Biography
Family Background and Early Years
Yang Zhong's great-great-grandfather Yang Yuanshou served as commandant of Wuchuan Garrison in the early Northern Wei, after which the family settled in Shuitui County of Shenwu Commandery, in the region of present-day Wuchuan, Inner Mongolia. His great-grandfather Yang Huigu served as governor of Taiyuan Commandery under Northern Wei, his grandfather Yang Lie as governor of Pingyuan Commandery, and his father Yang Zhen became a General Who Establishes the Distant through military merit. During the final decades of Northern Wei, the Six Garrisons Rebellion threw the north into turmoil. Yang Zhen went to Zhongshan Commandery for refuge, organized local forces against the rebel leader Xianyu Xiuli, and was eventually killed in battle. During the Baoding era, because of Yang Zhong's achievements, Yang Zhen was posthumously honored as Pillar-of-State General, Junior Guardian, and Duke of Xingcheng Commandery.
Yang Zhong was described as handsome, with a fine beard and sideburns, standing seven chi eight cun tall, of imposing build and outstanding martial ability. He was also said to possess deep judgment and the strategic bearing of a commander. At the nominal age of eighteen, while traveling near Mount Tai, he encountered Liang forces that had seized the area and was captured and taken south. He remained in Liang territory for five years. The source text describes this period as one that familiarized him with southern conditions and strengthened his resolve.
Return to the North
In 529, the second year of the Yongan era, Yuan Hao, Prince of Beihai of Northern Wei, advanced north with Liang support in an attempt to claim the throne. Yang Zhong followed Yuan Hao into Luoyang and was appointed General of the Direct Guard. After Yuan Hao was defeated and killed, Yang was incorporated into the forces of Erzhu Dulü and served as a troop commander under him. In 530, the third year of Yongan, Erzhu Zhao launched a rapid cavalry attack from Bingzhou against Luoyang. Yang took part and, for his service, was granted the title Count of Changchang County and made a military commander, while also receiving the separate title Count of Xiaohuang County.
In 532, the first year of the Yongxi era, Yang followed Dugu Xin in capturing the Liang outpost at Xiazha and pacifying Nanyang Commandery, earning repeated military merit. In 534, the third year of Yongxi, Gao Huan advanced on Luoyang. Yang accompanied Dugu Xin and Emperor Xiaowu of Northern Wei westward to Chang'an, and his noble rank was raised to Marquis of Xiaohuang County. He subsequently took part in operations around Tong Pass and in the capture of Huiluo City, for which he was additionally appointed General Who Pacifies the West and Grand Master of Palace Accord with Silver Seal and Blue Ribbon.
General of Western Wei
After the establishment of Western Wei, Xin Zuan, Eastern Wei's governor of Jingzhou, occupied Rangcheng. Yuwen Tai ordered Dugu Xin to make a concealed advance against him. Because Dugu Xin had previously served in Jingzhou and was remembered favorably by the local population, his appeals before the battle contributed to the collapse of Eastern Wei resistance. Dugu Xin then ordered an assault, and Xin Zuan was defeated and withdrew into the city. Yang Zhong and the commanders Kang Luo'er and Yuan Changsheng led the pursuit. Reaching the gate, Yang shouted to the defenders that the main army had arrived and that there were collaborators inside, asking why those who wished to live had not fled. The gate guards scattered. Yang led his troops into the city, advanced to the administrative compound, captured Xin Zuan, and had him executed. Six months later, however, Eastern Wei forces threatened Rangcheng, forcing Yang to follow Dugu Xin south into Liang territory. Emperor Wu of Liang appreciated Yang's abilities and appointed him to a military command and granted him a noble title.
During his service in Western Wei, Yang Zhong was heavily relied upon by Yuwen Tai. He was granted the Xianbei surname Puliuru and the Xianbei courtesy name Anyu, and became part of the core military aristocracy of the Guanzhong-Longxi political group. Through repeated victories he rose to General of Chariots and Cavalry and became one of the Twelve Great Generals of Western Wei. In 554, the first year of the reign of Emperor Gong of Western Wei, he took part in the Western Wei campaign against Jiangling, in which Emperor Yuan of Liang was captured, and received major credit for the territorial expansion that followed.
Founding General of Northern Zhou
After Northern Zhou was founded, Yang Zhong was appointed marshal and placed in command of more than ten generals, including Yang Zuan, Li Mu, Wang Jie, Tian Hong, and Murong Yan. Advancing from the northern route against Northern Qi, his forces captured more than twenty important strongholds and established a formidable reputation in the Central Plains. He later joined the Turkic Khaganate in a combined force said to number one hundred thousand for an attack on Jinyang in Northern Qi. Although the allied army suffered losses amounting to more than half its strength, the campaign demonstrated the military reach of Northern Zhou. For his achievements, Yang Zhong received high military titles, was enfeoffed as Duke of Chenliu Commandery, ranked among the Twelve Great Generals, and was later promoted to Supreme Pillar of State and Duke of Sui.
In 568, the third year of the Tianhe era of Northern Zhou, Yang became ill from accumulated exertion and returned to the capital, Chang'an. He died in the seventh lunar month at the age of sixty-two and received the posthumous title Huan. In 580, the second year of the Daxiang era, Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou posthumously honored him as Prince Huan of Sui. In 581, after Yang Jian replaced Northern Zhou with the Sui dynasty, he posthumously honored his father as Emperor Wuyuan and gave him the temple name Taizu.