What a pity my two able generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, are not here! Then should we have someone who would not fear this Hua Xiong," said Yuan Shao.
He had not finished when from the lower end a voice tolled, "I will go, take Hua Xiong's head, and lay it before you here!" All turned to look at the speaker. He was tall and had a long beard. His eyes were those of a phoenix and his eyebrows thick and bushy like silkworms. His face was a swarthy red and his voice deep as the sound of a great bell.
"Who is he?" asked Yuan Shao.
Gongsun Zan told them it was Guan Yu, brother of Liu Bei.

"And what is he?" asked Yuan Shao.
"He is in the train of Liu Bei as a mounted archer."
"What! An insult to us all!" roared Yuan Shu from his place. "Have we no leader? How dare an archer speak thus before us? Let us beat him forth!" ｻ Shokyo -- mean -- Beating people for volunteering to get rid of a major threat? Sounds like he has a screw loose, or his head so far up his ass he can see his food being digested.

But Cao Cao intervened. "Peace, O Yuan Shu! Since this man speaks great words, he is certainly valiant. Let him try. If he fails, then we may reproach him."
"Hua Xiong will laugh at us if we send a mere archer to fight him," said Yuan Shao."This man looks no common person. And how can the enemy know he is but a bowman?" said Cao Cao.

"If I fail, then can you take my head," spoke Guan Yu.
Cao Cao bade them heat some wine and offered a cup to Guan Yu as he went out.
"Pour it out," said Guan Yu. "I shall return in a little space."

Guan Yu went with his weapon in his hand and vaulted into the saddle. Those in the tent heard the fierce roll of the drums and then a mighty sound as if skies were falling and earth rising, hills trembling and mountains tearing asunder. And they were sore afraid. And while they were listening with ears intent, lo! the gentle tinkle of horse bells, and Guan Yu returned, throwing at their feet the head of the slain leader, their enemy Hua Xiong.

The wine was still warm!