Fan Xu (505 BCE-?), surname Fan, given name Xu, courtesy name Zichi, commonly known as Fan Chi, was thirty-six years younger than Confucius and a native of the State of Qi. He is mentioned five times in The Analects. Possessing strategic insight and a spirit of valor, he served the Ji family in his twenties. In the eleventh year of Duke Ai of Lu (484 BCE), when Qi forces attacked Lu, Ran Qiu (a disciple of Confucius and military commander) led the "Left Army" to resist the enemy, appointing Fan Chi as his chariot officer on the right, at which time Fan Chi was only twenty years old. When the Lu troops hesitated to cross a ditch to engage, Fan Chi advised Ran Qiu to lead the charge; Ran Qiu adopted his suggestion, resulting in a great victory for Lu. Fan Chi was a highly studious person with strong ambition, eager to learn everything from moral principles and literary arts to labor and production. He asked Confucius about the doctrine of Ren (Benevolence) on four occasions. The first is found in The Analects, Book Six (Yong Ye): "Fan Chi asked about Ren. The Master said, 'The person of Ren first endures difficulties and then reaps rewards—this can be called Ren.'" The second is in Book Thirteen (Zi Lu): "Fan Chi asked about Ren. The Master said, 'In dwelling, be respectful; in handling affairs, be reverent; in dealing with others, be loyal. Even among the Yi and Di barbarians, these cannot be abandoned.'" Another instance: "Fan Chi asked about Ren. The Master said, 'Love others.'" The remaining mention appears in Book Twelve (Yan Yuan), identical to the previous one.
He also asked Confucius about Xiao (Filial Piety), Zhi (Wisdom), and "Chong De, Xiu Ye, Bian Huo" (how to elevate virtue, improve learning, and discern right from wrong).
On one occasion, he asked Confucius about planting crops and vegetables, and was rebuked by Confucius for having no ambition—a clear expression of Confucius's disdain for productive labor, which was evidently incorrect. In fact, he was also one of the outstanding disciples of Confucius. Judging from the exchanges between him and Confucius, Fan Chi (a disciple of Confucius) seemed to lean toward impatience in his actions. Therefore, when he asked Confucius about Ren (Benevolence) and "exalting virtue," Confucius told him: "The benevolent person first faces difficulties and then reaps rewards"; "First work, then gain." Confucius's answers were not directed at the questions themselves, but were targeted responses given based on the specific circumstances and the specific individual. This was Confucius's common practice of teaching students according to their aptitude with his disciples.