Engage even people of low status in conversation. Overcome by kindness, especially if you grease their palms with gold, they will likely tell you everything you want to know. (You can also gather information by talking with children, but this comes with certain risks.)

Set servants against each other, so they will betray each other’s secrets.

However, it is crucial to always keep your promises to everyone. Failing to do so will cause them to lose trust in you.

Do not act on information without verifying it first.