In the Yang warriors, is the story mainly about the female warriors in the family?
My vague understanding of the story is that most of the males in the family died in battle. I think one of the sons went off to marry the daughter of one of their enemies, another one became a monk. Only one stayed to fight with the female warriors but eventually he died as well, didn't he?
In the tv series, most of the warriors were the wives of the dead brothers and also a sister whom they called "ba mei" or eighth sister. The family also had a loyal bodyguard who was in love with ba mei.
You are right re: above all except the 'loyal bodyguard' part, i am not so sure.
If you are interested in watching serials, best catch the China-made ones - most faithful to the original storyline. HK & Taiwan serials borrow the context & screw with the plot .... especially in the 'Cannonization of the Gods', I supposed because storyline is too long in original & budget not enough....
The Yang Family story really began with YangJiYe 杨继业， the patriach.
He is the general of Northern Han, one of the few states left in Song Tai Zu's quest to unite China under Song Dynasty. Yang defeated Song before & is a respected foe. When Song Tai Zhong, younger bro of the Emperor who had now succeeded him, finally conquered Northern Han & united China, he offered amnesty for Yang for his bravery & loyalty. Old Man Yang accepted & remained at the outpost to guard against the Northern Huns.
His death to the Huns due to one jealous Song General 潘 Pan who deliberately did not come to his aid as agreed. Old Yang & his sons but one or two were vanquished. One thought to be dead came back as a monk. The other like you said married enemy leader's daughter & persuaded her to return to Song with him in the end.
The rest is the famous fable of Amazon soldiers who fought for husbands & sons led by Matriach 佘太君 & daughter in law 穆桂英 ......
