Once it did, Crown Prince Ye held an official mourning for his uncle and then ascended the throne as emperor.

Only Zhang Gui, the governor of Liang Province (涼州, modern central and western Gansu), sent small detachments and supplies periodically to Chang'an.

In fall 316, the Han general Liu Yao, the Prince of Zhongshan, made a major attack against Emperor Min's territory.

After he captured the Beidi Commandery (北地, roughly modern Tongchuan, Shaanxi), the other Jin cities in Guanzhong collapsed.

Liu Yao therefore was able to besiege Chang'an, and after the food supply ran out, Emperor Min resolved to surrender.

In early 318, at a feast, he had the marquess serve as butler, and a number of former Jin officials could not control themselves and cried out loud at their former emperor's humiliation.