After the army returned to Pingcheng, news soon came from Tongwan that Helian Bobo, the king of Xia, was preparing to depose the crown prince Helian Bi and replace it with his youngest son, Helian Lun, the king of Jiuquan. When Helian Lun heard the news, he immediately led 70,000 troops north to attack Helian Lun. Helian Lun led 30,000 cavalry to meet the attack, and the two sides fought in Gaoping, and Helian Lun was defeated and died.

When he was in chaos, Helian Chang, the king of Taiyuan, led 10,000 cavalry to attack Helian Biao's army, beheaded Helian Biao, subdued 85,000 of his troops, and returned to the national capital to unify 10,000 people. When Helian Bobo heard this, not only did he not blame Helian Chang, but he was overjoyed and made Helian Chang the crown prince.

When news of the internal strife between the princes of the Xia Kingdom in the west reached Pingcheng, Tuoba Tao sent an edict to the Chinese Wu Minister of the Dynasty, and began a court discussion on whether the Wei army would continue to attack Rouran or attack the Xia State first.

The Xianbei nobles benefited a lot from the last war against Rouran, and the important ministers of the court, Sun Song, Situ Chang Sun Han, Sikong Xijin and others unanimously demanded to attack Rouran, saying: "Helian is a native of the clan, and it is not enough to worry for the time being. It is better to cut down the northern worms first, if you can catch them, you can win a big victory; If we can't catch up, we will go to Yinshan for a big hunt, and we can obtain a large number of fur and bones of birds and beasts, which can be used to enrich military supplies. ”

Taichang Cui Hao believed that the strategic significance of the Guanzhong region to the Wei State, and advocated the invasion of Xia, and said: "When the worm comes, it gathers like a bird; And when he went, he fled like wild beasts. If you chase after it with a large army, you will definitely not catch up, and if you use light troops to raid it, I am afraid it will not be enough to destroy it. And the land of the Helian clan is only thousands of miles, the punishment is brutal, and the people and gods are angry, Weichen feels that he should still crusade against the Xia Kingdom first. ”

Another part of the people, Wujing, Hou Anyuan and others had different opinions, and asked to crusade against the Northern Yan in Liaodong first.

Tuoba Tao hesitated, and after the court discussion, he invited Cui Hao into the palace to speak.

Tuoba Tao said to Cui Hao earnestly: "You are intelligent, knowledgeable, served my grandfather and father, and faithfully assisted three generations of kings, so I have always regarded you as a close confidant. You should be faithful and speak out, and you should not hide anything. Although I sometimes do not listen to your advice, I still think deeply about your words in the end. So, if you have any thoughts on the matter of the court, please do not hesitate to speak. ”

Cui Hao replied respectfully: "Since the emperor is hesitant, it is better to inspect the border defense." Seeing is believing, which is more conducive to the emperor to make the right decision. Weichen pays attention to the stars every night, and if there is an omen, he will report to the emperor as soon as possible. ”

Cui Hao is good at predicting the future according to celestial phenomena, often put the raw copper in a container with vinegar, and every time he finds something in the sky at night, he immediately uses the raw copper to write on the paper and record the vision.

He observed the celestial phenomena, predicted the affairs of the world, and accurately predicted the demise of Later Qin, Liu Yu's territory in Guanzhong would be seized by Helian Bobo, and predicted that Liu Yu would usurp power and become emperor. After his prophecy came true many times, Tuoba was very impressed and attached more importance to his opinion, and Cui Hao's position as the first Hanchen of Wei became more solid. When Tuoba Tao was still the crown prince, Cui Hao was the head of the right bi.

After hearing this, Tuoba Tao decided to inspect the border defense and make arrangements for the government affairs of the capital. Before leaving Pingcheng, he specially issued an edict to Shangshu Province: "I am not in the capital, and Cui Taichang will preside over the government affairs." All major military affairs, which you cannot decide, should be consulted by Cui Hao, and then put it into practice. ”

So, Tuoba Tao took Qiyun to inspect from the clouds to the west, arrived at Wuyuan, went to Yinshan to hunt, and then went east to Hedou Mountain. After a few months, Tuoba Tao led the crowd back to Pingcheng. After returning to Pingcheng, he learned that He Sining gave birth to a child and died in childbirth.

Tuoba Tao named his eldest son Tuoba Huang, who was babbling in swaddling clothes, and said sadly: "I have been patrolling from the clouds, from east to west, for three months. But when my own son was born, I couldn't accompany Si Ning's side. Am I a failure? ”

Empress Dowager Dou lovingly relieved: "Buddha, you patrol the border, not for your own personal interests, but for military affairs. Although Si Ning went, she would definitely be able to understand you, and you don't have to blame yourself too much. Dayu controls the water three times and does not enter the house, people will remember his holy virtue, and forgetting selfishness is the holy king's doing. ”

In addition to being sad, Tuoba Tao admired He Sining, posthumously presented her as a noble concubine, and was buried in Jinling, the imperial mausoleum of Wei. And personally selected the mother to raise the emperor's eldest son, Tuoba Huang.

Qiyun saw that Tuoba Tao had passed away thinking about himself, and he was depressed, so he cooked a few southern dishes carefully. Seeing that he had some appetite, Tuoba Tao took a big bite of his rice bowl. She supported her chin with both hands, and she didn't move her chopsticks, just watched him eat, and felt very good.

In the past few days, he has first conquered Rouran, and then patrolled the border, working day and night in government affairs. Although his body was strong, he was sometimes a little tired, and his face was a little dark and thin.

Qiyun was distressed to prepare vegetables for him, and Zong Ai came to report the news: Qin Tianjian who observed the time came with news that Cui Situ watched the stars at night and found a good omen. When Tuoba Tao heard this, he immediately abandoned the dishes and chopsticks, and he didn't bother to put on his coat, so he pulled his legs and walked out.

How can this emperor be so miserable? I can't finish a single dinner. Qiyun saw that he was thinly clothed and went out, hurriedly took his coat, and chased after him with a shout.

Tuoba Tao took the clothes, took her hand, and said happily: "Yun'er, you can also go with me to have a look." Cui Taichang and Kou Qianzhi are proficient in astrology, and they have discovered the omen of great luck, which will definitely be beneficial for our Great Wei to attack the Xia Kingdom. ”

Taichang Cui Hao and Kou Qianzhi were at the gate of Qin Tianjian and saw Tuoba Tao and Qiyun coming together, and hurriedly stepped forward to salute.

Cui Hao said respectfully: "A few years ago, Mars twice orbited close to Yulin Star and Hook Ji Star, and divination and divination all indicated the demise of the Later Qin State. At this moment, the five stars of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth appeared in the east at the same time, indicating that the western expedition would be victorious. Your Majesty, the will of God and the hearts of mortals echo each other, and this opportunity must not be lost. ”

On the planetarium, under the night sky, Qiyun and Tuoba Tao looked up at the sky, and sure enough, they saw the five stars of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth appearing in the east at the same time, shining and mysterious.

Qiyun pointed to the starry sky and said with a smile: "Congratulations to the emperor, this astrological sign is a good omen." In the pre-Qin and Han dynasties, the five-star occupation was mainly used for military purposes, and it was very effective. It is said that when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty attacked Nanqiang, this auspicious omen appeared. Historical Records? The Book of Heavenly Palace records that 'among the five stars divided into heavens, they accumulate in the east, and China is beneficial; Accumulating in the West, foreign military users benefit. The five stars are gathered in one house from the stars, and the country they give up can be lawed to the world. 'The heavens and the earth turn, the sun and the moon pass, and the five stars are difficult to gather. And the five stars can appear together in the east, indicating that the emperor's western expedition will be a great victory. Tuoba Tao was overjoyed when he heard this.