This excerpt is from “Explanation Three” in Han Feizi · Inner Congeries of Sayings I. Rewards and praise are the ruler’s sharpest weapons. Generous and trustworthy incentives let rulers manipulate human nature, urging subjects to overcome innate fears and turn the weak into fearless warriors.
Spies gain the utmost trust and highest rewards with absolute secrecy. Only wise, humane and astute commanders can effectively deploy spies. Anyone leaking spy plans faces execution together with the spy.