This time, Huang Hao did not refuse Adams' suggestion and agreed to arrange a post-championship street parade for the players upon their return to Cambridge.
On May 10th, the Cambridge United Training Base was bathed in sunshine. The players, dressed in Cambridge United's traditional home kit, boarded the upper deck of the bus with Huang Hao.
The side of the bus prominently displayed the words, "We are the Champions."
Captain Sager stood at the front of the bus, with the Football League Two championship trophy and the previously won Football League Trophy placed beside him. Under the sunlight, the trophies glittered.
Although their prestige was far less than that of the Premier League championship, this was Cambridge United's first time being crowned double champions after all!
The area around the Cambridge United Training Base was already filled with enthusiastic fans and citizens, who held up Cambridge United scarves and sang the song, "We're Going Back to League One," cheering on the championship bus as it slowly drove into the distance!
The bus moved very slowly, and the players on board kept waving, taking photos with the surrounding fans, having a great time.
Darren looked at the surging crowd of fans and couldn't help but exclaim to Huang Hao:
"I've never seen Cambridge so lively before, this feeling is fantastic, Hao!"
"Darren, let's work harder! This will definitely not be the last time! But next time, I don't want the League Two trophy!"
"Hao, I believe in you! No matter what you say! I believe in you!"
In its over 90-year history, Cambridge United was not without experience in League One.
Fifteen years ago, Cambridge United was promoted to League One.
Unfortunately, in their first season in League One, they failed, winning only 5 matches and falling back to League Two as the last-place team.
If the gap between League Two and amateur League isn't particularly large, where willpower might transcend tactics at crucial moments, then League One is the true watershed between professional and amateur Leagues.
The League One stage is not lacking in old strong teams that once had a certain reputation overseas, such as Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Birmingham, Portsmouth, and Bolton.
These teams often appear in the EFL Championship and even the Premier League, and their long-term professional operation, excellent training facilities, and complete youth training systems are often beyond the reach of lower-tier teams.
For example, Portsmouth's Fratton Park stadium can accommodate a full twenty thousand people, completely dwarfing Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium.
Therefore, this summer, a vacation for Huang Hao would certainly be a luxury.
The team's main lineup had to be upgraded accordingly so that his team would not repeat the mistakes of 30 years ago.
Makélélé and Mahrez, acquired in the winter transfer window, were still a bit too young; playing one or two matches would be their limit.
After receiving Huang Hao's call, Ouyang Bing quickly sent Cambridge United's financial statements for the last season.
To Huang Hao's delight, Cambridge United ultimately earned £5.58 million this season, with expenditures of £4.15 million, making a profit of £1.43 million!
Of course, after Ouyang Bing's rapid calculations and planning with her cherry lips, the final disposable transfer fee remained a pitiful £0.
Huang Hao even began to doubt his life, feeling that he would spend his entire life repaying debts.
Fortunately, Cambridge United's debt had already decreased from £10 million to £7 million! This also gave Huang Hao a glimmer of hope.
As Cambridge United's performance was outstanding, it rekindled hope among its fans, and more and more fans returned to Abbey Stadium.
Stadium revenue significantly increased.
There was clearly no hope from Ouyang Bing; Huang Hao knew that this ice beauty's professionalism in finance made a layman like him incomparable, and he could only obediently comply.
Fortunately, Li Jianqin's market development was progressing well, bringing back several benefactors from China.
This summer, the plan was to expand the membership from 40,000 to 60,000, then slightly increase the membership fee, and then rely on his eloquent tongue, adept at making something out of nothing.
Those young players who did not receive contract renewals would soon be swayed!
Darren led the coaching and scouting team to the team's meeting room; today, they would assess the team's lineup with Huang Hao to make targeted moves in the summer transfer market.
After two years of foresight during the lower League stages, many players in the squad were equally excellent in League One.
Sager, who could score and assist on the front line, had clearly become the team's soul, and Tadić's swift succession after Simmons' departure, plus the previously acquired Dzeko and Vardy, meant that as long as no one poached them, Huang Hao had not too many worries about the front line, only needing to bring in a qualified substitute.
Cole was currently the core of Cambridge United's entire midfield, and defensive midfielder Adam May, who was directly converted from Portsmouth during the winter transfer window, also became a strong guarantee for the midfield.
Youngster Grove from Bolton had repeatedly performed heroics, and his loan extension became Huang Hao's primary task for Director Adams.
In contrast, the right winger was a weakness.
Huang Hao had always used Pasquel, his first direct subordinate, whose ability was limited.
And although substitute Moro Verheydt had followed Huang Hao to various League stages since the National League, as he aged, Verheydt's speed and explosiveness had noticeably declined.
Therefore, Huang Hao drew a red circle on the tactical board at the right winger position.
The defense was Cambridge United's obvious weakness.
Last season, when facing fast forwards, Songo'o and Longolo's recovery runs greatly troubled Huang Hao.
And Suxi's excellent performance after joining masked the uneven quality of the three center-backs.
After discussion, transitional player Songo'o was still put up for sale by the team after playing one season for Cambridge United, while Longolo was designated as a substitute.
Therefore, the left-back and center-back positions were also circled by Qiao Zhuoyan.
There was not much controversy over the goalkeeper position; the future Romanian national goalkeeper Pantilimon's position was very solid, making him a very reassuring choice for Huang Hao.
Thus, the team quickly finalized the list of players to be put up for sale, and several players who had not realized their talent also failed to receive contract renewals from Cambridge United, unfortunately joining this summer's unemployment list.
Cambridge United's excellent performance in League Two last season quickly attracted buyers for the players put up for sale.
Huang Hao did not set any obstacles, as hoping for such players to get rich overnight was clearly a pipe dream.
So Huang Hao waved his hand and signed his name on the transfer agreement.
Ultimately, Cameroonian defender Songo'o returned to League Two's Bury for £90,000.
Clark, who had a flash of brilliance last season, joined League One's Luton for £65,000.
Hood and Taylor were not so lucky; after receiving notice from assistant coach Darren about non-renewal, they had to regretfully leave the Cambridge United Training Base.
They shouldn't have to worry too much about their employment, as their abilities are more than sufficient for the National League or even League Two.
Adams quickly brought good news to Huang Hao: the loan extensions for Grove and MacKenzie went very smoothly.
The two young players currently cannot play as starters at Bolton and Hull City, but they play a very important role at Cambridge United, so the teams very happily accepted Cambridge United's request.
Regarding loan players, Huang Hao completely delegated authority to the team's Director of Football, Adams, and the scouting team.
He himself focused entirely on the transfer market, as loan players could only serve as a transition for the team.
Originally, these players with official contracts from big teams viewed Cambridge United as a training ground from the start, and those like Sterri who were determined to stay with the team were truly rare.
Late at night, Huang Hao was still at his desk, poring over the information provided by the scouting team.
Each player almost had more than ten pages of detailed introductions, which gave Huang Hao a hard time, and he had to rub his sore eyes from time to time.
Just then, a gust of wind suddenly blew outside the window, scattering the documents on the desk onto the floor.
Huang Hao grumbled as he closed the window, bending down to pick up the scattered documents, and one name immediately caught his eye!
Lewandowski, center forward, plays for Polish Third League team Znicz Pruszków, 18 years old, 185 cm tall, 81 kg weight, was elected best scorer immediately after joining the team.
How could I forget this great player? Lewandowski is even stronger than Dzeko and Vardy, and he's not well-known now, so the cost shouldn't be much.
Warsaw, Poland. After getting off the plane, Huang Hao immediately rushed to Pruszków, and soon, he saw that handsome and sunny Polish young man on a park bench outside the club.
Looking at the top striker who would dominate the Bundesliga, Huang Hao smiled and extended his right hand:
"Hello, Robert!"
"Hello, Mr. Huang!"
Lewandowski smiled and extended his hand, shaking Huang Hao's hand firmly.
"Robert, I won't beat around the bush. I came here to ask if you're interested in joining Cambridge United and fighting with us in League One!"
Huang Hao had already informed Znicz Pruszków before coming.
"Mr. Huang, I also checked your information before coming.
I greatly admire you; to see you lead a small team, getting promoted two Leagues to League One, is truly thrilling.
To be honest, I really like Cambridge United's style!"
Huang Hao heard Lewandowski's praise and knew that what awaited him next might be a refusal.
"However, Mr. Huang, I just joined Znicz Pruszków this year and helped the team get promoted.
Is it a bit disloyal to leave at this time?"
As Huang Hao expected, Lewandowski refused him.
"Robert, I know you're grateful to the club for signing you and are afraid of rumors if you leave now.
To be honest, before meeting you, I had already discussed it with Sokół (Znicz Pruszków's chairman).
Sokół is completely open to your departure; as long as you agree, we can sign the contract immediately."
"The Premier League is one of the best Leagues in the world, and all the players on the field are among the best players in the world.
Although Cambridge United is in League One, our goal is promotion to the Premier League, and you, Robert, will be an important cornerstone of our success!"
"Although this is your first year joining Znicz Pruszków, I think you know how difficult it is to go from Znicz Pruszków step by step to the world.
But by coming to Cambridge United, we will play against Premier League teams every year, and countless eyes are focused here.
Even your slightest success can attract attention.
Becoming a world-class star, becoming the focus of attention, is easier at Cambridge United than at Znicz Pruszków."
Lewandowski did not immediately answer Huang Hao but silently looked into the distance, his eyes full of contemplation.
Clearly, Huang Hao's words were not without reason.
"In the future, if a top Premier League team acquires you, Cambridge United will not set obstacles."
"Okay, sir," Lewandowski seemed to have made up his mind, "I agree to join Cambridge United."
