Chinese Classical Literature Masterpieces for Young Readers -- The Yang Family

Author: Pei Xiaowei / Wang Huiqin (Rewritten)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The Story of the Yang Family celebrates the loyal and heroic deeds of the Yang family in resisting the Liao Dynasty during the Northern Song Dynasty, praising the national heroes and the glorious tradition of patriotism among the anti-war faction, while condemning the traitorous acts of those who betrayed the resistance effort. The novel narrates the Battle of Youzhou after the Song-Liao conflict during Emperor Taizong's reign, where Yang Da Lang, Er Lang, and San Lang were killed in battle at Binzhou, Si Lang was captured, Wu Lang became a monk at Wutai Mountain, Yang Ye died after colliding with Li Ling's stele in the Battle of Chenjiagou, and Qi Lang was killed by Pan Renmei. Later, Emperor Zhenzong was besieged in Wei Prefecture but rescued by Liu Liang. Subsequently, in the battles of breaking the Heavenly Gate Formation and rescuing the ten major ministers from the Jiulong Feihu Valley, Si Lang, Wu Lang, Liu Liang, and their son, as well as the female generals of the Yang family, all achieved military honors. The novel effectively portrays the characteristics of war depiction in classical Chinese novels, emphasizing that the righteous side will ultimately prevail. It focuses on praising the successive heroism and fearless spirit of the heroic figures, thereby inspiring people to stand up against forces with courage and determination. The romance genre is one of the common forms in classical Chinese novels. Most classical romance novels originated from storytelling scripts during the Tang and Song dynasties and evolved into their mature and peak form during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Authors often artisticized historical records, weaving them into narratives, thus giving them a blend of reality and fiction. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a prime example, and so is The Story of the Yang Family. Since the Song Dynasty, the Yang family story has been a popular theme in folk arts. According to Luo Ye's Record of Drunken Talk, there were storytelling segments such as The Story of Yang Ling Gong and Wu Lang Becomes a Monk during the Southern Song Dynasty. By the Yuan Dynasty, there were already zaju (a form of Chinese opera) scripts like Xie Jinwu's Deceptive Demolition of Qingfeng Mansion, Liu Liang's Commanding the Army to Break the Heavenly Gate, Meng Liang Stealing the Bones from Wu Tian Tower, and Jiao Guangzan Capturing Xiao Tianyou. The Story of the Yang Family was created by synthesizing, refining, and developing these folk art works. The Yang family novel tells the story of the Northern Song general Yang Ye and his family's lifelong loyalty and resistance against the Liao Dynasty for the sake of the country. It has been passed down through the ages since the Southern Song Dynasty. Published during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, The Story of the Yang Family incorporates various widely circulated Yang family stories and legends from the Song and Yuan dynasties. The novel portrays a large number of characters from the Yang family, such as Yang Ling Gong, Liu Liang, Yu Taijun, Mu Guiying, Yang Xuanniang, Jiao Zan, and Meng Liang. These characters are vividly depicted and deeply loved by people. The novel boldly and passionately creates a host of female warriors who defy gender norms, showcasing their exceptional martial arts skills, bold personalities, wisdom, and brilliance. They fight on the battlefield, completely breaking free from the shackles of feudal moral codes and hierarchical restrictions, making them household names and the subject of widespread admiration. In folklore, there is even the saying, "In the Yang family mansion, women surpass men."