John of Gaunt vs Lu Yijian

After the death of Edward III, John of Gaunt acted as regent for the young Richard II. He effectively ruled England during the early years of Richard's reign, managing the kingdom's affairs.

John of Gaunt was a target of the Peasants' Revolt, with rebels burning his Savoy Palace in London. He was forced to flee to Scotland, and the revolt highlighted the social tensions in England.

John of Gaunt led a military campaign to claim the throne of Castile through his wife, Constance of Castile. The campaign was unsuccessful, and he eventually renounced his claim in the Treaty of Bayonne.

John of Gaunt opposed the Lords Appellant, a group of nobles who sought to limit Richard II's power. His influence helped prevent a civil war, but the conflict weakened the monarchy.

John of Gaunt signed the Treaty of Bayonne with John I of Castile, renouncing his claim to the Castilian throne in exchange for a large payment and the marriage of his daughter Catherine to the Castilian heir.

Lu Yijian was appointed as chancellor (zaixiang) during the regency of Empress Liu, who ruled for the young Emperor Renzong. He became her chief advisor, managing state affairs and consolidating power at court.

Lu Yijian effectively controlled the Song government during Empress Liu's regency, appointing allies and sidelining rivals. His dominance lasted until the empress's death, after which he faced challenges from other factions.

After Empress Liu's death, Lu Yijian was accused of corruption and overreaching his authority. He was demoted and exiled to a provincial post, ending his political career. His fall marked a shift in court dynamics under Emperor Renzong.

Lu Yijian supported the early stages of the Qingli Reforms, a set of administrative and fiscal reforms aimed at reducing corruption and improving governance. However, his involvement was limited, and the reforms were later abandoned due to opposition.