He inherited a war with Northern Wei from his father but 5 years of his reign went relatively calm.
In the winter of 448 and spring 449, Emperor Taiwu and Crown Prince Huang attacked Rouran together, but Tuhezhen eluded them and did not engage them.
In the winter of 458, Emperor Wencheng launched a major attack against Rouran, but considered abandoning it when his troops encountered a snowstorm.
At Yuchi Juan's urging (arguing that a withdrawal would unduly signal weakness to Rouran), however, Emperor Wencheng continued, and while he was not able to deal a major defeat to Tuhezhen, a number of Rouran tribesmen surrendered.
During his reign, the last remnant of Northern Liang was invaded and Juqu Anzhou deposed in 460.