Career Under Northern Han
Yang Ye was born Yang Chonggui (楊重貴) to father Yang Xin (楊信), a governor serving the Later Han Dynasty. As a youngster, he was a very good horse archer and hunter, always bringing back game several times more than others. He used dogs and falcons to hunt and saw it as a way to prepare for a career commanding soldiers as a military general.
After reaching the age of 20, he joined warlord Liu Chong, becoming a general after Liu Chong established the Northern Han Kingdom in Taiyuan in 951. He showed enough gallantry in battles for Liu Min (previously known as Liu Chong) to bestow him the name Liu Jiye (劉繼業). He won many battles, at least some against the Khitan-ruled Liao Dynasty.
In 968, the Song Dynasty led by Emperor Taizu of Song invaded Northern Han, and Liu Jiye was tasked to defend. Northern Han's new ruler Liu Jiyuan asked Liao for help, but Liu Jiye suggested attacking Liao's reinforcement instead. Liu Jiyuan refused.
Liu Jiye was already a jiedushi when the Song forces invaded again in 979, this time under Emperor Taizong of Song. Song forces quickly reached the Northern Han capital of Taiyuan and Liu Jiyuan came out to surrender, but Liu Jiye kept on defending the city. Emperor Taizong of Song valued his bravery and ordered Liu Jiyuan to persuade him to surrender. Seeing Liu Jiyuan's message, Liu Jiye cried and bowed to the north, then took off his armor to surrender. Emperor Taizong was very pleased and awarded him very well, conferring him the title of Great General (左領軍衛大將軍). He changed his name to Yang Ye.
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