歸順劉秀
耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)的父親耿(geng)(geng)況,曾與王(wang)莽從(cong)弟王(wang)伋同(tong)學(xue),后為(wei)朔調連率(lv)(即上谷(gu)太守(shou))。耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)少年時期以勤奮好學(xue)著(zhu)稱。常(chang)見郡中歲終舉(ju)行郡試,講武練兵,由衷愛好,因而學(xue)習騎射,喜好兵法。
更(geng)始元(yuan)年(nian)(23),劉(liu)(liu)玄建立更(geng)始政權,派遣將領占(zhan)據各地(di),其(qi)中有人憑借權勢撤換了一(yi)些郡(jun)縣的太守(shou)縣令。耿(geng)(geng)況因是王(wang)莽(mang)任命的官(guan)員,心(xin)中非(fei)常不安,命年(nian)方(fang)(fang)二十一(yi)歲的耿(geng)(geng)弇去(qu)朝(chao)見劉(liu)(liu)玄,貢獻方(fang)(fang)物,以圖(tu)鞏固自(zi)己的地(di)位。耿(geng)(geng)弇從(cong)上谷(gu)南(nan)行至宋子(zi)縣,適(shi)逢(feng)王(wang)郎自(zi)稱漢成帝(di)之子(zi)劉(liu)(liu)子(zi)輿(yu),在(zai)邯鄲起事(shi)。隨從(cong)耿(geng)(geng)弇的上谷(gu)郡(jun)吏孫倉、衛包(bao)信以為真,遂投奔(ben)王(wang)郎。耿(geng)(geng)弇因長安道路阻隔,聽(ting)說(shuo)更(geng)始大司馬劉(liu)(liu)秀在(zai)盧奴,乃(nai)北上晉(jin)見,被任命為門下吏。耿(geng)(geng)弇請求回上谷(gu)發兵攻取邯鄲,劉(liu)(liu)秀笑道:“小小年(nian)紀竟(jing)有大志啊!”因此數(shu)次召見他并加恩慰。
不久(jiu),劉(liu)秀北(bei)至薊(ji)城(cheng)。后(hou)來,劉(liu)秀聽(ting)說邯(han)鄲派兵(bing)來薊(ji),欲(yu)要(yao)南下,召集官屬商議。耿弇道(dao)(dao):“漁陽太守彭(peng)寵,是(shi)您的同鄉;上谷太守,是(shi)我的父(fu)親。發動這(zhe)兩郡人馬,有萬騎之眾,邯(han)鄲是(shi)容易奪取的。”劉(liu)秀官屬都不愿北(bei)行,劉(liu)秀卻指著耿弇道(dao)(dao):“這(zhe)是(shi)我的北(bei)道(dao)(dao)主人。”恰巧這(zhe)時薊(ji)城(cheng)騷亂,劉(liu)秀匆忙南下,官屬各自分散。
平定河北
更始(shi)二(er)(er)(er)(er)年(nian)(24),耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)回到昌平(ping),勸說(shuo)父親(qin)耿(geng)況(kuang)歸(gui)(gui)附劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)(xiu)。耿(geng)況(kuang)派寇恂前(qian)(qian)往漁(yu)(yu)陽(yang),約同漁(yu)(yu)陽(yang)太(tai)守(shou)彭寵發兵(bing)(bing)(bing)支持劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)(xiu),二(er)(er)(er)(er)郡(jun)各發騎兵(bing)(bing)(bing)二(er)(er)(er)(er)千、步兵(bing)(bing)(bing)一(yi)千。于(yu)是(shi),耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)、寇恂、景丹率上谷兵(bing)(bing)(bing)與吳漢所率漁(yu)(yu)陽(yang)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)會師(shi)南下,沿途擊斬(zhan)王郎(lang)(lang)的大將(jiang)、九卿、校尉以下四百余人,攻(gong)(gong)取涿郡(jun)、中山、巨(ju)鹿(lu)、清河、河間所屬二(er)(er)(er)(er)十二(er)(er)(er)(er)縣,終于(yu)在廣(guang)阿追上了劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)(xiu)。這時,劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)(xiu)正在進攻(gong)(gong)王郎(lang)(lang),見(jian)二(er)(er)(er)(er)郡(jun)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)馬前(qian)(qian)來非常高興,封(feng)耿(geng)況(kuang)為(wei)大將(jiang)軍(jun)、歸(gui)(gui)義侯,耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)、吳漢等(deng)(deng)人皆為(wei)偏將(jiang)軍(jun)。此(ci)后(hou),耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)等(deng)(deng)人隨劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)(xiu)攻(gong)(gong)克(ke)邯(han)鄲(dan)。
劉玄見劉秀聲威(wei)日盛(sheng),對他產生(sheng)疑忌(ji),于(yu)(yu)是遣使者立其為(wei)蕭王(wang),令他罷兵率領部下(xia)將士回長安,又派遣苗曾(ceng)為(wei)幽州(zhou)牧,韋順為(wei)上(shang)谷太守(shou),蔡充為(wei)漁陽(yang)太守(shou),企圖瓦(wa)解劉秀在河北的勢(shi)力(li)。當時劉秀居住(zhu)于(yu)(yu)邯鄲宮溫(wen)明殿(dian),耿弇(yan)前(qian)至(zhi)床前(qian)道(dao):“今(jin)更始失(shi)政,君臣(chen)淫(yin)亂(luan),諸將在京(jing)畿之內擅作威(wei)福,王(wang)公(gong)貴戚們在京(jing)都縱橫暴虐。天子之命,出不了城(cheng)門(men),下(xia)面的州(zhou)牧郡守(shou),動(dong)不動(dong)就(jiu)被遷徙更換,百姓不知所從(cong),士民(min)莫敢自安。虜掠財物(wu),劫(jie)掠婦女,懷有(you)金玉的大(da)富顯貴,沒有(you)能生(sheng)還(huan)的。平(ping)民(min)百姓捶胸(xiong)頓足,反而更加思念王(wang)莽。又有(you)銅(tong)馬、赤(chi)眉等起義軍,擁(yong)眾數十百萬,更始不能剿滅(mie)。更始的失(shi)敗為(wei)期不遠。您(nin)首舉義旗(qi)于(yu)(yu)南(nan)陽(yang),破百萬之軍;今(jin)平(ping)定(ding)河北,據有(you)天府之地。以大(da)義討(tao)伐,發出號(hao)令,群起響(xiang)應,天下(xia)只要傳檄就(jiu)可(ke)平(ping)定(ding)。天下(xia)是最為(wei)重要的,不可(ke)讓外(wai)姓人得(de)到。聽說有(you)使者從(cong)西(xi)方來,要你罷兵,千萬別(bie)聽。今(jin)官吏士卒死亡的多,我愿回幽州(zhou)去,增發精兵,以成大(da)計(ji)。”
劉秀(xiu)聽(ting)了十(shi)(shi)分高興,拜耿(geng)弇為大將(jiang)軍(jun)(jun),令(ling)他與(yu)吳漢北(bei)(bei)上征(zheng)發幽州十(shi)(shi)郡兵馬。耿(geng)弇到(dao)上谷,斬殺韋(wei)順、蔡(cai)充,吳漢也殺掉苗曾。不久,耿(geng)弇率(lv)幽州兵南下,隨劉秀(xiu)轉(zhuan)戰河北(bei)(bei),擊破銅馬、高湖、青(qing)犢、赤眉(mei)、尤來、五幡、大槍等(deng)各路農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)軍(jun)(jun),耿(geng)弇經常率(lv)精騎為前鋒,屢立戰功。劉秀(xiu)回薊之后,耿(geng)弇與(yu)吳漢、景丹、蓋延、朱(zhu)祐、邳彤、耿(geng)純、劉植、岑彭、祭遵(zun)、王霸、陳俊、堅鐔、馬武(wu)十(shi)(shi)三將(jiang)軍(jun)(jun)繼續追(zhui)擊農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)軍(jun)(jun)殘部,在潞東、平谷,連續重創(chuang)敵軍(jun)(jun),斬首一萬(wan)三千余級(ji),最后一直追(zhui)到(dao)右(you)北(bei)(bei)平郡的無終縣(xian)(今(jin)天津薊縣(xian))、土垠(yin)縣(xian)(今(jin)河北(bei)(bei)豐潤縣(xian))、俊靡(mi)(今(jin)河北(bei)(bei)遵(zun)化市),將(jiang)農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)軍(jun)(jun)殘部消滅得干干凈凈。
橫掃齊魯
建(jian)武(wu)元年(nian)(25),劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)稱(cheng)帝。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇拜建(jian)威(wei)大(da)(da)將(jiang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun),與景丹、陳俊攻(gong)(gong)破(po)厭(yan)新賊。建(jian)武(wu)二(er)年(nian)(26),耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇封好畤侯,食(shi)邑(yi)兩(liang)縣(xian)。建(jian)武(wu)三(san)年(nian)(27),延岑(cen)自漢中(zhong)出武(wu)關(guan),侵擾南(nan)陽(yang)各縣(xian),攻(gong)(gong)破(po)數城(cheng)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇率軍(jun)(jun)(jun)與延岑(cen)大(da)(da)戰于(yu)穰縣(xian),大(da)(da)敗敵軍(jun)(jun)(jun),斬(zhan)首三(san)千余(yu)級、俘獲五千余(yu)人,繳(jiao)獲印綬(shou)三(san)百。延岑(cen)率數騎逃奔(ben)東(dong)陽(yang),與秦豐(feng)合兵一處。此時,彭(peng)寵攻(gong)(gong)陷(xian)薊(ji)城(cheng),自稱(cheng)燕王,涿郡太守張(zhang)豐(feng)起(qi)兵響應。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇擊敗延岑(cen)后,隨劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)至舂陵,請求(qiu)“定彭(peng)寵于(yu)漁(yu)陽(yang),取(qu)張(zhang)豐(feng)于(yu)涿郡,還(huan)收富平、獲索,東(dong)攻(gong)(gong)張(zhang)步,以平齊地(di)(di)”。劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)甚為嘉許。建(jian)武(wu)四年(nian)(28),劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇進(jin)攻(gong)(gong)漁(yu)陽(yang)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇因父親耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)況(kuang)曾與彭(peng)寵有交情,又(you)沒有家屬留在洛陽(yang),恐怕引起(qi)疑心,上(shang)書請求(qiu)回(hui)還(huan)洛陽(yang)。劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)下詔要他放心,并(bing)命(ming)他與王常一起(qi)屯兵涿郡。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)況(kuang)聞知命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)國到洛陽(yang)侍候天子,以表忠心。劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)進(jin)封耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)況(kuang)為隃麋侯,命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇與建(jian)義大(da)(da)將(jiang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)朱(zhu)祐、漢忠將(jiang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)王常等進(jin)攻(gong)(gong)望都、故安等地(di)(di)十(shi)余(yu)營壘,都攻(gong)(gong)破(po)了。建(jian)武(wu)五年(nian)(29),耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇與大(da)(da)司馬吳漢迫降平原(yuan)地(di)(di)區的(de)富平、獲索兩(liang)支(zhi)農民軍(jun)(jun)(jun)。劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)遂命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇進(jin)討張(zhang)步。
耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)收集(ji)降(jiang)兵(bing)(bing)和(he)部曲、任命官吏,率(lv)(lv)騎都(dou)尉劉歆、太(tai)山太(tai)守(shou)陳俊(jun)率(lv)(lv)兵(bing)(bing)東進,從朝陽橋渡(du)(du)河(he)。張步(bu)得知,派大將軍(jun)費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)(yi)屯軍(jun)歷下,又(you)(you)分兵(bing)(bing)屯祝(zhu)阿(a),又(you)(you)在太(tai)山鐘城(cheng)列(lie)數(shu)十座軍(jun)營(ying)待(dai)耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)來(lai)攻(gong)。耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)渡(du)(du)過(guo)黃河(he)后先攻(gong)取(qu)祝(zhu)阿(a),圍城(cheng)時故意留(liu)一角(jiao),使祝(zhu)阿(a)人(ren)逃奔鐘城(cheng)。鐘城(cheng)兵(bing)(bing)民聞(wen)祝(zhu)阿(a)失守(shou),紛紛逃奔,于是漢(han)軍(jun)不戰而(er)取(qu)得了鐘城(cheng)要塞。費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)(yi)又(you)(you)派其弟費(fei)敢把守(shou)要隘巨(ju)里(地名)。耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)令軍(jun)中修理攻(gong)具(ju),揚(yang)言三(san)日后攻(gong)巨(ju)里,引(yin)誘(you)費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)(yi)前來(lai)救援。費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)(yi)果然統率(lv)(lv)三(san)萬精(jing)兵(bing)(bing)前來(lai),耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)留(liu)三(san)千人(ren)圍巨(ju)里,自率(lv)(lv)精(jing)兵(bing)(bing)埋(mai)伏山坡兩側,當(dang)費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)(yi)兵(bing)(bing)到,居高臨下沖潰敵軍(jun),斬殺費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)(yi),把費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)(yi)的(de)首級向巨(ju)里城(cheng)守(shou)兵(bing)(bing)展示(shi),城(cheng)中守(shou)兵(bing)(bing)驚懼(ju),費(fei)敢率(lv)(lv)眾逃歸張步(bu)。然后,耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)縱兵(bing)(bing)掃蕩未降(jiang)的(de)殘兵(bing)(bing)四十余(yu)營(ying),一舉平定了濟南郡(jun)。
當時張(zhang)步定(ding)都于劇縣(xian)(今山東昌(chang)樂縣(xian)西),耿(geng)弇(yan)攻(gong)(gong)(gong)克濟南郡(jun)后,進(jin)逼劇城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。張(zhang)步派其弟張(zhang)藍(lan)(lan)率領精兵二(er)萬(wan)(wan)駐(zhu)守(shou)臨(lin)(lin)(lin)(lin)淄(zi)西北的(de)西安(an)(an),各郡(jun)太(tai)守(shou)所部(bu)(bu)萬(wan)(wan)余(yu)人駐(zhu)守(shou)臨(lin)(lin)(lin)(lin)淄(zi),相距(ju)四(si)十(shi)余(yu)里。耿(geng)弇(yan)進(jin)軍畫(hua)中(地名),處(chu)在二(er)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)之(zhi)(zhi)間。耿(geng)弇(yan)見西安(an)(an)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)小而(er)堅固(gu),張(zhang)藍(lan)(lan)部(bu)(bu)下(xia)(xia)多是(shi)(shi)精兵,易(yi)守(shou)難(nan)攻(gong)(gong)(gong),臨(lin)(lin)(lin)(lin)淄(zi)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)雖大而(er)易(yi)攻(gong)(gong)(gong),便準備(bei)采(cai)取聲(sheng)東擊(ji)西的(de)策略,揚(yang)言五日(ri)(ri)后將攻(gong)(gong)(gong)西安(an)(an)。張(zhang)藍(lan)(lan)聞(wen)知后,日(ri)(ri)夜(ye)(ye)警戒嚴(yan)守(shou)。到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)了(le)后四(si)日(ri)(ri)夜(ye)(ye)半,耿(geng)弇(yan)卻命諸將半夜(ye)(ye)出發,至天明(ming)趕到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)臨(lin)(lin)(lin)(lin)淄(zi)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)下(xia)(xia)。護軍荀梁等(deng)認為應(ying)速(su)攻(gong)(gong)(gong)西安(an)(an)。耿(geng)弇(yan)道:“西安(an)(an)聽說我們要攻(gong)(gong)(gong)它(ta),日(ri)(ri)夜(ye)(ye)作了(le)準備(bei);臨(lin)(lin)(lin)(lin)淄(zi)出其不(bu)(bu)(bu)意而(er)到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao),必定(ding)驚擾,我攻(gong)(gong)(gong)它(ta)一天就(jiu)能拿下(xia)(xia)。攻(gong)(gong)(gong)下(xia)(xia)臨(lin)(lin)(lin)(lin)淄(zi)西安(an)(an)就(jiu)孤立了(le),張(zhang)藍(lan)(lan)與張(zhang)步隔(ge)絕,必定(ding)再(zai)逃亡(wang)而(er)去,這就(jiu)是(shi)(shi)擊(ji)一而(er)得二(er)的(de)良(liang)計。若(ruo)先(xian)攻(gong)(gong)(gong)西安(an)(an),一時不(bu)(bu)(bu)能破城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),屯兵在堅城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)之(zhi)(zhi)下(xia)(xia),死傷必多,即使(shi)能攻(gong)(gong)(gong)下(xia)(xia),張(zhang)藍(lan)(lan)引軍還奔(ben)臨(lin)(lin)(lin)(lin)淄(zi),合(he)并兵力,坐觀虛(xu)實(shi),我深(shen)入敵地,后面(mian)糧草供應(ying)不(bu)(bu)(bu)上,十(shi)日(ri)(ri)之(zhi)(zhi)間,不(bu)(bu)(bu)戰而(er)困了(le)。諸君的(de)意見,不(bu)(bu)(bu)見得合(he)適。”于是(shi)(shi)進(jin)攻(gong)(gong)(gong)臨(lin)(lin)(lin)(lin)淄(zi),半天便破城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),進(jin)據城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內。張(zhang)藍(lan)(lan)聽到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)后率部(bu)(bu)逃歸(gui)劇縣(xian)。
耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)命令軍(jun)中不得妄自(zi)侵掠(lve)劇縣(xian),必(bi)須等(deng)(deng)到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)張步(bu)(bu)到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)了(le)才(cai)進攻劇縣(xian),以(yi)(yi)激怒張步(bu)(bu)。張步(bu)(bu)聽到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)后大(da)(da)(da)笑說:“以(yi)(yi)尤(you)來、大(da)(da)(da)彤十多萬(wan)眾(zhong),我都(dou)(dou)就其(qi)營而(er)打敗他(ta)。今天耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)比他(ta)們少,又(you)都(dou)(dou)疲勞(lao),有什么可(ke)怕呢!”于(yu)是與三弟張藍、張弘、張壽及(ji)大(da)(da)(da)彤大(da)(da)(da)帥(shuai)重異(yi)等(deng)(deng)率兵(bing)(bing)(bing)到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)臨(lin)淄大(da)(da)(da)城(cheng)(cheng)東,欲攻打耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)。耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)先出(chu)淄水,與重異(yi)相遇,故(gu)意示弱以(yi)(yi)盛(sheng)(sheng)其(qi)氣焰,回兵(bing)(bing)(bing)小(xiao)城(cheng)(cheng),陳兵(bing)(bing)(bing)城(cheng)(cheng)內(nei)。張步(bu)(bu)氣盛(sheng)(sheng),直攻耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)營地,與劉歆等(deng)(deng)大(da)(da)(da)戰(zhan)(zhan)。耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)登上(shang)王宮(gong)的(de)壞臺觀看,又(you)自(zi)率精兵(bing)(bing)(bing)從側面突擊(ji)張步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)陣(zhen),大(da)(da)(da)破張步(bu)(bu)。戰(zhan)(zhan)中,飛矢射(she)中耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)股(gu)部,耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)用佩(pei)刀斬斷箭矢,左(zuo)右(you)都(dou)(dou)不知(zhi)道耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)中了(le)箭矢。次日(ri)早(zao)晨,耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)又(you)勒兵(bing)(bing)(bing)出(chu)戰(zhan)(zhan)。當時劉秀在魯,得知(zhi)耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)被張步(bu)(bu)所攻,正親自(zi)趕來援(yuan)助(zhu)耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)。陳俊對耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)說:“劇賊(zei)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)強盛(sheng)(sheng),可(ke)暫時閉營休養士卒,以(yi)(yi)等(deng)(deng)待(dai)皇(huang)帝(di)到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)來。”耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)說:“天子將(jiang)到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao),臣子應殺牛(niu)灑酒以(yi)(yi)等(deng)(deng)待(dai)百官的(de)到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)來,反而(er)還要以(yi)(yi)賊(zei)虜來麻煩君上(shang)嗎?”于(yu)是出(chu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)大(da)(da)(da)戰(zhan)(zhan),自(zi)清晨至黃昏,再次大(da)(da)(da)破張步(bu)(bu)軍(jun),殺傷無(wu)數。耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)知(zhi)道張步(bu)(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)困將(jiang)退(tui),預先設置左(zuo)右(you)兩翼伏兵(bing)(bing)(bing)以(yi)(yi)待(dai)。到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)深夜(ye),張步(bu)(bu)果然引兵(bing)(bing)(bing)退(tui)去,兩翼伏兵(bing)(bing)(bing)奮起縱擊(ji),追到(dao)(dao)(dao)(dao)鉅(ju)昧水,八九十里死尸相連(lian),收得輜重兩千(qian)多輛(liang)。張步(bu)(bu)逃(tao)回劇縣(xian),兄(xiong)弟各自(zi)分兵(bing)(bing)(bing)散去。
幾日后,劉(liu)秀親自到臨淄勞軍。群臣大會,劉(liu)秀盛贊耿弇(yan),并(bing)將其(qi)(qi)與(yu)韓信相(xiang)比。不久,耿弇(yan)再(zai)次追擊張步。張步逃到平壽,脫去上衣身(shen)負斧(fu)锧請罪(zui)于軍門(men)。耿弇(yan)送張步到行在,而(er)勒兵(bing)進(jin)據其(qi)(qi)城,收降(jiang)張步的兵(bing)眾十余(yu)萬,輜重七千(qian)余(yu)兩,全部(bu)遣散他們回鄉。后來(lai)。耿弇(yan)再(zai)引兵(bing)至(zhi)城陽,收降(jiang)五校(xiao)余(yu)黨(dang),平定齊地(di),凱(kai)旋回京。
征討隴右
建武六年(nian)(30),耿(geng)弇西拒隗囂,劉(liu)秀命耿(geng)弇等七將軍(jun)從(cong)隴道伐(fa)蜀(shu),耿(geng)弇屯兵于(yu)漆縣。
建武八(ba)年(32),耿(geng)弇又隨劉(liu)秀(xiu)進攻隴右,耿(geng)弇與虎牙(ya)大將軍蓋延圍上邽(gui)。
建(jian)武九年(33),耿(geng)弇與中郎將來(lai)歙(she)分兵平定(ding)安(an)定(ding)、北地諸營(ying)堡。
建(jian)武十(shi)年(34),耿弇與來歙(she)、蓋延等攻破(po)落門(men),隗純投降。
晚年生活
建武十三年(nian)(37),劉秀命增加耿(geng)弇的食(shi)邑。不久(jiu),耿(geng)弇上繳大將(jiang)軍印綬,以(yi)列(lie)侯身(shen)份列(lie)席朝會(hui)。劉秀每遇四方(fang)有(you)不同意見(jian),經常召見(jian)耿(geng)弇顧問籌策。
永平元(yuan)年(58),耿弇病逝,年五十(shi)六歲,謚(shi)曰愍侯。
總評
在東(dong)征(zheng)的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)系列戰(zhan)役中,耿(geng)弇充分(fen)顯示了他的(de)(de)(de)軍事才能。在各個(ge)(ge)戰(zhan)役中,他采(cai)用了心(xin)理戰(zhan)、攻堅(jian)戰(zhan)、圍城打(da)援、聲東(dong)擊(ji)(ji)西、避強擊(ji)(ji)弱等一(yi)系列戰(zhan)術,而且(qie)運用巧(qiao)妙,每戰(zhan)必勝。耿(geng)弇是一(yi)個(ge)(ge)難得的(de)(de)(de)勇將(jiang),在自身中箭負傷的(de)(de)(de)情況下,鎮定自若(ruo),繼(ji)續激(ji)勵部下戰(zhan)斗,充分(fen)顯示出(chu)將(jiang)帥(shuai)的(de)(de)(de)風度。
歷代評價
范曄在《后漢(han)書》中(zhong),將耿弇(yan)獨列一(yi)傳,并評價(jia)道(dao):
弇凡所平(ping)郡四十(shi)六,屠城(cheng)三百,未嘗挫折。
論曰:淮陰廷論項王,審料成(cheng)埶,則知高祖(zu)之廟(miao)勝矣。耿(geng)弇(yan)決策(ce)河北,定計(ji)南(nan)陽,亦見光武之業成(cheng)矣。然弇(yan)自克拔全齊,而(er)無(wu)復尺寸功。夫豈不(bu)懷?將(jiang)時之度數,不(bu)足(zu)以相容(rong)乎(hu)?三世為(wei)將(jiang),道家所(suo)忌(ji),而(er)耿(geng)氏累葉以功名自終。將(jiang)其用兵欲以殺止殺乎(hu)?何其獨能隆也(ye)!
贊(zan)曰:好畤(zhi)經武,能(neng)(neng)畫能(neng)(neng)兵。往收燕卒,來集(ji)漢營(ying)。請閑趙殿(dian),釃(shi)酒齊城。
劉秀(xiu):昔韓(han)信(xin)(xin)破歷下以開(kai)基(ji),今(jin)將軍攻祝阿以發跡,此皆齊之西界,功(gong)足相方。而(er)韓(han)信(xin)(xin)襲擊已降(jiang),將軍獨拔勁敵,其功(gong)乃難于信(xin)(xin)也。
慕容鐘:昔韓信(xin)以裨將伐齊,有征無戰(zhan);耿(geng)弇以偏(pian)軍討步(bu),克(ke)不(bu)移朔。
《十七史百將傳》:“孫子曰:‘善戰者,致(zhi)人(ren)而不致(zhi)于人(ren)。’弇逼巨(ju)里(li)而致(zhi)費邑。又曰:‘善攻者,敵(di)不知其(qi)所守。’弇攻西安而拔臨淄是(shi)也。”
洪邁:耿(geng)弇與(yu)光武同討王郎,愿歸幽州,益(yi)發精兵,定彭(peng)寵,取張(zhang)豐(feng),還收富平、獲索(suo),東攻張(zhang)步,以平齊地,帝常以為落(luo)落(luo)難合,而事竟成(cheng)。
陳(chen)元靚:弱冠稱兵,時惟好(hao)矣(yi)。附(fu)翼攀鱗,風(feng)飛云起。力贊真(zhen)人,身先(xian)突騎。底定三(san)秦(qin),淮陰之比。
徐鈞(jun):馳召蕭王命罷兵,獻謀懷貳見尤明。平齊定趙基(ji)圖壯,有志方知事竟(jing)成。
葉居升(sheng):世間奇才,罕(han)有如顏回、耿弇、鄧禹者,固未可拘于常法。
王夫之:光武所與興者,南陽(yang)崛(jue)起之流輩,而(er)其收河北以為根本,則(ze)唯得耿弇、寇(kou)恂、吳(wu)漢而(er)大(da)業定。
鄭(zheng)觀(guan)應(ying):古(gu)之所謂將(jiang)(jiang)才(cai)者,曰儒將(jiang)(jiang)、曰大將(jiang)(jiang)、曰才(cai)將(jiang)(jiang)、曰戰將(jiang)(jiang)。孫臏、吳起、白起、耿弇、楊素、慕(mu)容紹(shao)宗、李光弼(bi)、馬燧等,才(cai)將(jiang)(jiang)也。
李景星:淮(huai)陰(yin)(yin)無基可藉,弇則(ze)有業可承;淮(huai)陰(yin)(yin)誅及(ji)本身(shen),弇則(ze)榮施后世。論(lun)其(qi)始終,適成反對;至(zhi)其(qi)建(jian)功(gong)立業,兩(liang)人如(ru)出一轍。……弇入造床下請(qing)間說光武,則(ze)淮(huai)陰(yin)(yin)登(deng)壇之(zhi)對也;弇到上谷收斬韋順(shun)、蔡充,則(ze)淮(huai)陰(yin)(yin)鹵豹之(zhi)謀也;弇進討(tao)張步,以次削平(ping)齊(qi)地(di),則(ze)淮(huai)陰(yin)(yin)破(po)趙服燕(yan),終于定齊(qi)之(zhi)功(gong)也。
蔡東藩:耿弇諸將,能諫(jian)阻(zu)光(guang)武之赦奉,不知諫(jian)阻(zu)光(guang)武之封吾,其亦一(yi)得一(yi)失(shi)也歟!