Soon, Dian Wei, along with Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Wen Chou, and others, joined Sun Jian and the others who had come to provide support.

Since Sun Jian and his men had just taken down more than thirty people, the difference in numbers between the two sides was now minimal.

Therefore, upon seeing the more than fifty menacing Imperial Guard trainees, many students showed a hint of apprehension on their faces.

The two sides are currently locked in a stalemate.

An older student stepped forward, looked at Sun Jian, and demanded:

"You...you Imperial Guards are going to be the first to stick your neck out and stand up for the Cao and Yuan families...?"

"Hmph, our Imperial Guard will not stand up for anyone except His Majesty..."

Sun Jian snorted coldly and shielded Yuan Shao and Cao Cao behind him.

"Then you still..."

Seeing Sun Jian's actions, the students opposite him were speechless.

Sun Jian chuckled lightly: "For no other reason than that they are first and foremost members of the Imperial Guard. If you attack them, you are attacking our Imperial Guard..."

Sun Jian then turned to his companions and asked, "Brothers, someone has attacked one of our Imperial Guards. What do you suggest we do?"

"Fight back..."

"Yes, let's show them what we're made of!"

"We can fight among ourselves, but you want to interfere? Are you looking for death...?"

The Imperial Guards students all shouted in unison.

It's important to understand that although the various groups within the Imperial Guard might not get along particularly well due to their competition for rankings, the camaraderie among them is genuine.

Furthermore, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were deeply respected and liked by many students for their character and conduct, so seeing them being beaten naturally filled them with anger.

"You...you all...!"

Seeing the indignant expressions of the Imperial Guards students opposite them, the group of students couldn't help but take a step back.

Sun Jian's expression also darkened. He looked at the leading student and said coldly:

"Alright, enough with the nonsense. Every one of you, come over here and apologize to Benjamin and Mengde..."

"Yes, come over and apologize!"

"Don't even think about leaving until you apologize!"

The Imperial Guard students angrily rebuked the group of students, while clenching their fists and lunging forward.

"What...what should we do?"

At the back of the line, a student nervously approached his companion and whispered a question.

"Don't worry, these students are tough as nails, they won't apologize. But they definitely can't beat the Imperial Guards. Go and get some reinforcements..."

"good!!"

The student nodded upon hearing this, then quietly broke away from the group and quickly ran towards the back.

On the other side, seeing that the other party remained silent, Sun Jian's expression darkened, and he looked at the other party with a cold gaze.

"So? Are you going to apologize or not?"

"Hmph~, apologize? Don't even think about it...!"

The student in the lead snorted coldly and met Sun Jian's gaze without backing down.

Sun Jian narrowed his eyes slightly: "Then there's no other way but to settle this with fists and feet..."

"Hmph, who's afraid of who?"

These students also understood that once they apologized and backed down, they would be left only to be ridiculed from then on.

"Then let's go...!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Jian pushed off with his feet and charged towards his opponent.

"Go!!"

Hua Xiong, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Xu Chu, and a group of Imperial Guard trainees followed closely behind, while Dian Wei silently followed after entrusting Cao Cao to Yuan Shao.

"Let's fight them... Let everyone see that we scholars are not to be trifled with!!"

The students roared and charged forward without fear.

The direct conflict between scholars and students and Imperial Guard cadets begins.

"Tsk tsk tsk, these kids are really fierce!"

In a room on the second floor facing the street, Li Li, accompanied by several eunuchs from the Sili government office, watched the lively fight on the street and were full of admiration.

One of the eunuchs asked with some doubt, "But what they're doing is already affecting public order. Aren't we going to do anything about it?"

Li Li chuckled: "Heh~, if it doesn't affect public order, how are we supposed to arrest them?"

"Oh? Could it be that Li Zuoshi means...?"

“That’s right. We have to investigate those spreading rumors one by one, and it’s hard to stop them. Arresting the wrong person can cause trouble. But what about fighting and disturbing the peace…!”

In the end, Li Li sneered and looked coldly at the group of students on the street.

"Hmm, what Li Zuoshi said is right. That student who just slipped away must have called for backup. Should we go and stop him...?"

"No need. The bigger the commotion they cause, the more advantageous it is for us..."

Li Li shook his head, then said in a deep voice:

"Immediately report to the captain and warn him to keep the patrolling guards away from this area for the time being. Also, send someone to inform the group of imperial students and the Imperial Guards... to have them all come here!"

"promise!!"

Upon hearing this, the eunuch quickly left with several colleagues.

"Ha! Scholars, you're all just waiting to die...!"

After his men left, Li Li turned back to look at the street brawl, a cold glint in his eyes.

On the streets, the battle between the Imperial Guard cadets and the scholars had reached a fever pitch.

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