Yang Song

Yang Song (onyomi: Yō Shō) is an official of Zhang Lu who constantly manipulated the latter for self-gain. He is characterized as a greedy individual with a penchant for bribery and deceit.

Role in Games
In the Dynasty Warriors series, he is a generic officer who participates in Zhang Lu's battles against Liu Bei and Cao Cao. Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends enacts his betrayal of Pang De in the latter's own scenario by spreading false rumors to protect himself. In Dynasty Warriors 9, he appears with a minister far away from the frontlines when Cao Cao advances into Hanzhong. Meeting up with the minister and him enable talks and the player can bribe him with 2000 or 5000 gold. Bribing him with nothing leads to him turning against the player, resolute in his lord Zhang Lu, with 2000 leading to him passively joining Cao Cao and 5000 leading to him opening Yangping Gate and other fortifications around Hanzhong, after informing Zhang Lu that the enemy tactics may require them to do a full on charge in order to break through. He also appears in Hua Xiong's story aiding Zhang Lu in an early rebellion, being a faithful advisor to his liege.

Early Romance of the Three Kingdoms portray Yang Song as a cunning officer who specializes in espionage. Later titles dwindle his stats to abysmal levels, rendering him useless in most situations.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
The novel introduces Yang Song near the end of chapter 64 where he and his brother Yang Bo plot Ma Chao's downfall. He initially advises Zhang Lu to help his nemesis Liu Zhang get rid of Liu Bei after being coaxed by Huang Quan's promise of riches in return for their aid.

However, Zhuge Liang takes advantage of his avarice by instructing Liu Bei to entice him with gifts in exchange for slandering Ma Chao to Zhang Lu. After accepting the bribe from their messenger Sun Qian, Yang Song wastes no time ruining his target's reputation with exaggerated tales and falsehoods. As a result, Ma Chao loses Zhang Lu's trust and defects to Liu Bei.

A similar event occurs in chapter 67 when Yang Song agrees to discredit Pang De on Cao Cao's behalf after receiving a valuable breast plate. To further curry the warlord's favor, he even convinces Zhang Lu to surrender despite the protests of their allies. Cao Cao welcomes the defeated army with open arms, but only Yang Song is punished with execution for his treachery.