Li Yingshi

Li Yingshi (, referred to by Jesuits as Li Paul; fl. ca. 1600) was a Ming Chinese military officer, scientist, astrologer and feng shui practicer that was converted to Christianity. He was converted to Catholicism by Matteo Ricci and Diego de Pantoja, the first two Jesuits to establish themselves in Beijing. He then became a zealous Christian.

Early life Li Yingshi was a member of the Chinese literati class. He commanded a unit of 500 soldiers during the Korean War of 1592–98. He was awarded a lifetime pension by the Wanli government, which was to continue to be paid to his heirs in perpetuity. but strongly disparaged the "ridiculous wizardry" of Chinese occult practices. This is why, perhaps, Ricci described the Jesuits' conversion of Li Yingshi to Christianity – which was accomplished on the Feast of St Matthew (i.e., September 21) of 1602 – as nothing less than "extraordinary".

Li Yingshi became a zealous member of the Catholic church. He proselytized among his friends and relatives, and got all his servants to join the church as well. He had a chapel built at his home and had his son study at the Beijing Mission House, so that soon enough the young Li was able to celebrate Mass himself. Li was able to supply the Jesuits with a large amount of information that they found helpful in converting other non-Christians.