Who really killed Hua Xiong? This is a widely debated question. Historically, during the campaign against Dong Zhuo, Guan Yu, Liu Bei, and Zhang Fei were still obscure minor figures who did not participate in this battle at all.
Yet in Chapter 5 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the author Luo Guanzhong attributes the feat of killing Hua Xiong entirely to Guan Yu, creating the legendary scene known as “killing Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm”—a moment that has endured through the ages.
The legendary scene: “Wine still warm”
In Chapter 5, Yuan Shao unites the Eighteen Feudal Lords to campaign against the tyrant Dong Zhuo. At Sishui Pass, Dong Zhuo’s general Hua Xiong defeats and kills several allied generals, plunging the coalition into despair and low morale.
At this critical moment, Guan Yu, then merely a mounted archer, volunteers to fight. Yuan Shu, looking down on his lowly status, is about to rebuke him, but Cao Cao intervenes and supports Guan Yu’s challenge. Cao Cao even pours a cup of hot wine to boost his morale. Guan Yu, however, says: “Put the wine aside—I shall return immediately.”
Sure enough, in a short moment, Guan Yu returns with Hua Xiong’s severed head. Remarkably, the wine Cao Cao had poured was still warm.
Historical reality vs. Literary fiction
It must be noted that historically, Hua Xiong was actually killed by Sun Jian. This episode is a clear example of artistic embellishment in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. So why did Luo Guanzhong “alter” history and transfer Sun Jian’s achievement to Guan Yu?
- Establishing Guan Yu as a heroic figure
Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a novel that “exalts Liu, denigrates Cao, and suppresses Sun.” The author Luo Guanzhong greatly admires the Liu Bei faction, and Guan Yu, as a core general of that faction, embodies loyalty and righteousness.
To make Guan Yu “stand out” from the very beginning, Luo Guanzhong needed a defining moment to establish his heroic stature. “Killing Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm” serves as the perfect debut:
Hua Xiong had already defeated forces led by Bao Xin and Sun Jian, and slain several allied generals (Bao Zhong, Zu Mao, Yu She, and Pan Feng), striking fear into the hearts of the feudal lords.
All other generals were terrified and dared not step forward.
Guan Yu, despite his humble status as a “mounted archer,” steps forward and achieves instant fame.
This episode greatly enhances Guan Yu’s prestige and lays the groundwork for his later legendary feats such as “crossing five passes and slaying six generals” and his “thousand-li solo journey.”
- Highlighting the legitimacy and rise of the Liu Bei
Among the Eighteen Lords, Liu Bei’s forces were the weakest and held the lowest status. If the Liu Bei faction had no notable achievements in the campaign against Dong Zhuo, it would be difficult to portray them as the “rightful heirs” to restore the Han dynasty.
By assigning the killing of Hua Xiong to Guan Yu, Luo Guanzhong skillfully:
- Grants the Liu Bei faction the first major victory in a pivotal historical event.
- Elevates Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei from obscurity to heroes dedicated to saving the Han dynasty.
- Strengthens readers’ emotional identification with the Shu Han cause.
- Sun Jian’s early death and limited narrative role
Although Sun Jian was a brave warrior, he died young in 192 AD and did not live to establish the foundation of the Wu kingdom. In contrast, his sons Sun Ce and Sun Quan were the true architects of the Eastern Wu state.
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Sun Jian appears only briefly. Giving him a moment of glory like killing Hua Xiong would have little impact on the overall narrative. On the other hand, Guan Yu is a central character who appears throughout the novel, so attributing this feat to him creates greater literary value and continuity.
- Enhancing dramatic tension and artistic impact
The “wine still warm” episode is rich in visual imagery and dramatic rhythm:
- The phrase “the wine was still warm” powerfully emphasizes the swiftness of the battle.
- The contrast between the warlords’ fear and Guan Yu’s calm confidence is striking.
- Cao Cao’s recognition of talent versus Yuan Shu’s disdain highlights differing standards of leadership and judgment.
Such artistic treatment is far more compelling than a straightforward historical account like “Sun Jian defeated the enemy and killed Hua Xiong.”
Leave a Reply