He defeated his enemies often, Guo Huai and Fei Yao for example. He often gave a radical plan for the taking of Chang'an, but was repeatedly rejected by Zhuge Liang to Yan's dismay. He was very good to his soldiers, but also boastful, and thus others avoided him. Although in the novel Wei Yan rebelled upon Zhuge Liang's death and was then killed, his death in history was different. Wei Yan was at odds with Yang Yi, who was Chief Clerk, and it was this feud that led to Wei Yan's "rebellion" and subsequent death.