Hence it is that with none in the whole army are more intimate
relations to be maintained than with spies.
The original text and the _T‘u Shu_ have 事 in place of the first
親. Tu Mu and Mei Yao-ch‘ên point out that the spy is privileged to
enter even the general’s private sleeping-tent. Capt. Calthrop has
an inaccurate translation: “In connection with the armies, spies
should be treated with the greatest kindness.”
None should be more liberally rewarded.
Frederick concludes his chapter on spies with the words: “Zu allem
diesem füge ich noch hinzu, dass man in Bezahlung der Spions
freygebig, ja verschwenderisch seyn muss. Ein Mench, der um eures
Dienstes halber den Strick waget, verdienet dafür belohnet zu
werden.”
In no other business should greater secrecy be preserved.
Tu Mu gives a graphic touch: 出口入耳也, that is to say, all
communications with spies should be carried on “mouth-to-ear.”
Capt. Calthrop has: “All matters relating to spies are secret,”
which is distinctly feeble. An inferior reading for 密 is 審. The
following remarks on spies may be quoted from Turenne, who made
perhaps larger use of them than any previous commander: “Spies
are attached to those who give them most, he who pays them ill is
never served. They should never be known to anybody; nor should
they know one another. When they propose anything very material,
secure their persons, or have in your possession their wives
and children as hostages for their fidelity. Never communicate
anything to them but what it is absolutely necessary that they
should know.”[187]