The news that Yerif was deposed as the Crown Prince.
It didn't cause much of a stir in the international community.
At least compared with the military operations of a mercenary organization in the Mayadin region, this level of trivial matter was not enough to attract too much attention.
The Saudi Royal Family had more than 5,000 princes, and it didn't seem to matter if the next king was changed.
And this was probably the third time the old king had changed the Crown Prince. The last time was only 15 years ago.
However, what Yerif couldn't figure out was that the old king was very satisfied with his birthday gift some time ago and praised his work over the years, but now he suddenly changed his attitude and removed him from the position of Crown Prince.
Looking at Little Salman who ascended to the position of Crown Prince, he felt a little upset. Although he smiled and congratulated the other party, he couldn't help but pout in his mind. His highly educated brother may have a hand in the economy, but he didn't think he was more suitable to be the new king.
Not only did Yerif not understand, but many bystanders also didn't understand.
It was true that from the head of the Prince's Cabinet to the Secretary of State, Little Salman showed extraordinary political talent when Old Salman was still the Prince of Saudi Arabia. However, Yerif's achievements were also not weak, especially in the field of military and diplomacy.
During his tenure as the Deputy Minister of the Interior and Minister of State, he was known as the "Prince of Counter-Terrorism" and "Spy Expert". The former UA Secretary of Defense and the former CIA Director have highly praised Yerif as the smartest and most successful Saudi Prince. Yerif himself once led the battle against Al Qaeda. Out of fear of him, he was assassinated at least three times.
"He led the battle against terrorism, and his achievements are real." Awad Badi, a researcher and scholar at the King Faisal Academic Research Center, said he believed that Yerif effectively suppressed a series of attacks by Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia.
However, as a clear-cut anti-terrorist fighter, he obviously didn't win the favor of the old king.
The Saudi royal family's attitude toward terrorist organizations has always been quite ambiguous.
On the one hand, they tried to avoid getting themselves into trouble and stayed away from the fanatics of the same religion, and even assisted the international community in suppressing them. However, on the other hand, they were sympathetic to the fanatics of the same religion and even secretly supported them.
The old king didn't want to see the hound that lingered at the door fall, at least not now.
Moreover, a united Syria dominated by the Ten Leaf Sect was not in line with Saudi Arabia's interests in the Middle East. As for how much blood the heretics and heathens would shed, as a devout believer, he did not care.
In a magnificent palace, a man stood in front of the aged king. His name was Edan, and he was the Saudi Intelligence Minister appointed by Old Salman.
"Bagdadi was killed."
"Okay, I know."
The old king slowly closed his eyes. After a long time, he opened his eyes and looked at Idan.
"Did you find out what I asked you to investigate?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." "It has been confirmed that the mercenary organization fighting in Syria is supported by Celestial Trade. Crown Prince Yerif and Jordanian businessmen provide access from the Red Sea to northern Syria. Until three months ago, they used to ship supplies through our port. "
A hint of disgust flashed in the old king's eyes.
He hated Celestial Trade, although 80% of Saudi Arabia's fresh water supply depended on Xin. He didn't believe that these businessmen, who were not bound by the law, would abide by the bottom line, especially after Celestial Trade developed oil crops and produced petroleum-like products as chemical raw materials, which impacted international oil prices.
Therefore, when Celestial Trade pushed the Global Grid to the Middle East, Old Salman had been obstructing it.
Of course, he was not arrogant enough to think that Saudi Arabia could defeat an opponent that the UA couldn't defeat, nor was he arrogant enough to think that Saudi Arabia had the ability to have a head-on conflict with Celestial Trade. Everything he did was to prevent Saudi Arabia from completely turning to Celestial Trade. After handing over the freshwater market, he also gave up the National Grid.
Then the Mayadin military operation occurred. Tens of thousands of white phosphorus bombs slaughtered their "compatriots" in the cruelest way.
If he only hated Celestial Trade before, the old king now had a trace of disgust.
"Your Majesty …" Idan hesitated for a moment, then said.
Seeing that his intelligence minister was hesitant to speak, the old king slowly said.
"Go ahead."
"Yerif is very close to Celestial Trade. If we change the Crown Prince at this time, will it stimulate Celestial Trade … They recently won in Syria, and there are still more than 10,000 mercenaries who haven't withdrawn from the Middle East. I'm worried …"
Old Salman's sharp eyes looked at Idan, and the latter quickly lowered his head.
After a long time, the old king retracted the sharpness in his eyes, pondered for a moment, and slowly said.
"This is exactly what I'm worried about."
"I suggest that Yerif temporarily step down from the position of Minister of the Interior and become the new National Security Adviser to the people to weaken Yerif's power in the royal family …" The proposal on the royal family's domestic affairs was very risky because it could easily touch the old king's sensitive nerves. If it weren't for Old Salman's confidant for many years, Idan would not have made such a risky move.
Because he already had a hunch that the power struggle in the royal family was intensifying. If it could not be effectively controlled, it was destined to set off a "sandstorm" that swept the entire kingdom …
"You're right, Idan," Old Salman sighed. Old Salman sighed. "The Saudi Crown Prince should not be a puppet of a country or organization."
After a pause, a sharp glint flashed in Old Salman's eyes.
At this moment, he seemed to have returned to the days when he was in high spirits, and all the turbidity faded from the mottled wrinkles of time. He must make a decision to pave the way for his son. Otherwise, once he passed away, the entire country would fall into the vortex of power struggle …
"Let Yerif …"
Suddenly, the old king's eyes widened.
Idan was taken aback for a moment, his expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
On this day, the entire palace was in chaos, and the entire city of Riyadh was under martial law.
Checkpoints were set up on the main roads in and out of the city, and heavily armed soldiers walked through the streets. The citizens in the city didn't know the news of the king's death for the time being. They just looked at the soldiers on duty on the streets, as well as the armored vehicles and tanks that passed by their homes.
Idan quickly walked out of the palace. He ordered people to block the news, and then arranged for the troops stationed near the capital to enter the city. After doing all this, he quickly rushed to Yerif's palace with a group of agents.
However, in Yerif's palace, he didn't find the former crown prince. After inquiring from the servants, he learned that His Royal Highness happened to be out and would only be back in a few days.
After surrounding Yerif's palace, Idan immediately found Young Salman and arranged for him to ascend the throne as soon as possible while sending people to track down Yerif's whereabouts.
He didn't know that Yerif happened to be on the border and was staying with the mercenaries of Celestial Trade. When he learned that his palace was surrounded by the old king's confidants, he didn't dare to go back. He ran directly to the desert in eastern Jordan and lived in the Celestial Trade mercenary camp.
On the next day, one of his confidants risked his life to send a message.
It was only then that Yerif realized what had happened in Riyadh in just one day.
Who would have thought that His Majesty would pass away at this time …
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