[Daehanjeiguk]

The Emperor called for Marshal Ma to impart his instruction once again at the Imperial Palace in Hangyeong. His Majesty was concerned that intelligence in the Empire was lacking and sought advice to make it more efficient.

(馬 - Ma)
(皇 - Emperor)

皇: We have looked at our neighbors, and despite what you have said of uncertain intentions, we still have little idea of what they plan. I have consulted with other generals and they all agree that this is very dangerous for us. What is the way to the Method?

馬: The Method dictates one thing – we must control information. We must know what the enemy does not wish for us to know, and they must know precisely what we wish them to know. It is fitting for us to know what our enemy intends, but it is more important that the enemy does not know what we intend, for they will then be controlling information. In this manner, it is necessary to consult with the Classics (SMC) and determine the ways to employ spies.

皇: There are so many ways to employ spies, and I have them all. But this is not so much of dealing with spies as it deals with information. What is the Method to dealing with information?

馬: The enemy will only act upon information that it possesses. If the information they possess is faulty, they will act faultily. If they possess information that is true, then they will act correctly. It is important to guard against displaying information that is valuable and may aid the enemy. In general, there are four types of information. The first of these is false information; the second of these is half-truth; the third of these is facts; and the fourth of these is secret. You must guard against false information, be wary of half-truths, cherish facts, and seek out the secrets.

Information that is absolutely false is simply false information. They are lies contrived by the state to deceive the enemy. They are the easiest information to uncover for the enemy has no reason to hide it. It is easy for His Majesty to review false information and become incensed with it because often false information is very well described and seems too perfect. The enemy may send delegations, claiming to aim for peace, even as his forces prepare quietly for war. This is especially dangerous but easy to uncover if His Majesty employs spies adequately, for they can easily turn false information to light. If His Majesty should encounter intelligence that is too perfect, he must immediately question it authenticity. If it is false, we may be yet able to use this information against the enemy.

Information that is true but does not speak it thoroughly is a half-truth. They are lies as well, but they speak truth in some manner. Often, the enemy wishes to deceive the enemy by employing a half-truth – speaking half of the truth and letting the Sovereign assume the rest of the story. The enemy may deploy his forces directly in your sight, to make you assume that his main attack will come in a certain direction. But guard against such maneuvers, as the enemy may plan a secret attack to disorient your forces and snatch victory from you; he will attack where you least expect it. This is the most dangerous of all information, for if the enemy gives you half-truths, you must be cautious of using it, and if you employ it against it, they may discover the whole truth. But if it is used well, the half-truth can become the greatest weapon of the State.

Information that is true and yields nothing of great importance is a fact. This is the simplest of all information to uncover, since they often yield nothing significant for the state. But His Majesty must even pay attention to the slightest details for they can tell you more than what is given in the information. A state that begins consuming a great amount of refined metals is likely building for future war. A state that has purchased a great number of weapons is likely preparing for a near war. A state that has launched its fleet is ready for war. Though small, these details can give the state more information and makes us more aware of our enemies’ intentions. The same details can also leak information of our intentions in the same manner, so we must be wary of the facts that we leave behind.

Information that is true and is critical for the security of the state is secret and must be guarded thoroughly. The secret is the most prized information in intelligence, and the Method to attaining secrets is three-fold; employing spies in the enemy’s territory for many years, employing the enemy’s spies against him, and to trading them in strategic exchanges. Of these three, the last is the most precarious and I would guard against it. But the first two are vital and the Masters have all given their advice on how to employ spies of all sorts. The secret is of the greatest importance and it is the principal aim of the Method – to uncover secrets is of greatest importance in intelligence and of these, there are two: the secrets left in paper and the secrets left in thought. Secrets found in paper are those that the enemy has guarded in archives and are easy for our spies to uncover. Secrets in thought are those that the enemy has left in elite circles and not necessarily put on paper. These secrets are the most difficult to attain, and often the least efficient to pursue. It is important to judge the necessity of the information sought in order to weigh the costs of pursuing it.

皇: We easily know of the Facts, but of Secrets – how do we distinguish them from False Information and Half-Truths?

馬: Always check your sources, and double check them. Be certain that your information is verified by at least two different sources. If you have two different sources confirming the same information, it is likely to be either a Half-Truth or a Secret. If you find that many sources have exactly the same information, it is most likely a Secret. At times, the enemy may employ extravagant methods to distorting the truth, and hence to procure facts and secrets from them becomes exceedingly difficult. But the most important is to have many sources verifying the same details.

皇: Let us suppose that I have two different sources reporting two different details of information. I have investigated this matter thoroughly, and I have found that both sources have legitimate and verifiable support from other sources. How am I to determine whether one or the other is the truth?

馬: It is difficult, but as a general rule, if you find intelligence that seemingly contradicts the other and no other method is available to uncovering the truth, assume that the worse is the truth. If one message claims peace as the other claims for war, prepare for war. But do not give indication to your enemy that you are preparing for war, but rather reply solidly that you aim for peace. If your enemy discovers that you are preparing for war, the truth will be told at that time, and it is then possible to uncover which is truth without suffering tragedy.

皇: Let us suppose that the enemy seeks peace and has made every indication publicly to seeking peace, but the intelligence suggests that he is preparing for war. Which information is false?

馬: It is important for His Majesty to assume the worse and prepare for war. If he discovers that you are preparing for war, the truth shall be revealed at that time, and it is then possible to avoid conflict.

皇: It sounds much like games.

馬: The Method is a game, deadly and perhaps foolish. But if the State seeks to be strong, it must play thoroughly and employs its mastery with excellence. Only by commanding the information can the Sovereign stay above the other states.

SUMMARY
- Control the information that you receive and that you give.
- False information: be wary of it and double check your sources.
- Half-truth: don’t be satisfied with one little bit of the truth when you can have the whole.
- Fact: commonplace but not to be underestimated.
- Secret: have spies in place to uncover SIC information, also scout NS threads for the random SIC information about stuff and employ numerous spies across NS to have the up-to-date knowledge about all of your enemies.
- Share secrets sparingly and only if it’s of mutual benefit.
- Double check your sources before considering it at least a half-truth.