Career Under Song
Emperor Taizong placed great faith in Yang Ye and commissioned him to defend Song's northern border from the Khitan-ruled Liao Dynasty. Yang Ye was illiterate but knew military strategies well. He would join his soldiers in trainings, enduring the same hardship as his inferiors. His soldiers were very loyal to him.
In the summer of 980, the Liao army with roughly 100,000 soldiers came before Yanmenguan, a strategic choke point due to its geography. At the command of general Pan Mei, Yang Ye and a few hundred cavalrymen took a difficult route on the west and arrived at the back of enemy. As Pan Mei and Yang Ye attacked from both directions, the Liao army suffered a major defeat that resulted in the death of Jiedushi Xiao Duoli (蕭咄李) and the capture of commander Li Chonghui (李重誨).
After this battle, the Liao army would "retreat immediately if they see (Yang) Ye's flag", according to History of Song. Yang Ye was promoted to Observatory Officer of Yunzhou (雲州觀察使), and several Song generals at the border became jealous. Some sent letters to Emperor Taizong listing Yang Ye's shortcomings. Emperor Taizong allegedly forwarded the letters to Yang Ye to show his trust.
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