Hua Xiong

Hua Xiong (華雄) was a military general serving under the warlord Dong Zhuo during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is primarily known for his role in the campaign against Dong Zhuo, specifically his defeat at the hands of Guan Yu during the Battle of Sishui Pass.

Historically, Hua Xiong's biography is relatively brief and lacking in detail within the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), the primary historical text for the era. However, his portrayal in Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms significantly amplified his fame and cemented his place in popular culture.

In the novel, Hua Xiong is depicted as a formidable warrior who successfully defends Sishui Pass against the coalition forces attempting to overthrow Dong Zhuo. He defeats several enemy generals, including Bao Zhong (鮑忠) and Zu Mao (祖茂), inflicting significant losses on the coalition. His advance is ultimately halted when Guan Yu, a then-unknown archer serving under Gongsun Zan, volunteers to challenge him. Overcoming objections due to his low rank, Guan Yu is allowed to fight and swiftly defeats and kills Hua Xiong in a single combat, becoming an instant hero and altering the course of the campaign.

The novel's account of Hua Xiong's death differs significantly from the historical record, where he is stated to have been killed during a battle but without the dramatic circumstances attributed to Guan Yu. Due to the enduring popularity of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the fictionalized version of Hua Xiong's demise is often more widely known than the historical account.

Despite his relatively limited historical significance, Hua Xiong remains a recognizable figure in Chinese culture, symbolizing both martial prowess and the swift, decisive victory of a lesser-known hero. He is often referenced in discussions of the Three Kingdoms period and continues to appear in various adaptations of the story, including video games, films, and television series.