耿恭(gong)的父(fu)親(qin)耿廣很早便已去世(shi),耿恭(gong)年(nian)少(shao)時就(jiu)成為(wei)了孤兒。耿恭(gong)為(wei)人慷慨多謀(mou)略,有將帥的才能。
永平十七年(74年)十一月,騎都(dou)尉劉張(zhang)出兵攻打(da)車師,請耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)擔任司馬,和奉車都(dou)尉竇(dou)固以及(ji)耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)堂(tang)弟駙(fu)馬都(dou)尉耿(geng)(geng)秉打(da)敗(bai)并(bing)使車師投降(jiang)。東(dong)漢(han)(han)(han)朝(chao)(chao)廷開始在西域設置西域都(dou)護、戊己校(xiao)尉,于是任命耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)為戊己校(xiao)尉。屯兵后王(wang)部金蒲城(今新(xin)疆(jiang)奇臺西北),任命謁者關寵也(ye)為戊己校(xiao)尉,屯守前(qian)王(wang)柳中城(今新(xin)疆(jiang)艾丁湖東(dong)北),每個(ge)駐(zhu)屯地各(ge)設幾百人(ren)。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)到(dao)達任所,送文書到(dao)烏(wu)孫(sun)國(guo),顯示東(dong)漢(han)(han)(han)朝(chao)(chao)廷的威望恩德(de),烏(wu)孫(sun)國(guo)王(wang)以下的人(ren)都(dou)非常高興(xing),派使者向東(dong)漢(han)(han)(han)朝(chao)(chao)廷進貢名馬,并(bing)獻(xian)上漢(han)(han)(han)宣帝時賜(si)給公主的賭(du)具,希望派烏(wu)孫(sun)王(wang)子(zi)入朝(chao)(chao)侍奉。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)于是派使者贈送金子(zi)、織物,迎接烏(wu)孫(sun)王(wang)子(zi)入朝(chao)(chao)侍奉。
永(yong)平十八年(75年)三月,北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴單于派左鹿蠡(li)王(wang)率領兩萬騎兵攻(gong)打車師。耿恭派司馬領兵三百人(ren)前往援(yuan)救車師,途中(zhong)遭遇(yu)北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴大(da)軍(jun),因寡不敵眾(zhong)(zhong),全軍(jun)覆沒(mei)。于是(shi)北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴打敗并殺死車師后王(wang)安得,繼(ji)而攻(gong)打金蒲城(cheng)。由于城(cheng)中(zhong)兵少(shao),形(xing)勢危(wei)急,耿恭便親自(zi)登城(cheng)與北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴人(ren)交戰。耿恭把毒(du)藥涂在(zai)箭上,傳(chuan)話給北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴人(ren)說:“這(zhe)是(shi)漢朝神(shen)箭,中(zhong)箭者(zhe)必(bi)出怪事。”于是(shi)用硬弓(gong)射箭。中(zhong)箭的北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴人(ren),看到傷口(kou)處血水(shui)沸涌,大(da)為(wei)驚慌。當時(shi)正好(hao)出現狂風暴雨(yu),耿恭軍(jun)乘(cheng)雨(yu)攻(gong)打北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴,殺傷眾(zhong)(zhong)多北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴人(ren)。北(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)(xiong)奴人(ren)十分(fen)震恐(kong),相互說道:“漢軍(jun)有(you)神(shen)力(li),真(zhen)可怕啊(a)!”于是(shi)解圍撤退。
永平(ping)十八(ba)年五月(《資治通鑒》作六月),耿(geng)恭(gong)因疏勒城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)邊有溪(xi)流(liu)可以(yi)(yi)固守,便率軍占據(ju)該城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。七(qi)月,北(bei)(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)再次前來進攻耿(geng)恭(gong),耿(geng)恭(gong)招募先鋒幾千人(ren)直奔北(bei)(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu),北(bei)(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)騎兵(bing)逃散,在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)下堵絕溪(xi)流(liu)。耿(geng)恭(gong)在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中掘(jue)井十五丈,仍不出水。官(guan)兵(bing)焦渴困乏,甚至擠榨(zha)馬糞汁來飲用。耿(geng)恭(gong)親(qin)自(zi)帶領士兵(bing)挖井運(yun)土,不久,泉水涌出,眾人(ren)齊(qi)呼萬歲。耿(geng)恭(gong)便命官(guan)兵(bing)在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)上潑水給北(bei)(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)看(kan)。北(bei)(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)感到意外,以(yi)(yi)為有神明(ming)在(zai)幫助(zhu)漢軍,于是領兵(bing)撤(che)退。
主詞條:十三將士(shi)歸玉門
永(yong)平十(shi)八年(75年)六月,西域(yu)的(de)焉耆和(he)龜茲兩(liang)國攻打西域(yu)都護陳睦(mu),陳睦(mu)全軍(jun)覆沒。北(bei)匈奴的(de)軍(jun)隊則在柳中城(cheng)包(bao)圍關寵。
永平十(shi)八年八月(yue),漢明帝(di)去(qu)世,朝(chao)(chao)廷正是(shi)大(da)喪之機,沒(mei)有派(pai)出救(jiu)兵(bing)。于是(shi)車師(shi)再度反(fan)叛(pan),和北匈奴(nu)一道(dao)進攻耿恭(gong)。耿恭(gong)激勵士(shi)兵(bing)進行抵抗。車師(shi)后王夫人(ren)的(de)祖先(xian)是(shi)漢人(ren),經常(chang)暗中(zhong)把敵(di)情(qing)告訴耿恭(gong),又(you)供給(gei)他(ta)(ta)糧食(shi)軍(jun)餉。幾個月(yue)后,漢軍(jun)糧食(shi)耗盡,便用水煮鎧甲(jia)弓弩(nu),吃上(shang)(shang)面的(de)獸筋(jin)皮革(ge)。耿恭(gong)和士(shi)兵(bing)以(yi)誠相待(dai),同(tong)生(sheng)共死(si)(si),所以(yi)眾人(ren)全無二心,但死(si)(si)者日漸增多,只剩(sheng)下了數十(shi)人(ren)。北匈奴(nu)單(dan)于知(zhi)道(dao)耿恭(gong)已(yi)身陷(xian)絕境,定要讓(rang)他(ta)(ta)投降(jiang),便派(pai)使者去(qu)招降(jiang)耿恭(gong)說(shuo):“你(ni)如果投降(jiang),單(dan)于就封你(ni)做白屋王,給(gei)你(ni)女子為妻。”耿恭(gong)引誘使者登城(cheng),親手將他(ta)(ta)殺死(si)(si),在城(cheng)頭用火炙烤北匈奴(nu)使者尸(shi)體(ti)。北匈奴(nu)單(dan)于大(da)為憤怒,又(you)增派(pai)援(yuan)兵(bing)圍困耿恭(gong),但仍不(bu)能攻破城(cheng)池(chi)。當(dang)時,關寵(chong)上(shang)(shang)書朝(chao)(chao)廷請(qing)求救(jiu)援(yuan),漢章帝(di)采納司徒鮑昱的(de)建議(yi),派(pai)征西將軍(jun)耿秉(bing)屯守酒泉(quan),派(pai)酒泉(quan)太守秦(qin)彭(一作段(duan)彭)、謁者王蒙(meng)、皇(huang)甫(fu)援(yuan)征發張掖、酒泉(quan)、敦煌三郡以(yi)及鄯善部(bu)隊,共七千多人(ren),前(qian)往(wang)救(jiu)援(yuan)。
建(jian)初(chu)元年(76年)正月,秦(qin)彭等人率軍在柳中(zhong)集(ji)結,進擊車(che)師,攻打交河城,斬殺三千八百(bai)人,俘虜三千余人。北匈奴驚慌而逃,車(che)師再度投降東漢。
這時,關寵已經去世,王(wang)蒙(meng)等人(ren)打算引兵(bing)(bing)東歸。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)一(yi)位軍(jun)(jun)吏范(fan)(fan)(fan)羌當(dang)(dang)(dang)時正在王(wang)蒙(meng)軍(jun)(jun)中,他堅持要求去援救耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)。將(jiang)領們不敢前(qian)往,便(bian)(bian)分出兩千(qian)救兵(bing)(bing)交給范(fan)(fan)(fan)羌。范(fan)(fan)(fan)羌經由山北之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)路去接(jie)(jie)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong),途中曾(ceng)遇到(dao)一(yi)丈多(duo)深(shen)的(de)積雪。援軍(jun)(jun)精疲力盡(jin),僅(jin)能(neng)勉強到(dao)達(da)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)等人(ren)夜間在城(cheng)中聽到(dao)兵(bing)(bing)馬之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)聲,以為(wei)北匈奴(nu)(nu)來了(le)(le)援軍(jun)(jun),大(da)為(wei)震驚。范(fan)(fan)(fan)羌從(cong)遠處喊道:“我(wo)是(shi)范(fan)(fan)(fan)羌。朝廷(ting)派(pai)部隊(dui)迎接(jie)(jie)校尉了(le)(le)!”城(cheng)中的(de)人(ren)齊呼萬(wan)歲。于是(shi)打開城(cheng)門,眾人(ren)互(hu)相擁(yong)抱,痛哭流涕。次日(ri),他們便(bian)(bian)同救兵(bing)(bing)一(yi)道返回。北匈奴(nu)(nu)派(pai)兵(bing)(bing)追(zhui)擊,漢軍(jun)(jun)邊戰邊走。官兵(bing)(bing)饑餓已久(jiu),從(cong)疏勒城(cheng)出發時,還有二十(shi)(shi)六(liu)人(ren),沿途不斷(duan)死亡(wang),到(dao)三(san)(san)月(yue)抵達(da)玉門時,只剩下(xia)了(le)(le)十(shi)(shi)三(san)(san)人(ren)。這十(shi)(shi)三(san)(san)人(ren)衣衫襤褸,鞋履洞(dong)穿,面容憔悴(cui),形銷(xiao)骨立。中郎(lang)將(jiang)鄭(zheng)眾為(wei)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)及(ji)其部下(xia)安(an)排洗浴,更換衣帽。并(bing)上(shang)書朝廷(ting)說:“耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)以微弱的(de)兵(bing)(bing)力固守孤城(cheng),抵抗匈奴(nu)(nu)數萬(wan)大(da)軍(jun)(jun),經年累月(yue),耗盡(jin)了(le)(le)全部心力,鑿山打井,煮食(shi)弓弩,先后殺傷敵人(ren)數以千(qian)計,忠勇俱全,沒有使漢朝蒙(meng)羞。應當(dang)(dang)(dang)賜給他榮耀的(de)官爵(jue),以激勵將(jiang)帥。”耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)到(dao)達(da)洛陽后,鮑昱(yu)上(shang)奏稱耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)節操超(chao)過蘇武(wu),應當(dang)(dang)(dang)封爵(jue)受賞。于是(shi)任(ren)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)為(wei)騎都(dou)(dou)尉,任(ren)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)司馬石修(xiu)為(wei)洛陽市丞(cheng),張封為(wei)雍營司馬,軍(jun)(jun)吏范(fan)(fan)(fan)羌為(wei)共縣丞(cheng),剩下(xia)九人(ren)都(dou)(dou)授予羽(yu)林(lin)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)職。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)母親(qin)在此之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)前(qian)就已去世,等耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)回來,補行喪禮,漢章帝下(xia)詔(zhao)派(pai)五宮中郎(lang)將(jiang)饋贈牛和酒解除喪服。
建初(chu)二年(nian)(nian)(77年(nian)(nian)),耿(geng)(geng)恭升任長水校尉(wei)。同年(nian)(nian)八(ba)月(yue),金城和隴西的羌人反叛。耿(geng)(geng)恭上書談論對付羌人的策略,漢(han)章帝召耿(geng)(geng)恭進宮詢問詳情(qing)。漢(han)章帝于是派代理車騎將軍馬防和耿(geng)(geng)恭率領北軍的越(yue)騎、屯騎、步兵、長水、射(she)聲等(deng)五校兵以及各郡的弓弩射(she)手,共三(san)萬(wan)人,討(tao)伐羌人。耿(geng)(geng)恭屯守枹罕,屢次和羌人交戰。
建初三(san)年(78年)秋天(《資(zi)治(zhi)通鑒》作(zuo)正月),馬防(fang)進攻羌人(ren)燒(shao)當部(bu)(bu)落(luo)首領(ling)布(bu)橋,布(bu)橋大敗,率領(ling)部(bu)(bu)眾一(yi)萬余人(ren)投降。漢章帝(di)下(xia)詔,命令馬防(fang)回(hui)朝。耿(geng)恭留(liu)下(xia)來(lai)攻打各處沒有投降的羌人(ren)部(bu)(bu)落(luo),斬(zhan)殺、俘虜一(yi)千(qian)多(duo)人(ren)。于是(shi),羌人(ren)勒(le)姐部(bu)(bu)落(luo)、燒(shao)何(he)部(bu)(bu)落(luo)等十三(san)個部(bu)(bu)落(luo)共數萬羌人(ren),全(quan)部(bu)(bu)向耿(geng)恭投降。耿(geng)恭曾因(yin)上書奏(zou)事冒犯過馬防(fang),監軍謁者便秉承馬防(fang)的意(yi)思,彈(dan)劾耿(geng)恭不留(liu)意(yi)軍事,接受詔書時心懷不滿。耿(geng)恭因(yin)此獲罪而被召回(hui)朝廷,逮捕入(ru)獄,并罷免其官職(zhi)遣送原(yuan)籍,耿(geng)恭最終老死(si)家中。
鄭眾:“恭之節義(yi),古今(jin)未有(you)。”
鮑昱:“恭節過蘇武”
范(fan)曄《后(hou)漢書(shu)》:①“慷慨多大略(lve),有將帥才(cai)。”;②“后(hou)覽(lan)耿恭疏勒之事,喟然不(bu)覺涕之無從(cong)。”
杜牧(mu):“周有(you)(you)齊太公,秦(qin)有(you)(you)王翦,兩漢(han)有(you)(you)韓信、趙充國、耿恭、虞(yu)詡、段颎(jiong),魏有(you)(you)司馬懿,吳有(you)(you)周瑜,蜀有(you)(you)諸葛武侯,晉有(you)(you)羊祜、杜公元(yuan)凱,梁(liang)有(you)(you)韋睿,元(yuan)魏有(you)(you)崔浩,周有(you)(you)韋孝寬,隋有(you)(you)楊素,國朝有(you)(you)李(li)(li)靖、李(li)(li)勣、裴行儉、郭元(yuan)振。如此人(ren)者,當此一時,其所出(chu)計畫,皆考古校今,奇秘(mi)長遠,策先定於內,功后成於外(wai)。”
《十七史百(bai)將傳》:“孫子曰(yue):‘兵以詐(zha)立。’恭以毒藥傅矢,而謂漢家箭神。又曰(yue):‘出(chu)其不意。’恭揚水以示虜而圍(wei)解是(shi)也。”
黃(huang)道(dao)周《廣(guang)名(ming)將傳》:“恭(gong)為司馬,破降(jiang)車師。初(chu)置校尉,以(yi)恭(gong)為之。示漢威德,降(jiang)及昆彌。匈奴爭(zheng)國,攻城甚危。毒箭射中,以(yi)為神奇。既解復至,據水(shui)絕資。笮糞解渴,死亡莫辭。耿(geng)恭(gong)拜天,清泉忽滋(zi)。揚水(shui)示敵(di),敵(di)方解圍。招降(jiang)不降(jiang),殺使陳尸(shi)。怒而圍城,食盡煮皮。范(fan)姜力救,方得迎(ying)歸。歸受一命,忤人(ren)復追。忠烈苦節,真(zhen)不可(ke)為。”
永平十八年(nian)(75年(nian)),北匈奴在疏勒城(cheng)(今新疆昌吉(ji)回(hui)族自治州奇臺縣城(cheng)南(nan)64公(gong)里處的半截(jie)溝鎮麻(ma)溝梁(liang)村)攻打耿(geng)恭(gong),并堵(du)絕漢軍(jun)的水(shui)源。耿(geng)恭(gong)在城(cheng)中掘井十五(wu)丈,仍然沒有出(chu)水(shui)。官兵焦渴困(kun)乏,甚至擠榨馬糞汁來飲用。耿(geng)恭(gong)仰頭嘆(tan)息說:“聽說從前貳師將(jiang)軍(jun)李廣利(li)拔佩刀刺(ci)山,飛(fei)泉從山中噴出(chu);如(ru)今漢室恩(en)德神圣,怎(zen)么可能走投無路呢?”于是整理(li)衣服向井拜了兩拜,替將(jiang)士祈禱。過了一(yi)會兒,水(shui)柱(zhu)噴出(chu),眾人(ren)(ren)齊呼萬歲。耿(geng)恭(gong)命(ming)人(ren)(ren)在城(cheng)上潑水(shui)給北匈奴人(ren)(ren)看。北匈奴人(ren)(ren)感到意外,以為有神明在幫(bang)助漢軍(jun),于是領兵撤退。象棋的“耿(geng)恭(gong)拜井”,即來源于此。