Gong Ao

Who is Gong Ao?

Gong Ao was a ruler of the Kingdom of Linjiang of the Eighteen Kingdoms during the Chu–Han Contention, an interregnum between the Qin Dynasty and the Han Dynasty.

Gong Ao descended from a noble family of the Chu state in the Warring 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 the Eighteen Kingdoms, and granted Gong Ao the title of "King of Linjiang". Gong Ao's fief was located in Nan commandery of the former Qin Empire, with Jiangling as his capital.

In late 206 BC, Gong Ao, along with Wu Rui and Ying Bu, received a secret order from Xiang Yu to kill Emperor Yi of Chu while the emperor was on his journey to Chen County. During the Chu–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 son Gong Wei.