The Later Yan rulers initially declared themselves "emperors", but towards the end they adopted the lesser title of "Tiān Wáng" (Heavenly King).

Some historians consider Murong Xi the last ruler of Later Yan, while others consider it to be Gao Yun, an adopted member of the imperial family of Goguryeo ethnicity.

After defeating Huan Wen, the regent, his uncle Murong Ping became apprehensive of his newfound reputation and wanted to kill him, prompting Chui to flee to the Di-led Former Qin dynasty.

Rather than kill Fu Jian, he requested to be transferred to Hebei, where Former Yan once ruled, ostensibly to maintain order in the region.

The Later Yan also had to cooperate with the various fortified settlements (塢堡; wubao) in the northeast, who were typically led by the non-Chinese and had a large degree of autonomy over their strongholds.

Soon after Chui's rebellion, the Western Yan and Later Qin also broke away around Chang'an, constraining Fu Jian and preventing him from sending aid to the east.

The war in Hebei and famines that accompanied it devastated the region's economy, but Fu Pi finally abandoned Ye for Jinyang in late 385.

In 386, Murong Chui made Zhongshan (中山, in modern Baoding, Hebei) his capital, as the city underwent significant development during the war.

Chui also introduced a separate governing system between his Han Chinese and "Hu" subjects within Yan by appointing Bao the Grand Chanyu, tasked with supervising the tribes.

In 396, Murong Chui personally led a campaign against Wei, but despite early success, became extremely ill and was forced to withdraw.

Bao's rule was immediately troubled by conflict between him and his family members, along with his sudden and unpopular attempt at rectifying the state's household registry.

Bao concentrated his forces to Zhongshan and other major cities, believing that Wei would besiege them and withdraw once their supply ran out.

Hereafter, more infighting ensued; at Longcheng, Bao survived rebellions by his son, Murong Hui and his general Duan Sugu (段速骨).

However, Zhongshan then fell to Wei, and Lin fled to Ye, where he convinced his uncle, Murong De to abandon the city for Huatai.

Supplanted by the Northern Wei, the Later Yan ceased to be a major player on the Central Plains as their territory was reduced to present-day Liaoning.