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Gong Ao (Chinese:共敖;pinyin:Gòng Áo; died 204 BC) was a ruler of theKingdom of Linjiang of theEighteen Kingdoms during theChu–Han Contention, aninterregnum between theQin dynasty and theHan dynasty.
Gong Ao descended from a noble family of theChu state in theWarring States period. He served King Huai II of the insurgent Chu kingdom that was established in the final years of the Qin dynasty. After the fall of Qin in 206 BC,Xiang Yu divided the former Qin Empire into theEighteen Kingdoms, and granted Gong Ao the title of "King of Linjiang" (臨江國). Gong Ao's fief was located inNan Commandery (南郡; covering most of present-day northernHubei) of the former Qin Empire, with Jiangling (江陵; present-dayJiangling County,Jingzhou, Hubei) as his capital.
In late 206 BC, Gong Ao, along with Wu Rui andYing Bu, received a secret order from Xiang Yu to killEmperor Yi of Chu (the former King Huai II) while the emperor was on his journey to Chen County (郴縣; present-dayChenzhou,Hunan). During theChu–Han Contention, although Gong Ao was on Xiang Yu's side, he did not participate in the conflict.
Gong Ao died in 204 BC and was succeeded by his sonGong Wei.
| Chinese royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by None | King of Linjiang 206 BC – 204 BC | Succeeded by |