Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 197 Saints (Part 4)

Shuangzhi, Riyadh.

The headlines of major radio stations and newspapers were dominated by the same shocking news that reverberated throughout the country—

King Shams bin Abdulaziz Al Saud passed away in his sleep at the age of seventy, due to a rapid deterioration in his health.

The obituary swept across the country like a desert storm, reaching every inch of land from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea in just one day.

The state funeral was held at Riyadh’s largest temple, where the king’s body was carried slowly from the new palace to the temple by several young and strong male members of the royal family.

Along the streets, countless citizens spontaneously gathered to see off the monarch who had ruled them for decades as he completed his final journey.

In accordance with Islamic tradition and royal rites, the king's funeral was solemn and simple, with no burial goods, signifying equality before God.

The funeral service was presided over by the Grand Mufti. There was no music or hymns during the service, only devout prayers to God for forgiveness and mercy for the deceased.

On the day of the funeral, the prince, ministers, chiefs of major tribes... almost all the prominent figures in Shuangzhi were present.

The Grand Mufti, addressing the guests from all sides, offered his condolences to the King:
"We gather here today not only to mourn a king, but also to mourn the helmsman who led Shuangzhi out of poverty."

Under his brilliant leadership, Shuangzhi transformed from a barren land covered in yellow sand into the prosperous nation it is today.

Outside the temple, countless ordinary people were also praying for the deceased king.

Although they did not understand the power shifts or the grand prospects for development, they knew that the "National Welfare and Development Fund" initiated by King Shams was truly improving their lives.

That was enough to make them remember the king's kindness.

……

After the funeral, in the reception hall of the palace, Prince Mohammed stood at the head of the line of relatives, receiving dignitaries who came to pay their respects.

He was wearing a black Arabic robe today, exuding a low-key and reserved demeanor.

However, in the eyes of many, this new leader of the Sudri faction has accumulated even more prestige than before.

The other Sudri brothers stood solemnly around the coffin, their faces filled with grief. Each mourner stepped forward to greet them, expressing their sorrow for the king's passing.

“A true leader has left us…”

"May God grant him the highest seat in Paradise..."

Muhammad shook hands with one prince or tribal chief after another, his face displaying just the right amount of sorrow and comfort.

The vast majority of princes expressed their deepest condolences, but a small number of princes only made a brief appearance at the king's funeral.

For example, powerful princes such as Talal and Yasir simply shook hands with Muhammad and then walked aside to talk quietly with other conservative princes, their expressions appearing quite indifferent.

Prince Muhammad's expression remained unchanged.

He knew perfectly well that the death of King Shams was far more than just the loss of a monarch for Shuangzhi. It meant that the fragile balance between the progressives and conservatives, which had lasted for decades, had been completely shattered.

All the hypocritical pleasantries, meticulous calculations, and superficial pretenses are no longer important at this moment.

Now, the two kingdoms must elect a new king.

Just then, an old prince, also dressed in a black robe, walked over with a cane in his hand.

The visitor was none other than the current Crown Prince of Shuangzhi, Prince Walid, whose age was second only to King Shams.

"Shams, my dear brother, his passing was so sudden. He was so wise; it's such a pity."

Prince Walid held Muhammad's hand and spoke many words reminiscing about the past, while the latter's face showed just the right amount of sorrow.

Prince Walid rambled on for a long time before finally saying, "How wonderful it would be if we could find a monarch as wise as him to inherit the great cause of Shuangzhi."

Muhammad gazed at his brother, remaining silent.

Prince Walid said to himself, "Muhammad, I am getting old and my energy is not what it used to be... Perhaps we need to find a place... to have a good talk about important matters concerning this country."

His gaze swept over the cabinet members standing on one side of the funeral hall.

Walid: "At least, before a new king is elected."

Muhammad was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly: "I understand." He then turned to Aziz, who was busy at the funeral, and instructed him: "After the reception, arrange a quiet place."

Aziz nodded: "Yes."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Damascus.

"Your Excellency, the assassin has been captured!"

"Bring him here."

Two soldiers dragged Benjamin, who was lying there like a dead dog, over.

Lu Lin frowned: "What, can't he walk by himself?"

He then noticed that the assassin's crotch was covered in blood, and there was a hole in the fabric on the inside of his thigh.

"what happened?"

The soldier explained, "While we were escorting him, the crowd recognized him and swarmed him, castrating him. If we hadn't acted quickly, he would have been torn to pieces!"

Lu Lin raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "What crimes did he commit?"

Another soldier saluted and replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency, this man is named Benjamin Gantz Galant, a colonel in the General Staff's reconnaissance team. He is rumored to be a close confidant of Hilbert and specializes in terrorist activities in Damascus. He has killed hundreds, if not thousands, of Arabs!"

Benjamin struggled to lift his head, laughing wildly: "The Sword of God? Gibraltar? Kill me! Even if I die, you cannot avenge the dead! My life has been enough!"

Lu Lin looked at him and asked, "Have you forgotten that there are other Zion immigrants and your soldiers in this city?"

Benjamin's smile froze.

Lu Lin continued, "I swear to God, I will collect interest from you tenfold. If I can't raise the money, I will storm into Tel Aviv and stay there until you pay off your debt."

Seeing Benjamin's trembling eyes, Lu Lin leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I happen to know a way to atone for my sins, so let's start with you."

Then he waved his hand: “Find a large cross and nail his hands and feet to it until he bleeds to death.”

Benjamin was terrified and cried out hoarsely, "No! You can't—"

But before he could finish speaking, he was dragged away by the soldiers.

After capturing the government building, it was as if most of Damascus had been completely liberated, and the puppet government that Zion had established in the city also collapsed completely.

The leader of the puppet government, Avi Katsav, shot himself in his office.

The guerrillas tied his body to a pole on the roof of a car and paraded it through the streets.

However, at least he no longer felt humiliated.

Currently, Zion's resistance is concentrated in two main areas: the outer perimeter of the northern city and the wealthy eastern city. Zion's resistance remains fierce.

At this moment, another soldier came to report: "Lieutenant General, an urgent telegram from the General Staff."

"Oh?" Lu Lin took the radio. "This is Amir."

The voice of UN Special Envoy Elanderson came through the receiver: "Your Highness Amir, we have just received a message from Yukustov..."

"Who?" Lu Lin thought he had misheard.

“Yukustov, the highest-ranking military commander in Zion in Damascus,” Elandson explained, “has expressed his willingness to surrender and ceasefire, but hopes to meet with you in person.”

Lu Lin fell silent. Having just survived an assassination attempt, he was unwilling to take any more risks.

“If the fighting could stop here, at least hundreds or thousands of lives could be saved. But it is indeed dangerous… Whether you go or not is your own decision,” Elandson added.

Why does he insist on seeing me?

“Yukustov seems to want to negotiate directly with you, or rather… he needs your assurances to feel at ease.”

Lu Lin pondered for a moment and finally nodded: "Okay, tell me the exact location."

(End of this chapter)