Yang Qingrui is the eldest son of the Yang family and a friend of Song Hexiu. He is strong and kind-hearted, helping Song Hexiu move his family's belongings and build a wooden hut in the mountain cave without accepting payment. He recalls how Song Hexiu once saved his family from debt by reading a document correctly. He expresses indignation at the Old Song family's treatment of the first branch and is willing to donate timber and labor. He also acts as a moral support for Song Hexiu during the difficult transition.
