```
The soldiers from the Nanying Camp of Suzhou and the Canal Transport Office, more than a thousand in number, had been summoned into the city and were mostly assigned to assist with the firefighting efforts at Bao Xiangtai.
Shouts and the sound of cartwheels merged into one cacophony, as the fire suppression team readied tools like grappling hooks, saws, axes, and ropes. The soldiers donned their official tunics and caps and carried water bags and dragons, pushing fire-extinguishing pumps to the scene.
"First team, move out!"
With a wave of the military-equipped leader's hand, a pump cart operated by three soldiers sprayed out a column of cool water as thick as a fist.
