Yao Chang falls seriously ill around the new year of 393, and on his death bed tells Yao Xing to trust the several officials with whom he has entrusted his administration: Yin, Yao Huang, Yao Damu, and Di Bozhi.

When Yao Huang asks Yao Chang for strategies to defeat the Former Qin emperor Fu Deng, Yao Chang refuses to answer, merely stating that he trusts that Yao Xing will be able to accomplish it.

When Fu Deng, having heard of Yao Chang’s illness, attacks the Later Qin vassal Dou Chong at Anding (in modern Pingliang, Gansu), Yao Chang, at the suggestion of the prime minister Yin Wei, sends Yao Xing against Fu Deng in order to establish Yao Xing's authority over the troops.

Yao Xing is able to stop Fu Deng's attack on Dou with relative ease.