In Ming China, foreigners were barred from entry—until Matteo Ricci found another way in.

Edwin Kong brings to life the extraordinary journey of Matteo Ricci, the Italian Jesuit whose daring mission to China reshaped the course of East-West relations. Sent by the Pope in the late sixteenth century to convert the Chinese Emperor, Ricci faced an impenetrable barrier—Ming Dynasty China was closed to foreigners. But armed with knowledge and an unmatched mastery of memory techniques, he found another way in.

Disguised as a Buddhist monk, Ricci captivated scholars, officials, and eventually the imperial court, introducing Western science while immersing himself in Chinese culture. His thirty-year odyssey from rural villages to the heart of the Forbidden City proved that engagement, rather than conquest, could bridge civilizations.

Told in the form of a screenplay, Cross and Dragon is a gripping historical drama with urgent contemporary resonance, exploring the power of faith and cultural exchange in the face of division.