近年来中古史研究愈加重视北朝，许多问题都集中到了以下几点：“为什么北魏能够结束五胡十六国乱局，成为我国历史上第一个由少数民族建立而统一了北方地区的中原王朝？为什么其能够充当魏晋至隋唐由乱而治，由分裂而统一的历史枢纽？”由于北魏的许多特点都在开国时期发端，本书即由此切入解答这些问题，其中所作的探讨，也对研究北族政权的性质及其历史变迁，讨论我国历史上的民族关系理论和实践的发展，具有一定典型意义。

本书认为，从文明程度、思想背景，到所从事的各项建制和历史清理活动，都表明北魏的建立受到了汉魏以来统治合法性理论的强烈影响，呈现了自觉践履古文经学所代表的王朝正统理论，以此润饰和改造北族传统，又以此协调胡汉矛盾和建立、巩固专制皇权体制等特点。就其总体而言，北魏开国史体现了拓跋氏自身发展需要与中原王朝传统的密切结合，当时所定大政方针和各项制度，都因此而多有创作，并在诠释和贯彻圣王治道上超越了五胡时期。这就使其得以更为有效地协调胡汉关系，推进旧的习惯不断向新的制度转化；又能针对南北群雄证明自身的正统地位，搭建起更具开放和包容性的胡汉合作平台。这是北魏能够在中原地区站稳脚跟，进而终结五胡乱局和统一北方的关键。

In recent years, the study of medieval history has paid more and more attention to the Northern Dynasty, and many questions have focused on the following points: "Why was the Northern Wei Dynasty able to end the chaos of the Five Hu and Sixteen Kingdoms and become the first Central Plains dynasty in China's history established by ethnic minorities to unify the northern region?" Why can it serve as a historical pivot from chaos to Sui and Tang from chaos to unification? Since many characteristics of the Northern Wei Dynasty originated in the founding period, this book cuts into answering these questions, and the discussion made therein is also of certain typical significance for studying the nature of the Northern ethnic regime and its historical changes, and discussing the development of the theory and practice of ethnic relations in China's history. This book argues that from the degree of civilization, ideological background, to the various institutional and historical clean-up activities it has been engaged in, it shows that the establishment of the Northern Wei Dynasty was strongly influenced by the theory of legitimacy of rule since the Han and Wei dynasties, and presented the characteristics of consciously practicing the orthodox theory of the dynasty represented by ancient literature and scripture, so as to embellish and transform the traditions of the Northern ethnic group, and to coordinate the contradictions between the Hu and Han and the establishment and consolidation of an autocratic imperial system. In general, the history of the founding of the Northern Wei Dynasty reflects the close integration of the Tuoba clan's own development needs with the traditions of the Central Plains Dynasty, and the major policies and systems formulated at that time were created as a result, and surpassed the Wuhu period in interpreting and implementing the rule of the Holy King. This allows it to more effectively coordinate the relationship between Hu and Han and promote the continuous transformation of old habits into new systems; It can also prove its orthodox status for the north and south, and build a more open and inclusive Hu-Han cooperation platform. This was the key to Northern Wei's ability to gain a foothold in the Central Plains, thereby ending the chaos and unifying the north.（AI翻译）