Yang Ye - Death

Death

In 986 the Song armies embarked on a northern campaign to attack the Liao Dynasty. One force, led by Pan Mei and Yang Ye, swiftly conquered Yunzhou (雲州), Yingzhou (應州), Huanzhou (寰州) and Shuozhou (朔州). However, another Song army led by Cao Bin was defeated by Liao forces. Pan Mei and Yang Ye led their troops to protect the civilians of the four conquered cities as they retreated back to Song territory. They were attacked by the main enemy force along the way. Yang Ye told Pan Mei, "Liao forces are strong and we should avoid fighting them." Wang Shen (王侁) refuted his suggestion, jeering, "So scared despite having tens of thousands of soldiers!" With the support of Liu Wenyu (劉文裕), he insisted that Yang Ye fight on at Beichuan, Yanmen (雁門北川). Yang Ye reiterated his belief that such a move would bring defeat, which was met by Wang Shen's rebuttal of "You've been called 'invincible', but today you are so hesitant in face of the enemy. Is your loyalty elsewhere?" Yang Ye had no choice but to meet the enemy head on.

He replied, "I am not afraid of death, I just don't believe this is a right situation, and I hate to see soldiers die and injure for nothing. But since you accuse me for fearing death, I will be the first (to die) among you all." He pointed at the end of Chenjia Valley (陳家谷): "Gentlemen, please put infantrymen with arrows on both sides of that place, so that they could be of help in case I retreat. Otherwise, the situation would be dire." Pan Mei and Wang Shen agreed, and led their men to the place.

Liao general Yelü Xiezhen heard of Yang Ye's arrival and set up an ambush. The next morning, he engaged Yang Ye in a battle, feigning retreat and luring Yang Ye into his trap. Yang fought from noon to dusk until he retreated to the end of the valley, but no Song force was there, as Pan Mei and Wang Shen had left. Seeing only around a hundred men left, he told them, "You all have parents and wives, no point in dying together with me. Return home and serve the emperor later." His men wept but wouldn't leave.

Liao soldiers were instructed to capture Yang Ye alive. Even with several dozen wounds on him, Yang fought on, and after killing about a hundred enemy soldiers by himself, his horse was gravely wounded by an arrow from Liao general Yelü Xidi, and he was captured. Yelü Xiezhen yelled at him, "You have been fighting with our country for over 30 years. What do you have to say today!" To which Yang Ye replied, "I deserve the death sentence." He allegedly sighed and said, "The emperor has treated me so kindly, expecting me to conquer the enemy and defend the borders in return. However, due to persecutions from treacherous officials, the royal troops have been defeated. How can I live on?" He starved himself and died 3 days later.

Some circumstantial evidence exist to suggest after Yang Ye's death, someone blamed him for the defeat in front of Emperor Taizong of Song and some cover-up took place. However, come August (2 months after his death) Emperor Taizong of Song proclaimed the following edict:

...Yang Ye, the Yunzhou Observatory Officer, has a heart like gold and stone and a character like wind and clouds. A great talent from Shanxi in the west, he had won many victories. He was given an army of brave soldiers and sent to the borders. But all other commanders broke their promises and did not send reinforcement. Left in the desert, he and his lone army fought heroically until death and will not return. Looking at history, who could match that! A special ceremony shall be held to commemorate his loyalty. His soul in heaven will understand my deep condolences. He shall be honored as Taiwei (太尉) and Datong Army Jiedushi (大同軍節度), and his family awarded 1000 units of textile and 1000 stones of rice. Grand General Pan Mei shall be demoted by three ranks; Military Inspector Wang Shen shall be stripped of all positions and exiled to Jinzhou (金州); and Liu Wenyu shall be stripped of all positions and exiled to Dengzhou (登州).

Yang Ye had at least 7 sons, all military men. One of them, Yang Yanyu (楊延玉) died with him in the Shuozhou battle. The other 6, Yang Yanzhao, Yang Yanpu (楊延浦), Yang Yanxun (楊延訓), Yang Yangui (楊延瑰), Yang Yangui (楊延貴), Yang Yanbin (楊延彬), were all given official titles after their father's death.

In Gubeikou, 120 km northeast of Beijing, there is a temple on its slope dedicated to Yang Ye. It was built by his enemy, the Khitans, shortly after his death.