耿恭的(de)父親耿廣很早便(bian)已去世,耿恭年少時就成為了孤兒。耿恭為人慷慨多謀略(lve),有將(jiang)帥的(de)才能。
永(yong)平十七年(74年)十一月,騎(qi)都尉(wei)(wei)劉張出兵攻打車(che)師,請耿(geng)恭(gong)擔任(ren)司馬,和奉(feng)車(che)都尉(wei)(wei)竇固以及耿(geng)恭(gong)堂弟駙馬都尉(wei)(wei)耿(geng)秉打敗并使車(che)師投降。東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)漢朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting)開始在(zai)西(xi)域(yu)(yu)設置西(xi)域(yu)(yu)都護、戊己(ji)校尉(wei)(wei),于是任(ren)命耿(geng)恭(gong)為戊己(ji)校尉(wei)(wei)。屯(tun)(tun)兵后王(wang)(wang)部金蒲城(cheng)(今新疆奇臺西(xi)北),任(ren)命謁者關(guan)寵也為戊己(ji)校尉(wei)(wei),屯(tun)(tun)守前(qian)王(wang)(wang)柳中城(cheng)(今新疆艾丁(ding)湖東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)北),每個駐屯(tun)(tun)地各(ge)設幾百人(ren)(ren)。耿(geng)恭(gong)到達任(ren)所,送文書到烏(wu)(wu)孫(sun)國(guo),顯示(shi)東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)漢朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting)的威望(wang)恩(en)德,烏(wu)(wu)孫(sun)國(guo)王(wang)(wang)以下的人(ren)(ren)都非常高興,派使者向東(dong)(dong)(dong)(dong)漢朝(chao)(chao)廷(ting)(ting)進貢(gong)名馬,并獻(xian)上(shang)漢宣帝時賜(si)給公主的賭具,希望(wang)派烏(wu)(wu)孫(sun)王(wang)(wang)子(zi)入(ru)朝(chao)(chao)侍(shi)奉(feng)。耿(geng)恭(gong)于是派使者贈送金子(zi)、織物,迎接烏(wu)(wu)孫(sun)王(wang)(wang)子(zi)入(ru)朝(chao)(chao)侍(shi)奉(feng)。
永(yong)平十八年(75年)三(san)月,北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)單于(yu)(yu)派(pai)左鹿蠡王率領(ling)兩萬騎兵攻打(da)車師(shi)。耿(geng)(geng)恭派(pai)司馬領(ling)兵三(san)百人(ren)(ren)前往援救車師(shi),途中(zhong)遭遇北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)大軍,因寡不敵眾(zhong),全(quan)軍覆沒(mei)。于(yu)(yu)是北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)打(da)敗并(bing)殺死車師(shi)后王安得,繼而攻打(da)金蒲城(cheng)。由于(yu)(yu)城(cheng)中(zhong)兵少,形勢(shi)危(wei)急,耿(geng)(geng)恭便親自(zi)登城(cheng)與北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)交戰。耿(geng)(geng)恭把(ba)毒藥涂(tu)在箭上,傳話(hua)給北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)說:“這是漢(han)朝神(shen)(shen)箭,中(zhong)箭者必出(chu)(chu)怪事(shi)。”于(yu)(yu)是用硬弓射箭。中(zhong)箭的北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren),看到傷口處血水沸涌,大為(wei)驚慌。當時正好出(chu)(chu)現(xian)狂風暴雨(yu),耿(geng)(geng)恭軍乘雨(yu)攻打(da)北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu),殺傷眾(zhong)多北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)。北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)十分震恐,相互(hu)說道:“漢(han)軍有(you)神(shen)(shen)力,真可怕啊!”于(yu)(yu)是解(jie)圍撤退。
永(yong)平十八年五月(《資治通鑒》作六月),耿(geng)恭(gong)因疏勒城(cheng)邊(bian)有溪(xi)流(liu)可以固守,便(bian)率(lv)軍(jun)占據(ju)該城(cheng)。七月,北(bei)匈(xiong)奴再(zai)次前來進攻耿(geng)恭(gong),耿(geng)恭(gong)招募先鋒(feng)幾千人直奔(ben)北(bei)匈(xiong)奴,北(bei)匈(xiong)奴騎(qi)兵逃散,在(zai)(zai)城(cheng)下堵絕溪(xi)流(liu)。耿(geng)恭(gong)在(zai)(zai)城(cheng)中掘(jue)井十五丈,仍(reng)不出(chu)水。官兵焦渴困乏,甚至擠榨馬糞汁來飲用。耿(geng)恭(gong)親自帶領士兵挖井運土,不久,泉水涌出(chu),眾人齊呼萬(wan)歲。耿(geng)恭(gong)便(bian)命官兵在(zai)(zai)城(cheng)上潑水給北(bei)匈(xiong)奴人看。北(bei)匈(xiong)奴人感到(dao)意外,以為有神明在(zai)(zai)幫(bang)助漢軍(jun),于是領兵撤退。
主詞條:十三將士(shi)歸玉門(men)
永平十八(ba)年(75年)六月,西域(yu)的焉耆(qi)和龜茲兩國(guo)攻(gong)打西域(yu)都護陳睦(mu),陳睦(mu)全軍覆沒。北(bei)匈奴(nu)的軍隊則在柳中城包圍關寵。
永(yong)平(ping)十(shi)八年八月,漢明帝(di)去世(shi),朝廷正是大喪(sang)之機,沒有派(pai)出救(jiu)兵(bing)(bing)。于(yu)是車(che)師再度反叛,和(he)北匈奴一道進攻耿恭(gong)。耿恭(gong)激勵(li)士(shi)兵(bing)(bing)進行抵抗(kang)。車(che)師后(hou)王夫人的(de)祖先是漢人,經常(chang)暗中把(ba)敵情告訴(su)耿恭(gong),又供給他(ta)(ta)糧(liang)食軍(jun)餉。幾個月后(hou),漢軍(jun)糧(liang)食耗(hao)盡,便用水煮鎧甲弓弩,吃上面的(de)獸筋皮革。耿恭(gong)和(he)士(shi)兵(bing)(bing)以(yi)誠(cheng)相待,同(tong)生(sheng)共(gong)死,所以(yi)眾人全無二心(xin),但(dan)死者(zhe)(zhe)日(ri)漸增(zeng)多,只剩下了數十(shi)人。北匈奴單(dan)于(yu)知(zhi)道耿恭(gong)已身陷絕境,定(ding)要讓他(ta)(ta)投降,便派(pai)使(shi)者(zhe)(zhe)去招降耿恭(gong)說:“你如果投降,單(dan)于(yu)就封(feng)你做白屋王,給你女(nv)子為(wei)(wei)妻(qi)。”耿恭(gong)引誘使(shi)者(zhe)(zhe)登城(cheng)(cheng),親手將他(ta)(ta)殺死,在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)頭用火炙烤(kao)北匈奴使(shi)者(zhe)(zhe)尸體。北匈奴單(dan)于(yu)大為(wei)(wei)憤怒,又增(zeng)派(pai)援(yuan)(yuan)兵(bing)(bing)圍(wei)困耿恭(gong),但(dan)仍不能攻破城(cheng)(cheng)池。當(dang)時,關寵上書朝廷請求(qiu)救(jiu)援(yuan)(yuan),漢章帝(di)采納司徒鮑昱的(de)建議,派(pai)征西將軍(jun)耿秉屯守(shou)酒泉,派(pai)酒泉太守(shou)秦彭(一作段彭)、謁者(zhe)(zhe)王蒙(meng)、皇(huang)甫援(yuan)(yuan)征發張掖、酒泉、敦(dun)煌三郡以(yi)及鄯善(shan)部(bu)隊,共(gong)七(qi)千(qian)多人,前(qian)往(wang)救(jiu)援(yuan)(yuan)。
建初元(yuan)年(nian)(76年(nian))正(zheng)月,秦彭等人(ren)率軍在(zai)柳中(zhong)集結,進(jin)擊(ji)車(che)師(shi),攻打交河城,斬(zhan)殺(sha)三(san)千八百人(ren),俘虜三(san)千余人(ren)。北匈奴驚慌(huang)而(er)逃,車(che)師(shi)再(zai)度(du)投降(jiang)東漢(han)。
這(zhe)時(shi),關寵已經(jing)(jing)去世(shi),王蒙等人(ren)打算引兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)東歸。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)一位軍(jun)吏范(fan)(fan)羌(qiang)當(dang)時(shi)正在(zai)王蒙軍(jun)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),他(ta)堅持要(yao)求去援救耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)。將(jiang)領們不(bu)敢前往,便分出兩千救兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)交給(gei)范(fan)(fan)羌(qiang)。范(fan)(fan)羌(qiang)經(jing)(jing)由(you)山北之路去接耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong),途(tu)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)曾遇(yu)到(dao)(dao)一丈多深(shen)的(de)(de)積雪。援軍(jun)精疲力(li)(li)盡(jin),僅能勉(mian)強到(dao)(dao)達(da)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)等人(ren)夜間在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)聽到(dao)(dao)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)馬之聲,以(yi)為(wei)北匈奴(nu)來(lai)了(le)援軍(jun),大為(wei)震驚。范(fan)(fan)羌(qiang)從遠處喊道(dao)(dao):“我(wo)是(shi)范(fan)(fan)羌(qiang)。朝(chao)廷派部(bu)隊迎接校尉(wei)了(le)!”城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)人(ren)齊呼(hu)萬歲。于(yu)(yu)是(shi)打開(kai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)門,眾(zhong)人(ren)互相擁抱,痛哭(ku)流(liu)涕。次日,他(ta)們便同救兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)一道(dao)(dao)返(fan)回(hui)。北匈奴(nu)派兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)追擊,漢(han)軍(jun)邊戰(zhan)邊走(zou)。官兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)饑餓已久,從疏(shu)勒城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)出發時(shi),還有二十(shi)六人(ren),沿途(tu)不(bu)斷死亡,到(dao)(dao)三(san)(san)月(yue)抵達(da)玉(yu)門時(shi),只剩下了(le)十(shi)三(san)(san)人(ren)。這(zhe)十(shi)三(san)(san)人(ren)衣(yi)衫(shan)襤褸,鞋履(lv)洞穿,面容憔悴(cui),形(xing)銷骨立。中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)郎(lang)將(jiang)鄭眾(zhong)為(wei)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)及其部(bu)下安排洗浴,更換(huan)衣(yi)帽。并上書朝(chao)廷說:“耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)以(yi)微(wei)弱的(de)(de)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)力(li)(li)固守孤城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),抵抗匈奴(nu)數萬大軍(jun),經(jing)(jing)年累月(yue),耗盡(jin)了(le)全部(bu)心力(li)(li),鑿山打井,煮食弓弩,先后殺傷敵(di)人(ren)數以(yi)千計(ji),忠勇俱全,沒有使漢(han)朝(chao)蒙羞。應當(dang)賜給(gei)他(ta)榮耀的(de)(de)官爵(jue),以(yi)激勵將(jiang)帥。”耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)到(dao)(dao)達(da)洛陽(yang)后,鮑昱上奏稱(cheng)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)節操超過蘇武,應當(dang)封爵(jue)受賞。于(yu)(yu)是(shi)任(ren)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)為(wei)騎都(dou)尉(wei),任(ren)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)司(si)(si)馬石修為(wei)洛陽(yang)市丞(cheng),張封為(wei)雍營司(si)(si)馬,軍(jun)吏范(fan)(fan)羌(qiang)為(wei)共(gong)縣丞(cheng),剩下九人(ren)都(dou)授予羽林之職(zhi)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)母(mu)親在(zai)此(ci)之前就已去世(shi),等耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)回(hui)來(lai),補行(xing)喪禮,漢(han)章(zhang)帝下詔派五(wu)宮中(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)郎(lang)將(jiang)饋贈牛和酒解除喪服。
建初二年(77年),耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)升任(ren)長(chang)水(shui)校尉(wei)。同(tong)年八月,金(jin)城(cheng)和(he)隴(long)西的(de)羌(qiang)人反叛。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)上書談論對付羌(qiang)人的(de)策略,漢章帝召(zhao)耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)進宮詢問詳情。漢章帝于是(shi)派代理車騎(qi)將(jiang)軍馬防和(he)耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)率(lv)領(ling)北軍的(de)越騎(qi)、屯騎(qi)、步兵、長(chang)水(shui)、射(she)聲等五校兵以及各郡的(de)弓弩射(she)手,共三萬人,討(tao)伐羌(qiang)人。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)屯守枹罕(han),屢(lv)次和(he)羌(qiang)人交戰。
建初三年(78年)秋天(《資治(zhi)通鑒》作正月),馬防(fang)進攻羌(qiang)人(ren)燒(shao)當部(bu)(bu)落首領布橋,布橋大敗(bai),率領部(bu)(bu)眾一萬余人(ren)投降。漢(han)章帝下(xia)詔,命令馬防(fang)回朝(chao)。耿恭留下(xia)來攻打(da)各(ge)處沒有投降的羌(qiang)人(ren)部(bu)(bu)落,斬(zhan)殺(sha)、俘虜一千多人(ren)。于是,羌(qiang)人(ren)勒(le)姐(jie)部(bu)(bu)落、燒(shao)何部(bu)(bu)落等十(shi)三個(ge)部(bu)(bu)落共數萬羌(qiang)人(ren),全部(bu)(bu)向耿恭投降。耿恭曾因上書(shu)奏事冒犯(fan)過馬防(fang),監軍謁者便(bian)秉承馬防(fang)的意(yi)思,彈劾耿恭不留意(yi)軍事,接受詔書(shu)時心(xin)懷不滿。耿恭因此獲罪而被召回朝(chao)廷,逮捕入獄,并罷免其官職遣(qian)送原(yuan)籍(ji),耿恭最終老死家中(zhong)。
鄭(zheng)眾(zhong):“恭之節義,古今未(wei)有。”
鮑昱:“恭節過蘇武”
范曄《后漢書》:①“慷慨多大略,有將帥才。”;②“后覽(lan)耿恭疏勒(le)之事,喟然不(bu)覺涕之無從。”
杜牧(mu):“周有(you)齊太公,秦有(you)王翦,兩漢有(you)韓信、趙充國、耿恭(gong)、虞(yu)詡、段颎,魏(wei)有(you)司馬懿,吳有(you)周瑜,蜀有(you)諸葛(ge)武侯(hou),晉有(you)羊祜、杜公元(yuan)凱,梁(liang)有(you)韋(wei)睿,元(yuan)魏(wei)有(you)崔浩,周有(you)韋(wei)孝寬,隋有(you)楊素,國朝有(you)李(li)靖、李(li)勣、裴行儉、郭元(yuan)振。如此人者,當此一時(shi),其所出(chu)計畫,皆考古(gu)校今,奇秘長遠,策先定於(wu)內,功后成於(wu)外(wai)。”
《十七(qi)史(shi)百將傳(chuan)》:“孫子曰:‘兵以詐立。’恭以毒藥傅矢,而(er)謂漢家箭神(shen)。又(you)曰:‘出(chu)其不意。’恭揚水(shui)以示虜而(er)圍解是也。”
黃道周《廣名將(jiang)傳》:“恭(gong)為(wei)司馬,破降車師。初(chu)置校尉,以恭(gong)為(wei)之。示漢威德(de),降及昆彌。匈奴爭國,攻城甚危(wei)。毒箭(jian)射中,以為(wei)神奇。既解(jie)復至,據水(shui)絕(jue)資。笮糞解(jie)渴,死亡(wang)莫(mo)辭。耿恭(gong)拜天(tian),清泉忽滋。揚水(shui)示敵,敵方解(jie)圍。招降不降,殺使陳(chen)尸。怒(nu)而圍城,食盡煮皮。范姜力救,方得迎歸(gui)。歸(gui)受(shou)一命,忤人復追。忠烈苦節(jie),真不可為(wei)。”
永平十八年(75年),北(bei)(bei)匈奴在疏勒(le)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(今(jin)新(xin)疆昌吉回族自治州奇臺縣城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南64公(gong)里(li)處的半截溝鎮麻溝梁(liang)村)攻(gong)打(da)耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong),并堵絕漢軍(jun)的水源(yuan)。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中(zhong)掘井(jing)十五丈,仍然沒有(you)出(chu)水。官兵焦渴(ke)困乏,甚至擠榨馬糞汁來飲用。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)仰頭(tou)嘆息說(shuo):“聽說(shuo)從(cong)前貳師將軍(jun)李廣(guang)利拔佩(pei)刀刺山,飛(fei)泉從(cong)山中(zhong)噴(pen)出(chu);如今(jin)漢室恩德(de)神圣(sheng),怎么可能走投(tou)無路呢?”于是整理衣(yi)服向井(jing)拜(bai)(bai)了兩拜(bai)(bai),替將士(shi)祈禱。過了一會兒,水柱噴(pen)出(chu),眾人齊(qi)呼萬歲。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)命人在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)上潑水給北(bei)(bei)匈奴人看。北(bei)(bei)匈奴人感(gan)到意(yi)外(wai),以為有(you)神明在幫助(zhu)漢軍(jun),于是領(ling)兵撤退。象棋的“耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)拜(bai)(bai)井(jing)”,即來源(yuan)于此。