I was a prince in the Middle East

Chapter 19: The Prince's Downfall? Thanks for the invitation. I was there; I just finished calculating the proceeds from the confiscation.

Just as Walid was leisurely eating dates, the spotlights in the stands suddenly went off!

People then realized that reporters from Saudi state television and official news agencies, along with broadcast vans, had arrived at the scene sometime earlier.

The dark camera lens was pointed at several sheikhs and crown princes of the UAE, as well as the fighter jet wrapped in fire-fighting foam, and then took a series of pictures.

Under the spotlight of this global live broadcast, a group of "engineers" dressed in Saudi Air Force ground crew uniforms and moving with extreme agility swarmed onto the runway.

They weren't inspecting at all; they were dismantling things!
With a roar of heavy machinery, the skin was swiftly cut open, revealing a large, non-original bulge that had been carefully disguised beneath the fuselage!

An "engineer" pried open the outer casing in front of everyone, revealing a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) component that gleamed with a precise, cold light!
Wow——!
A moment of deathly silence fell over the scene, which was then completely drowned out by a wave of shock and anger!

"Why is there a SAR?!" A furious roar erupted from one of the viewing platforms!

On the viewing platform, the Saudi princes and nobles had livid faces and eyes blazing with fury!
This group of people, especially the new generation of princes, generally receive education from top universities in Europe and America before going to the military to serve and hone their skills.

The air force in Saudi Arabia is considered an "aristocratic branch of the military," a favorite of proud princes.

Therefore, they could immediately identify that the fighter jet was not equipped with a standard pulse-Doppler airborne fire control radar, but rather a specialized reconnaissance SAR.

Several sheikhs and crown princes from the UAE who came to watch the game were instantly "politely" surrounded by expressionless iron camel soldiers, their faces pale!
The far end of the runway.

The canopy of the F-15E pops open.

The U.S. pilot jumped off easily, casually adjusted his flight suit, and leisurely chewed gum.

He leaned against the landing gear, arms crossed, watching the absurd spectacle unfold before him—a scene of crash, towing, military takeover, public dismantling of the plane, and the detention of a prince—a mocking smile playing on his lips, as if he were watching a spectacular circus.

In front of the observation deck.

Prince Bandar is like a completely shattered salt sculpture.

The excitement and sense of control were crushed, leaving only a deathly, pale silence.

His unfocused pupils reflected a hellish scene: on one side, a Bugatti scrap metal smoking in a sandpit, and on the other, the phantom wreckage of a spy radar being publicly "dissected" in the foamy steam.

draw!

This damn draw, which crushed all his calculations to dust!

The mortgage agreement, which embodied all his ambitions, silently turned to ashes under the blinding flash of the camera and the cold muzzle of a gun.

He felt the world beneath his feet collapsing and spinning wildly.

He's done.

This thought, like an icicle, pierced his last shred of hope.

It wasn't the royal family's keen insight that led to their defeat!
It wasn't because of the opponent's elaborate schemes that we were defeated!
Instead, it was defeated by an unexpected and unreasonable emergency landing of a US F-15!
This absurd ending was like the most biting mockery of his entire insane plan.

No one knows why this fighter jet appeared here so "coincidentally" to carry out this deadly dive flyby.

The mystery behind this is clearly far more unfathomable than the gambling game in front of us, and the levels involved are far more terrifying.

Just as Prince Bandar's soul left his body, the entire stands suddenly fell into an eerie silence.

An invisible, chilling atmosphere was spreading.

The chaotic crowd, like the Red Sea parted by Moses, silently parted to both sides, making way for a straight path.

A group of figures dressed in uniform marched in with synchronized steps, exuding a strong sense of discipline.

They wore pure white robes and Saudi Arabia's signature red and white checkered turbans, but with short, dark brown cloaks reaching their waists, and a wide, dark brown leather belt around their waists, from which walkie-talkies and necessary equipment were hung.

His face was hidden in the shadow of his headscarf, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, and wherever he looked, the noise seemed to freeze.

This is the Saudi religious police.

A group that operates independently of the regular police system and possesses special law enforcement powers.

They act according to the moral provisions of Islamic law, and in theory supervise the public to comply with religious norms: urging shops to close during worship time, maintaining gender segregation, checking women's headscarf wearing, and banning alcoholic music, etc.

However, the boundaries of morality are so broad!
Their actual power is often beyond imagination. (Note: Religious police before 2017)

"Treason" and "endangering national security" are undoubtedly the greatest "immorality".

In the heart of this silent and oppressive ocean, composed of white robes, red and white headscarves, and dark brown short cloaks, a distinctive figure slowly emerges.

His face was thin, with deep nasolabial folds, and his eyes were like two bottomless ancient wells, without the slightest ripple, yet making people afraid to meet his gaze.

They wore the same religious police attire, but their short cloaks were a deep, night-like black, with striking gold trim embroidered along the shoulder edges. Their red and white headscarves were securely tied with a hair tie shimmering with dark gold thread, exuding a low-key authority.

Most striking is a small yet gleaming gold star badge on his right chest, reflecting a cold luster in the chaotic light.

Preel Zaid, the Director General of the Religious Police, is here! (The Sheikh family is credited with establishing Saudi Arabia and spreading religion.)

Preer Zaid walked straight up to the distraught Prince Bandar and stopped in his tracks.

Unlike Setterfogger, he did not bow slightly, but merely nodded slightly, a gesture that was less a greeting and more a condescending confirmation.

“Your Highness Prince Bandar,”

His voice was low, even strangely hoarse, "Given the major events that occurred at the airport today..."

In particular, given the involvement of a military aircraft with modified sensitive equipment, and the potential for actions that could jeopardize the kingdom's security and the foundations of its faith, the Religious Court requires your immediate presence to cooperate with the investigation and clarify the relevant facts.

He made no gesture, but the group of religious police standing behind him like stone statues was the clearest and most intimidating "please" in itself.

Cooperate with the investigation?

Religious courts?

And it was personally "invited" by the Inspector General of the Religious Police?!

These words were like a red-hot branding iron, instantly waking Bandar from the abyss of despair!
His empty, lifeless eyes suddenly focused, bursting forth with the ferocity of a beast cornered in a desperate situation!
"The Inquisition?!"

Prince Bandar sprang up as if branded with a hot iron, his pale face instantly turning a deep purplish-red, and he pointed at Preer Zaid's nose, roaring fiercely:
"Preyle Zaid! You've brought your morality disciplinary squad to arrest me?! Are you out of your mind?!"

Open your eyes wide and look carefully! Who am I?!

I am a prince of the Saudi royal family!

Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud!
They are not ordinary people whom you can reprimand in the street!

He is not a prisoner whom your religious court can judge!

He was practically screaming, spittle flying everywhere.

"The religious courts have no jurisdiction over members of the royal family!"
Only the Royal Council has the authority to handle matters involving core members of the Royal Family!

This is an ironclad rule! It is a tradition! It is the foundation of the kingdom!

You and those behind you, don't even think about using these tricks on ordinary people to humiliate or frame me!

Prince Bandar's voice trembled violently with extreme fear and anger.

In a corner of the audience seats, a white-haired prince covered his mouth with his robe sleeve and whispered something to the person next to him.

"Haha! He's scared! That old fox Khalid is holding the reins of the disciplinary whip!"

The tribal youth with a full beard standing next to him instantly turned pale. "God is the greatest... how many bones will Bandar have left if he goes in?"

As the general public knows, it's no wonder Bandar lost his composure upon hearing the words "Inquisition".

Because the chief justice of the religious court was Walid's father, Prince Khalid.

If the young master wants to cause trouble for someone, his father will naturally help him; otherwise, what right does he have to be called a young master?

The two companies were already bitter rivals in the arms trade, and Bandar was the prime suspect in the 2005 Walid car crash.

Even if the evidence seems conclusive now, and even if Bandar is innocent, if he falls into Khalid's hands, any evidence of "blasphemy," "abortion," or "endangering national security" can be easily fabricated!
Bandar's roar sounded particularly jarring and isolated amidst the silence of the religious police, yet it also revealed a subtle reality within Saudi Arabia's power structure.

Saudi Arabia does not have separate "civil courts" and "royal courts." In theory, the "Haji Court Regulations" apply to everyone within the kingdom's territory.

However, in practice, this system allows for considerable flexibility for core members of the royal family who wield real power, especially princes.

The old Chinese saying goes, "Punishment does not apply to high-ranking officials," but here it means "Punishment does not apply to princes."

The “Royal Council” that Bandar shouted at this moment was the last straw he was trying to grasp.

He pinned his hopes on the power struggles within the royal family to give him a glimmer of hope and prevent him from being directly thrown into the religious court controlled by his mortal enemies and paved with religious police.

Faced with Bandar's rage and roar, Preer Zaid's thin, rigid face remained unchanged, like weathered rock.

The religious police behind him stood like frozen sculptures, only their cloaks fluttering slightly in the wind. He was waiting; the silence itself was more oppressive than any words.

Just then, a figure slowly walked down from the viewing platform where Crown Prince Mohammed and Walid were standing. It was Walid's steward, Angari.

Young Angarry walked with a steady gait, his face bearing a professional respect, holding a tablet computer in his hand.

He walked straight through the silent line of religious police, stood calmly between Prince Bandar and Preer Zaid.

Angari bowed slightly, tapped the tablet screen lightly with his finger, and then steadily turned the screen towards Prince Bandar, letting the blinding light shine directly on Bandar's pale and distorted face.

"His Highness the Crown Prince decrees: The religious court is ordered to immediately intervene and investigate all matters related to Riyadh International Airport today."

All relevant personnel, regardless of their status or position, must unconditionally cooperate with the investigations conducted by the religious courts and religious police.

The investigation results shall be submitted directly to the Crown Prince's office. This order is hereby issued.

On the screen, a document bearing the royal coat of arms and an electronic signature is clearly displayed.

These few words, like an invisible giant hammer, shattered Prince Bandar's last illusions and struggles!
Having seized regency power, Salman has explicitly authorized the religious police to intervene in the investigation!

And skipped any potential internal negotiations, demanding that the results be presented directly to the Crown Prince!
This was tantamount to closing all other channels, directly placing Bandar's fate into the religious court controlled by Prince Khalid.

There's nothing else but death.

Bandar's body swayed violently, his legs buckled, and he almost fell over.

Preil Zaid took a small step forward, his thin but unusually strong hand, like a cold iron clamp, silently and resolutely gripping Prince Bandar's slightly trembling arm.

His voice was still hoarse and flat, yet it carried the weight of final judgment:

“Your Highness, please. The Crown Prince awaits the truth, and the Faith awaits clarification.”

Bandar's empty eyes were instantly ignited by extreme fear and madness!

He turned around abruptly and saw Muhammad's cold, judge-like eyes!
I saw Walid's all-knowing gaze hidden beneath his "leisurely" mask!

I saw the undisguised indifference on the faces of the steward of the Sudri faction and the leaders of the nine major tribes, as if they were looking at the dead!
"No! You can't do this!"

Prince Bandar let out a hoarse howl, like a trapped beast on its deathbed.

"I am a prince! I am the eldest son of the Sudri family! You have no proof!"

The UAE... the crown princes of the UAE are still alive!

This is a blatant conspiracy! It was you! You set this up!

"You dare touch me?! This is a diplomatic incident!"

He hysterically waved his arms, pointing in the direction of Muhammad and Walid, trying to mask his inner collapse with a final act of madness.

His carefully constructed illusion that he "wouldn't dare to lash out on the spot out of consideration for the royal family's reputation" was completely shattered by the exposed SAR and the royal family's efficient and ruthless operation to close in.

However, the desperate cries of the crown princes of the various emirates of the UAE acted as a guide, instantly drawing people's attention to the UAE nobility!

The crown princes of the emirate and several key members of their entourage turned green with rage.

From the moment their SAR equipment was publicly dismantled and exposed, they hid in a corner, trying their best to minimize their presence...

On Saudi territory, they used modified fighter jets to conduct reconnaissance of Saudi Arabia's core defense intelligence, and were caught red-handed by Saudi state television broadcasting it live globally...

This is a textbook example of a diplomatic disaster!

At that moment, their only thought was: Will we be able to leave Riyadh alive?

There's no way around it; the unfriendly historical ties, the utter injustice, coupled with the well-known lawlessness and vindictiveness of the Saudi royal family members, especially the new generation of princes, spoiled by power and wealth...

Given the overwhelming evidence of espionage, the fact that these "foreign spy chiefs" were "accidentally" killed on the spot by angry Saudi princes would likely prevent the international community from even organizing a proper protest!
Espionage is a crime you'll never commit anywhere, and you'll never be protected!

At this moment, Bandar's desperate cry dragged them from the shadows into the spotlight, putting them on the hot seat!
Several chieftains and crown princes felt countless cold, angry, and probing gazes instantly focus on them, like tangible blades!
Especially at the highest point of the viewing platform, Muhammad's seemingly emotionless yet unfathomable gaze swept over them like an invisible hammer!
A tremendous fear instantly gripped them.

Crown Prince Hamdan of Dubai reacted the fastest, jumping up from his seat as if he had been electrocuted!

A handsome face that would make any man envious immediately plastered with a sincere, apologetic smile. Facing Muhammad, he waved his hands repeatedly and shouted in a volume loud enough for everyone to hear:

"We believe this is entirely an internal matter of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia!"
We fully respect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's right to conduct an independent investigation and its jurisdiction over this matter!
We believe that under His Highness Muhammad's wise leadership, the truth will surely come to light!
Any act that undermines the friendship between the Shah brothers will be severely punished!

We are willing to cooperate with all necessary measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia!

Crown Prince Hamdan spoke quickly and urgently, as if he wanted to have the word "cut off" etched on his forehead.

The other UAE crown princes nodded and echoed the sentiments like chickens pecking at rice.

At this moment, their faces were filled with a mixture of fear and obsequiousness, as if they were saying, "We are just passersby, we know nothing, please pretend we don't exist."

Whether the Saudis believe it or not is not their business.

Nobody's a fool; Mohammed ordered the confiscation of cell phones precisely for the purpose of negotiation.
It's certain that Saudi Arabia will take a piece of our flesh, but that's a matter for the big bosses to negotiate in secret.

Right now, we absolutely must not stubbornly suffer immediate losses.

After all, this is a group of tribal people who can behead their own princes and princesses and stone them to death, all while wearing the guise of a modern nation.

So, face is nothing to worry about.

And so, Bandar's roar was like a stone thrown into a deep pool, causing no ripples.

The only response he received was an even more deathly silence on the viewing platform, and the steady, powerful footsteps of the religious police drawing ever closer.

He stood there all alone, looking at the eager faces of the UAE crown princes who were trying to distance themselves from the situation, and he finally understood what it meant to be abandoned by everyone and what it meant to be doomed.

Bandar's knees buckled, and with a thud, he collapsed to the ground as if his spine had been ripped out.

His expensive white robe was covered in dust, and his meticulously styled hair was disheveled. The once arrogant prince now looked like a lump of mud.

Preil Zaid said no more, giving a signal with a glance.

Two religious police officers immediately stepped forward and, as if dragging an inanimate object, lifted the limp Prince Bandar up.

His feet dragged limply on the ground, the hem of his robe scraping against the steps, leaving a disheveled mark, as he was mercilessly dragged away from the stage of power he had personally orchestrated, the stage that ultimately buried him.

A breathtaking power struggle has come to an end in this dramatic and ruthless manner.

Walid exhaled softly and tossed the last small date pit into the silver plate, making a soft, tinkling sound.

With the dust settled and the gains substantial, the long-term crisis of the Talal faction has been temporarily averted.

He looked up and gazed at Muhammad.

Muhammad happened to turn his head as well.

Their eyes met, and their gazes exchanged silently in the air.

In Muhammad's eyes burned the flames of victory and a burning ambition for an even greater future power.

But deep within Walid's smiling eyes, a hint of excitement and anticipation flickered.

Watching Bandar being dragged away like a dead dog, he couldn't help but swallow hard.

Walid could almost hear the roar of the vault doors being violently broken open!
As Lord Wei, the Duke of Luding in the East, once said, confiscating property is definitely a skill!

Although he is the sole heir of the Talal family, all of the Talal family's immense wealth will belong to him in the future.

but!

That's in the future!

just now!

Who could resist these little coins that grow legs, jingle, and frantically rush into their arms?

Bandar lacks the funds to revitalize his assets, but he doesn't lack them himself!
Bandar is secretly developing shale oil, but he could just sell it directly to the government!

Only a lunatic would go and try to mine that huge shale oil pit!

$15 billion can leverage and activate assets worth tens of billions of dollars...

He felt that his uncle, the "Middle Eastern Buffett," had pulled off a brilliant move by buying up Citibank at rock-bottom prices, which was utterly rubbish compared to what he was doing now!

Investing? Nothing beats making money fast!

……

(End of this chapter)