Longkodo

Longkodo

Longkodo (Manchu: ; Möllendorff: Longkodo, Chinese: 隆科多; pinyin: Lóngkēduō) (died 1728) was an eminent Manchu-Chinese official at court from the Tunggiya Clan, belonging to the Bordered Yellow Banner, during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). His period of fame lasted from the late Kangxi to early Yongzheng years, perhaps most famous for delivering the Kangxi Emperor's disputed will.

The third son of Tong Guowei and the younger brother of Kangxi Emperor's third Empress consort, Empress Xiaoyiren, Longkodo was the Minister in charge of Lifan Yuan during the late Kangxi years. He was also concurrently the General Commandant of the Gendarmerie in Beijing, thus having the military power to control the capital region in times of crises. His military power made him an obvious scapegoat in conspiracies, and was deeply suspected by the Yongzheng Emperor. The biggest mystery surrounding Longkodo is the exclusive attention the late Kangxi Emperor gave him during his dying days. His military support ensured a non-violent transfer of power between Kangxi and Yongzheng. After Yongzheng ascended the throne, Longkodo was given a position on the four-person imperial council, and was the President of the Board of Governance. He was later disgraced and executed for reasons still shrouded in mystery.