耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)的(de)(de)父(fu)親(qin)耿(geng)(geng)廣很早便已去世,耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)年少時就(jiu)成(cheng)為了孤兒。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)為人慷慨多謀(mou)略,有將帥的(de)(de)才能。
永平十(shi)七年(nian)(nian)(74年(nian)(nian))十(shi)一月,騎都尉(wei)劉張出兵(bing)攻打(da)車(che)(che)師(shi),請耿恭擔(dan)任司馬,和(he)奉車(che)(che)都尉(wei)竇(dou)固以(yi)及耿恭堂弟駙馬都尉(wei)耿秉(bing)打(da)敗并使車(che)(che)師(shi)投降。東(dong)(dong)(dong)漢(han)朝廷開始在西(xi)(xi)域(yu)設(she)置西(xi)(xi)域(yu)都護、戊己(ji)校尉(wei),于是任命(ming)耿恭為戊己(ji)校尉(wei)。屯兵(bing)后王(wang)部金蒲(pu)城(今新疆奇臺西(xi)(xi)北(bei)),任命(ming)謁者(zhe)關寵也(ye)為戊己(ji)校尉(wei),屯守前王(wang)柳中城(今新疆艾(ai)丁湖東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei)),每個(ge)駐屯地各(ge)設(she)幾(ji)百(bai)人(ren)。耿恭到達任所,送文(wen)書到烏(wu)孫國,顯示東(dong)(dong)(dong)漢(han)朝廷的(de)威望(wang)恩德,烏(wu)孫國王(wang)以(yi)下的(de)人(ren)都非常高興,派(pai)(pai)使者(zhe)向東(dong)(dong)(dong)漢(han)朝廷進貢名馬,并獻上漢(han)宣帝(di)時賜給公主的(de)賭具(ju),希望(wang)派(pai)(pai)烏(wu)孫王(wang)子(zi)入朝侍奉。耿恭于是派(pai)(pai)使者(zhe)贈(zeng)送金子(zi)、織物,迎接烏(wu)孫王(wang)子(zi)入朝侍奉。
永平十(shi)八年(75年)三月(yue),北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)單于(yu)(yu)派(pai)左鹿蠡王(wang)率領(ling)兩萬騎兵攻打車(che)師。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)派(pai)司馬領(ling)兵三百人(ren)(ren)前往援救車(che)師,途中遭遇北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)大軍(jun),因(yin)寡不敵眾(zhong),全軍(jun)覆(fu)沒。于(yu)(yu)是北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)打敗并殺(sha)死(si)車(che)師后王(wang)安得,繼而攻打金蒲城。由于(yu)(yu)城中兵少(shao),形勢危急,耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)便(bian)親自登城與北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)交戰。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)把毒藥涂在箭(jian)(jian)上,傳話給北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)說:“這是漢(han)朝(chao)神(shen)箭(jian)(jian),中箭(jian)(jian)者(zhe)必出怪事。”于(yu)(yu)是用(yong)硬弓射(she)箭(jian)(jian)。中箭(jian)(jian)的(de)北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren),看(kan)到傷(shang)口(kou)處血水沸涌,大為驚慌(huang)。當時正好(hao)出現(xian)狂風暴雨,耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)軍(jun)乘雨攻打北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu),殺(sha)傷(shang)眾(zhong)多北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)。北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)十(shi)分震恐(kong),相互(hu)說道:“漢(han)軍(jun)有神(shen)力,真可怕啊!”于(yu)(yu)是解圍撤退。
永平十(shi)八年五月(yue)(《資治(zhi)通鑒(jian)》作六月(yue)),耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)因疏(shu)勒(le)城(cheng)(cheng)邊(bian)有溪(xi)流(liu)(liu)可(ke)以固守,便(bian)率軍(jun)占據該城(cheng)(cheng)。七月(yue),北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)再次前來進攻耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong),耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)招(zhao)募先鋒幾千(qian)人直奔北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu),北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)騎兵逃散(san),在城(cheng)(cheng)下堵絕(jue)溪(xi)流(liu)(liu)。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)在城(cheng)(cheng)中(zhong)掘井(jing)十(shi)五丈,仍不出(chu)水(shui)。官兵焦渴困乏,甚至(zhi)擠榨馬(ma)糞(fen)汁來飲用(yong)。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)親自帶領士(shi)兵挖井(jing)運土(tu),不久,泉水(shui)涌出(chu),眾人齊呼萬歲(sui)。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)便(bian)命官兵在城(cheng)(cheng)上(shang)潑水(shui)給北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人看。北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人感到意外(wai),以為有神(shen)明在幫(bang)助漢軍(jun),于是領兵撤退。
主詞條(tiao):十三將士歸(gui)玉門
永平十(shi)八年(75年)六月,西(xi)域的焉耆和(he)龜(gui)茲兩國攻打西(xi)域都(dou)護陳(chen)睦,陳(chen)睦全軍(jun)覆沒。北匈奴的軍(jun)隊則在(zai)柳(liu)中城(cheng)包(bao)圍關寵。
永平十八年八月,漢(han)明帝去(qu)世(shi),朝廷(ting)正是大(da)喪(sang)之(zhi)機,沒有派(pai)(pai)出(chu)救(jiu)兵(bing)。于(yu)(yu)是車師再(zai)度(du)反叛,和北匈奴一道進(jin)(jin)攻耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)激勵士兵(bing)進(jin)(jin)行抵抗。車師后王(wang)夫人的祖先(xian)是漢(han)人,經常暗中(zhong)把(ba)敵情(qing)告訴耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong),又(you)供(gong)給他糧(liang)食(shi)軍(jun)餉。幾(ji)個月后,漢(han)軍(jun)糧(liang)食(shi)耗盡,便用水煮鎧甲弓弩,吃上面的獸(shou)筋皮革。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)和士兵(bing)以(yi)誠相待,同(tong)生共死,所以(yi)眾人全無(wu)二心,但死者(zhe)(zhe)日漸(jian)增(zeng)多,只剩下了數十人。北匈奴單于(yu)(yu)知道耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)已身陷絕境,定要讓他投降,便派(pai)(pai)使(shi)者(zhe)(zhe)去(qu)招(zhao)降耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)說:“你(ni)如果投降,單于(yu)(yu)就封(feng)你(ni)做白屋王(wang),給你(ni)女子(zi)為妻。”耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)引誘使(shi)者(zhe)(zhe)登(deng)城(cheng),親手將(jiang)他殺(sha)死,在城(cheng)頭用火(huo)炙(zhi)烤(kao)北匈奴使(shi)者(zhe)(zhe)尸(shi)體(ti)。北匈奴單于(yu)(yu)大(da)為憤怒(nu),又(you)增(zeng)派(pai)(pai)援兵(bing)圍(wei)困耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong),但仍不能攻破(po)城(cheng)池。當時,關寵上書朝廷(ting)請求救(jiu)援,漢(han)章帝采納(na)司徒鮑(bao)昱的建議(yi),派(pai)(pai)征西將(jiang)軍(jun)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)秉屯守酒泉,派(pai)(pai)酒泉太(tai)守秦彭(peng)(一作段彭(peng))、謁者(zhe)(zhe)王(wang)蒙、皇甫援征發張(zhang)掖、酒泉、敦煌三郡(jun)以(yi)及鄯(shan)善部隊(dui),共七千多人,前往救(jiu)援。
建初元年(76年)正(zheng)月,秦彭等人率軍在柳中集結,進(jin)擊車師(shi),攻打交河城(cheng),斬殺(sha)三千八百人,俘虜三千余人。北匈奴驚慌而逃,車師(shi)再(zai)度投降東漢。
這時(shi)(shi),關寵已經(jing)去(qu)世(shi),王蒙等人(ren)(ren)打(da)算引(yin)兵(bing)東(dong)歸。耿恭(gong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)位軍(jun)(jun)吏范(fan)(fan)羌當時(shi)(shi)正在(zai)王蒙軍(jun)(jun)中(zhong),他堅持要(yao)求去(qu)援(yuan)救(jiu)耿恭(gong)。將(jiang)(jiang)領們(men)不敢前往,便分出兩千救(jiu)兵(bing)交給范(fan)(fan)羌。范(fan)(fan)羌經(jing)由山(shan)北(bei)之路去(qu)接耿恭(gong),途(tu)中(zhong)曾遇到一(yi)丈多深的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)積(ji)雪。援(yuan)軍(jun)(jun)精(jing)疲(pi)力(li)盡(jin),僅能(neng)勉強到達(da)。耿恭(gong)等人(ren)(ren)夜間在(zai)城(cheng)中(zhong)聽到兵(bing)馬(ma)之聲,以為(wei)北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)來(lai)了(le)(le)援(yuan)軍(jun)(jun),大為(wei)震驚。范(fan)(fan)羌從遠處喊道:“我(wo)是(shi)范(fan)(fan)羌。朝廷派(pai)(pai)部(bu)隊(dui)迎接校尉(wei)了(le)(le)!”城(cheng)中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)齊呼(hu)萬歲。于是(shi)打(da)開城(cheng)門(men),眾人(ren)(ren)互相擁抱,痛哭流涕。次日,他們(men)便同救(jiu)兵(bing)一(yi)道返回(hui)。北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)派(pai)(pai)兵(bing)追擊(ji),漢軍(jun)(jun)邊戰邊走。官(guan)兵(bing)饑餓已久,從疏勒城(cheng)出發時(shi)(shi),還有(you)二十六人(ren)(ren),沿途(tu)不斷死亡,到三月抵(di)達(da)玉門(men)時(shi)(shi),只剩下(xia)(xia)了(le)(le)十三人(ren)(ren)。這十三人(ren)(ren)衣衫襤褸,鞋(xie)履洞穿,面容憔悴,形銷骨立。中(zhong)郎將(jiang)(jiang)鄭(zheng)眾為(wei)耿恭(gong)及其部(bu)下(xia)(xia)安排洗(xi)浴,更換衣帽。并上書朝廷說:“耿恭(gong)以微弱的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)兵(bing)力(li)固守孤城(cheng),抵(di)抗(kang)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)數萬大軍(jun)(jun),經(jing)年累月,耗盡(jin)了(le)(le)全部(bu)心(xin)力(li),鑿山(shan)打(da)井,煮食(shi)弓弩,先后(hou)殺傷敵人(ren)(ren)數以千計,忠(zhong)勇俱(ju)全,沒有(you)使漢朝蒙羞。應當賜給他榮耀的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)官(guan)爵(jue)(jue),以激勵將(jiang)(jiang)帥。”耿恭(gong)到達(da)洛(luo)陽后(hou),鮑昱上奏稱耿恭(gong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)節(jie)操(cao)超過蘇武,應當封爵(jue)(jue)受賞。于是(shi)任(ren)命耿恭(gong)為(wei)騎都(dou)尉(wei),任(ren)命耿恭(gong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)司(si)馬(ma)石(shi)修為(wei)洛(luo)陽市(shi)丞,張封為(wei)雍營司(si)馬(ma),軍(jun)(jun)吏范(fan)(fan)羌為(wei)共(gong)縣丞,剩下(xia)(xia)九人(ren)(ren)都(dou)授(shou)予(yu)羽林之職。耿恭(gong)母親在(zai)此之前就已去(qu)世(shi),等耿恭(gong)回(hui)來(lai),補(bu)行(xing)喪禮(li),漢章帝下(xia)(xia)詔派(pai)(pai)五宮中(zhong)郎將(jiang)(jiang)饋贈(zeng)牛和酒解(jie)除喪服。
建(jian)初二年(77年),耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)升任長水(shui)校(xiao)尉。同(tong)年八月,金(jin)城和(he)隴西的(de)(de)羌(qiang)人(ren)反叛(pan)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)上書(shu)談論對付羌(qiang)人(ren)的(de)(de)策略,漢章(zhang)帝召耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)進宮詢問詳情。漢章(zhang)帝于是派代(dai)理車騎將軍馬防和(he)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)率領(ling)北軍的(de)(de)越騎、屯騎、步兵(bing)、長水(shui)、射(she)聲等五校(xiao)兵(bing)以及各郡的(de)(de)弓弩射(she)手(shou),共三萬人(ren),討伐羌(qiang)人(ren)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)屯守(shou)枹(bao)罕,屢(lv)次(ci)和(he)羌(qiang)人(ren)交戰(zhan)。
建初三(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)(78年(nian)(nian))秋天(《資治通鑒》作正月),馬防(fang)進攻羌人(ren)(ren)(ren)燒當部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)落首領(ling)布橋(qiao),布橋(qiao)大敗,率領(ling)部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)眾一萬余人(ren)(ren)(ren)投降(jiang)(jiang)。漢章(zhang)帝下詔,命(ming)令馬防(fang)回(hui)朝。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)留(liu)下來攻打各處沒(mei)有投降(jiang)(jiang)的(de)羌人(ren)(ren)(ren)部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)落,斬殺、俘虜一千多(duo)人(ren)(ren)(ren)。于(yu)是(shi),羌人(ren)(ren)(ren)勒姐(jie)部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)落、燒何部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)落等十三(san)(san)個部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)落共數萬羌人(ren)(ren)(ren),全(quan)部(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)向耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)投降(jiang)(jiang)。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)曾因上書奏(zou)事冒(mao)犯過馬防(fang),監軍謁者便秉承(cheng)馬防(fang)的(de)意思,彈劾耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)不留(liu)意軍事,接(jie)受詔書時心懷(huai)不滿。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)因此獲罪而被召(zhao)回(hui)朝廷,逮捕入獄,并罷免其(qi)官職遣(qian)送原(yuan)籍,耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)最(zui)終老死(si)家中。
鄭眾:“恭之節義,古今未有(you)。”
鮑昱:“恭節過蘇武”
范(fan)曄《后(hou)漢書》:①“慷慨多大略,有(you)將帥才。”;②“后(hou)覽耿(geng)恭疏勒(le)之(zhi)事,喟然不覺涕之(zhi)無(wu)從(cong)。”
杜牧:“周有(you)(you)齊太公(gong),秦有(you)(you)王翦,兩漢有(you)(you)韓信、趙充國、耿恭、虞(yu)詡、段颎,魏(wei)有(you)(you)司(si)馬懿,吳有(you)(you)周瑜,蜀有(you)(you)諸葛武侯,晉有(you)(you)羊祜、杜公(gong)元(yuan)(yuan)凱(kai),梁有(you)(you)韋睿(rui),元(yuan)(yuan)魏(wei)有(you)(you)崔浩,周有(you)(you)韋孝寬,隋有(you)(you)楊素,國朝有(you)(you)李靖(jing)、李勣、裴行(xing)儉(jian)、郭元(yuan)(yuan)振。如此(ci)人者,當(dang)此(ci)一時,其所出計畫(hua),皆考(kao)古(gu)校今,奇秘長遠,策先定(ding)於內,功后成於外。”
《十七史百將傳》:“孫子曰:‘兵(bing)以(yi)詐立。’恭(gong)以(yi)毒藥(yao)傅矢,而謂(wei)漢家箭神。又曰:‘出其(qi)不意。’恭(gong)揚水以(yi)示虜而圍解是也。”
黃道周《廣名(ming)將傳》:“恭為(wei)司馬,破(po)降車師。初置(zhi)校尉,以恭為(wei)之。示漢(han)威德,降及昆彌。匈奴爭國,攻城甚(shen)危。毒箭射中,以為(wei)神(shen)奇。既解(jie)復(fu)至,據水(shui)絕資。笮糞解(jie)渴(ke),死亡莫辭。耿(geng)恭拜天,清(qing)泉忽滋。揚水(shui)示敵,敵方解(jie)圍。招降不降,殺使(shi)陳尸。怒而(er)圍城,食盡煮皮。范姜力(li)救,方得迎歸。歸受一命,忤人復(fu)追(zhui)。忠烈苦(ku)節,真不可為(wei)。”
永(yong)平十八年(75年),北(bei)匈奴在疏勒(le)城(cheng)(今新疆昌吉回族(zu)自治州(zhou)奇臺縣城(cheng)南64公里處的(de)半截(jie)溝(gou)鎮麻溝(gou)梁村)攻打耿恭(gong),并堵(du)絕漢軍(jun)的(de)水源(yuan)(yuan)。耿恭(gong)在城(cheng)中掘井(jing)十五丈(zhang),仍(reng)然沒有(you)出(chu)(chu)水。官兵焦渴困乏(fa),甚至擠榨馬糞汁來(lai)飲用。耿恭(gong)仰頭嘆息說:“聽說從前(qian)貳(er)師將軍(jun)李廣(guang)利拔佩刀刺(ci)山,飛泉從山中噴出(chu)(chu);如(ru)今漢室恩德神(shen)圣,怎么可能走投無路呢?”于(yu)是(shi)整理衣服向井(jing)拜(bai)了兩拜(bai),替將士祈禱。過了一會兒,水柱(zhu)噴出(chu)(chu),眾人(ren)齊呼萬歲。耿恭(gong)命人(ren)在城(cheng)上潑水給北(bei)匈奴人(ren)看。北(bei)匈奴人(ren)感到意外,以為有(you)神(shen)明在幫助漢軍(jun),于(yu)是(shi)領(ling)兵撤退(tui)。象棋的(de)“耿恭(gong)拜(bai)井(jing)”,即來(lai)源(yuan)(yuan)于(yu)此。