耿(geng)恭的父親耿(geng)廣很早(zao)便已去世,耿(geng)恭年少時就(jiu)成為了孤兒。耿(geng)恭為人慷慨(kai)多謀略,有(you)將帥的才能。
永(yong)平十七年(74年)十一月,騎都(dou)尉(wei)(wei)劉張出兵(bing)攻(gong)打車師(shi),請耿恭(gong)(gong)擔任(ren)(ren)司(si)馬(ma),和奉(feng)車都(dou)尉(wei)(wei)竇(dou)固以及(ji)耿恭(gong)(gong)堂弟駙馬(ma)都(dou)尉(wei)(wei)耿秉打敗并(bing)使車師(shi)投(tou)降。東(dong)(dong)漢(han)朝廷(ting)開始在(zai)西(xi)(xi)域設置西(xi)(xi)域都(dou)護、戊(wu)己(ji)校尉(wei)(wei),于(yu)是任(ren)(ren)命(ming)耿恭(gong)(gong)為戊(wu)己(ji)校尉(wei)(wei)。屯兵(bing)后王部金蒲(pu)城(今(jin)新疆奇臺(tai)西(xi)(xi)北),任(ren)(ren)命(ming)謁者關寵也為戊(wu)己(ji)校尉(wei)(wei),屯守前王柳中城(今(jin)新疆艾丁湖東(dong)(dong)北),每(mei)個駐屯地各設幾百人。耿恭(gong)(gong)到達任(ren)(ren)所,送文書到烏(wu)孫(sun)國,顯(xian)示東(dong)(dong)漢(han)朝廷(ting)的(de)(de)威望恩德(de),烏(wu)孫(sun)國王以下的(de)(de)人都(dou)非常高興(xing),派(pai)使者向東(dong)(dong)漢(han)朝廷(ting)進(jin)貢(gong)名馬(ma),并(bing)獻上漢(han)宣(xuan)帝時賜給公主的(de)(de)賭(du)具,希望派(pai)烏(wu)孫(sun)王子(zi)入(ru)朝侍奉(feng)。耿恭(gong)(gong)于(yu)是派(pai)使者贈(zeng)送金子(zi)、織物,迎接(jie)烏(wu)孫(sun)王子(zi)入(ru)朝侍奉(feng)。
永平十八年(nian)(75年(nian))三月,北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)單于(yu)派左鹿蠡王率領兩萬騎兵(bing)攻打(da)車(che)師。耿恭派司馬領兵(bing)三百人前往援救車(che)師,途中(zhong)遭(zao)遇北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)大軍(jun),因寡不(bu)敵眾,全軍(jun)覆沒。于(yu)是北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)打(da)敗并殺(sha)死車(che)師后王安得(de),繼而攻打(da)金(jin)蒲城(cheng)。由(you)于(yu)城(cheng)中(zhong)兵(bing)少,形勢危急,耿恭便親自登城(cheng)與(yu)北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)人交戰(zhan)。耿恭把(ba)毒藥涂在箭(jian)(jian)(jian)上,傳話給北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)人說:“這是漢(han)朝神箭(jian)(jian)(jian),中(zhong)箭(jian)(jian)(jian)者必出(chu)怪事。”于(yu)是用硬弓射箭(jian)(jian)(jian)。中(zhong)箭(jian)(jian)(jian)的北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)人,看到傷(shang)口處血(xue)水沸涌,大為驚(jing)慌。當時正好(hao)出(chu)現(xian)狂風暴(bao)雨,耿恭軍(jun)乘(cheng)雨攻打(da)北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu),殺(sha)傷(shang)眾多北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)人。北匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)人十分震恐,相互(hu)說道:“漢(han)軍(jun)有神力,真(zhen)可怕啊!”于(yu)是解圍撤退。
永平十(shi)八年(nian)五月(yue)(《資治通(tong)鑒(jian)》作(zuo)六(liu)月(yue)),耿(geng)恭(gong)因疏勒城邊有溪(xi)流可以固守,便率(lv)軍(jun)占據該城。七月(yue),北(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)再次前來進攻(gong)耿(geng)恭(gong),耿(geng)恭(gong)招募先鋒幾千人(ren)直奔北(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu),北(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)騎(qi)兵逃(tao)散,在(zai)城下堵(du)絕溪(xi)流。耿(geng)恭(gong)在(zai)城中掘井(jing)十(shi)五丈,仍不(bu)出水(shui)(shui)。官(guan)兵焦渴困乏,甚至擠榨馬糞汁來飲用。耿(geng)恭(gong)親(qin)自帶領(ling)士兵挖(wa)井(jing)運(yun)土(tu),不(bu)久(jiu),泉水(shui)(shui)涌出,眾人(ren)齊呼萬歲。耿(geng)恭(gong)便命官(guan)兵在(zai)城上潑(po)水(shui)(shui)給北(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)看。北(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)感到意外,以為有神(shen)明在(zai)幫助漢(han)軍(jun),于是領(ling)兵撤退(tui)。
主詞條(tiao):十三將士(shi)歸(gui)玉門
永平十八年(nian)(75年(nian))六月,西域的焉耆和龜茲兩(liang)國攻打西域都護陳睦(mu),陳睦(mu)全軍覆沒。北匈(xiong)奴(nu)的軍隊則(ze)在柳中城包(bao)圍關寵(chong)。
永(yong)平十(shi)(shi)八年八月,漢(han)明帝去(qu)世,朝廷正是(shi)大喪(sang)之(zhi)機(ji),沒有派出救兵。于(yu)是(shi)車師再度反叛,和(he)北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)一道進攻(gong)耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)激勵士(shi)兵進行(xing)抵抗。車師后王(wang)夫人(ren)的祖先(xian)是(shi)漢(han)人(ren),經常暗中把敵情告(gao)訴耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong),又供給他糧(liang)食(shi)軍(jun)餉。幾個(ge)月后,漢(han)軍(jun)糧(liang)食(shi)耗盡,便用(yong)水(shui)煮鎧甲弓弩(nu),吃上面的獸筋皮革。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)和(he)士(shi)兵以誠(cheng)相待,同生共(gong)死(si),所以眾人(ren)全無二心,但死(si)者日漸(jian)增多(duo),只剩(sheng)下了數(shu)十(shi)(shi)人(ren)。北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)單(dan)(dan)于(yu)知(zhi)道耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)已身陷絕境,定要讓他投降,便派使(shi)(shi)者去(qu)招降耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)說:“你(ni)(ni)如果投降,單(dan)(dan)于(yu)就封你(ni)(ni)做白屋王(wang),給你(ni)(ni)女(nv)子為妻。”耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)引(yin)誘使(shi)(shi)者登城(cheng),親手(shou)將(jiang)他殺死(si),在城(cheng)頭(tou)用(yong)火炙烤北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)使(shi)(shi)者尸體。北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)單(dan)(dan)于(yu)大為憤怒,又增派援兵圍困耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong),但仍不(bu)能攻(gong)破城(cheng)池。當時,關寵上書朝廷請求救援,漢(han)章(zhang)帝采(cai)納司徒鮑昱的建議,派征(zheng)西(xi)將(jiang)軍(jun)耿(geng)(geng)秉(bing)屯(tun)守(shou)酒泉,派酒泉太守(shou)秦(qin)彭(一作段(duan)彭)、謁(ye)者王(wang)蒙(meng)、皇甫援征(zheng)發張掖、酒泉、敦煌三郡以及鄯善部隊,共(gong)七千多(duo)人(ren),前往救援。
建初元年(76年)正月,秦彭等(deng)人率(lv)軍在柳中集結,進擊車師,攻(gong)打交河(he)城,斬殺三(san)千(qian)八百人,俘虜三(san)千(qian)余(yu)人。北匈(xiong)奴驚慌(huang)而逃(tao),車師再度(du)投降東漢。
這(zhe)時,關寵已(yi)經去(qu)(qu)世,王蒙等(deng)人(ren)(ren)(ren)打(da)算引(yin)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)東歸。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)的一(yi)位軍(jun)(jun)吏范羌當時正在王蒙軍(jun)(jun)中,他(ta)堅(jian)持要求去(qu)(qu)援救耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)。將領(ling)們不敢前(qian)往,便分出兩千(qian)救兵(bing)(bing)(bing)交給范羌。范羌經由(you)山北之路(lu)去(qu)(qu)接(jie)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong),途(tu)中曾遇(yu)到一(yi)丈多深的積雪。援軍(jun)(jun)精疲(pi)力盡,僅能勉強到達。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)等(deng)人(ren)(ren)(ren)夜間在城(cheng)中聽到兵(bing)(bing)(bing)馬之聲,以(yi)為北匈奴來(lai)了(le)(le)援軍(jun)(jun),大為震驚。范羌從遠處喊道:“我是范羌。朝廷(ting)派部(bu)(bu)隊迎接(jie)校尉了(le)(le)!”城(cheng)中的人(ren)(ren)(ren)齊(qi)呼萬歲。于是打(da)開城(cheng)門,眾人(ren)(ren)(ren)互(hu)相(xiang)擁抱(bao),痛哭流(liu)涕。次日,他(ta)們便同(tong)救兵(bing)(bing)(bing)一(yi)道返回(hui)。北匈奴派兵(bing)(bing)(bing)追擊,漢(han)軍(jun)(jun)邊(bian)戰邊(bian)走(zou)。官兵(bing)(bing)(bing)饑餓已(yi)久,從疏(shu)勒城(cheng)出發時,還有二十六人(ren)(ren)(ren),沿途(tu)不斷死亡,到三月抵達玉門時,只剩下(xia)了(le)(le)十三人(ren)(ren)(ren)。這(zhe)十三人(ren)(ren)(ren)衣衫襤褸,鞋履洞穿,面容憔悴,形銷骨立。中郎將鄭眾為耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)及其(qi)部(bu)(bu)下(xia)安排洗浴,更(geng)換衣帽(mao)。并(bing)上書朝廷(ting)說:“耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)以(yi)微弱的兵(bing)(bing)(bing)力固守(shou)孤城(cheng),抵抗(kang)匈奴數萬大軍(jun)(jun),經年(nian)累月,耗盡了(le)(le)全(quan)部(bu)(bu)心力,鑿(zao)山打(da)井,煮(zhu)食(shi)弓弩,先后殺傷敵人(ren)(ren)(ren)數以(yi)千(qian)計,忠(zhong)勇俱(ju)全(quan),沒有使漢(han)朝蒙羞。應當賜給他(ta)榮(rong)耀的官爵(jue),以(yi)激(ji)勵將帥。”耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)到達洛(luo)陽后,鮑(bao)昱(yu)上奏稱耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)的節(jie)操超過蘇武(wu),應當封(feng)爵(jue)受(shou)賞。于是任命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)為騎(qi)都尉,任命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)的司馬石(shi)修為洛(luo)陽市(shi)丞(cheng),張封(feng)為雍營司馬,軍(jun)(jun)吏范羌為共縣丞(cheng),剩下(xia)九人(ren)(ren)(ren)都授予羽林之職。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)母親在此之前(qian)就已(yi)去(qu)(qu)世,等(deng)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)回(hui)來(lai),補行(xing)喪禮,漢(han)章帝下(xia)詔派五宮中郎將饋贈牛和酒(jiu)解除喪服。
建初二年(77年),耿(geng)(geng)恭升任(ren)長(chang)水校尉。同(tong)年八月,金城(cheng)和隴西的(de)羌(qiang)人(ren)(ren)反叛。耿(geng)(geng)恭上書談論對付羌(qiang)人(ren)(ren)的(de)策略(lve),漢章(zhang)帝召(zhao)耿(geng)(geng)恭進宮詢(xun)問詳情。漢章(zhang)帝于(yu)是派代理車騎(qi)將軍馬防和耿(geng)(geng)恭率領北軍的(de)越騎(qi)、屯騎(qi)、步兵(bing)、長(chang)水、射(she)(she)聲(sheng)等五校兵(bing)以(yi)及各郡的(de)弓弩射(she)(she)手(shou),共三萬人(ren)(ren),討伐羌(qiang)人(ren)(ren)。耿(geng)(geng)恭屯守枹罕,屢次和羌(qiang)人(ren)(ren)交戰。
建初三(san)(san)年(nian)(78年(nian))秋天(tian)(《資(zi)治(zhi)通鑒》作正月),馬(ma)(ma)防進攻羌(qiang)人(ren)燒(shao)當部(bu)(bu)落首領布(bu)橋,布(bu)橋大敗,率領部(bu)(bu)眾一萬(wan)余人(ren)投(tou)(tou)降(jiang)。漢(han)章帝(di)下(xia)詔,命令(ling)馬(ma)(ma)防回(hui)朝(chao)。耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)留下(xia)來攻打(da)各處沒有投(tou)(tou)降(jiang)的(de)(de)羌(qiang)人(ren)部(bu)(bu)落,斬殺(sha)、俘虜一千多人(ren)。于是,羌(qiang)人(ren)勒姐(jie)部(bu)(bu)落、燒(shao)何部(bu)(bu)落等十三(san)(san)個部(bu)(bu)落共數萬(wan)羌(qiang)人(ren),全部(bu)(bu)向耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)投(tou)(tou)降(jiang)。耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)曾因上書奏事冒犯過(guo)馬(ma)(ma)防,監(jian)軍謁者便秉(bing)承(cheng)馬(ma)(ma)防的(de)(de)意思,彈(dan)劾耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)不(bu)留意軍事,接受詔書時(shi)心懷(huai)不(bu)滿。耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)因此(ci)獲罪而被(bei)召回(hui)朝(chao)廷(ting),逮捕(bu)入獄,并罷免其官職遣送(song)原籍,耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)最終老死(si)家中。
鄭眾(zhong):“恭之(zhi)節義(yi),古今未有。”
鮑昱:“恭節過蘇(su)武”
范(fan)曄《后漢(han)書(shu)》:①“慷慨多大略,有將帥才。”;②“后覽耿恭疏勒之事(shi),喟然不覺涕之無從。”
杜牧:“周有(you)齊太公(gong),秦有(you)王翦,兩漢有(you)韓信、趙(zhao)充國(guo)、耿(geng)恭(gong)、虞詡、段颎,魏有(you)司馬懿(yi),吳有(you)周瑜,蜀有(you)諸(zhu)葛武侯,晉有(you)羊祜、杜公(gong)元凱,梁有(you)韋睿(rui),元魏有(you)崔浩,周有(you)韋孝寬,隋(sui)有(you)楊素,國(guo)朝有(you)李靖(jing)、李勣、裴行儉、郭元振。如此人者,當此一時,其所(suo)出(chu)計畫(hua),皆考(kao)古校今,奇秘長遠,策(ce)先定於內,功后(hou)成(cheng)於外。”
《十七(qi)史百將傳(chuan)》:“孫子曰(yue):‘兵以詐立(li)。’恭(gong)(gong)以毒藥傅矢(shi),而謂(wei)漢家箭神。又曰(yue):‘出(chu)其不意。’恭(gong)(gong)揚水以示(shi)虜(lu)而圍解是也。”
黃道周《廣名將傳》:“恭為(wei)司馬,破降(jiang)(jiang)車師(shi)。初置校(xiao)尉,以恭為(wei)之。示(shi)漢威德,降(jiang)(jiang)及昆彌。匈奴爭國(guo),攻城甚危(wei)。毒箭射中(zhong),以為(wei)神奇。既解復至,據水(shui)絕資。笮糞解渴,死亡莫辭。耿恭拜(bai)天,清泉忽滋(zi)。揚水(shui)示(shi)敵,敵方(fang)解圍(wei)。招降(jiang)(jiang)不降(jiang)(jiang),殺使陳(chen)尸。怒而圍(wei)城,食盡煮皮。范姜力救(jiu),方(fang)得迎歸。歸受一命,忤人復追(zhui)。忠烈苦節,真不可為(wei)。”
永平十(shi)(shi)八(ba)年(nian)(75年(nian)),北(bei)匈奴(nu)在疏(shu)勒(le)城(今新疆昌吉(ji)回族自治州奇臺縣城南64公里處的(de)半截溝鎮麻溝梁村)攻打耿(geng)恭,并堵絕(jue)漢(han)軍的(de)水(shui)源。耿(geng)恭在城中(zhong)(zhong)掘井十(shi)(shi)五丈,仍然(ran)沒有出水(shui)。官兵焦渴(ke)困乏,甚至(zhi)擠榨馬(ma)糞(fen)汁來(lai)飲(yin)用。耿(geng)恭仰(yang)頭嘆息說(shuo):“聽說(shuo)從前貳師將軍李廣利拔佩(pei)刀(dao)刺(ci)山,飛泉從山中(zhong)(zhong)噴(pen)出;如今漢(han)室恩德神圣,怎么可能走投無路呢(ni)?”于是(shi)整理(li)衣(yi)服向(xiang)井拜了(le)兩拜,替將士(shi)祈禱。過(guo)了(le)一(yi)會(hui)兒(er),水(shui)柱噴(pen)出,眾(zhong)人(ren)(ren)齊呼(hu)萬(wan)歲。耿(geng)恭命(ming)人(ren)(ren)在城上潑水(shui)給北(bei)匈奴(nu)人(ren)(ren)看。北(bei)匈奴(nu)人(ren)(ren)感到意外(wai),以為有神明(ming)在幫助漢(han)軍,于是(shi)領兵撤(che)退。象(xiang)棋的(de)“耿(geng)恭拜井”,即來(lai)源于此。