耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)的父親耿(geng)(geng)廣很早便已去世(shi),耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)年少時就成為(wei)了孤兒。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)為(wei)人(ren)慷(kang)慨多謀略,有將帥的才能。
永平十(shi)七年(74年)十(shi)一月(yue),騎都尉劉張出兵攻(gong)打車師,請耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)擔任司馬(ma),和奉車都尉竇固(gu)以(yi)及(ji)耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)堂弟駙馬(ma)都尉耿(geng)(geng)秉打敗并(bing)使(shi)車師投降。東(dong)漢朝廷(ting)開始(shi)在西(xi)域設(she)置(zhi)西(xi)域都護、戊己校尉,于(yu)是(shi)任命耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)為(wei)戊己校尉。屯兵后王(wang)(wang)部金蒲城(今新疆(jiang)奇臺西(xi)北),任命謁者關寵也為(wei)戊己校尉,屯守前王(wang)(wang)柳中城(今新疆(jiang)艾丁湖東(dong)北),每(mei)個駐屯地(di)各設(she)幾百人。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)到(dao)達任所,送文書到(dao)烏孫(sun)國(guo),顯示東(dong)漢朝廷(ting)的威望恩德,烏孫(sun)國(guo)王(wang)(wang)以(yi)下(xia)的人都非常高興,派使(shi)者向東(dong)漢朝廷(ting)進貢名(ming)馬(ma),并(bing)獻上(shang)漢宣帝時賜給公(gong)主的賭(du)具,希望派烏孫(sun)王(wang)(wang)子(zi)入朝侍奉。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)于(yu)是(shi)派使(shi)者贈送金子(zi)、織物,迎接烏孫(sun)王(wang)(wang)子(zi)入朝侍奉。
永平十(shi)八年(nian)(75年(nian))三月,北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)單于(yu)派左鹿蠡王率領兩萬騎兵攻打(da)(da)(da)車(che)師。耿恭(gong)派司馬領兵三百(bai)人(ren)(ren)前往援(yuan)救車(che)師,途中遭遇北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)大軍(jun),因寡不敵(di)眾(zhong),全(quan)軍(jun)覆沒。于(yu)是(shi)(shi)北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)打(da)(da)(da)敗并(bing)殺死車(che)師后王安得,繼而攻打(da)(da)(da)金蒲城(cheng)。由于(yu)城(cheng)中兵少,形勢(shi)危急,耿恭(gong)便親自登城(cheng)與北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)交戰(zhan)。耿恭(gong)把毒(du)藥涂在箭(jian)(jian)上(shang),傳話給北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)說:“這是(shi)(shi)漢朝(chao)神箭(jian)(jian),中箭(jian)(jian)者必出(chu)怪事。”于(yu)是(shi)(shi)用硬弓射箭(jian)(jian)。中箭(jian)(jian)的北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren),看(kan)到傷口處(chu)血水沸涌,大為(wei)驚慌。當時正好出(chu)現狂風暴(bao)雨,耿恭(gong)軍(jun)乘雨攻打(da)(da)(da)北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu),殺傷眾(zhong)多(duo)北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)。北(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)十(shi)分(fen)震恐,相(xiang)互說道:“漢軍(jun)有(you)神力,真可怕(pa)啊!”于(yu)是(shi)(shi)解(jie)圍撤退。
永平十八年五(wu)月(《資治通(tong)鑒》作六月),耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)因疏勒城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)邊有溪(xi)流(liu)可以(yi)固(gu)守,便率軍占據該城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。七月,北匈(xiong)奴再次(ci)前來進攻(gong)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong),耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)招募(mu)先鋒幾千人(ren)(ren)直(zhi)奔(ben)北匈(xiong)奴,北匈(xiong)奴騎(qi)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)逃(tao)散(san),在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)下堵絕(jue)溪(xi)流(liu)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中(zhong)掘井十五(wu)丈,仍不(bu)出水(shui)。官(guan)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)焦渴困乏(fa),甚至(zhi)擠榨馬(ma)糞汁來飲用。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)親自帶領士兵(bing)(bing)(bing)挖井運土,不(bu)久,泉水(shui)涌出,眾(zhong)人(ren)(ren)齊呼(hu)萬(wan)歲。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)便命官(guan)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)上潑(po)水(shui)給(gei)北匈(xiong)奴人(ren)(ren)看。北匈(xiong)奴人(ren)(ren)感到意(yi)外(wai),以(yi)為(wei)有神明在(zai)幫(bang)助漢(han)軍,于是領兵(bing)(bing)(bing)撤退。
主詞條:十三將士歸玉門(men)
永平十八年(75年)六月,西域的焉耆和龜茲兩國攻打西域都護(hu)陳(chen)睦,陳(chen)睦全軍覆(fu)沒。北匈奴(nu)的軍隊則在柳(liu)中城(cheng)包(bao)圍關寵。
永平十八(ba)年(nian)八(ba)月,漢明(ming)帝(di)去世,朝廷(ting)正是大喪之機(ji),沒(mei)有派出救(jiu)兵(bing)(bing)。于(yu)是車師(shi)再(zai)度反叛,和北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)一(yi)道進攻(gong)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)激勵士兵(bing)(bing)進行抵抗。車師(shi)后王(wang)夫人(ren)的(de)祖先是漢人(ren),經常暗中把敵(di)情告(gao)訴耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong),又(you)供給他(ta)糧食軍餉。幾個(ge)月后,漢軍糧食耗盡(jin),便用水(shui)煮鎧甲弓弩,吃上面的(de)獸筋皮革(ge)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)和士兵(bing)(bing)以(yi)(yi)誠相待,同生共死(si),所以(yi)(yi)眾人(ren)全無二(er)心,但死(si)者(zhe)日漸增多,只剩下了數十人(ren)。北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)單(dan)于(yu)知道耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)已身陷絕境,定要讓他(ta)投(tou)降(jiang),便派使者(zhe)去招(zhao)降(jiang)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)說:“你如果(guo)投(tou)降(jiang),單(dan)于(yu)就封你做白屋王(wang),給你女子為(wei)妻。”耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)引誘使者(zhe)登(deng)城,親手將他(ta)殺死(si),在城頭用火炙烤北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)使者(zhe)尸體。北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)單(dan)于(yu)大為(wei)憤怒,又(you)增派援(yuan)(yuan)兵(bing)(bing)圍(wei)困(kun)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong),但仍不能攻(gong)破(po)城池(chi)。當時,關寵上書朝廷(ting)請求救(jiu)援(yuan)(yuan),漢章帝(di)采(cai)納司徒鮑昱(yu)的(de)建議,派征(zheng)西將軍耿(geng)(geng)(geng)秉屯(tun)守酒(jiu)泉(quan),派酒(jiu)泉(quan)太(tai)守秦彭(peng)(一(yi)作段(duan)彭(peng))、謁者(zhe)王(wang)蒙、皇甫援(yuan)(yuan)征(zheng)發張掖、酒(jiu)泉(quan)、敦煌三郡以(yi)(yi)及鄯(shan)善部隊,共七千多人(ren),前往救(jiu)援(yuan)(yuan)。
建初元年(nian)(76年(nian))正月,秦彭等人率軍在柳中集結,進擊車師(shi)(shi),攻打交(jiao)河城,斬殺三(san)千(qian)(qian)八百人,俘虜三(san)千(qian)(qian)余人。北匈(xiong)奴驚(jing)慌(huang)而逃(tao),車師(shi)(shi)再(zai)度投降東漢。
這(zhe)時,關(guan)寵已經(jing)(jing)去(qu)世(shi),王蒙(meng)等人(ren)(ren)打(da)算引(yin)兵(bing)(bing)東歸。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)一位(wei)軍(jun)吏(li)范羌(qiang)當(dang)時正在王蒙(meng)軍(jun)中(zhong),他堅持要求(qiu)去(qu)援救耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)。將領們(men)不敢前(qian)往,便(bian)(bian)分出(chu)兩千救兵(bing)(bing)交給范羌(qiang)。范羌(qiang)經(jing)(jing)由(you)山北之(zhi)路去(qu)接耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong),途中(zhong)曾遇到(dao)(dao)一丈多深的(de)積雪。援軍(jun)精疲力(li)盡(jin),僅能勉強(qiang)到(dao)(dao)達(da)。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)等人(ren)(ren)夜(ye)間在城(cheng)中(zhong)聽到(dao)(dao)兵(bing)(bing)馬之(zhi)聲,以(yi)(yi)為北匈奴(nu)來了(le)援軍(jun),大為震驚(jing)。范羌(qiang)從遠處(chu)喊道:“我是范羌(qiang)。朝廷派(pai)部隊迎接校尉了(le)!”城(cheng)中(zhong)的(de)人(ren)(ren)齊呼萬歲。于是打(da)開城(cheng)門,眾(zhong)人(ren)(ren)互相擁抱,痛(tong)哭流涕。次日,他們(men)便(bian)(bian)同(tong)救兵(bing)(bing)一道返(fan)回。北匈奴(nu)派(pai)兵(bing)(bing)追擊,漢(han)軍(jun)邊戰邊走。官兵(bing)(bing)饑餓已久,從疏勒城(cheng)出(chu)發(fa)時,還有二(er)十(shi)(shi)六人(ren)(ren),沿途不斷死亡,到(dao)(dao)三(san)月抵達(da)玉門時,只剩下了(le)十(shi)(shi)三(san)人(ren)(ren)。這(zhe)十(shi)(shi)三(san)人(ren)(ren)衣(yi)衫襤褸(lv),鞋履洞穿,面(mian)容憔悴,形銷(xiao)骨立(li)。中(zhong)郎將鄭眾(zhong)為耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)及其(qi)部下安排洗浴,更換衣(yi)帽。并上(shang)書朝廷說(shuo):“耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)以(yi)(yi)微弱的(de)兵(bing)(bing)力(li)固守(shou)孤城(cheng),抵抗匈奴(nu)數(shu)萬大軍(jun),經(jing)(jing)年累月,耗(hao)盡(jin)了(le)全(quan)部心(xin)力(li),鑿(zao)山打(da)井,煮(zhu)食(shi)弓弩,先(xian)后(hou)殺傷敵人(ren)(ren)數(shu)以(yi)(yi)千計,忠勇俱全(quan),沒有使漢(han)朝蒙(meng)羞。應(ying)(ying)當(dang)賜給他榮(rong)耀的(de)官爵,以(yi)(yi)激(ji)勵將帥。”耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)到(dao)(dao)達(da)洛(luo)陽后(hou),鮑昱上(shang)奏稱(cheng)耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)節操超(chao)過(guo)蘇武,應(ying)(ying)當(dang)封爵受賞。于是任命耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)為騎都尉,任命耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)司馬石修(xiu)為洛(luo)陽市丞,張封為雍(yong)營(ying)司馬,軍(jun)吏(li)范羌(qiang)為共縣丞,剩下九人(ren)(ren)都授予羽(yu)林之(zhi)職。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)母親在此之(zhi)前(qian)就已去(qu)世(shi),等耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)回來,補行喪禮,漢(han)章(zhang)帝下詔派(pai)五(wu)宮中(zhong)郎將饋贈牛和酒解除(chu)喪服。
建初(chu)二年(77年),耿恭(gong)(gong)升任長水校尉。同年八月,金城(cheng)和(he)隴西的羌(qiang)(qiang)人(ren)反(fan)叛(pan)。耿恭(gong)(gong)上書(shu)談論對(dui)付羌(qiang)(qiang)人(ren)的策略(lve),漢章帝召耿恭(gong)(gong)進宮詢(xun)問(wen)詳情。漢章帝于(yu)是派代(dai)理車(che)騎將軍(jun)馬防(fang)和(he)耿恭(gong)(gong)率(lv)領(ling)北軍(jun)的越騎、屯騎、步兵、長水、射(she)聲等五(wu)校兵以及各郡的弓(gong)弩(nu)射(she)手,共三萬人(ren),討伐羌(qiang)(qiang)人(ren)。耿恭(gong)(gong)屯守枹罕,屢次和(he)羌(qiang)(qiang)人(ren)交戰。
建(jian)初三年(78年)秋天(《資治通鑒》作正月),馬防(fang)(fang)進攻(gong)羌人(ren)燒當部(bu)(bu)(bu)落首領布橋,布橋大敗,率(lv)領部(bu)(bu)(bu)眾一萬(wan)余人(ren)投降(jiang)(jiang)。漢章帝下詔(zhao),命令(ling)馬防(fang)(fang)回朝。耿(geng)(geng)恭留(liu)下來攻(gong)打各處沒(mei)有投降(jiang)(jiang)的(de)羌人(ren)部(bu)(bu)(bu)落,斬殺、俘虜(lu)一千多人(ren)。于(yu)是,羌人(ren)勒姐部(bu)(bu)(bu)落、燒何(he)部(bu)(bu)(bu)落等十(shi)三個部(bu)(bu)(bu)落共數(shu)萬(wan)羌人(ren),全部(bu)(bu)(bu)向耿(geng)(geng)恭投降(jiang)(jiang)。耿(geng)(geng)恭曾(ceng)因上書(shu)奏事冒犯過馬防(fang)(fang),監軍謁者便秉承(cheng)馬防(fang)(fang)的(de)意思(si),彈劾(he)耿(geng)(geng)恭不留(liu)意軍事,接受(shou)詔(zhao)書(shu)時心(xin)懷不滿(man)。耿(geng)(geng)恭因此(ci)獲(huo)罪而被(bei)召回朝廷,逮(dai)捕(bu)入獄,并(bing)罷(ba)免其官職遣送(song)原籍,耿(geng)(geng)恭最(zui)終老死家中。
鄭眾:“恭之節義(yi),古今未有(you)。”
鮑昱:“恭節過(guo)蘇武”
范曄(ye)《后(hou)漢書(shu)》:①“慷慨多大略,有將帥才。”;②“后(hou)覽耿恭疏(shu)勒之(zhi)事,喟然不覺涕之(zhi)無從。”
杜(du)(du)牧:“周有(you)(you)齊太(tai)公,秦(qin)有(you)(you)王(wang)翦(jian),兩漢有(you)(you)韓信、趙充國(guo)、耿恭、虞詡(xu)、段颎(jiong),魏有(you)(you)司馬(ma)懿,吳有(you)(you)周瑜,蜀(shu)有(you)(you)諸葛武侯(hou),晉有(you)(you)羊祜、杜(du)(du)公元(yuan)(yuan)凱,梁有(you)(you)韋(wei)睿,元(yuan)(yuan)魏有(you)(you)崔浩,周有(you)(you)韋(wei)孝寬,隋(sui)有(you)(you)楊素,國(guo)朝有(you)(you)李靖、李勣、裴行儉、郭(guo)元(yuan)(yuan)振。如此人(ren)者,當此一時,其所出計畫,皆考古校今,奇秘長遠(yuan),策先定(ding)於(wu)內,功后成(cheng)於(wu)外。”
《十(shi)七史百將傳(chuan)》:“孫子曰:‘兵以詐(zha)立(li)。’恭以毒藥傅矢,而謂漢家箭神(shen)。又(you)曰:‘出其(qi)不(bu)意(yi)。’恭揚(yang)水(shui)以示虜而圍解是(shi)也。”
黃道周《廣名將傳》:“恭為(wei)司(si)馬,破降車師。初(chu)置(zhi)校尉,以(yi)恭為(wei)之。示漢(han)威德(de),降及昆彌。匈奴爭國(guo),攻城甚危(wei)。毒(du)箭射中,以(yi)為(wei)神奇。既(ji)解復至,據水(shui)絕(jue)資。笮糞解渴,死(si)亡莫(mo)辭。耿恭拜天,清泉忽(hu)滋。揚水(shui)示敵,敵方(fang)(fang)解圍。招降不降,殺使陳尸。怒(nu)而圍城,食盡煮皮。范姜力救(jiu),方(fang)(fang)得迎歸。歸受(shou)一命(ming),忤(wu)人復追。忠烈苦節,真不可為(wei)。”
永平十八年(75年),北匈(xiong)奴(nu)在(zai)疏(shu)勒城(今新疆昌吉回族自(zi)治州奇臺縣(xian)城南(nan)64公里處的(de)半截溝鎮麻溝梁村)攻打耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong),并(bing)堵(du)絕漢(han)(han)軍的(de)水源。耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)在(zai)城中(zhong)掘井十五(wu)丈,仍然沒有出水。官兵(bing)焦渴(ke)困乏,甚至擠(ji)榨馬糞汁來飲(yin)用(yong)。耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)仰頭嘆息說(shuo):“聽說(shuo)從(cong)前貳師將軍李(li)廣利拔佩刀刺山,飛(fei)泉從(cong)山中(zhong)噴出;如今漢(han)(han)室恩德神(shen)(shen)圣,怎么可能走投無路呢?”于(yu)是整理衣服向井拜了兩拜,替將士祈禱。過(guo)了一會(hui)兒,水柱(zhu)噴出,眾(zhong)人齊(qi)呼萬歲。耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)命人在(zai)城上潑水給北匈(xiong)奴(nu)人看。北匈(xiong)奴(nu)人感到意外,以為有神(shen)(shen)明在(zai)幫助漢(han)(han)軍,于(yu)是領兵(bing)撤(che)退(tui)。象棋的(de)“耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)拜井”,即來源于(yu)此。