# Sonshi/The Employment of Spies

XIII. THE EMPLOYMENT OF SPIES.
Son the Master said:—
Calling 10,000 men to arms, and transporting them a hundred leagues, is such that in one day 1,000 taels of the citizens’ and state’s money are spent; domestic and foreign complications arise; industrial pursuits are neglected on the line of march of the army; and the occupations of 70,000 homes are upset.
Again, for years the armies may face each other ; yet the issue may depend on a single day’s victory.
Wherefore, by grudging slight expense in titles and salaries to spies, to remain in ignorance of the enemy’s circumstances, is the personification of cruelty. Such a person is no general; he is no assistance to his lord; he is no master of victory.
The enlightened ruler and the able general who act, win, and are distinguished beyond the common, are informed beforehand. ​This knowledge is not to be got by calling on gods and demons; nor does it come of past experience; nor calculation. It is through men that knowledge of the enemy is gained.
Now the five kinds of spies are these; local spies, inner spies, converted spies, death spies, living spies.
If these five means be employed simultaneously, none can discover their working. It is called the Mysterious Thread: it is the Lord’s Treasure.
Social spies are such people of the country as give information.
Inner spies are those of the enemy’s officials employed by us.
Converted spies are those of the enemy’s spies in our pay.
Death spies are sent to misinform the enemy; and to spread false reports through our spies already in the enemy’s lines.
Living spies return to report.
In connection with the main army, spies should be treated with the greatest confidence; and in dealing out reward, they should receive the most generous treatment. All matters relating to spies are secret.
Without infinite capacity in the general, the employment of spies is impossible. Their treatment requires benevolence and uprightness. Except they be treated ​with the nicest discretion, the truth will not be obtained from them.
There is no occasion when they cannot be used.
If a secret matter be spoken of before the time is ripe, the spy who told the matter, and the man who repeated the same, should be put to death.
If desirous of attacking an army; of besieging a fortress; or of killing a certain person; first of all, learn the names of the general in charge; of his right-hand men; of those who introduce visitors to the Presence; of the gate keeper and the sentries. Then set the spies to watch them.
Seek out the enemy’s spies who come to spy on us; give them money; cause them to be lodged and cared for; and convert them to the service. Through them we are enabled to obtain spies among the enemy’s villagers and officials.
By means of the converted spy, we can construct a false story for the death spy to carry to the enemy.
It is through the converted spy that we are able to use the five varieties, to their utmost advantage; therefore he must be liberally treated.
In ancient times the rise to power of the province of In was due to Ishi, who was of the country of Ka. Likewise Ryoga (Taikōbō) of the province of In, was of the greatest help to the country of Shu.
Wherefore, intelligent rulers and wise generals ​use the cleverest men as spies, and invariably acquire great merit. The spy is a necessity to the army. Upon him the movement of the army depends.
明治三十八年七月二十日印刷 明治三十八年七月廿五日發行 不許複製 （定價金三十錢）
編者　カルスロツプ 發行兼印刷者　龜井忠一　東京市神田區裏神保町一番地 發行所　三省堂書店　東京神田區裏神保町一番地 印刷所　三省堂印刷部　東京神田區三崎河岸第十二號地
* ↑ The population was divided for military purposes into groups of 8 families, from which, in time of war, one was taken, wherefore if 10,000 men are taken, 70,000 homes are affected. In Japan the unit was five, and a survival of this exists today. When moving into a new house presents of soba are sent to the two adjoining and three opposite houses—"Mukosangen, Ryodonari."
* ↑ This shows the importance and respect which spies were regarded. Spies toiled for years in the enemy’s service waiting their opportunity, and instances are known of their obtaining high rank and office without discovery. A spy was not infrequently a priest.
* ↑ So called because they are put to death when the enemy finds out that he has been tricked.
* ↑ Literally, right and left men, i.e. they who sat on either side.