Mo Heng had already informed Chang Yonglin and others about Jiang Benxin's preferences last year. Chang Yonglin was aware of them, but Mo Heng did not recommend that he tailor his strategic essays to those preferences. It was better for Chang Yonglin to retain his uniqueness, to write as he ought to write. Now, Jiang Benxin wouldn't dare seek death before him.
Chang Yonglin did not ask further and directly followed his regular thought process when composing his strategic essays.
Li Baoxiang, fearing he might fail the examination this year too, inquired about Jiang Benxin's preferences. Mo Heng told him to just write truthfully. Although Jiang Benxin was now following Xiao Guangbi, he also came from a humble background and was a Palace Graduate himself. While splendid and ornate writing was appealing, truthful writing captured his current performance and thoughts even better.
