Murong Chui was a legendary general of Former Yan whose brilliance made him the target of jealousy within his own royal family, forcing him to flee to the rival Former Qin dynasty. Under Fu Jian's leadership, he served as a loyal and capable general, though he never forgot his desire to restore his clan's empire.
Following Former Qin's disastrous defeat at the Battle of Fei River in 383 AD, Murong Chui seized the moment. He gathered his kinsmen and declared the restoration of the Yan dynasty, founding what history calls Later Yan in 384 AD. His military skill was so profound that even in his sixties, he remained undefeated in personal command.
Under his leadership, Later Yan expanded rapidly to control much of Northern China's eastern plains. However, as he aged, the rising Northern Wei dynasty emerged as a formidable threat. Though he personally defeated the Wei forces in his final campaign, his death shortly after left the empire in the hands of his less capable sons, leading to its eventual decline.