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.
When the Prince of Chengdu, Sima Ying, was assigned to defend Ye, he met with Lu Zhi and was deeply impressed by his talents.
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.
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.
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.
[10] 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.
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.
Later in 304, Sima Ying was appointed Crown Younger Brother, allowing him to inherit the throne after Emperor Hui dies.
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.
[12] 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.
[13] 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.
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).
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.
[14] 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.
At the same time, a general of Sima Ying, Gongshi Fan, also rebelled in Hebei in protest of the prince's removal from power.
Faced with multiple threats from the east, Sima Yong assigned Ying to Ye to appease Gongshi Fan's rebels.
Lu Zhi was also brought back as Administrator of Wei Commandery and then promoted to General of the Left to follow Ying to his post.
[17] From Wuguan, they fled to Nanyang but were attacked by the general, Liu Tao (劉陶), so they planned to go to Hebei to join Gongshi Fan.
Lu Zhi brought his wife and sons north to join the Inspector of Bingzhou, Liu Kun, who was resisting the growing Han threat.
After the official, Xun Yu (荀裕), revealed their plot, Lu Zhi, Xu Xia and Cui Wei were arrested, interrogated and executed.