During these visits, the literati desired primarily to discuss philosophical and scientific topics. Thus, focus on the scholarly class frequently served to distract from the task of preaching, and “the work of conversion that was the goal and primary fruit for which we had come,” as Jesuit missionary Feliciano da Silva (1579–1614) frankly admitted.40 Both Valignano and Ricci were taking a long view of the China mission. Ricci’s task was not “to build up worshipping communities” or “initiate … [a]