歸順劉秀
耿(geng)(geng)(geng)弇的(de)父(fu)親(qin)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)況,曾與王(wang)莽從(cong)弟王(wang)伋(ji)同學(xue),后(hou)為朔調連率(即上(shang)谷(gu)太守)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)弇少年時(shi)期以(yi)勤(qin)奮好(hao)學(xue)著(zhu)稱。常見(jian)郡(jun)中歲終舉行郡(jun)試,講武練兵,由衷愛好(hao),因而學(xue)習騎射,喜好(hao)兵法。
更(geng)始元(yuan)年(23),劉(liu)(liu)玄(xuan)建(jian)立更(geng)始政權,派遣將領占據各地,其中有人憑借權勢撤(che)換了一些郡縣(xian)的(de)太守縣(xian)令(ling)。耿況因是王(wang)莽任命的(de)官(guan)員(yuan),心中非常不安,命年方二十一歲的(de)耿弇(yan)(yan)去朝見劉(liu)(liu)玄(xuan),貢(gong)獻方物,以圖鞏固自(zi)己(ji)的(de)地位。耿弇(yan)(yan)從(cong)上(shang)(shang)谷南(nan)行(xing)至(zhi)宋(song)子(zi)縣(xian),適逢王(wang)郎自(zi)稱漢成帝之(zhi)子(zi)劉(liu)(liu)子(zi)輿(yu),在邯鄲(dan)起事。隨從(cong)耿弇(yan)(yan)的(de)上(shang)(shang)谷郡吏孫倉(cang)、衛(wei)包(bao)信以為(wei)真(zhen),遂投奔王(wang)郎。耿弇(yan)(yan)因長安道(dao)路阻隔,聽說(shuo)更(geng)始大(da)司馬劉(liu)(liu)秀在盧奴,乃北上(shang)(shang)晉見,被(bei)任命為(wei)門下吏。耿弇(yan)(yan)請求回(hui)上(shang)(shang)谷發兵攻取邯鄲(dan),劉(liu)(liu)秀笑道(dao):“小小年紀竟有大(da)志啊(a)!”因此數(shu)次(ci)召見他并加(jia)恩(en)慰。
不久,劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)北(bei)至薊城。后來,劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)聽說邯鄲派(pai)兵來薊,欲要(yao)南下,召集官屬(shu)商議。耿弇(yan)道:“漁陽太守彭寵,是您的同(tong)鄉;上(shang)谷太守,是我(wo)的父親。發動(dong)這兩郡人(ren)馬,有萬(wan)騎之眾(zhong),邯鄲是容易(yi)奪取的。”劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)官屬(shu)都(dou)不愿北(bei)行(xing),劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)卻(que)指著耿弇(yan)道:“這是我(wo)的北(bei)道主人(ren)。”恰巧這時薊城騷亂(luan),劉(liu)(liu)秀(xiu)匆忙南下,官屬(shu)各(ge)自分(fen)散(san)。
平定河北
更始二(er)(er)年(nian)(24),耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)回到(dao)昌(chang)平,勸(quan)說父親耿(geng)(geng)況(kuang)歸(gui)附劉秀(xiu)。耿(geng)(geng)況(kuang)派寇恂(xun)前往漁(yu)陽,約同漁(yu)陽太(tai)守彭寵(chong)發(fa)兵(bing)(bing)支持劉秀(xiu),二(er)(er)郡各發(fa)騎兵(bing)(bing)二(er)(er)千、步兵(bing)(bing)一千。于是,耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)、寇恂(xun)、景丹率上谷兵(bing)(bing)與吳漢所率漁(yu)陽兵(bing)(bing)會(hui)師(shi)南下(xia)(xia),沿途擊斬(zhan)王郎的大將(jiang)、九卿、校尉以(yi)下(xia)(xia)四(si)百余人(ren),攻取涿郡、中(zhong)山、巨鹿(lu)、清河、河間所屬二(er)(er)十二(er)(er)縣,終于在(zai)(zai)廣阿追上了(le)劉秀(xiu)。這時,劉秀(xiu)正(zheng)在(zai)(zai)進攻王郎,見二(er)(er)郡兵(bing)(bing)馬前來非(fei)常高興,封耿(geng)(geng)況(kuang)為大將(jiang)軍、歸(gui)義(yi)侯,耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)、吳漢等(deng)人(ren)皆為偏將(jiang)軍。此后,耿(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)等(deng)人(ren)隨劉秀(xiu)攻克邯鄲。
劉(liu)玄見劉(liu)秀(xiu)聲(sheng)威日盛,對他產生疑(yi)忌,于(yu)是(shi)遣使(shi)者(zhe)立其為(wei)(wei)蕭王,令他罷兵率領部下(xia)(xia)(xia)將(jiang)士回長安(an),又派遣苗曾(ceng)為(wei)(wei)幽(you)州牧,韋順為(wei)(wei)上谷太守,蔡充(chong)為(wei)(wei)漁陽(yang)太守,企(qi)圖瓦解劉(liu)秀(xiu)在河北的(de)(de)(de)勢(shi)力。當(dang)時劉(liu)秀(xiu)居住于(yu)邯鄲宮溫明殿,耿弇前至床前道(dao):“今更(geng)始(shi)(shi)失政,君臣淫亂,諸將(jiang)在京(jing)畿(ji)之內擅作威福,王公(gong)貴(gui)戚們在京(jing)都縱橫暴虐。天子(zi)之命,出不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)了城門,下(xia)(xia)(xia)面的(de)(de)(de)州牧郡守,動不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)動就(jiu)被遷徙更(geng)換,百(bai)姓(xing)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)知所從,士民(min)莫敢(gan)自(zi)安(an)。虜掠(lve)財物(wu),劫掠(lve)婦女(nv),懷有(you)(you)(you)金(jin)玉(yu)的(de)(de)(de)大(da)(da)富顯(xian)貴(gui),沒有(you)(you)(you)能生還的(de)(de)(de)。平(ping)民(min)百(bai)姓(xing)捶胸(xiong)頓足,反而更(geng)加(jia)思念王莽。又有(you)(you)(you)銅(tong)馬、赤眉等起義(yi)軍(jun),擁眾數(shu)十(shi)百(bai)萬,更(geng)始(shi)(shi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)能剿滅(mie)。更(geng)始(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)失敗為(wei)(wei)期(qi)不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)遠(yuan)。您(nin)首舉義(yi)旗于(yu)南陽(yang),破百(bai)萬之軍(jun);今平(ping)定(ding)河北,據有(you)(you)(you)天府(fu)之地。以大(da)(da)義(yi)討(tao)伐,發(fa)出號令,群起響應,天下(xia)(xia)(xia)只(zhi)要(yao)傳檄就(jiu)可平(ping)定(ding)。天下(xia)(xia)(xia)是(shi)最為(wei)(wei)重要(yao)的(de)(de)(de),不(bu)(bu)(bu)(bu)可讓外姓(xing)人(ren)得到(dao)。聽(ting)說有(you)(you)(you)使(shi)者(zhe)從西方(fang)來,要(yao)你罷兵,千萬別(bie)聽(ting)。今官(guan)吏(li)士卒死亡(wang)的(de)(de)(de)多(duo),我愿回幽(you)州去,增發(fa)精兵,以成大(da)(da)計。”
劉秀聽了(le)十(shi)分高興,拜耿(geng)弇為(wei)大(da)(da)將軍(jun),令(ling)他與吳(wu)漢北(bei)上征發(fa)幽州十(shi)郡兵馬(ma)(ma)。耿(geng)弇到(dao)上谷,斬殺韋順、蔡充,吳(wu)漢也殺掉苗曾(ceng)。不久,耿(geng)弇率幽州兵南(nan)下,隨劉秀轉(zhuan)戰河北(bei),擊破銅馬(ma)(ma)、高湖(hu)、青犢、赤眉、尤(you)來、五(wu)幡、大(da)(da)槍等各路農(nong)民軍(jun),耿(geng)弇經(jing)常率精騎為(wei)前鋒,屢立(li)戰功。劉秀回(hui)薊之后(hou),耿(geng)弇與吳(wu)漢、景丹、蓋(gai)延(yan)、朱祐、邳彤、耿(geng)純、劉植、岑(cen)彭、祭(ji)遵(zun)、王霸、陳俊、堅鐔(tan)、馬(ma)(ma)武(wu)十(shi)三將軍(jun)繼續追擊農(nong)民軍(jun)殘部,在潞東、平谷,連(lian)續重創敵(di)軍(jun),斬首一(yi)(yi)萬(wan)三千余級,最(zui)后(hou)一(yi)(yi)直追到(dao)右北(bei)平郡的無終縣(今(jin)天(tian)津薊縣)、土垠(yin)縣(今(jin)河北(bei)豐潤縣)、俊靡(今(jin)河北(bei)遵(zun)化市),將農(nong)民軍(jun)殘部消(xiao)滅得(de)干干凈凈。
橫掃齊魯
建武(wu)(wu)元年(25),劉秀(xiu)(xiu)稱(cheng)帝。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)拜(bai)建威大將軍(jun),與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)景(jing)丹、陳俊攻(gong)破厭新(xin)賊。建武(wu)(wu)二年(26),耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)封好畤侯,食邑(yi)兩縣。建武(wu)(wu)三年(27),延岑(cen)自漢(han)中出武(wu)(wu)關,侵擾南(nan)陽(yang)(yang)各縣,攻(gong)破數城。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)率(lv)軍(jun)與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)延岑(cen)大戰于穰縣,大敗敵軍(jun),斬首三千余級、俘獲五(wu)千余人,繳獲印綬三百。延岑(cen)率(lv)數騎逃奔東(dong)陽(yang)(yang),與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)秦豐合兵一處。此時,彭寵(chong)攻(gong)陷薊城,自稱(cheng)燕王,涿(zhuo)郡(jun)(jun)太守張(zhang)豐起(qi)兵響(xiang)應。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)擊敗延岑(cen)后,隨劉秀(xiu)(xiu)至舂陵,請求“定彭寵(chong)于漁(yu)陽(yang)(yang),取張(zhang)豐于涿(zhuo)郡(jun)(jun),還收(shou)富(fu)平(ping)、獲索,東(dong)攻(gong)張(zhang)步,以平(ping)齊地”。劉秀(xiu)(xiu)甚為(wei)嘉許。建武(wu)(wu)四年(28),劉秀(xiu)(xiu)命耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)進攻(gong)漁(yu)陽(yang)(yang)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)因父親耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)況(kuang)曾與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)彭寵(chong)有(you)交情,又沒(mei)有(you)家屬留在洛陽(yang)(yang),恐怕引起(qi)疑(yi)心(xin),上(shang)書請求回還洛陽(yang)(yang)。劉秀(xiu)(xiu)下(xia)詔(zhao)要(yao)他放心(xin),并命他與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)王常(chang)(chang)一起(qi)屯兵涿(zhuo)郡(jun)(jun)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)況(kuang)聞知命耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)國到洛陽(yang)(yang)侍候天(tian)子,以表忠心(xin)。劉秀(xiu)(xiu)進封耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)況(kuang)為(wei)隃麋侯,命耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)建義(yi)大將軍(jun)朱祐、漢(han)忠將軍(jun)王常(chang)(chang)等(deng)進攻(gong)望都、故(gu)安等(deng)地十(shi)余營(ying)壘,都攻(gong)破了。建武(wu)(wu)五(wu)年(29),耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)與(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)大司馬(ma)吳(wu)漢(han)迫降平(ping)原地區(qu)的(de)富(fu)平(ping)、獲索兩支農民(min)軍(jun)。劉秀(xiu)(xiu)遂命耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)(yan)進討張(zhang)步。
耿(geng)弇(yan)收集降兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)和部曲、任命官吏,率騎都(dou)尉(wei)劉(liu)歆、太山太守(shou)(shou)陳俊(jun)率兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)東進,從朝陽(yang)橋渡(du)(du)河。張(zhang)步得(de)知,派大將軍(jun)費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)屯軍(jun)歷下,又(you)分兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)屯祝(zhu)阿,又(you)在(zai)太山鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)列數(shu)十座(zuo)軍(jun)營待耿(geng)弇(yan)來攻(gong)。耿(geng)弇(yan)渡(du)(du)過(guo)黃(huang)河后先攻(gong)取祝(zhu)阿,圍城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)時(shi)故意留一角,使祝(zhu)阿人(ren)逃(tao)奔鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)民(min)聞祝(zhu)阿失守(shou)(shou),紛(fen)紛(fen)逃(tao)奔,于是(shi)漢軍(jun)不戰(zhan)而(er)取得(de)了鐘(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)要塞。費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)又(you)派其弟費(fei)敢(gan)把(ba)(ba)守(shou)(shou)要隘巨里(地名)。耿(geng)弇(yan)令軍(jun)中修理攻(gong)具,揚言(yan)三(san)日后攻(gong)巨里,引(yin)誘費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)前來救援。費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)果然(ran)統(tong)率三(san)萬精(jing)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)前來,耿(geng)弇(yan)留三(san)千人(ren)圍巨里,自率精(jing)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)埋(mai)伏山坡(po)兩側(ce),當費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)到,居高臨下沖潰敵軍(jun),斬(zhan)殺費(fei)邑(yi)(yi),把(ba)(ba)費(fei)邑(yi)(yi)的首級向巨里城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)守(shou)(shou)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)展示,城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中守(shou)(shou)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)驚懼,費(fei)敢(gan)率眾(zhong)逃(tao)歸張(zhang)步。然(ran)后,耿(geng)弇(yan)縱兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)掃蕩未降的殘兵(bing)(bing)(bing)(bing)四十余營,一舉(ju)平定了濟南郡。
當(dang)時張(zhang)步(bu)(bu)定(ding)都于劇(ju)縣(xian)(今山東昌樂縣(xian)西(xi)(xi)(xi)),耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)攻(gong)(gong)克濟南郡后,進逼劇(ju)城(cheng)(cheng)。張(zhang)步(bu)(bu)派其(qi)(qi)弟張(zhang)藍率領精兵(bing)二萬駐(zhu)守(shou)(shou)臨淄(zi)(zi)西(xi)(xi)(xi)北(bei)的(de)西(xi)(xi)(xi)安,各郡太守(shou)(shou)所部萬余人駐(zhu)守(shou)(shou)臨淄(zi)(zi),相距四十(shi)余里。耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)進軍(jun)畫(hua)中(地(di)名(ming)),處在二城(cheng)(cheng)之(zhi)間。耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)見西(xi)(xi)(xi)安城(cheng)(cheng)小而(er)堅固,張(zhang)藍部下(xia)多(duo)是精兵(bing),易守(shou)(shou)難攻(gong)(gong),臨淄(zi)(zi)城(cheng)(cheng)雖(sui)大而(er)易攻(gong)(gong),便(bian)準備采取聲東擊西(xi)(xi)(xi)的(de)策略,揚言五(wu)日后將攻(gong)(gong)西(xi)(xi)(xi)安。張(zhang)藍聞知后,日夜警(jing)戒嚴守(shou)(shou)。到了后四日夜半,耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)卻(que)命諸(zhu)將半夜出(chu)發,至天明趕到臨淄(zi)(zi)城(cheng)(cheng)下(xia)。護軍(jun)荀(xun)梁等認為(wei)應速攻(gong)(gong)西(xi)(xi)(xi)安。耿(geng)弇(yan)(yan)道:“西(xi)(xi)(xi)安聽說我(wo)們(men)要攻(gong)(gong)它,日夜作了準備;臨淄(zi)(zi)出(chu)其(qi)(qi)不意而(er)到,必定(ding)驚擾,我(wo)攻(gong)(gong)它一(yi)(yi)天就能(neng)拿下(xia)。攻(gong)(gong)下(xia)臨淄(zi)(zi)西(xi)(xi)(xi)安就孤立了,張(zhang)藍與張(zhang)步(bu)(bu)隔絕,必定(ding)再逃(tao)(tao)亡(wang)而(er)去,這(zhe)就是擊一(yi)(yi)而(er)得二的(de)良(liang)計。若(ruo)先攻(gong)(gong)西(xi)(xi)(xi)安,一(yi)(yi)時不能(neng)破城(cheng)(cheng),屯兵(bing)在堅城(cheng)(cheng)之(zhi)下(xia),死傷必多(duo),即使能(neng)攻(gong)(gong)下(xia),張(zhang)藍引軍(jun)還奔臨淄(zi)(zi),合(he)并兵(bing)力(li),坐觀虛(xu)實,我(wo)深入敵地(di),后面糧(liang)草供(gong)應不上,十(shi)日之(zhi)間,不戰而(er)困(kun)了。諸(zhu)君的(de)意見,不見得合(he)適(shi)。”于是進攻(gong)(gong)臨淄(zi)(zi),半天便(bian)破城(cheng)(cheng),進據城(cheng)(cheng)內。張(zhang)藍聽到后率部逃(tao)(tao)歸劇(ju)縣(xian)。
耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)命令軍(jun)中(zhong)(zhong)不得妄自侵(qin)掠(lve)劇(ju)縣,必(bi)須等到張(zhang)步(bu)到了才進攻劇(ju)縣,以激怒張(zhang)步(bu)。張(zhang)步(bu)聽(ting)到后大(da)(da)笑說:“以尤(you)來(lai)(lai)(lai)、大(da)(da)彤十多(duo)萬眾,我都就其營而(er)打敗他。今天耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)比他們少(shao),又都疲勞,有什么可怕呢!”于是與(yu)(yu)三弟(di)張(zhang)藍、張(zhang)弘、張(zhang)壽(shou)及大(da)(da)彤大(da)(da)帥重(zhong)異等率(lv)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)到臨淄大(da)(da)城(cheng)東(dong),欲攻打耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)先出(chu)淄水,與(yu)(yu)重(zhong)異相(xiang)遇,故意示(shi)弱以盛其氣(qi)焰,回(hui)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)小城(cheng),陳(chen)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)城(cheng)內(nei)。張(zhang)步(bu)氣(qi)盛,直攻耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)營地(di),與(yu)(yu)劉歆等大(da)(da)戰。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)登上王(wang)宮的壞臺觀看(kan),又自率(lv)精兵(bing)(bing)(bing)從側面突(tu)擊(ji)(ji)張(zhang)步(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)陣,大(da)(da)破(po)張(zhang)步(bu)。戰中(zhong)(zhong),飛矢射中(zhong)(zhong)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)股部,耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)用佩(pei)刀斬斷箭矢,左(zuo)右都不知(zhi)道耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)中(zhong)(zhong)了箭矢。次(ci)日早(zao)晨,耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)又勒兵(bing)(bing)(bing)出(chu)戰。當時(shi)劉秀在魯,得知(zhi)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)被張(zhang)步(bu)所攻,正親自趕(gan)來(lai)(lai)(lai)援助耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)。陳(chen)俊對耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)說:“劇(ju)賊兵(bing)(bing)(bing)強盛,可暫時(shi)閉營休養士卒(zu),以等待皇帝(di)到來(lai)(lai)(lai)。”耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)說:“天子(zi)將到,臣子(zi)應殺牛灑酒以等待百官的到來(lai)(lai)(lai),反而(er)還(huan)要以賊虜(lu)來(lai)(lai)(lai)麻(ma)煩(fan)君上嗎?”于是出(chu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)大(da)(da)戰,自清晨至黃昏,再次(ci)大(da)(da)破(po)張(zhang)步(bu)軍(jun),殺傷(shang)無數。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)弇(yan)(yan)知(zhi)道張(zhang)步(bu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)困將退,預(yu)先設置左(zuo)右兩(liang)(liang)翼伏(fu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)以待。到深夜,張(zhang)步(bu)果然引兵(bing)(bing)(bing)退去(qu)(qu),兩(liang)(liang)翼伏(fu)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)奮起縱擊(ji)(ji),追(zhui)到鉅昧水,八九十里死尸(shi)相(xiang)連,收得輜重(zhong)兩(liang)(liang)千多(duo)輛(liang)。張(zhang)步(bu)逃回(hui)劇(ju)縣,兄弟(di)各自分(fen)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)散(san)去(qu)(qu)。
幾日后,劉秀親自到(dao)臨淄勞軍。群臣(chen)大會,劉秀盛贊(zan)耿弇,并將其與韓信相比(bi)。不久,耿弇再次(ci)追擊張(zhang)步。張(zhang)步逃到(dao)平壽,脫去(qu)上衣(yi)身負斧锧請罪于軍門。耿弇送張(zhang)步到(dao)行在,而(er)勒兵進據其城(cheng),收(shou)降(jiang)張(zhang)步的(de)兵眾十余萬,輜重七千余兩,全部(bu)遣(qian)散他們回(hui)鄉(xiang)。后來。耿弇再引兵至(zhi)城(cheng)陽,收(shou)降(jiang)五校(xiao)余黨,平定(ding)齊地,凱旋回(hui)京。
征討隴右
建武六年(30),耿弇西拒(ju)隗囂,劉(liu)秀命耿弇等七(qi)將軍(jun)從隴(long)道伐蜀,耿弇屯兵于漆縣(xian)。
建(jian)武八年(nian)(32),耿弇(yan)又隨劉秀進攻隴右(you),耿弇(yan)與虎牙大將軍(jun)蓋延(yan)圍上(shang)邽。
建武九年(33),耿弇與中郎將(jiang)來歙(she)分兵平定(ding)安定(ding)、北地諸(zhu)營堡。
建(jian)武十年(34),耿弇與來歙、蓋(gai)延等攻破落門,隗純投降。
晚年生活
建武十三(san)年(37),劉秀命(ming)增(zeng)加耿(geng)弇(yan)的食(shi)邑。不久,耿(geng)弇(yan)上繳(jiao)大將軍(jun)印綬,以列侯身份列席朝會。劉秀每遇四(si)方有不同意見(jian),經(jing)常召見(jian)耿(geng)弇(yan)顧(gu)問籌策。
永平元年(58),耿弇(yan)病逝,年五十六歲,謚(shi)曰愍侯。
總評
在東征的(de)(de)一(yi)系列戰(zhan)(zhan)役(yi)中,耿弇充(chong)(chong)分顯示了他的(de)(de)軍事才能。在各個戰(zhan)(zhan)役(yi)中,他采用了心理戰(zhan)(zhan)、攻堅戰(zhan)(zhan)、圍城打(da)援(yuan)、聲(sheng)東擊西、避強(qiang)擊弱等一(yi)系列戰(zhan)(zhan)術(shu),而且運用巧妙,每戰(zhan)(zhan)必勝。耿弇是一(yi)個難得(de)的(de)(de)勇將,在自(zi)身(shen)中箭負(fu)傷的(de)(de)情況下(xia),鎮(zhen)定自(zi)若,繼續激勵部下(xia)戰(zhan)(zhan)斗,充(chong)(chong)分顯示出將帥的(de)(de)風度。
歷代評價
范曄在《后漢(han)書》中,將耿弇獨(du)列一傳,并評價道:
弇凡所平郡四十(shi)六(liu),屠城三百,未嘗挫折。
論曰:淮陰廷論項王,審料成埶,則(ze)知高(gao)祖(zu)之廟勝矣。耿弇(yan)決策(ce)河北(bei),定計南陽,亦(yi)見光武之業(ye)成矣。然弇(yan)自(zi)克拔(ba)全齊,而無(wu)復尺寸功(gong)。夫(fu)豈不懷?將(jiang)時之度數,不足以(yi)(yi)相容乎?三(san)世(shi)為將(jiang),道家所忌,而耿氏累(lei)葉以(yi)(yi)功(gong)名(ming)自(zi)終。將(jiang)其用(yong)兵欲(yu)以(yi)(yi)殺止(zhi)殺乎?何(he)其獨能隆(long)也!
贊曰:好畤經武,能畫能兵。往收燕卒,來集漢營。請閑趙殿(dian),釃(shi)酒齊城。
劉(liu)秀:昔韓信(xin)破歷(li)下以(yi)開(kai)基,今將(jiang)軍(jun)攻祝阿(a)以(yi)發跡,此(ci)皆(jie)齊之西界,功(gong)足相方(fang)。而韓信(xin)襲擊(ji)已降(jiang),將(jiang)軍(jun)獨拔勁(jing)敵,其功(gong)乃難于信(xin)也(ye)。
慕容鐘:昔(xi)韓信(xin)以裨(bi)將伐齊(qi),有征無戰(zhan);耿弇以偏軍討步(bu),克不移朔(shuo)。
《十七(qi)史百將(jiang)傳》:“孫子曰:‘善(shan)戰者,致(zhi)人(ren)而不(bu)致(zhi)于人(ren)。’弇逼(bi)巨(ju)里而致(zhi)費邑。又曰:‘善(shan)攻者,敵不(bu)知其所守。’弇攻西(xi)安(an)而拔臨淄是也。”
洪(hong)邁:耿(geng)弇(yan)與光武同(tong)討王郎,愿歸(gui)幽(you)州(zhou),益發精兵,定彭(peng)寵,取張(zhang)豐,還收富(fu)平、獲索,東攻張(zhang)步(bu),以平齊地,帝常以為(wei)落(luo)落(luo)難合,而事(shi)竟(jing)成。
陳元(yuan)靚(jing):弱冠稱兵,時惟好矣。附翼攀(pan)鱗,風(feng)飛云(yun)起。力贊真人,身(shen)先突騎(qi)。底定三秦,淮陰之(zhi)比。
徐鈞:馳召蕭(xiao)王(wang)命罷(ba)兵,獻謀(mou)懷(huai)貳見尤明。平齊定趙基圖壯(zhuang),有志方知(zhi)事竟成。
葉(xie)居升:世間奇才,罕有如顏回、耿弇、鄧(deng)禹(yu)者,固未可拘(ju)于常法(fa)。
王夫(fu)之:光武所與興(xing)者,南陽崛起之流輩,而(er)其收河北以為(wei)根本(ben),則唯得(de)耿弇、寇恂、吳漢而(er)大業定。
鄭觀應:古之所謂將才者,曰(yue)儒將、曰(yue)大(da)將、曰(yue)才將、曰(yue)戰(zhan)將。孫臏、吳起(qi)、白起(qi)、耿弇、楊素(su)、慕容紹宗、李(li)光弼、馬燧等,才將也。
李(li)景星:淮(huai)(huai)陰無基可藉,弇(yan)則有業可承;淮(huai)(huai)陰誅(zhu)及(ji)本身(shen),弇(yan)則榮施后世(shi)。論其(qi)始終(zhong),適成反對;至(zhi)其(qi)建功(gong)立業,兩人如出一轍。……弇(yan)入造(zao)床下請間說光武(wu),則淮(huai)(huai)陰登壇(tan)之對也;弇(yan)到上(shang)谷收斬韋順、蔡充(chong),則淮(huai)(huai)陰鹵豹之謀也;弇(yan)進討張步,以次削平齊(qi)地(di),則淮(huai)(huai)陰破趙服燕,終(zhong)于定齊(qi)之功(gong)也。
蔡東(dong)藩:耿弇諸將(jiang),能諫阻光武之(zhi)(zhi)赦奉(feng),不(bu)知諫阻光武之(zhi)(zhi)封(feng)吾,其亦一(yi)(yi)得一(yi)(yi)失也歟!