During the confusion following Shi Hu's death, he served as a general under his father Pu Hong, and during the reign of his brother Fu Jiàn (note the different pinyin), he was given the role of Prime Minister.
Fu Xiong's biggest contribution to the state was when he repelled a major invasion from the Grand Marshal of Jin, Huan Wen, at the Battle of Bailu Plain in 354.
However, he was also described as ugly, having short feet and a big head, earning him the nickname "Big-headed Prancing Dragon General".
Pu Hong always had imperial ambitions and wanted to use the chaos to form his own state, so he refused to submit to Zhao's de facto ruler Ran Min.
Fu Xiong was made his General Who Upholds The State and followed him during his campaign against Du Hong (杜洪) in Guanzhong.
[4] Later in 352, the Jin generals, Xie Shang and Yao Xiang, attacked the independent warlord Zhang Yu (張遇) at Xuchang.
Fu Xiong routed Xie Shang at Chengqiao (誠橋; near Xuchang), causing him to retreat to Huainan.
Fu Xiong then relocated Zhang Yu and thousands of households living under him back to the capital and placed Xuchang under Qin control.
[5] Near the end of the year, Fu Xiong campaigned against the Qinzhou (秦州, modern eastern Gansu) warlord Wang Zhuo at Longxi, forcing him to flee to Former Liang.
Due to an attempted insurrection in the capital made by Zhang Yu which triggered other minor revolts, Fu Xiong was recalled back to Chang'an to defeat the rebels.
As Huan Wen revelled in his victory and comforted the people around Chang'an, Fu Xiong shifted his attack over to Sima Xun, defeating him at Ziwu Valley (子午峪, in present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi).