Analysis

Karl approved of Richter's initial idea, then raised the most pressing issue. "Alright, let's do it your way. So, how exactly do you plan to capture those spies the Sauron have already sent in? We don't even know how many of them there are or where they're hiding."

Richter was clearly prepared. He took out a densely written report from his pocket and presented it to Karl with both hands, "Sir, this is what I will be reporting in detail next. While I was assembling the manpower, I was not idle either."

"These past few days, I've focused on visiting and questioning Thorsten in detail, and combined this with my past experience dealing with the Sauron on the border, I've compiled this analytical report on the Sauron' common espionage tactics."

Karl took the report, a hint of surprise and approval flashing in his eyes.

Thorsten! He almost forgot that this surrendered Sauron general was once a mid-level officer under the Sauron, and was undoubtedly the insider who knew the Sauron' internal workings, tactical habits, and even war strategies better than anyone else!

He was too busy with political affairs to think of this aspect, but Richter was able to keenly grasp and utilize this valuable source of information, which made him think even more highly of Richter's intelligence sense.

"You've thought this through very well. Thorsten is indeed the best person to understand the Sauron' intentions," Karl said, while carefully flipping through the report.

Richter, standing to the side, provided a clear explanation based on the key points of the report, "My lord, according to Thorsten's recollections and my analysis, the Sauron' use of espionage and internal sabotage is a long-standing and highly systematic practice, far from a spur-of-the-moment decision."

"Even during the reign of Old Sauron, they knew they were not good at attacking strong city defenses, so they attached great importance to using spies to undermine the city from within before and during the war."

He pointed to a line in the report, "Their common methods are mainly twofold: one is to bribe or coerce disgruntled minor nobles, local magnates, or powerful military officers within the target town as inside agents."

"Secondly, a group of captured Goldspur who showed obedience and resourcefulness were carefully selected and trained to disguise themselves as fleeing civilians, craftsmen, or routed soldiers and infiltrate the target area."

"These people's mission is not only to gather military intelligence, but more importantly, to spread rumors, create panic, and carry out sabotage activities such as arson, damage to key facilities, and even assassination of commanders at critical moments, in order to achieve a coordinated attack from within."

Richter solemnly cited a shocking example. "The most typical example is the fall of Frosgard, a major Northern Territory. According to Thorsten, the Sauron had long ago established secret contacts with some noble officers in Frosgard who were dissatisfied with the kingdom or were greedy for profit, through smuggling channels."

"On the eve of the siege, they sent a large number of elite spies into the city in batches under the guise of escorting caravans. When the general offensive began, these spies simultaneously set fires and created explosions at multiple strategic points within the city, and even successfully detonated an important gunpowder depot belonging to the defending army!"

"Instantly, the entire city was engulfed in flames and thrown into chaos. The garrison's command system collapsed, morale crumbled, and Sauron's main force seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, finally capturing this supposedly impregnable Northern Territory fortress."

He turned the page and continued, "As soon as Frosgard fell, the Sauron used the same trick again, immediately sending out hundreds of spies disguised as stragglers from the Northern Territory, who mingled with the real refugee wave to enter the interior."

"After these people infiltrated the Royal Capital and surrounding towns, they spread exaggerated rumors everywhere, saying things like ' Fran City has fallen' and ' Sauron army will arrive soon,' causing panic among the people inside the pass, spreading rumors, and even triggering small-scale riots and a wave of refugees."

"The damage caused by this kind of psychological warfare is sometimes greater than that of actual combat. It was only after Earl Rochefort took office and vigorously reformed the defenses and severely purged spies that this evil trend was gradually suppressed."

Finally, Richter concluded. "Now that Harald has succeeded to the throne, his methods are more flexible and farsighted than his father's. He has made good use of Leon, a surrendered general who is familiar with our Northern Territory defenses. This undoubtedly combines this already skillful espionage tactic with Leon's knowledge of the kingdom's Border defense, making it more targeted and destructive."

"The spy we discovered this time is very likely an advance team sent out under this new ' Leon - Harald ' model."

Karl closed the heavy report, his face grave.

The Sauron' skillful use and high regard for espionage tactics far exceeded his previous estimates.

He took a deep breath, looked at Richter, and asked the most crucial question, "The situation is more serious than I thought. So, Richter, what are our specific countermeasures against this infiltration? How do you plan to deploy your initial personnel?"

Richter, clearly having already planned ahead, immediately replied, "Sir, the initial response has been initiated. Thanks to the assistance of Chief Edgar, our men have begun infiltrating key locations."

He explained in detail, "We arranged for a clever brother who is good at dealing with people to work as a shop assistant in the government-run general store; another meticulous brother was placed in the government-run grain store in the newly built Stockaded Village Number One. These two places are densely populated and well-informed, making them good locations for gathering information and monitoring suspicious persons."

He paused, his tone becoming even more serious. "I've sent the other three promising newcomers to the Stockaded Village Number Two construction site, which is currently under construction and is the area we're focusing on investigating."

"Based on our assessment, the newly infiltrated spies, whose identities have not been verified, will not be allocated land in the short term. The most likely way for them to infiltrate and gather intelligence is to blend into the construction crew, earn money through manual labor, and conceal their identities. The construction site is a complex place with relatively loose management, making it an ideal hiding place for them."

"As for the remaining few," Richter added, "They are scattered throughout the Shantytown Area. They themselves have integrated as migrants and are responsible for monitoring the unusual movements of the lower-class migrant population, looking for any newcomers or suspicious-looking strangers."

Karl listened carefully and nodded.

Richter's deployment strategy was clear, focused, and made full use of existing conditions.

"Yes, that's fine. Let's start by implementing this plan." Karl approved Richter's report on the initial deployment.

Richter nodded and noted it down, then brought up another matter. "Sir, Franz, whom you previously instructed to see, has arrived and is waiting outside. Do you think we should let him in now?"

Karl put down the report in his hand and nodded, "Okay, let him in."

"Yes." Richter responded and withdrew.