耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭的父親耿(geng)(geng)(geng)廣很早便已去世,耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭年少(shao)時就成為了孤兒。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭為人慷慨多謀(mou)略,有將帥的才能。
永平十(shi)七年(nian)(74年(nian))十(shi)一月,騎都尉(wei)(wei)劉張(zhang)出兵(bing)攻(gong)打(da)(da)車師,請耿恭(gong)(gong)擔任(ren)(ren)(ren)司(si)馬(ma),和奉(feng)車都尉(wei)(wei)竇固以及耿恭(gong)(gong)堂弟駙馬(ma)都尉(wei)(wei)耿秉打(da)(da)敗并使車師投降。東(dong)漢(han)朝廷(ting)開始在西域(yu)設置西域(yu)都護、戊己校尉(wei)(wei),于是任(ren)(ren)(ren)命(ming)耿恭(gong)(gong)為戊己校尉(wei)(wei)。屯兵(bing)后王(wang)(wang)(wang)部金蒲城(今新(xin)(xin)疆(jiang)奇臺西北(bei)),任(ren)(ren)(ren)命(ming)謁者關寵也(ye)為戊己校尉(wei)(wei),屯守(shou)前(qian)王(wang)(wang)(wang)柳中城(今新(xin)(xin)疆(jiang)艾丁(ding)湖(hu)東(dong)北(bei)),每個(ge)駐屯地(di)各設幾(ji)百人(ren)。耿恭(gong)(gong)到達(da)任(ren)(ren)(ren)所,送文書(shu)到烏(wu)(wu)(wu)孫國(guo),顯示東(dong)漢(han)朝廷(ting)的威(wei)望(wang)恩德,烏(wu)(wu)(wu)孫國(guo)王(wang)(wang)(wang)以下的人(ren)都非常高興,派使者向(xiang)東(dong)漢(han)朝廷(ting)進貢(gong)名馬(ma),并獻上(shang)漢(han)宣帝時賜(si)給公主的賭具,希望(wang)派烏(wu)(wu)(wu)孫王(wang)(wang)(wang)子入朝侍奉(feng)。耿恭(gong)(gong)于是派使者贈送金子、織物,迎接烏(wu)(wu)(wu)孫王(wang)(wang)(wang)子入朝侍奉(feng)。
永平十八年(nian)(75年(nian))三月,北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)單(dan)于派左鹿蠡王率領兩萬騎兵攻(gong)打(da)車(che)師。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)派司(si)馬領兵三百人(ren)前往(wang)援救(jiu)車(che)師,途中(zhong)遭(zao)遇北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)大軍,因寡不敵眾(zhong),全(quan)軍覆(fu)沒。于是北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)打(da)敗并殺死(si)車(che)師后王安得,繼而攻(gong)打(da)金蒲城(cheng)。由(you)于城(cheng)中(zhong)兵少,形勢(shi)危急,耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)便親自登(deng)城(cheng)與北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)交戰。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)把毒藥涂在箭上,傳話給(gei)北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)說(shuo):“這是漢朝神(shen)箭,中(zhong)箭者必出(chu)怪事。”于是用硬弓射箭。中(zhong)箭的北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren),看到(dao)傷口(kou)處血水(shui)沸涌(yong),大為驚慌。當(dang)時正好出(chu)現(xian)狂風(feng)暴雨(yu)(yu),耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)軍乘雨(yu)(yu)攻(gong)打(da)北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu),殺傷眾(zhong)多北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)。北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)十分震恐,相互說(shuo)道:“漢軍有神(shen)力,真可怕啊(a)!”于是解圍撤退。
永平(ping)十八年五月(yue)(《資治通鑒》作六(liu)月(yue)),耿(geng)(geng)恭因疏勒城(cheng)(cheng)邊有溪(xi)流(liu)可(ke)以固守(shou),便(bian)率軍占(zhan)據該城(cheng)(cheng)。七月(yue),北(bei)(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)再次(ci)前來(lai)進攻(gong)耿(geng)(geng)恭,耿(geng)(geng)恭招募先(xian)鋒幾千人(ren)直奔北(bei)(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu),北(bei)(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)騎(qi)兵(bing)(bing)逃散,在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)下堵絕溪(xi)流(liu)。耿(geng)(geng)恭在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)中(zhong)掘井十五丈,仍不出水。官兵(bing)(bing)焦渴困乏,甚至擠榨馬糞汁來(lai)飲用。耿(geng)(geng)恭親自帶領士兵(bing)(bing)挖(wa)井運土,不久,泉(quan)水涌(yong)出,眾(zhong)人(ren)齊呼萬(wan)歲。耿(geng)(geng)恭便(bian)命官兵(bing)(bing)在(zai)城(cheng)(cheng)上潑水給北(bei)(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)看。北(bei)(bei)匈奴(nu)(nu)(nu)人(ren)感到(dao)意外(wai),以為有神(shen)明在(zai)幫助漢軍,于是領兵(bing)(bing)撤退。
主詞條(tiao):十三將士歸玉門
永平十八年(75年)六月,西域的(de)焉(yan)耆(qi)和(he)龜茲兩國(guo)攻打(da)西域都護陳(chen)睦,陳(chen)睦全(quan)軍覆沒。北匈奴(nu)的(de)軍隊(dui)則在柳中(zhong)城包(bao)圍關寵。
永平十八年(nian)八月,漢(han)(han)明帝(di)去世,朝(chao)廷正是(shi)大喪之(zhi)機,沒有派(pai)出救(jiu)兵。于是(shi)車師再度反叛,和(he)北匈奴(nu)一(yi)道進攻耿恭(gong)。耿恭(gong)激(ji)勵士兵進行抵抗。車師后王(wang)夫人(ren)的祖先是(shi)漢(han)(han)人(ren),經常暗中把敵(di)情告訴(su)耿恭(gong),又供給他糧(liang)(liang)食軍餉。幾個月后,漢(han)(han)軍糧(liang)(liang)食耗盡,便(bian)用水煮鎧(kai)甲弓弩(nu),吃上(shang)面的獸筋皮革。耿恭(gong)和(he)士兵以(yi)誠相(xiang)待,同生共死(si),所(suo)以(yi)眾人(ren)全(quan)無二心,但死(si)者(zhe)日漸增多(duo),只(zhi)剩下了(le)數十人(ren)。北匈奴(nu)單(dan)于知道耿恭(gong)已身陷絕境,定要讓他投降(jiang),便(bian)派(pai)使者(zhe)去招降(jiang)耿恭(gong)說(shuo):“你(ni)如果投降(jiang),單(dan)于就封(feng)你(ni)做白屋(wu)王(wang),給你(ni)女子為妻。”耿恭(gong)引誘使者(zhe)登(deng)城,親手將他殺死(si),在(zai)城頭用火炙烤北匈奴(nu)使者(zhe)尸體(ti)。北匈奴(nu)單(dan)于大為憤(fen)怒,又增派(pai)援(yuan)兵圍困耿恭(gong),但仍(reng)不(bu)能(neng)攻破(po)城池。當時,關寵上(shang)書朝(chao)廷請求救(jiu)援(yuan),漢(han)(han)章帝(di)采(cai)納司徒鮑昱的建議,派(pai)征(zheng)西將軍耿秉屯(tun)守酒泉(quan),派(pai)酒泉(quan)太守秦彭(peng)(一(yi)作(zuo)段彭(peng))、謁者(zhe)王(wang)蒙(meng)、皇甫援(yuan)征(zheng)發(fa)張掖(ye)、酒泉(quan)、敦煌(huang)三郡以(yi)及鄯善部(bu)隊,共七千多(duo)人(ren),前往救(jiu)援(yuan)。
建初(chu)元年(76年)正月(yue),秦彭等(deng)人(ren)率軍在柳中集結(jie),進(jin)擊車(che)師,攻打交(jiao)河城,斬殺三千(qian)八百人(ren),俘虜三千(qian)余人(ren)。北匈奴驚慌而逃,車(che)師再度(du)投降東漢。
這時(shi),關寵已經(jing)去(qu)世,王(wang)蒙(meng)等人(ren)打算引(yin)兵東歸。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)的一(yi)位軍(jun)(jun)吏范(fan)羌(qiang)(qiang)當時(shi)正(zheng)在(zai)王(wang)蒙(meng)軍(jun)(jun)中,他(ta)堅持要求(qiu)去(qu)援(yuan)救耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)。將(jiang)領們不(bu)敢(gan)前往,便分出兩千救兵交給范(fan)羌(qiang)(qiang)。范(fan)羌(qiang)(qiang)經(jing)由山(shan)(shan)北(bei)之(zhi)路去(qu)接(jie)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong),途(tu)中曾遇到(dao)一(yi)丈多(duo)深(shen)的積(ji)雪。援(yuan)軍(jun)(jun)精疲力(li)(li)盡(jin),僅能(neng)勉強到(dao)達。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)等人(ren)夜(ye)間在(zai)城中聽到(dao)兵馬(ma)之(zhi)聲,以為北(bei)匈(xiong)奴來了援(yuan)軍(jun)(jun),大為震驚。范(fan)羌(qiang)(qiang)從遠處喊(han)道:“我(wo)是(shi)(shi)范(fan)羌(qiang)(qiang)。朝(chao)廷派(pai)(pai)部(bu)隊迎接(jie)校尉(wei)了!”城中的人(ren)齊呼萬歲。于是(shi)(shi)打開(kai)城門(men),眾人(ren)互相擁抱(bao),痛哭流(liu)涕。次(ci)日,他(ta)們便同(tong)救兵一(yi)道返回(hui)。北(bei)匈(xiong)奴派(pai)(pai)兵追擊,漢軍(jun)(jun)邊(bian)戰邊(bian)走。官兵饑餓已久,從疏(shu)勒城出發(fa)時(shi),還有(you)二(er)十(shi)六人(ren),沿途(tu)不(bu)斷死(si)亡,到(dao)三月抵達玉門(men)時(shi),只剩下了十(shi)三人(ren)。這十(shi)三人(ren)衣衫(shan)襤(lan)褸(lv),鞋履洞穿,面容憔悴,形銷骨立。中郎將(jiang)鄭眾為耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)及其部(bu)下安(an)排洗浴,更換衣帽。并上書朝(chao)廷說:“耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)以微弱的兵力(li)(li)固(gu)守(shou)孤城,抵抗匈(xiong)奴數(shu)萬大軍(jun)(jun),經(jing)年(nian)累月,耗盡(jin)了全部(bu)心力(li)(li),鑿山(shan)(shan)打井,煮食(shi)弓弩,先(xian)后殺傷敵人(ren)數(shu)以千計,忠勇俱全,沒有(you)使漢朝(chao)蒙(meng)羞(xiu)。應當賜(si)給他(ta)榮耀(yao)的官爵(jue),以激勵(li)將(jiang)帥(shuai)。”耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)到(dao)達洛(luo)陽后,鮑昱(yu)上奏稱(cheng)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)的節(jie)操超過蘇武,應當封爵(jue)受賞。于是(shi)(shi)任(ren)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)為騎都尉(wei),任(ren)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)的司(si)馬(ma)石修為洛(luo)陽市丞,張封為雍營司(si)馬(ma),軍(jun)(jun)吏范(fan)羌(qiang)(qiang)為共縣丞,剩下九人(ren)都授(shou)予羽林(lin)之(zhi)職。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)母親在(zai)此之(zhi)前就已去(qu)世,等耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)回(hui)來,補行喪禮,漢章帝下詔派(pai)(pai)五宮(gong)中郎將(jiang)饋贈(zeng)牛和酒解除喪服。
建初二年(nian)(77年(nian)),耿恭升任長水校尉。同年(nian)八月,金(jin)城和(he)(he)隴西(xi)的(de)羌(qiang)人反叛。耿恭上書談(tan)論對付羌(qiang)人的(de)策略(lve),漢章帝召耿恭進宮詢問詳情。漢章帝于是派代理車騎將軍馬(ma)防和(he)(he)耿恭率(lv)領北軍的(de)越騎、屯騎、步兵(bing)、長水、射(she)聲(sheng)等五校兵(bing)以及各(ge)郡(jun)的(de)弓(gong)弩射(she)手,共三(san)萬人,討伐(fa)羌(qiang)人。耿恭屯守(shou)枹罕,屢次和(he)(he)羌(qiang)人交戰。
建初三(san)年(78年)秋(qiu)天(《資治(zhi)通鑒》作正月),馬防(fang)進攻(gong)羌(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)人燒(shao)當(dang)部(bu)落首領(ling)布橋(qiao),布橋(qiao)大敗,率領(ling)部(bu)眾一萬(wan)余人投(tou)降(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)。漢章帝下詔,命令馬防(fang)回朝(chao)。耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)留(liu)下來攻(gong)打各處(chu)沒有(you)投(tou)降(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)的羌(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)人部(bu)落,斬殺、俘(fu)虜一千多人。于(yu)是,羌(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)人勒姐部(bu)落、燒(shao)何部(bu)落等十(shi)三(san)個部(bu)落共數萬(wan)羌(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)人,全部(bu)向耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)投(tou)降(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)。耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)曾因上書奏事(shi)冒犯過(guo)馬防(fang),監軍(jun)(jun)謁者便秉(bing)承馬防(fang)的意思,彈(dan)劾耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)不留(liu)意軍(jun)(jun)事(shi),接受詔書時(shi)心(xin)懷不滿。耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)因此獲罪而被召(zhao)回朝(chao)廷(ting),逮(dai)捕入獄,并罷(ba)免(mian)其(qi)官職遣送(song)原(yuan)籍,耿(geng)恭(gong)(gong)最(zui)終(zhong)老(lao)死家中。
鄭眾:“恭之節義,古今(jin)未有。”
鮑(bao)昱:“恭節過蘇武(wu)”
范曄(ye)《后(hou)漢書》:①“慷慨多大略,有將帥才。”;②“后(hou)覽耿恭(gong)疏(shu)勒(le)之(zhi)事,喟然(ran)不覺涕之(zhi)無從(cong)。”
杜牧:“周有(you)(you)齊(qi)太(tai)公,秦有(you)(you)王翦(jian),兩漢有(you)(you)韓信、趙(zhao)充國(guo)、耿恭、虞詡、段(duan)颎,魏有(you)(you)司馬(ma)懿(yi),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(kai),梁有(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(su),國(guo)朝(chao)有(you)(you)李(li)(li)靖(jing)、李(li)(li)勣、裴行儉(jian)、郭(guo)元(yuan)振(zhen)。如此(ci)人(ren)者,當(dang)此(ci)一時(shi),其所出計畫,皆考古(gu)校今,奇(qi)秘長遠,策先定於內,功后成於外。”
《十七史(shi)百將傳》:“孫子(zi)曰:‘兵以詐立。’恭以毒藥傅(fu)矢,而(er)謂(wei)漢家(jia)箭(jian)神。又曰:‘出其不意。’恭揚水以示虜而(er)圍解(jie)是也。”
黃道(dao)周《廣名將傳》:“恭(gong)(gong)為(wei)司馬,破(po)降(jiang)車師。初(chu)置校尉,以恭(gong)(gong)為(wei)之。示漢(han)威德,降(jiang)及昆彌。匈奴爭國(guo),攻(gong)城甚危。毒箭射中,以為(wei)神奇(qi)。既解(jie)復(fu)至,據水絕資。笮糞解(jie)渴,死(si)亡莫辭。耿恭(gong)(gong)拜天,清泉忽滋。揚水示敵,敵方解(jie)圍(wei)。招降(jiang)不降(jiang),殺使陳尸。怒而圍(wei)城,食盡煮皮。范(fan)姜(jiang)力救,方得迎歸。歸受(shou)一命,忤人復(fu)追。忠烈苦(ku)節,真不可(ke)為(wei)。”
永(yong)平十(shi)八年(75年),北(bei)匈(xiong)奴在(zai)疏勒城(今新疆(jiang)昌吉(ji)回族自治州奇臺縣城南64公里處的(de)半截(jie)溝鎮(zhen)麻溝梁村)攻(gong)打耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong),并堵絕(jue)漢(han)(han)軍的(de)水(shui)源(yuan)。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)在(zai)城中掘井(jing)十(shi)五(wu)丈,仍然(ran)沒(mei)有(you)出(chu)水(shui)。官兵(bing)焦渴困乏(fa),甚至擠榨馬糞汁來飲用。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)仰頭(tou)嘆(tan)息說:“聽(ting)說從(cong)前(qian)貳師將軍李廣利拔佩刀刺山,飛泉從(cong)山中噴出(chu);如今漢(han)(han)室(shi)恩(en)德神圣,怎么可能走投無(wu)路呢?”于(yu)是(shi)整(zheng)理衣(yi)服向井(jing)拜了兩拜,替將士祈(qi)禱(dao)。過了一會兒,水(shui)柱(zhu)噴出(chu),眾(zhong)人(ren)齊呼(hu)萬(wan)歲。耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)命人(ren)在(zai)城上潑水(shui)給北(bei)匈(xiong)奴人(ren)看。北(bei)匈(xiong)奴人(ren)感到意外,以為(wei)有(you)神明在(zai)幫助漢(han)(han)軍,于(yu)是(shi)領兵(bing)撤退。象棋的(de)“耿(geng)(geng)恭(gong)拜井(jing)”,即來源(yuan)于(yu)此(ci)。