During the Eastern Han Dynasty, a scholar named Fan Shi, styled Juqing, from Shanyang Jinxiang (modern-day southern Jiaxiang, Shandong), was known for his sincerity and love of learning. As a young man, he studied at the Imperial Academy in Luoyang, where he met Zhang Shao, styled Boyuan, from Runan (modern-day southwestern Shangcai, Henan). The two studied together frequently, found a deep bond of friendship, and swore an oath to become sworn brothers.
One spring, the two men took leave together to return to their hometowns, departing the capital. As they parted ways, they lingered, reluctant to say goodbye.
Fan Shi said to Zhang Shao, "In two years, I'll pass by your home to visit your parents and see your children." Zhang Shao replied happily, "That's wonderful! But you must tell me the exact date." Fan Shi thought for a moment and answered, "Around autumn." Zhang Shao pressed, "Which day?" Fan Shi replied, "Let's settle on the fifteenth day of the ninth month." Zhang Shao said, "Then it's settled—don't forget!" Fan Shi assured him sincerely, "I will arrive on time, rest assured."
And so, the two parted ways.
Two years passed quickly, and soon it was the fifteenth day of September. Before dawn, Zhang Shao rose and said to his mother, "Today my good friend Fan Juqing is coming, so I must prepare a proper welcome."
So Zhang Shao killed a chicken and cooked millet to prepare for his guest. His parents, seeing him bustling about, laughed and said, "You parted two years ago, a thousand li apart—how can you be sure he will arrive on time just because of a single promise?"
Zhang Shao said, "I know Fan Juqing's character very well. He is a man of his word and will never break his promise." His mother smiled again and said, "Since that's the case, I'll go get the wine for you."
Before they could finish speaking, Fan Shi had already entered the hall. He paid respects to Zhang Shao's parents, and the entire family feasted together, filled with great joy.
Later, the idiom "Fan and Zhang's Chicken and Millet" came to describe genuine friendship or hospitality to friends.
Source: *Taiping Yulan*
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "范张鸡黍" came to describe genuine friendship or hospitality to friends.