all stood there for a while before returning to their homes.
The rats were eradicated, but they still had to head to the mountains to hunt.
Although they had been supplied with food by General Shen, they were reluctant to tap into those supplies unless absolutely necessary.