Trade information

"Trade information?" you confirm her answer.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Please explain."

According to Meiyue, despite the special arrangements the trader has, it is impossible to establish a lucrative large scale trading route from your country to his, not when there are many other countries along the way. Rather than allow passage for the trader to go to your country, the nations might as well compel him to trade with them instead.

"So, the only reason he's allowed to pass through is because the size isn't big enough?"

"He will trade with all the countries along the way, selling and buying items here and there. By the time he arrives here, he only has enough of the original ware to supply Xiangqi's outpost as well as your castle, though you probably don't notice since the castle also imported similar items from neighboring countries."

"At vastly inflated price, no doubt." you sigh as one of your brilliant ideas is actually impractical. "Back to information trading."

"Your Majesty have your spies in neighboring countries, correct?"

You nod.

"What kind of information do they provide you?"

"Of course, military movement and polit... ah" you stop as you realize the point that she was trying to make. A country or nation cannot be measured simply through its military and politic. Economy and other factors would affect it as well. While a trader is not privy to information such as how much gold that kingdom has or how much grains are there in the granary, it is relatively simple to gauge how well a country is doing by looking at its trade.

In fact, your information network should be expanded to include such evaluation. But, it is not something you can do immediately. So, 'buying' information from traders is a good interim measures. Since they are traders, being called to the castle to entertain the king with their wares is normal and wouldn't rouse information.

"Wait," you say as yet another realization hits you, "Other countries are able to do this as well!"

"Yes, they can. But think about it clearly, Your Majesty. Even if you block this trader, another merchant will come into you country and do exactly that by just going to the market. The only real recourse available is to totally close the borders of the country."

"And destroy the trade," you groan.

"My father said that even if you don't do it, there's no guarantee that other people is ignorant to such method. Rather than trying to prevent information from going out and fail, one should operate on the assumption that the enemy will get hold of the information. "

That is true, you conclude. You have just found out about such a method of spying from Meiyue which means those from her country already use it. Thinking about objectively, Xiangqi is probably passing the information about your country to his.

"One should always assume that this kind of information can be obtained by other countries, just like one can obtain theirs," Meiyue repeated, as if knowing what's on your mind.

You sigh. "We'll do that, contacting that trader. Do you know when he'll be in this country?"

"Two weeks or a month from now. I'll let you know."

"Good. I want you there when I meet him."

The woman in front of you raises her eyebrows. "Are you sure?"

"Very sure."

The discussion comes to an end and you dismiss Meiyue. After you're left alone, you lean back on your chair, massaging your temple. It is true what people say: "ignorance is bliss." Now that you realize the truth, you can't simply 'unlearn' it. You decide to call for Dietrich immediately to come up with what information you want to ask from the trader. Also, you might as well as identify other traders that can provide you with information from other countries.

The door opens and Angelika enters, carrying some sandwiches and a mug of mead. Perhaps, calling for Dietrich can wait. Angelika's abilities as a maid is something that can't be denied. She knows that you're in the mood for something light and satisfying.

On a side note, the sandwiches and drink are quite good.