Beats of the land – Artist’s persistence saves ethnic heritage

The plot

During the reign of Emperor Renzong (1010-1063) in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), a powerful barbarian tribe, the Western Xia, is encroaching on Song territory.
The story begins with the death of Yang Zongbao, grandson of She Taijun, a famous woman general and father to 15-year-old Yang Wenguang. Zongbao is ambushed and assassinated by the king of Western Xia. News of his death reaches the Yang Family while they are preparing to celebrate his 50th birthday.
Without hesitation, She Taijun requests permission from the emperor to lead an army, including the widows, the wives of her sons and grandsons, to eliminate Western Xia. One of the generals is Mu Guiying, Zongbao’s wife and Wenguang’s mother. Being unfamiliar with the terrain, the Yang army makes little headway until they meet an old man who guides Zongb in the Hulu Valley. He shows them a secret route leading to the rear of the enemy’s camp.