Zhili clique
After the Republic of China was established, Lu was appointed commander of the Beiyang Tenth Division, guarding Zhejiang. For joining Duan Qirui, as part of the Anhui clique Lu was made military governor of Zhejiang from August 14, 1919 to September 7, 1924. Near the end of his term as Zhejiang governor he fell out with his counterpart, Jiangsu governor Qi Xieyuan, over control of Shanghai and their conflict became the First Jiangsu-Zhejiang War. Lu was defeated by Qi and his Zhili clique allies, most importantly Sun Chuanfang, when Sun attacked from the south. His control over Zhejiang collapsed when the local civil administration under Xia Chao defected to the Zhili clique. On October 13, 1924, Lu retired and sought asylum in Japan.