Duke Gong of Cao

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Duke Gong of Cao (? – 618 BCE) (Chinese: ; pinyin: Cáo Gòng Gōng) was the seventeenth ruler of the vassal State of Cao during the Chinese Spring and Autumn period (770 – 475 BCE). Born Ji Xiang (姬襄), he was the son of Duke Zhao of Cao.

Duke Gong of Cao
曹共公
Ruler of Cao
Reign652-618 BCE
PredecessorDuke Zhao of Cao
SuccessorDuke Wen of Cao
Died618 BCE
Names
Ancestral name: Ji (姬)
Given name: Xiang (襄)
HouseHouse of Ji
FatherDuke Zhao of Cao

In 637 BCE, during the exile of Chong’er, son of Duke Xian of Jin, Duke Gong heard that Chong’er suffered from fused ribs in a parallel way that makes it look like one rib bone(which was considered as the sign of saints in ancient times) and wanted to see for himself. Chong’er caught Duke Gong spying on him whilst he bathed and described the Duke as a man of “unbelievable rudeness”.[1]

After Chong’er became Duke Wen of Jin and one of the Five Hegemons, in 632 BCE, he used Duke Gòng's previous rudeness as an excuse to overthrow the State of Cao. Duke Gòng was captured by the State of Jin but later released.

After Duke Gong of Cao died in 618 BCE, his son Duke Wen of Cao became ruler.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Zuo Zhuan, “The Death of Chong’er”《晉公子重耳之亡》
Duke Gong of Cao
Regnal titles
Preceded by Ruler of Cao
652 BC – 618 BC
Succeeded by