Trading and intelligence work easily complement each other. Indeed, there are commercial and industrial spies. Van Rijn and his competitors spy on each other. A trader must investigate and research possible markets just as a scout or spy explores enemy territory. Targovi asks a Zacharian trader for permission to:
"'...look about this neighborhood. Something may occur to me, whereby we can both profit.' Diana could sense the watchfulness beneath his affability." (p. 372)
Targovi is asking permission to do his work as an Intelligence agent! Diana knows Targovi of old and already knows both that and why he is watchful. However, his watchfulness must be equally apparent to the Zacharians but they will attribute it to his search for commercial opportunities. Targovi does not need to practice any great deception.
Brechdan Ironrede noticed that Abrams' aide, Flandry, looked alert but was very junior whereas, later in his career, Flandry had learned not to look alert.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Exactly, Flandry learned how to make many of his opponents underestimate him, to think him just a fop or time serving wastrel. Which was how Prince "Cerdic" thought of him at first, to his cost, in "Tiger By The Tail."
The most amusing of the Flandry stories, IMO, is "A Message in Secret." Because of how Anderson had some gentle fun with Flandyr, during his more "Bertie Woosterish" moments. And it was a very dangerous mistake for his opponents to think that was all what Flandry was!
Ad astra! Sean
Incidentally, in the Zacharians' place, I'd think it logical to secretly search for an inhabitable planet outside the Imperial boundaries and colonize it.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
An intriguing notion, as I said in another combox. And why didn't they? I'm sure they had plenty of opportunities for searching out a planet to secretly colonize in the centuries before THE GAME OF EMPIRE.
Ad astra! Sean
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