Historical Record
The historical record of Hua Xiong is extremely sparse. In the official Records of the Three Kingdoms and its related sources, no detailed account can be found of Hua Xiong's life, origin, or specific deeds. He left no notable mark in the histories; even his precise post within Dong Zhuo's faction and his ultimate fate are beyond verification. From the standpoint of the historical biographical materials, then, Hua Xiong is a nearly blank figure, his image and deeds enriched and transmitted chiefly through later literary creation.
In the Novel
In Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Hua Xiong is shaped into a brave and valiant general under Dong Zhuo, a vivid figure and the central character of the classic episode "slaying Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm." He first appears in Chapter Five, when the eighteen lords gather in alliance to campaign against Dong Zhuo. When Dong Zhuo learned that the allied lords were invading, Lü Bu asked to go forth and fight, but Hua Xiong called out behind Lü Bu to request the battle. He boasted: "'Why use an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken?' There is no need for the Marquis to go in person. I shall take the heads of all the lords as easily as reaching into a bag for a thing." These words fully displayed Hua Xiong's arrogance and self-assurance. Greatly pleased to hear it, Dong Zhuo at once promoted Hua Xiong to Colonel of Valiant Cavalry, allotted him fifty thousand horse and foot, and ordered him to march by night with Li Su, Hu Zhen, and Zhao Cen to meet the enemy at Sishui Pass. Hua Xiong's valor was soon shown: after leading his army to Sishui Pass, Bao Zhong, younger brother of Bao Xin the Chancellor of Jibei, overrating himself, led three thousand horse and foot by a side road to give battle. With only five hundred armored riders Hua Xiong came galloping down from the pass, gave a great shout—"Rebel general, do not flee!"—and with a single stroke of his blade cut Bao Zhong down from his horse, capturing several officers alive. Hua Xiong then sent Bao Zhong's head back to Luoyang to report the victory, and Dong Zhuo accordingly promoted him to Commander, further raising his standing. Yet Hua Xiong's glory did not last long. Before Sishui Pass he slew in succession the allied generals Bao Zhong, Zu Mao, and Pan Feng, leaving the allied lords' morale low. At last Guan Yu stepped forth amid the lords' doubts; Cao Cao poured him a cup of hot wine, but Guan Yu said, "Pour the wine out; I will be back soon." He went out of the tent, took up his blade, vaulted onto his horse, and engaged Hua Xiong beyond the pass. After only a moment, Guan Yu returned to the central army carrying Hua Xiong's head, and that cup of wine "was still warm." This episode greatly heightened Guan Yu's martial prowess, and made Hua Xiong a typical villain who serves to set off a hero. Though his time on stage in the novel is brief, Hua Xiong is shaped as a vivid, fully realized figure, an indispensable fierce general in Dong Zhuo's faction.
Key Relationships
* Dong Zhuo's Faction (serves): Hua Xiong was a fierce general under Dong Zhuo, deeply valued by him. In the novel he volunteered to fight for Dong Zhuo and was promoted by him to Colonel of Valiant Cavalry and Commander. He garrisoned Sishui Pass for Dong Zhuo and was an important force of Dong Zhuo's faction against the allied army of eighteen lords.
* Guan Yu (dies_in): Hua Xiong ultimately died at the hand of Guan Yu, becoming the background figure of Guan Yu's classic deed of "slaying Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm." This relationship was not only the end of Hua Xiong's fate but also one of the cornerstones of Guan Yu's image as the God of War. (novel only)
Iconic Scenes
* Slaying Bao Zhong before Sishui Pass: Before Sishui Pass, facing Bao Zhong who came to make a surprise attack, Hua Xiong with only five hundred armored riders cut him down from his horse and captured several officers alive, displaying his valor and skill in battle. This engagement won him Dong Zhuo's esteem and promotion to Commander. (novel only)
* Slaying Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm: This is the most famous scene associated with Hua Xiong. Before Sishui Pass, Hua Xiong slew several generals of the allied lords in succession, his arrogance flaring. At last, amid Cao Cao's words "Pour the wine out; I will be back soon," Guan Yu went forth, swiftly slew Hua Xiong, and returned carrying his head, while the wine in the cup was still warm. This scene is not only the end of Hua Xiong but also a classic moment of Guan Yu's valiant image, handed down through the ages. (novel only)
Relationships
2 relationships
Enemies1
Other1
Lines
- 演 ch.5 §32→ Dong Zhuo📍 Luoyang
「『割雞焉用牛刀？』不勞溫侯親往。吾斬眾諸侯首級，如探囊取物耳。」
- 演 ch.5 §32→ Bao Zhong
「賊將休走！」
Chapters2 回 ▸
- 史ch.46
- 演ch.5
Relationship timeline1 条 ▸
演 ch.5
- Guan Yu§39
dies_in
被关羽于温酒之间斩首
Inner monologues · AI-generated1 段 ▸
- The wind howled across Guanzhong, and banners snapped above Sishui Pass. I, Hua Xiong, had been ordered to defend the pa
Life events2 ▸
- 0190-01-01 · YangrenBattle of Yangren· Killed in action
- 0190-01-01 · Sishui PassBattle of Sishuiguan· Killed in action