I was a prince in the Middle East

Chapter 34: Taking the blame for the worst, earning the most ruthless kicks!
Muhammad and Turki exchanged a quick glance.

Who should speak first?
Their eyes communicated silently in the air.

However, anyone who isn't blind can see that this is just a matter of passing the buck.

After all, what follows is really...

Not very shameless.

Finally, Turki bumped his brother with his shoulder, his eyes filled with a roguish "You're the boss, you take the fall" attitude.

Muhammad was also helpless.

To resolve his inner conflict with Turki, and most importantly, to reconcile with his parents, he must take on more responsibility.

His gaze fell on Walid's face, and he cleared his throat.

"Walid, my brother."

He spoke sincerely, “My father and our core decision-making team have been studying and discussing this report carefully for several days.”

The final conclusion is…

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, "We..."

I still hope you can continue to hold and effectively control this shale oil company, and don't... don't easily sell it off.

Um... it would be best to change the name. The original Kingdom Energy should be changed to...

For example... Walid Energy?

As soon as he finished speaking, even Muhammad himself felt his cheeks getting slightly hot.

He also knew that this request was truly shameless.

It's worth noting that Pioneer, Citroën, and ExxonMobil in the United States have offered more than $400 billion.

Not only are they now forbidding Walid from cashing out at high prices, but they also know that what lies ahead is a bottomless pit that could shatter people to pieces, yet they still encourage their own brothers to jump in.

No matter how noble the reason, it cannot conceal the true nature of this behavior.

Moreover, this is actually making Walid bear the brunt of criticism.

A name that will be vilified for all time.

When the American public realizes this later, they will definitely curse Walid so that his son will be born without an anus.

Muhammad licked his lips, and under Walid's mocking gaze, he quickened his pace.
"Of course! We're definitely not going to let you take the risks and face the infamy for nothing!"

All of them!

I'm referring to all the initial investment and the huge expenses incurred in subsequent operations, including purchasing the most advanced fracturing equipment, drilling new wells, and handling environmental compliance issues...

Uh... of course, we hope you're just going through the motions when it comes to environmental protection.

And so on, all the expenses are borne by... by the national treasury!
At the same time, the national treasury will compensate you for the profits from the normal sale of crude oil for each barrel of shale oil.

We have only one request…

Turki held his breath, watching Walid with expectant eyes.

Before Muhammad could finish speaking, Walid rolled his eyes at him, cutting him off.

"The only requirement is to harvest as much as possible, right?"
Before this mirage completely collapses, let's ruthlessly drain the Americans' remaining 'dark blood' from underground.

Harvest as much as you can, and dig as fast as you can.

It would be best to completely drain their water resources, pollute their land until nothing grows, and create enough social conflict and environmental mess, right?

He stated that he was simply a ruthless scapegoat.

In fact, this was Walid's own plan.

Having traveled back from the future, he knew all too well what kind of mess shale oil was all about.

If they didn't rip off the Americans to the bone, they would be doing a disservice to the nine-year compulsory education system.

However, he couldn't say this himself, so he had previously encouraged Muhammad and his group to seek out Chinese experts.

The reason is actually very simple.

China has the world's largest reserves of oil shale and shale oil, accounting for 25% of the world's total. But why has China only conducted experimental mining and focused more on scientific research?
The intricacies of this matter were thoroughly understood by expert teams from China University of Mining and Technology and Ocean University of China as early as 2008.

However, he was willing to take the blame.

It's incredibly satisfying to be able to cause trouble for the Americans.

"hey-hey……"

Muhammad and Turki both grinned at the same time.

That smile was full of unspoken understanding, like "you understand me."

Turki nodded vigorously and added:
"That's right! Let those arrogant bastards taste what it's like to have their own bubbles explode in their faces!"

In the end, they were left with a mess and nothing to do!

Muhammad's eyes were burning with fervor. "Aren't they using shale oil to suppress our oil prices?"
Great! We'll use their 'revolution' to turn the tables and make them our 'floor price'!
Their lousy shale oil production is ridiculously expensive; it must cost at least $65 a barrel just to break even, right?

Moreover, once the sweet spot of shale oil is exhausted, the cost will soar to at least $90 per barrel.

Therefore, as long as their oil wells are still gushing, international oil prices will never again be manipulated by them to rise and fall as they used to!
This is tantamount to indirectly providing a solid floor for Saudi Arabia's crude oil supply!

The more they dig, the more they'll lose later, and the stronger their safety net will be for us!

Walid looked at his two brothers' undisguised excitement at "ripping off America without hesitation," and then looked down at the report on the table detailing the various disastrous consequences of shale oil extraction.

He couldn't help but raise his hand and pinch the space between his eyebrows.

This feeling is... indescribable.

Environmental protection? Sustainable development?

In the face of naked geopolitical games and national interests, it is as fragile as a piece of waste paper.

but……

He then thought about it again.

Since the Salman family has taken care of everything—equipment, funding, and the most troublesome aspect of operation and management—using state resources, the risks have been effectively isolated.

So, what does this shale oil company, registered under the name "Walid Energy," mean to him?
A cash cow with a never-ending supply.

Make a lot of money?
That's wishful thinking.

After all, the state provides a safety net.

The government covers all the expenses, but you get all the revenue?

Was it because Muhammad's knife wasn't sharp enough, or because his own neck was too stiff?
If even written promises from political animals are unreliable, how much less so verbal ones?

Muhammad is on good terms with his buddies now, making grand promises, but what about the future?
Once power is consolidated, will the "make-up profits" clause seem too painful?
Besides, that's not how a brother should act.

It's just a matter of sharing the net profits.

After all, losing money is impossible.

Although shale oil production is a laborious process with high costs and low returns, its low cost is undeniable!

The reason why US shale oil companies suffered huge losses in the later stages was that they operated with debt.

Interest on capital and the costs of layered financial derivatives transactions are the main reasons for the losses of US shale oil companies.

Walid, on the other hand, would never have this problem, which would naturally reduce its costs significantly.

risk?

The greatest risks have already been mitigated by the state apparatus through its substantial funds and complex operations.

income?

Every barrel of oil extracted from the oil field, after deducting the costs, the remaining profit flows directly into Walid's personal pocket!
With oil prices soaring, he's eating meat.

Oil prices fell below the cost of shale oil, prompting the government to make up for the normal profits from crude oil.

Moreover, this is essentially a "front-running" scheme in crude oil trading.

He knew all too well how tempting this option structure, which offered a "guaranteed floor and no upper limit," was.

It was a sure-fire way to make money. The words "sure-fire way to make money" swirled in Walid's mind, like a magnet drawing him in.

Playing this way, you can make money faster than drawing candlestick charts!
All Walid needs to invest is his future reputation.

To put it bluntly, he's just a "high-class white glove" with a title, a glamorous signboard that attracts the firepower of the Americans and bears some of the blame from "international environmentalists".

A company that can generate a stable and huge cash flow without requiring him to expend too much effort...

Isn't this the "passive income" that countless capitalists in the past have dreamed of?

So what if my reputation is a little bad?
Money in your pocket and power in your hands—that's the only true principle.

Which of those vampires on Wall Street isn't infamous?
But did it prevent them from living in top-tier mansions and flying private jets?

"can."

Walid clicked his tongue, his brow furrowing into an exaggerated "川" shape, and flicked his finger on the report cover.
"You guys are really ruthless... You just throw away four or five hundred billion US dollars like that..."

He shrugged, a hint of resignation in his voice, "You guys won. I'll take the blame. I'll take the fall too! But..."

He slumped back into the leather seat, looking utterly dejected. "Let me make this clear first, I'll only step in when necessary."

For example, signing key documents, dealing with official inquiries from the United States, or the concerns of environmental organizations.

Daily operations, management, technical decisions, personnel arrangements...

I don't care about any of that, and I don't have the time or inclination.

If you're going to act, then act it out perfectly.

You need to act out scenes of pain and difficulty to make people feel grateful for your kindness;
After experiencing the pain and difficulty, a gritting decision to accept it will make the other person remember the favor more deeply.

"Of course! Of course!"

Overjoyed that he had finally agreed, Muhammad quickly patted his chest to assure him, fearing that he might go back on his word.

"You don't need to lift a finger when it comes to business matters!"

We will send our most capable and reliable personnel to take full responsibility.

We guarantee your 'Walid Energy' will operate efficiently, with oil production... well, meeting the principle of 'maximizing economic benefits'!

He changed the phrase "plucking to death" to a more elegant way, but everyone understands the meaning.

Turki stood by, grinning like a cat that had just stolen some fish.
"Yes, yes, brother, just relax and be your 'genius student' and wait to collect the money!"

Leave these dirty and tiring jobs to the professionals!
"I'll show those Texas and North Dakota rats what real desert efficiency is!"

Once the matter was settled, the atmosphere instantly relaxed.

Muhammad and Turki exchanged a satisfied look.

"Alright, let's not disturb our genius prince's revision any longer."

Muhammad stood up with a smile, patted Walid on the shoulder with a light touch.
"Do your best on your graduation exams in the middle of the month, and Turki and I will be waiting to throw you a celebration party!"

Turki also stood up and joined in the fun.

"I'll show those commoners what a 'royal mind' really looks like!"

Having said that, he pointed to the poster and raised an eyebrow at Walid.

"My dear brother, I know you're feeling very romantic right now."

I just want to tell you that it's perfectly normal for young people your age... well... to explore their own bodies.

But my dear brother, it's like playing tennis; you need an opponent.

You can practice your swing now, but don't overdo it, or you might hurt your elbow!

When you find the right partner someday, remember, competitions... require teamwork...

"The exam's over, bro'll get things arranged for you! How many do you want to play?"

Walid rolled his eyes at each of them, annoyed. "Get lost!"

"I understand! For the sake of the country's entertainment industry, Prince Walid endured humiliation and studied foreign cultures late into the night. His dedication is commendable!"

Muhammad joked with a smile as he walked toward the door.

Turki exaggeratedly made a "salute" gesture towards the poster, then laughed and followed his brother out of the study.

The door closed gently, shutting out the sounds from outside.

Silence returned to the study.

Walid did not immediately sit back down at his desk. Instead, he strolled over to the huge Girls' Generation poster and quietly looked at the vibrant and energetic girls on the screen.

Those snow-white thighs were still dazzling under the light.

For the country?

Promoting secularization?
To launch the entertainment industry?
What he said just now was half true and half false.

Indeed, this is partly the path that Saudi Arabia must take to break the deadlock in the future;

The fake part is that he's looking at these things purely because... well, they're pleasing to the eye.

Unfortunately, he didn't really like Girls' Generation.

He prefers T-ara.

Despite being embroiled in scandals, however...

That's the 'Perfect Face Group'!

Whether she's had plastic surgery or not is none of his business. She's not his wife. The main thing is that she's pleasing to the eye!
But in the Middle East, all you can buy are Girls' Generation posters.

It was even bought from Dubai.

However, in the desert kingdom filled with dogma and repression, this unconventional visual enjoyment was a spiritual sanctuary he reserved for himself.

He stretched out his finger, his fingertip lightly tracing the smooth printed surface of the poster, landing on the face of one of the members with a sweet smile, and muttered to himself, with a hint of self-mockery and amusement.

"So once a persona is established, it's really... hard to back down."

For a few barrels of black gold, my public image has completely collapsed.

I guess in the eyes of those 'international environmental girls' I'll be a demon with sores on my head and pus flowing from my feet.

Tsk…"

He withdrew his finger and turned to walk towards the desk.

The report on the environmental disaster caused by shale oil still lay quietly on the table.

Walid picked up the report and weighed its significance.

This report is both a scientific argument and a “license to do evil.”

"Americans..."

He murmured, his voice so soft that only he could hear it.

"Don't you guys like to boast about the shale oil revolution?"
Isn't it meant to suppress oil prices and undermine the foundation of Saudi Arabia?
Okay... then I'll help you... carry this revolution even more thoroughly.

Use your own technology to deplete your own resources, pollute your own land, and exhaust your own water.

Let's see if Wall Street's greed runs faster, or if the retribution of the environment and reality comes more fiercely.

"As for the infamy..."

He closed the report, tossed it casually onto a corner of his desk, and a nonchalant, roguish air about him.

Walid stated that the "unfailing sun of Saudi Arabia" doesn't care at all!

I sat back in the spacious leather seat and turned my gaze back to the unfolded textbook.

Under the lamplight, the profile of the academic prince looked somewhat tired.

On the poster, the girl group members still have bright smiles.

……

(End of this chapter)