 He was the oldest son of Yang Su, who was already a major general at the start of Sui Dynasty in 581 but whose honors and power grew as the years went by.Yang Xuangan was considered by some to be developmentally disabled while in his childhood, but his father believed that not to be the case, and as he grew, he was studious and known for his strength and martial skills, he was particularly skillful at mounted archery, as well as the use of spears.In the Book of Sui, Yang Xuangan was described as a courageous and stalwart man with a shiny and thick beard.