Lu Zhi (died December 312Vol.88 of Zizhi Tongjian recorded that Lu Zhi and Lu Chen's younger brothers were killed in the 11th month of the 6th year of the Yong'jia era. The month corresponds to 15 Dec 312 to 13 Jan 313 in the Julian calendar. or 315), courtesy name Zidao, was a Chinese politician of the Western Jin dynasty, and the Han-Zhao dynasty during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was a close confidant of the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying; throughout the War of the Eight Princes, Lu Zhi provided Sima Ying with vital advice. Lu was praised by traditional historians for encouraging his prince towards righteous decisions and remaining by his side, even after Sima Ying's fall from power and until his death in 306. After the war, he continued to serve the Jin government until his capture by the Han-Zhao dynasty, where he briefly served before he was executed for treason.
Background Lu Zhi was a native of Zhuo County, Fanyang Commandery and was the great-grandson of the Han dynasty military general, Lu Zigan. His grandfather, Lu Yu, uncle Lu Qin (盧欽) and father Lu Ting (盧珽; Lu Qin's younger brother), were officials for the Cao Wei dynasty, with the latter two going on to serve under Wei's successor, Western Jin.Jin Shu, vol.44 Early in his career, Lu Zhi served as an official in the government and Prefect of the Masters of Writing before leaving the capital, Luoyang to serve as the Prefect of Ye.
When the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying, was assigned to defend Ye, he met with Lu Zhi and was deeply impressed by his talents. The two men trusted each other, and eventually, Lu Zhi became a key advisor for the prince.(志字子道，初辟公府掾、尚書郎，出為鄴令。成都王穎之鎮鄴也，愛其才量，委以心膂，遂為謀主。) Jin Shu, vol.44
War of the Eight Princes
Coalition against Sima Lun In February 301, the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun, usurped the throne from Emperor Hui of Jin. In response, the Prince of Qi, Sima Jiong, began a coalition to depose Lun and urged Sima Ying to join him. Sima Ying consulted Lu Zhi for a strategy, and he opined, "The Prince of Zhao [Sima Lun] is unjust, acting with tyranny and rebellion. He has aroused the anger of the people and spirits within the Four Seas. Currently, Your Highness commands the three armies, and should we react quickly at the right time, the people will flock to you without being summoned. As we will be sweeping away the wicked and treacherous, conquest can be achieved without a battle. However, military affairs are of the utmost importance and therefore should be cautiously handled by the sages. It is best that we appoint and promote talented individuals to win the support and respect of the people."(穎召志計事，志曰：「趙王無道，肆行篡逆，四海人神，莫不憤怒。今殿下總率三軍，應期電發，子來之眾，不召自至。掃夷凶逆，必有征無戰。然兵事至重，聖人所慎。宜旌賢任才，以收時望。」穎深然之，改選上佐，高辟掾屬，以志為諮議參軍，仍補左長史，專掌文翰。) Jin Shu, vol.44 Sima Ying agreed and made Lu Zhi his Consultant Advisor and Chief Clerk of the Left. He was also placed in charge of handling official documents.
As Sima Ying marched to Luoyang, he and his soldiers were met by Sima Lun's army at Huangqiao (黃橋, around present-day Wen County, Henan). Ying's vanguard was badly defeated at first, causing him to consider retreating to defend Zhaoge. However, Lu Zhi insisted that they surprise their enemies by advancing quickly with their best soldiers during the early morning, believing that they had become overconfident from their recent victory.(穎欲退保朝歌，盧志、王彥曰：「今我軍失利，敵新得志，有輕我之心。我若退縮，士氣沮衂，不可復用。且戰何能無勝負！不若更選精兵，星行倍道，出敵不意，此用兵之奇也。」) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.84 Sima Ying agreed and sent his general, Zhao Xiang (趙驤), with 80,000 to advance with Wang Yan (王彥). As predicted, the enemy commander, Shi Yi (士猗) underestimated their momentum, allowing Ying's forces to win a great victory and cross the Yellow River.
Regency of Sima Jiong Before the coalition could arrive, Sima Lun was overthrown and killed in a coup in Luoyang. Sima Ying's forces were the first to arrive at the capital, but as leader of the coalition, Sima Jiong took power as regent following Emperor Hui's restoration. Lu Zhi warned Sima Ying, "The Prince of Qi [Sima Jiong] commanded a million soldiers, yet he could not defeat Zhang Hong (張泓) and the like. Meanwhile, you, Great Prince, crossed the Yellow River and achieved exceptional merits. Now, the Prince of Qi wishes to share power over the court with you. However, it is said that two heroes cannot coexist, and their deeds cannot be equal. Thus, you should cite your mother's illness and request to return to your base. Honour the Prince of Qi and gradually win the support of the people within the Four Seas. This is the best strategy to take."(及倫敗，志勸穎曰：「齊王眾號百萬，與張泓等相持不能決，大王逕得濟河，此之大勳，莫之與比，而齊王今當與大王共輔朝政。志聞兩雄不俱處，功名不並立，今宜因太妃微疾，求還定省，推崇齊王，徐結四海之心，此計之上也。」) Jin Shu, vol.44
Sima Ying accepted his suggestion and handed over all major responsibilities to Sima Jiong before returning to Ye. His actions garnered much praise and support from the people. For his contribution in the war, Lu Zhi was awarded the title of Marquis of Wuqiang and promoted to Cavalier in Regular Attendance. While in Ye, Ying entrusted all affairs to Lu Zhi and through his guidance become increasingly popular among the people while Jiong lost favour due to his arrogant personality.(穎形美而神昏，不知書，然器性敦厚，委事於志，故得成其美焉。及齊王冏驕侈無禮，於是眾望歸之。) Jin Shu, vol.59
On one occasion, as summer was approaching, Lu Zhi reminded Ying of the more than 8,000 men who were killed at the Battle of Huangqiao. Not wanting the bodies to go to waste, he advised the prince to carry out burials for them, citing King Wen of Zhou who once ordered the burial of the skeletal remains of an unknown person he found in the wild. Ying commissioned for more than 8,000 coffins built and used funds from his fief to acquire clothing. The bodies were buried north of Huangqiao, and a stele was erected to commemorate the soldiers' deeds. Meanwhile, families of the fallen soldiers were honoured and ordered to perform seasonal sacrifices for them. Ying also submitted a petition concerning family matters and posthumously promoted the soldiers by two ranks. Additionally, he had more than 14,000 troops who died fighting for Sima Lun buried in Wen County.(盧志言於穎曰：「黃橋戰亡者有八千餘人，既經夏暑，露骨中野，可為傷惻。昔周王葬枯骨，故《詩》云'行有死人，尚或墐之'。況此等致死王事乎！」穎乃造棺八千餘枚，以成都國秩為衣服，斂祭，葬于黃橋北，樹枳籬為之塋域。又立都祭堂，刊石立碑，紀其赴義之功，使亡者之家四時祭祀有所。仍表其門閭，加常戰亡二等。又命河內溫縣埋藏趙倫戰死士卒萬四千餘人。) Jin Shu, vol.59
In 302, the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong, was raising troops to campaign against Sima Jiong and informed Ying about it. Lu Zhi attempted to dissuade Ying from joining the plot, but the prince refused to heed his advice.(及河間王顒納李含之說，欲內除二王，樹穎儲副，遣報穎，穎將應之，志正諫，不從。) Jin Shu, vol.44 However, before they could launch their campaign, Jiong was killed in Luoyang by the Prince of Changsha, Sima Ai, and the latter began holding considerable power over the imperial government.
Coalition against Sima Ai Unsatisfied with the outcome, Yong and Ying started another coalition in 303, this time to overthrow Sima Ai. Lu Zhi tried again to persuade him from joining, stating, "Lord, previously you had achieved great merits, willingly relinquished your power and refused honours, all which earned you immense respect and admiration. Right now, you should be stationing your armies outside the passes and entering the court in ceremonial robes. This is the act of a hegemon."(盧志諫曰：「公前有大功而委權辭寵，時望美矣。今若頓軍關外，文服入朝，此霸主之事也。」) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.85 However, Ying ignored him and proceeded with Sima Yong's forces to lay siege on Sima Ai in Luoyang. After Ai's defeat in 304, Ying returned to Ye and became prime minister. He also appointed Lu Zhi as Chief of the Palace Secretariat, providing him with advice for his duty as prime minister.
Sima Ying as Crown Younger Brother Later in 304, Sima Ying was appointed Crown Younger Brother, allowing him to inherit the throne after Emperor Hui dies. Afterwards, he was said to have grown more arrogant and corrupt, losing some support from the people. Soon, the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, started a coalition from Luoyang to depose him but was defeated. Emperor Hui, who was following Sima Yue's forces, was captured by Ying's men, so the prince sent Lu Zhi to escort him to Ye.(乘與敗于蕩陰，穎遣志督兵迎帝。) Jin Shu, vol.44
Not long after, the Chief Controller of Youzhou, Wang Jun, and the Inspector of Bingzhou, Sima Teng, also started their campaign against Ying. Wang Jun was victorious in every bout on the way to Ye, and when he reached the city, many of Ying's officials, generals and soldiers fled. Lu Zhi urged the prince to fall back to Luoyang with Emperor Hui, and he agreed. However, Ying's mother, Grand Consort Cheng (程太妃), was fond of the city and refused to leave, causing Ying to hesitate with his decision. Soon, many of the remaining soldiers also fled, leaving only Lu Zhi, his son Lu Mi (盧謐), his nephew Lu Chen (盧綝) and a thousand palace troops.(及王浚攻鄴，志勸穎奉天子還洛陽。時甲士尚萬五千人，志夜部分，至曉，眾皆成列，而程太妃戀鄴不欲去，穎未能決。俄而眾潰，唯志與子謐、兄子綝、殿中武賁千人而已，志復勸穎早發。) Jin Shu, vol.44
Lu Zhi urged Ying to carry out the plan, but it was only after the departure Taoist diviner surnamed Huang (黃), whom the Grand Consort deeply trusted, that they could finally leave. With no horses and porters, Lu Zhi had to acquire ropes and deer carts from the barracks to escape on calf-drawn carts. On the way to Luoyang, Ying's party was joined by the general, Hao Chang (郝昌), and his soldiers at Ji Commandery (汲郡; around present-day Weihui, Henan). With the party rejuvenated, Lu Zhi suggested to Emperor Hui that he issue a letter of amnesty so that the emperor would be received and assisted by the common people. The party reached Luoyang, where they were placed under the authority of Sima Yong's general, Zhang Fang. Lu Zhi recommended that Man Fen (滿奮) be appointed the Colonel-Director of Retainers as many of Ying's followers who had fled earlier returned to restore some function to the government. Emperor Hui was pleased and greatly rewarded Lu Zhi.(時有道士姓黃，號曰聖人，太妃信之。及使呼人，道士求兩杯酒，飲訖，拋杯而去，於是志計始決。而人馬復散，志于營陣間尋索，得數乘鹿車，司馬督韓玄收集黃門，得百餘人...於是禦犢車便發。屯騎校尉郝昌先領兵八千守洛陽，帝召之，至汲郡而昌至，兵仗甚盛。志喜於復振，啟天子宜下赦書，與百姓同其休慶。既達洛陽，志啟以滿奮為司隸校尉。奔散者多還，百官粗備，帝悅，賜志絹二百匹、綿百斤、衣一襲、鶴綾袍一領。) Jin Shu, vol.44
As Zhang Fang controlled the military in Luoyang, he dominated Emperor Hui and Sima Ying was powerless to stop him. After staying at the capital for so long, Zhang Fang's men were becoming restless and planned to move the emperor to Yong's base in Chang'an. In December 304, Zhang Fang ordered Emperor Hui out of the city to stay at the ramparts. The emperor was reluctant at first, but Lu Zhi persuaded him to follow Zhang Fang's command. At this point, many of the ministers had fled and gone into hiding, but only Lu Zhi stayed by the emperor's side. While Emperor Hui was away, Zhang Fang's men began pillaging Luoyang. Zhang Fang even planned to burn down the Ancestral Temple, but Lu Zhi intervened and said, "In the past, Dong Zhuo was a tyrant who burned down Luoyang, and the resentment towards him has lasted for a hundred years. Why would you want to imitate that?" Thus, Zhang Fang decided against it.(時羣臣皆逃匿，唯中書監盧志侍側，曰：「陛下今日之事，當一從右將軍。」帝遂幸方壘，令方具車載宮人、寶物... 方將焚宗廟、宮室以絕人返顧之心，盧志曰：「董卓無道，焚燒洛陽，怨毒之聲，百年猶存，何爲襲之！」乃止。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.85 After three days, Zhang Fang brought Emperor Hui to Chang'an, and Lu Zhi followed them. There, Sima Ying was demoted from his position as Crown Younger Prince, while Lu Zhi was stripped of his position.
After Sima Ying's removal