Work of Spies in a Siege as included in chapter III of Book XIII in Arthashastra, highlights the methods applied by the conqueror to deceive the enemy by pretending to be his friend and capture him all sides where he can apply traitors, merchants, thieves as well as the Institution of Spies. In order to gain the confidence of the enemy the conqueror may initially dismiss his own confidential chiefs of his own army and allow them to go to the enemy area as a friend and offer them to supply with recruits and other helps acquired from the conqueror`s territory or followed by a brand of spies who shall please the enemy by either dislodging a disloyal village or by sending presents of elephants, horses and disaffected persons of the conqueror`s army to be latter`s (enemy`s) ally. The confidential chief officer of the conqueror, after gaining the confidence of the enemy, can solicit help from the enemy`s territory; can further send the wild tribes and corporation of people back to the conqueror to be routed once more for some farcical attempt of capturing wild elephants and other wild animals. This explains the work of the ministers and the chiefs on the mission of the conqueror.

Work of Spies in a Siege further mentions that after making peace the conqueror may dismiss some of his confidential ministers who shall in the long run enter the enemy area along with a band of traitors, brave thieves, spies, disaffected people, and wild tribes who make no distinction between the friend and foes. Having gained the confidence the minister may ask the enemy to dismiss his own officers like the boundary chiefs and commander of the army who have been well known for their loyalty towards the enemy king. This shall help the conqueror to sow the seeds of dissention between the enemy and his chiefs. Further the conqueror can mislead the enemy by saying that a strong chief intends to dislodge both of them and so it shall be beneficial for both of them to come together and put him down and share his property as well as territory among themselves. Or he may invite his enemy in an occasion where he can pretend to gift presents of territory to the enemy or some other benefits and those who are carried away by these inducements may be slain by secret means. When the enemy refuses to attend such occasions still attempts can be made to kill him by employing his enemies to kill him. He can also confront the conqueror on an open conflict where he shall be captured and put to death.

Work of Spies in a Siege further explains that in case the enemy tries to capture the friend`s then the conqueror may supply him with an army and pretend to be attacked by the enemy so that both the conqueror as well as friend surround him both sides and then attack him. If in other occasions, with the help of his friends, shuts himself in an impregnable fort then his neighbouring enemies may be employed to seize the waste land in the surrounding of his kingdom; if he attempts to defend his territory then his army maybe annihilated. Along with this the conqueror may dismiss his chief officers in charge of forests, country part and army under the pretence of their intrigue with the enemy who shall be free to sow the seeds of dissention between the enemy and his arm. The conqueror can also employ the Institution of spies for the sowing the seeds of dissension. The spies in disguise of hunters may place themselves near the gate of the enemy fort as selling flesh while they make friendship with senithals at the gate. With instances after proving their innocence the spies can gain the confidence of the people as well as the enemy king. Even the painters, carpenters, actors merchants etc who actually belong to the conquerors army can reside in the fort when they can place the weapons and other materials inside the enemy`s fort; the caravans of the merchants and those carrying brides can also collect weapons which shall be collected in the enemy camp to be used against the enemy at the time requirement.

Work of Spies in a Siege allows the spies to employ thieves along with the Removal of Thorns to destroy the flock of the enemy`s cattle and merchandise in the vicinity of wild tracks; they may further poison the food stuffs and beverages with use of the juice of madana plant. The spies in guise of ascetics shall also intoxicate the common people by using the juice of madana plant.

Thus Work of spies in a siege is a step taken in guise by the conqueror who shall employ both his formal as well as informal officers to deceive and capture the enemy when he hardly possesses any knowledge about the conqueror`s progress.