耿(geng)恭(gong)的父(fu)親耿(geng)廣很早便已去(qu)世,耿(geng)恭(gong)年少時(shi)就成為(wei)了孤兒。耿(geng)恭(gong)為(wei)人(ren)慷(kang)慨多(duo)謀略,有將帥的才(cai)能(neng)。
永平十(shi)七年(nian)(74年(nian))十(shi)一月,騎都尉劉張出兵(bing)攻打車師(shi),請耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭擔任司馬(ma),和奉車都尉竇固以及(ji)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭堂弟(di)駙馬(ma)都尉耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)秉打敗并使車師(shi)投降。東(dong)漢(han)朝(chao)(chao)廷開始在西域(yu)(yu)設置西域(yu)(yu)都護、戊(wu)己(ji)校(xiao)尉,于是任命耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭為(wei)(wei)戊(wu)己(ji)校(xiao)尉。屯(tun)兵(bing)后(hou)王(wang)部金蒲(pu)城(今新疆(jiang)奇(qi)臺西北),任命謁者關寵也為(wei)(wei)戊(wu)己(ji)校(xiao)尉,屯(tun)守前王(wang)柳(liu)中城(今新疆(jiang)艾丁湖東(dong)北),每個駐(zhu)屯(tun)地各設幾百人(ren)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭到(dao)達任所,送文書(shu)到(dao)烏孫國,顯(xian)示(shi)東(dong)漢(han)朝(chao)(chao)廷的(de)威望恩(en)德(de),烏孫國王(wang)以下的(de)人(ren)都非常高(gao)興,派使者向東(dong)漢(han)朝(chao)(chao)廷進(jin)貢名(ming)馬(ma),并獻上漢(han)宣帝時(shi)賜給公(gong)主的(de)賭具,希望派烏孫王(wang)子入(ru)(ru)朝(chao)(chao)侍奉。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭于是派使者贈送金子、織物,迎接(jie)烏孫王(wang)子入(ru)(ru)朝(chao)(chao)侍奉。
永平(ping)十八年(nian)(75年(nian))三(san)月,北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)單于(yu)派(pai)左鹿蠡王(wang)率(lv)領(ling)兩萬騎兵(bing)攻(gong)打(da)車師(shi)。耿恭派(pai)司馬領(ling)兵(bing)三(san)百人(ren)前往援救車師(shi),途中(zhong)遭遇北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)大軍,因寡不敵眾(zhong),全軍覆沒。于(yu)是(shi)北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)打(da)敗并殺(sha)死車師(shi)后王(wang)安得,繼而攻(gong)打(da)金蒲城。由于(yu)城中(zhong)兵(bing)少(shao),形勢危(wei)急,耿恭便親自登(deng)城與北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)交戰。耿恭把毒藥(yao)涂在箭(jian)(jian)(jian)上,傳話給北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)說:“這(zhe)是(shi)漢朝神箭(jian)(jian)(jian),中(zhong)箭(jian)(jian)(jian)者必出怪事。”于(yu)是(shi)用硬弓(gong)射箭(jian)(jian)(jian)。中(zhong)箭(jian)(jian)(jian)的北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren),看到(dao)傷口(kou)處血水沸涌,大為驚(jing)慌。當時正好出現狂風(feng)暴雨,耿恭軍乘(cheng)雨攻(gong)打(da)北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu),殺(sha)傷眾(zhong)多北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)。北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)十分(fen)震恐,相互說道:“漢軍有神力,真可怕啊!”于(yu)是(shi)解圍撤(che)退。
永(yong)平(ping)十八年五(wu)月(《資治通鑒》作六月),耿(geng)恭因疏(shu)勒城(cheng)邊有溪流可以固守,便率軍占據該(gai)城(cheng)。七月,北(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)再次(ci)前來進攻(gong)耿(geng)恭,耿(geng)恭招募先鋒幾千人(ren)直奔北(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu),北(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)騎兵逃散,在城(cheng)下堵(du)絕溪流。耿(geng)恭在城(cheng)中掘井十五(wu)丈(zhang),仍(reng)不(bu)出水(shui)(shui)(shui)。官兵焦渴困乏,甚至擠榨(zha)馬糞汁來飲用。耿(geng)恭親(qin)自(zi)帶(dai)領士(shi)兵挖井運土(tu),不(bu)久,泉水(shui)(shui)(shui)涌出,眾(zhong)人(ren)齊呼萬歲。耿(geng)恭便命官兵在城(cheng)上潑(po)水(shui)(shui)(shui)給北(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)看(kan)。北(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)感到意外,以為(wei)有神明在幫助漢軍,于是(shi)領兵撤退。
主詞條(tiao):十三(san)將士歸玉門
永平十八年(75年)六(liu)月,西域的焉耆和龜茲兩(liang)國(guo)攻打西域都護陳睦(mu),陳睦(mu)全軍覆(fu)沒。北匈(xiong)奴的軍隊則(ze)在柳中城(cheng)包(bao)圍關寵。
永平十八(ba)年八(ba)月(yue),漢明(ming)帝去世,朝(chao)廷(ting)正是大(da)喪之機,沒有派(pai)出救兵。于是車(che)師再度反(fan)叛,和(he)北匈(xiong)奴一道進攻(gong)耿(geng)(geng)恭。耿(geng)(geng)恭激(ji)勵士(shi)兵進行抵(di)抗。車(che)師后(hou)(hou)王夫(fu)人(ren)的(de)祖先是漢人(ren),經常暗中把敵情告(gao)訴耿(geng)(geng)恭,又供給他糧(liang)食軍(jun)餉。幾個月(yue)后(hou)(hou),漢軍(jun)糧(liang)食耗盡,便用水煮鎧甲弓弩,吃上(shang)面的(de)獸(shou)筋皮(pi)革。耿(geng)(geng)恭和(he)士(shi)兵以(yi)誠相待,同生(sheng)共死,所以(yi)眾人(ren)全無(wu)二心,但死者日漸增多,只剩(sheng)下了數(shu)十人(ren)。北匈(xiong)奴單于知(zhi)道耿(geng)(geng)恭已身陷絕(jue)境(jing),定要(yao)讓他投(tou)降,便派(pai)使者去招降耿(geng)(geng)恭說:“你如果(guo)投(tou)降,單于就封你做白屋王,給你女子為(wei)妻(qi)。”耿(geng)(geng)恭引誘使者登城(cheng),親手將他殺死,在城(cheng)頭用火炙烤北匈(xiong)奴使者尸(shi)體。北匈(xiong)奴單于大(da)為(wei)憤(fen)怒,又增派(pai)援兵圍困耿(geng)(geng)恭,但仍不能攻(gong)破(po)城(cheng)池。當時,關寵上(shang)書朝(chao)廷(ting)請(qing)求(qiu)救援,漢章(zhang)帝采納司徒(tu)鮑(bao)昱的(de)建議,派(pai)征西將軍(jun)耿(geng)(geng)秉屯守酒(jiu)泉(quan),派(pai)酒(jiu)泉(quan)太守秦彭(一作段彭)、謁(ye)者王蒙、皇甫援征發張掖(ye)、酒(jiu)泉(quan)、敦(dun)煌三郡以(yi)及鄯(shan)善(shan)部隊(dui),共七千多人(ren),前往(wang)救援。
建初元年(76年)正月,秦彭等人(ren)率軍在柳中集結,進擊車師,攻打交河城,斬(zhan)殺(sha)三千八百人(ren),俘虜三千余人(ren)。北匈奴驚慌而(er)逃,車師再(zai)度投降東漢(han)。
這時(shi)(shi),關寵已經(jing)去(qu)世(shi),王(wang)蒙等人(ren)(ren)(ren)打(da)算引兵東歸(gui)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)一(yi)位軍(jun)(jun)吏范羌當(dang)時(shi)(shi)正在(zai)王(wang)蒙軍(jun)(jun)中,他堅持(chi)要(yao)求去(qu)援(yuan)救(jiu)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)。將(jiang)(jiang)領(ling)們(men)(men)不敢前往,便分出兩千(qian)救(jiu)兵交給范羌。范羌經(jing)由山北之(zhi)路去(qu)接耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong),途中曾遇到一(yi)丈多深的(de)積雪。援(yuan)軍(jun)(jun)精(jing)疲力盡,僅能勉強(qiang)到達。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)等人(ren)(ren)(ren)夜間(jian)在(zai)城(cheng)中聽到兵馬之(zhi)聲,以為北匈奴來了援(yuan)軍(jun)(jun),大為震驚。范羌從遠處喊(han)道(dao):“我是(shi)范羌。朝(chao)廷(ting)派部隊(dui)迎接校尉(wei)了!”城(cheng)中的(de)人(ren)(ren)(ren)齊呼萬(wan)歲。于是(shi)打(da)開城(cheng)門,眾(zhong)(zhong)人(ren)(ren)(ren)互相擁抱,痛(tong)哭流涕。次日,他們(men)(men)便同救(jiu)兵一(yi)道(dao)返(fan)回。北匈奴派兵追擊,漢軍(jun)(jun)邊戰邊走。官(guan)兵饑餓已久,從疏(shu)勒城(cheng)出發時(shi)(shi),還有(you)二(er)十六人(ren)(ren)(ren),沿途不斷死亡,到三月(yue)抵達玉門時(shi)(shi),只剩(sheng)下(xia)(xia)(xia)了十三人(ren)(ren)(ren)。這十三人(ren)(ren)(ren)衣(yi)衫襤褸,鞋履洞穿,面容憔(qiao)悴,形銷骨(gu)立。中郎將(jiang)(jiang)鄭眾(zhong)(zhong)為耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)及(ji)其(qi)部下(xia)(xia)(xia)安排(pai)洗(xi)浴,更換衣(yi)帽。并上書朝(chao)廷(ting)說(shuo):“耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)以微(wei)弱(ruo)的(de)兵力固守孤城(cheng),抵抗匈奴數(shu)萬(wan)大軍(jun)(jun),經(jing)年累月(yue),耗盡了全(quan)部心力,鑿山打(da)井(jing),煮(zhu)食(shi)弓弩,先后殺傷敵人(ren)(ren)(ren)數(shu)以千(qian)計,忠勇俱全(quan),沒有(you)使漢朝(chao)蒙羞(xiu)。應當(dang)賜給他榮(rong)耀(yao)的(de)官(guan)爵(jue),以激勵將(jiang)(jiang)帥。”耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)到達洛陽(yang)后,鮑昱上奏稱耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)節操(cao)超過蘇武,應當(dang)封爵(jue)受(shou)賞(shang)。于是(shi)任(ren)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)為騎都尉(wei),任(ren)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)司馬石修為洛陽(yang)市丞(cheng)(cheng),張(zhang)封為雍營司馬,軍(jun)(jun)吏范羌為共縣(xian)丞(cheng)(cheng),剩(sheng)下(xia)(xia)(xia)九人(ren)(ren)(ren)都授予羽(yu)林之(zhi)職。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)母親在(zai)此之(zhi)前就(jiu)已去(qu)世(shi),等耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)回來,補行喪禮,漢章帝下(xia)(xia)(xia)詔(zhao)派五宮中郎將(jiang)(jiang)饋贈牛和酒解除喪服。
建初(chu)二年(nian)(nian)(77年(nian)(nian)),耿(geng)恭(gong)升(sheng)任(ren)長水校尉。同年(nian)(nian)八月,金城和(he)隴西的(de)羌(qiang)人(ren)反叛。耿(geng)恭(gong)上書談論(lun)對(dui)付羌(qiang)人(ren)的(de)策(ce)略,漢章帝召耿(geng)恭(gong)進宮詢問詳情。漢章帝于是派(pai)代理車騎(qi)(qi)(qi)將軍(jun)馬防和(he)耿(geng)恭(gong)率(lv)領(ling)北軍(jun)的(de)越騎(qi)(qi)(qi)、屯(tun)騎(qi)(qi)(qi)、步兵、長水、射(she)聲等五校兵以及各郡的(de)弓弩射(she)手,共(gong)三萬人(ren),討伐(fa)羌(qiang)人(ren)。耿(geng)恭(gong)屯(tun)守(shou)枹罕,屢(lv)次和(he)羌(qiang)人(ren)交戰(zhan)。
建初(chu)三(san)年(78年)秋天(《資治(zhi)通(tong)鑒》作正(zheng)月),馬(ma)防進攻(gong)羌(qiang)人(ren)(ren)燒(shao)當部(bu)落首領布橋,布橋大敗,率領部(bu)眾一萬余人(ren)(ren)投(tou)降(jiang)。漢章(zhang)帝下詔,命令馬(ma)防回朝。耿(geng)恭(gong)留下來(lai)攻(gong)打各(ge)處沒有投(tou)降(jiang)的羌(qiang)人(ren)(ren)部(bu)落,斬殺、俘(fu)虜一千多人(ren)(ren)。于是(shi),羌(qiang)人(ren)(ren)勒姐部(bu)落、燒(shao)何(he)部(bu)落等十三(san)個部(bu)落共數萬羌(qiang)人(ren)(ren),全部(bu)向耿(geng)恭(gong)投(tou)降(jiang)。耿(geng)恭(gong)曾(ceng)因上書奏事冒犯過馬(ma)防,監(jian)軍謁者(zhe)便(bian)秉承馬(ma)防的意(yi)思,彈(dan)劾耿(geng)恭(gong)不留意(yi)軍事,接受詔書時心懷不滿(man)。耿(geng)恭(gong)因此(ci)獲罪而(er)被召回朝廷,逮捕入獄,并罷免其官職遣送原籍(ji),耿(geng)恭(gong)最終(zhong)老死家中。
鄭眾:“恭之(zhi)節義,古今未有。”
鮑(bao)昱:“恭節過蘇武(wu)”
范(fan)曄《后漢書(shu)》:①“慷慨多大略,有將帥(shuai)才。”;②“后覽(lan)耿(geng)恭疏勒之事,喟然不(bu)覺涕之無從。”
杜牧:“周有(you)(you)齊太公,秦有(you)(you)王(wang)翦,兩漢有(you)(you)韓(han)信、趙充國(guo)(guo)、耿恭(gong)、虞詡、段颎,魏有(you)(you)司馬懿,吳有(you)(you)周瑜,蜀(shu)有(you)(you)諸葛武(wu)侯,晉有(you)(you)羊祜、杜公元(yuan)凱,梁有(you)(you)韋(wei)睿,元(yuan)魏有(you)(you)崔浩,周有(you)(you)韋(wei)孝寬,隋有(you)(you)楊素(su),國(guo)(guo)朝有(you)(you)李靖、李勣、裴行儉、郭元(yuan)振。如此人者,當此一(yi)時(shi),其所出計(ji)畫(hua),皆考古校今(jin),奇秘長遠,策先(xian)定於內,功(gong)后(hou)成於外(wai)。”
《十七史百將傳》:“孫子曰(yue):‘兵(bing)以詐立。’恭以毒藥傅(fu)矢,而謂漢家箭神。又曰(yue):‘出其不(bu)意。’恭揚(yang)水以示(shi)虜而圍解是(shi)也。”
黃道周《廣名將(jiang)傳》:“恭(gong)為司(si)馬,破(po)降車師(shi)。初置校尉,以恭(gong)為之。示漢威德,降及昆彌。匈奴爭(zheng)國,攻(gong)城甚危(wei)。毒(du)箭射中,以為神(shen)奇。既解復至,據水(shui)(shui)絕資。笮糞解渴(ke),死亡莫辭(ci)。耿恭(gong)拜天,清泉忽(hu)滋。揚水(shui)(shui)示敵,敵方解圍。招降不(bu)降,殺使陳尸。怒(nu)而圍城,食盡煮(zhu)皮。范姜(jiang)力救,方得迎歸。歸受一命,忤人復追。忠烈苦節,真(zhen)不(bu)可為。”
永平十(shi)八年(75年),北(bei)匈奴在疏(shu)勒城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(今(jin)新疆昌(chang)吉回族(zu)自治州奇臺縣城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南64公(gong)里處的半截溝鎮(zhen)麻溝梁村)攻打耿恭(gong),并堵絕漢(han)(han)軍(jun)的水源。耿恭(gong)在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中(zhong)掘(jue)井十(shi)五丈,仍然沒有出(chu)水。官兵焦渴困乏,甚至擠榨馬糞汁來(lai)飲(yin)用。耿恭(gong)仰頭(tou)嘆息說:“聽說從前(qian)貳師將(jiang)軍(jun)李廣利(li)拔佩刀刺山,飛泉從山中(zhong)噴出(chu);如今(jin)漢(han)(han)室恩德神(shen)圣(sheng),怎么(me)可能走投(tou)無路(lu)呢?”于(yu)是整理衣服向井拜(bai)了(le)兩拜(bai),替將(jiang)士祈禱。過了(le)一會兒,水柱(zhu)噴出(chu),眾人(ren)齊呼萬歲。耿恭(gong)命(ming)人(ren)在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)上潑水給北(bei)匈奴人(ren)看(kan)。北(bei)匈奴人(ren)感到意外,以為有神(shen)明在幫助漢(han)(han)軍(jun),于(yu)是領(ling)兵撤退(tui)。象棋的“耿恭(gong)拜(bai)井”,即來(lai)源于(yu)此。