206: A King's Ransom and a New Stadium Agreement

New Year's snowflakes drifted over the town of Hartlepool, blanketing the city, revitalized by football, in silver.

Inside the Phoenix Training Center's conference room, negotiations that would shape the youth training landscape for the next decade were underway.

The Southampton chairman sat at one end of the conference table, his forehead beaded with fine sweat.

Across from him, Lin Feng appeared calm, his fingers lightly tapping the table, each tap seemingly striking the chairman's heart.

"We can accept your offer for Luke Shaw," the chairman's voice trembled slightly.

"But the additional clauses..."

Lin Feng leaned forward slightly, an undeniable sharpness flashing in his eyes.

"A five-year priority purchase option—that's the bottom line.

Either accept it, or we terminate negotiations."

Richard Arnold silently took notes nearby, utterly impressed by his boss's negotiation skills.

Leveraging the opponent's financial crisis to gradually force them into submission—this business tactic was textbook.

"This is an unequal treaty!" the Southampton chairman slammed the table, his face flushed.

Lin Feng remained unmoved, instead leaning back in his chair, his tone as calm as if describing the weather.

"Whether a treaty is equal depends on the relative strengths of both parties.

You need this money to survive, and we have options."

The conference room fell silent.

The chairman slumped back into his chair, his hands trembling as he flipped through the club's financial statements.

Bank loans were nearing their due date, player salaries had been delayed for months, and the shadow of bankruptcy loomed.

"We..." his voice choked.

"We agree."

Lin Feng smiled like a victor.

With a single signature, he had secured an entire factory of prodigies for Hartlepool United.

After concluding negotiations with Southampton, Lin Feng immediately turned to Queens Park Rangers and Barnsley.

This time, he employed a completely different strategy—a financial offensive.

When the Queens Park Rangers Youth Academy Director received the call, he thought he had misheard.

"How much did you say you'd offer for Sterling?"

"Five hundred thousand pounds, plus twenty percent of any future transfer fees," Lin Feng's tone was calm as still water.

"This is an investment in a fourteen-year-old child."

Silence lasted for a full ten seconds on the other end of the line.

"Sir, are you sure you're not joking?"

"I never joke in business," Lin Feng looked at Sterling's file in his hand.

"This child is worth the price."

A similar scene replayed at Barnsley.

When the club management heard the offer for John Stone, the entire conference room was stunned.

Someone was willing to pay such an astronomical price for a fourteen-year-old rookie defender.

"Crazy!" someone whispered.

"Who would spend so much money on a child?"

But the allure of money was irresistible.

For financially struggling lower-tier clubs, Lin Feng's check was a lifeline.

Within a week, all three "super child labor" transfers were finalized.

The entire England youth training scene was shaken, and the media vied to report on the mysterious owner's crazy actions.

The Guardian's headline was particularly striking: "Hartlepool United: Genius or Madman?"

The Times was even more direct: "Spending millions on teenagers, what exactly is Lin Feng thinking?"

Lin Feng ignored the outside world's skepticism.

He stood in the Phoenix Training Center office, gazing at the England map on the wall, marked with the positions of the three teenagers.

Ten years from now, these names would echo throughout the football world.

"Boss, the Northern Dragon Arena progress report," Ben Carter knocked and entered, holding a thick stack of construction documents.

Lin Feng took the report and carefully reviewed each page.

Interior decoration was ninety percent complete, and the installation of high-tech facilities was in its final stages.

This two-hundred-million-pound stadium was about to become England's most advanced football sanctuary.

"When is the opening match scheduled?"

"The last home match of this Championship season," Carter flipped to the schedule.

"If all goes well, that will be our coronation ceremony."

Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction.

Sixty-five thousand seats would witness Hartlepool United's historic moment.

He then approved the third phase expansion plan for the Phoenix Training Center.

The sports rehabilitation center would introduce the most advanced medical equipment, and the data analysis center would be equipped with artificial intelligence systems.

These investments seemed massive, but they were all to ensure the club maintained its leading edge for the next decade.

"The FA Cup draw results are out," Arnold's phone rang promptly.

"We've drawn Newcastle United, playing at home."

"The Northeast Derby," Lin Feng's lips curved upward.

"Interesting.

Let the fans witness the clash between old and new forces."

Hanging up the phone, he turned to another important document.

The club equity repurchase agreement, each page stamped with a bright red seal.

After months of effort, he had finally achieved one hundred percent absolute control of Hartlepool United.

This former League Two team now belonged entirely to him.

As night fell, Lin Feng did not hold a celebratory party, but instead took Sophie to the Northern Dragon Arena.

The massive reinforced concrete structure looked magnificent under the moonlight, foreshadowing a glorious future.

"Oh my God," Sophie stood at the stadium entrance, too stunned to speak by the sight before her.

They walked through the empty corridors, their footsteps echoing in the silence.

The turf had not yet been laid, but the outlines of the stands were clearly visible.

Sixty-five thousand seats encircled the green pitch, forming a perfect competitive ring.

"This will be the center of our kingdom," Lin Feng held Sophie's hand, walking towards the center of the pitch.

"All glory will be born here."

Moonlight streamed through the open roof onto the ground, adding a sacred touch to this unfinished sanctuary.

Sophie felt the warmth of Lin Feng's palm, and her heart involuntarily quickened.

"Sophie," Lin Feng suddenly stopped, turning to face her.

She saw Lin Feng take a delicate velvet box from his pocket, and her heart almost leaped out of her chest.

Everything around them fell silent, leaving only the sound of their breathing.

Lin Feng knelt on one knee and opened the box.

The dazzling diamond ring sparkled under the moonlight, each diamond like a star in the night sky.

"Miss Sophie Green," his voice was soft yet firm.

"With the first cornerstone of my empire, I promise you, will you be the queen of this kingdom and witness all its future glory with me?"

Tears blurred Sophie's vision.

She looked at the man who created miracles before her, at the deep affection in his eyes, as vast as the ocean, and a huge wave of happiness surged within her.

"I do," she choked out, nodding.

"I want to build this kingdom with you."

Lin Feng placed the ring on her finger, the sparkle of the diamonds reflecting on their happy faces.

At this moment, the entire stadium became a witness to their love.

They embraced tightly, making an eternal vow before their future throne.

The stars above the stadium blessed them, and the New Year's snowflakes gently fell, adding poetry to this romantic moment.

The next morning, as Lin Feng handled his daily affairs in the office, his phone vibrated.

A multimedia message appeared on the screen.

In the photo, Keira Knightley stood on a London street, snowflakes falling on her golden hair.

She smiled at the camera, but there was a hint of loneliness and unwillingness in her smile.

The caption was short and meaningful: "I heard the king found his queen.

So, does the knight still have a reason to fight?"

Lin Feng gazed at the photo, his feelings complex.

The challenges from this international movie star had never stopped, but now everything had an answer.

He put his phone aside and focused on the training schedule.

On the training ground, the players were preparing for the upcoming Northeast Derby.

Vardy was undergoing speed training, each sprint as swift as lightning.

De Bruyne and Coutinho were practicing passing combinations, the two geniuses' synergy growing increasingly perfect.

Henderson led the midfield in a rondo drill, his leadership fully displayed in this small group activity.

Schmeichel practiced saves alone, the Danish goalkeeper's reaction speed earning constant praise from the assistant coaches.

"The lads are in good form," Old John walked up to Lin Feng, nodding with satisfaction.

"Against Newcastle United, we are confident."

Lin Feng looked at the players sweating on the training ground, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.

These young men had grown from unknown League Two players into gems coveted by Premier League giants.

"Let them know the significance of this Derby," Lin Feng's tone was calm, but carried an undeniable authority.

"We will prove to all of England that the Northern Dragon has awakened."

In the distance, the Northern Dragon Arena gleamed in the sunlight, with workers completing the final touches.

In a few months, this modern stadium would host its first official match.

Lin Feng imagined that moment: sixty-five thousand fans cheering in unison, the team lifting the Championship trophy in their new home, Sophie applauding him from the skybox.

This image filled him with excitement, as if it were already within reach.

But before that, countless challenges awaited them.

Newcastle United was just the beginning, followed by Manchester City in the League Cup semi-finals, the fierce competition of the Championship, and the distant but clear goal of a treble.

Lin Feng took a deep breath of the cold winter air, his gaze as firm as steel.

He had come so far; he would not stop at the threshold of victory.

The era of the Northern Dragon was about to truly begin.