Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 133 Hashim

"Contact the Western media! We must strongly condemn Shuangzhi's dictatorial behavior! This is a trampling on national sovereignty and a contempt for international law!" King Setis looked at his bruised and battered face in the mirror, his anger barely contained.

After the United Nations General Assembly concluded, he returned to the Kingdom of Hashim. As soon as the hatch opened, he heard a commotion coming from afar.

As the bulletproof car drove back to the palace from the airport, he saw many people protesting with torches and banners along the way.

"What's going on? Have those Arafatians rebelled again?" King Setis noticed that there were many guards maintaining order at the scene, and even the number of armored vehicles in the escort convoy had doubled.

“Well, not entirely, Your Majesty,” the palace intelligence officer explained. “Ever since the media reported that we had reached an agreement with Zion, these Arafatians have started to gather and protest.”

King Setis's face darkened, and he cursed, "These ungrateful wretch!"

The Hashim's connection with Arafat in modern times can be traced back to the First Arab-Israeli War, when Zion invaded Arafat, and many Arafat people had to leave their homes and flee to the Hashim and Surya.

At that time, the king of Hashim—who was Setis's father—had a policy of "accepting all refugees."

This also led to a surge in the number of Arafat within the Hashim territory.

This number peaked in the later stages of the Six-Day War, at one point exceeding 60% of the national population.

Yes, that's right. The country of Hashim is now 60% Arafat.

The old king's idea was good; the increased population would bring more tax revenue and strengthen the country's military power. However, he overlooked a very serious problem—the Hashemite's political stance was more neutral, while 99% of the Arafat were extremely anti-Zionist.

Therefore, when it comes to the issue of Zion, these people's voices can no longer be suppressed.

“Father shouldn’t have pitied these refugees back then; they’re all ingrates!” King Setis said with a look of hatred.

But looking at the seemingly endless crowd, he felt a sudden, inexplicable fear.

"A special envoy from the United Kingdom has arrived in the Kingdom and wishes to discuss cooperation with you," the intelligence officer informed Setis of another piece of news.

United Kingdom?
A complex expression appeared on King Setis's gloomy face.

Even before World War II, Hashem was a colony of the United Kingdom, and even the Hashemite royal family was appointed by the United Kingdom.

However, at that time, people did not feel that there was anything wrong with it; on the contrary, they became rich because of being colonized.

Relations between the two countries had always been good until the United Kingdom supported Zion in waging war.

"What do they want to discuss?" King Setis asked.

Intelligence Officer: "The United Kingdom said it would provide us with military assistance to help us build a defense system against internal and external armed threats, and even provide us with the chieftains and other weapons that are supplied to Zion."

They will also provide Hashim with economic aid to avoid economic blockades from other Arab countries.”

King Setis's hand trembled involuntarily.

After the war, Hashim became a traitor to the Arab world and was isolated by all the surrounding countries. Currently, several Arab countries, including Shuangzhi, have announced that they have severed diplomatic relations with Hashim.

The other party's proposals hit the nail on the head, and each piece of assistance could greatly alleviate Hashim's current predicament.

How much are they willing to provide?

King Setis's wrinkles seemed to deepen; he knew this was a cup of poison. Once he agreed to the United Kingdom, Hashim would no longer be a member of the Arab world, but it seemed that his options were dwindling.

"We'll need to discuss the specifics with you in person," the intelligence officer replied.

King Setis nodded, having already made his decision.

Upon arrival at the palace, the palace guards saluted.

Where are the gentlemen from the United Kingdom?

"Your Majesty, in the meeting room."

King Setis nodded and walked toward the meeting hall.

Perhaps because he was in too much of a hurry, he didn't notice that the Circassian officers who were originally on guard duty had been replaced.

Upon reaching the door of the council chamber, King Setis calmed his chaotic emotions, put on a composed smile, and pushed open the door:
"Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen."

But what he saw shocked King Setis.

Two cold corpses lay slumped in chairs, eyes wide open staring at the ceiling, blood still seeping from holes in their chests. The United Kingdom's envoy had been murdered in his palace. Setis shouted, "Who did this! Who did this?!"

“I did it, Father.”

The voice came from behind him, and a throng of footsteps sounded behind the king. He turned around and saw his eldest son, Taric.

When he saw Arafat's ministers around his son, he immediately understood everything.

"Your decisions during the war disappointed the nation and the Arab world, which is why we are now facing this predicament."

Prince Tariq looked over his father's shoulder and down at the two lifeless envoys. His tone was serious: "I cannot continue to stand by and watch you drag this country into an even deeper abyss. That would make us utterly despised. As your eldest son, what I must do now is to correct the mistakes you have made!"

"You want to be an enemy of Zion?"

Prince Taric proudly declared, "Exactly!"

King Setis closed his eyes in anguish.

Ruined.

It's all over.

He looked at his son, on whom he had placed high hopes, and slowly said, "Do you know what has been the foundation of Hashim's livelihood?"

Prince Tariq paused for a moment, then replied decisively, "It is the wise rule of the royal family and the support of the people!"

“No,” King Setis shook his head, “it is the stability of the surrounding countries, the relations that maintain international peace.”

His voice echoed in the conference hall, hoping to bring his son back to his senses: "Because we have neither the support of colonial empires like Zion, nor the long history of Masr, nor the inexhaustible oil resources of Shuangzhi."

Our most developed sector is the service industry—sending our children abroad to earn money in other countries and then using that money to support the Hashim.

That's why, even though your father and your grandfather have always been despised as 'opportunists,' we still have to adopt a policy of appeasing everyone on multiple fronts.

King Setis's voice suddenly rose, his eyes widening: "Do you think I don't want to attack Zion?! Do you think I want to watch my people suffer? If I had the ability, why wouldn't I do it?!"

For a moment, Prince Tarek was in a daze, feeling as if he had done something wrong.

"Your Highness, things have come to this point; there is no turning back," Minister Arafat advised. "You are only one step away from ascending the throne!"

Upon hearing the word "throne," Taric did not hesitate and stepped forward, saying, "Father, please abdicate."

The other ministers followed suit, saying, "Your Majesty, please abdicate."

Setis looked at the group of people in front of him and was utterly desperate: "You are the ones who dragged Hashim into the abyss."

He was fully aware of the consequences of making an enemy of Zion.

Twins have already declared war on Zion. That guy named Amir is a smart bastard and would never choose Twins as the battleground. The buffer zone between the two countries is undoubtedly Hashim.

This country will be consumed by war until one side achieves complete victory.

But what could he do at this point? King Setis slumped into his chair, finally accepting the situation, and said wearily, "What other demands do you have? Make them all at once."

Tariq: "I would like to ask Father to admit that you personally killed these two agents of the United Kingdom."

".good."

Tariq hesitated for a moment, then said, “I want my father to return to the embrace of God.”

King Setis looked at his son for a long time, and finally nodded: "Very well."

Prince Tarik seemed relieved, and his expression was even somewhat pleased.

The guards immediately prepared to leave.

In his final moments, King Setis rose and slowly walked to the window. He looked out at the flames that seemed to merge into one, illuminating even the sky.

His vision blurred, and he vaguely heard the roar of airplanes and cannons.

(End of this chapter)