Gong Ao (Chinese: 共敖; pinyin: Gòng Áo; died 204 BC) was a ruler of the Kingdom of Linjiang of the Eighteen Kingdoms during the Chu–Han contention period of Chinese history.
Gong descended from a noble family of the Chu state. 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 the title of "King of Linjiang". Gong's fief was located in the Southern Commandery (in present-day Hubei) of the former Qin Empire, with Jiangling (present-day Jiangling County, Hubei) as his capital city.
In late 206 BC, Gong, along with Wu Rui and Ying Bu, received a secret order from Xiang Yu to kill Emperor Yi of Chu (former King Huai II) while the emperor was on his journey to Chen County (present-day Chenzhou, Hunan). During the Chu–Han contention, although Gong was on Xiang Yu's side, he did not participate in the conflict.
Gong died in 204 BC and was succeeded by his son, Gong Wei.
| Chinese royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by None |
King of Linjiang 206 BC – 204 BC |
Succeeded by Gong Wei |
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