Yang Ye, a native of Taiyuan in Shanxi, was a famous general from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907-960) to the early Song Dynasty (960-1279). 

Yang devoted his life to protecting his homeland during the turmoil of the early Song Dynasty. 

In a major war between the Song Dynasty in the south and the nomadic Liao Dynasty (916-1125) in the north, the Song army was defeated and General Yang was captured by the Liao army. This transpired in the Jinshatan area of today's Huairen county-level city, which was then a center of conflict due to its vicinity to the northern nomadic regions. 

Three of Yang's sons – all warriors in the army – died during the same battle he was captured. Yang himself was reluctant to surrender and he ultimately died after several days of a hunger strike.

He is remembered for his great faith in the nation and the fearless determination he and his entire family devoted to their people.