Gong Adai

Overview

Gong Adai was a member of the Qing dynasty's imperial family in the early Qing period, the son of Bayara and the younger brother of Baiyintu, making him a nephew of Nurhaci. Bayara was Nurhaci's brother, and his descendants should be distinguished from the sons of the emperor according to their specific lineages. Historical records often mention Gong Adai and Baiyintu together, indicating that the brothers appeared in the same council or case, but this does not mean that their official positions and military achievements were interchangeable. During the reign of Huang Taiji, Gong Adai participated in military and political activities. During the siege of Dalinghe, he was referred to in historical documents as Bayara Daozhangjing; this position was in the early Eight Banners military command system and has a historical connection to the later Han-character official title of Military Commander. During the Battle of Jinzhou, he was punished for cowardice, while Baiyintu was implicated for protecting him; the brothers bore different responsibilities in the same case. After Huang Taiji's death, Gong Adai participated in the succession dispute, initially supporting the establishment of a prince along with Sony and others, but later attaching himself to the regent Dorgon, and was eventually granted the title of Beizi. After Emperor Shunzhi assumed personal rule, the court investigated Dorgon's clique, and Gong Adai was executed for his association with them. This conviction is based on contemporary political records and needs to be understood in conjunction with his early status, actual military service, and changes in his noble title.