During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the Central Plains was in turmoil, and wars were everywhere. In troubled times, interests and desires were intertwined, and people's hearts were ups and downs. The ancients said, "Everything in the world is bustling for profit; everything in the world is bustling, everything is for profit." This is the truest portrayal of this era - the forces of all parties are divided and confront each other, and the heroes are vying for power, all coveting the fertile land of the Central Plains and trying to control the power of the world. At that time, wars were raging in the northern land, and there were five major forces occupying the place. They checked and balanced each other and attacked each other: the Northern Wei Dynasty dominated the hinterland of the Central Plains, and its foundation was gradually stabilized; Rouran galloped across the Mobei grassland, The cavalry are fierce and fierce, and the tigers are watching; Daxia, Beiliang, and Beiyan are each divided into one side. Although their power is slightly weaker, they also have their own ambitions, waiting for opportunities to expand in the cracks, entangled with each other, and the war never stops.
The Liu Song regime in the south of the Yangtze River, after years of rest and recuperation, has become increasingly powerful. It has always been eyeing the vast territory in the north. It often sends troops north to start tug-of-war with the northern countries, further exacerbating the turbulent pattern of the troubled times. The main story line of this book closely revolves around the life of Tuoba Tao, the Taiwu Emperor of the Northern Wei Dynasty. It not only depicts his heroic strategy and iron-blooded edge from the time when he ascended the throne as a boy to galloping on the battlefield to unify the north, but also describes his little-known love and hatred - not only the loneliness and choices of the emperor, but also the bondage and regrets of his children's love. At the same time, the story also connects the ups and downs of the people around him. Above the court, civil servants and generals have their own agendas, and clans and nobles compete for power, openly and secretly. Outside the battlefield, cronies and enemies are intertwined, loyalty and betrayal coexist. A magnificent picture of the troubled times in the Southern and Northern Dynasties slowly unfolds along Tuoba Tao's life.
