耿(geng)恭的父親耿(geng)廣很早便已去世,耿(geng)恭年少時就(jiu)成為了孤(gu)兒。耿(geng)恭為人慷慨多謀(mou)略,有將帥的才能(neng)。
永平十(shi)七年(nian)(74年(nian))十(shi)一月,騎都(dou)尉(wei)劉張(zhang)出兵攻打車師(shi),請耿(geng)恭擔(dan)任司馬,和奉車都(dou)尉(wei)竇固以及耿(geng)恭堂弟(di)駙馬都(dou)尉(wei)耿(geng)秉打敗并使(shi)(shi)車師(shi)投(tou)降(jiang)。東(dong)漢朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)開始(shi)在西(xi)(xi)域設(she)置西(xi)(xi)域都(dou)護、戊己校尉(wei),于是任命(ming)(ming)耿(geng)恭為戊己校尉(wei)。屯(tun)(tun)兵后王部金蒲城(cheng)(今新(xin)(xin)疆(jiang)奇臺西(xi)(xi)北),任命(ming)(ming)謁者(zhe)關(guan)寵也為戊己校尉(wei),屯(tun)(tun)守前(qian)王柳中(zhong)城(cheng)(今新(xin)(xin)疆(jiang)艾丁湖東(dong)北),每個駐屯(tun)(tun)地(di)各(ge)設(she)幾(ji)百人。耿(geng)恭到達任所(suo),送文(wen)書到烏(wu)孫(sun)國(guo),顯(xian)示東(dong)漢朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)的威(wei)望(wang)恩德,烏(wu)孫(sun)國(guo)王以下的人都(dou)非常高興,派(pai)使(shi)(shi)者(zhe)向東(dong)漢朝(chao)(chao)(chao)廷(ting)進貢名馬,并獻上漢宣帝時(shi)賜給公主的賭(du)具,希望(wang)派(pai)烏(wu)孫(sun)王子(zi)(zi)入朝(chao)(chao)(chao)侍(shi)奉。耿(geng)恭于是派(pai)使(shi)(shi)者(zhe)贈送金子(zi)(zi)、織物,迎接烏(wu)孫(sun)王子(zi)(zi)入朝(chao)(chao)(chao)侍(shi)奉。
永平十八年(75年)三月(yue),北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)單于派左(zuo)鹿(lu)蠡王(wang)率領(ling)兩萬騎兵(bing)攻打車(che)師。耿恭派司馬領(ling)兵(bing)三百(bai)人(ren)前往援救車(che)師,途中(zhong)(zhong)遭遇北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)大軍(jun)(jun),因寡不敵眾,全(quan)軍(jun)(jun)覆(fu)沒。于是(shi)北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)打敗并殺(sha)死(si)車(che)師后王(wang)安得,繼而攻打金蒲城(cheng)。由于城(cheng)中(zhong)(zhong)兵(bing)少(shao),形勢危急,耿恭便(bian)親自登城(cheng)與北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)交戰。耿恭把毒(du)藥涂(tu)在(zai)箭(jian)上,傳話給北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)說:“這(zhe)是(shi)漢朝神箭(jian),中(zhong)(zhong)箭(jian)者必(bi)出(chu)怪事(shi)。”于是(shi)用(yong)硬(ying)弓射(she)箭(jian)。中(zhong)(zhong)箭(jian)的北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren),看到傷口處血(xue)水沸(fei)涌,大為驚慌。當時正好出(chu)現狂風暴雨,耿恭軍(jun)(jun)乘(cheng)雨攻打北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu),殺(sha)傷眾多北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)。北(bei)(bei)(bei)匈(xiong)(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)十分震恐,相(xiang)互(hu)說道(dao):“漢軍(jun)(jun)有神力,真(zhen)可(ke)怕啊(a)!”于是(shi)解圍撤退(tui)。
永平十(shi)八年五月(yue)(《資(zi)治通鑒》作六月(yue)),耿(geng)恭(gong)因疏勒城邊有(you)溪流(liu)可以(yi)固守,便率軍(jun)占據該城。七(qi)月(yue),北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)再(zai)次(ci)前(qian)來(lai)進(jin)攻耿(geng)恭(gong),耿(geng)恭(gong)招募先鋒幾千人(ren)(ren)直奔北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu),北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)騎兵(bing)(bing)(bing)逃散,在城下堵(du)絕溪流(liu)。耿(geng)恭(gong)在城中掘井十(shi)五丈,仍不(bu)出水(shui)(shui)。官兵(bing)(bing)(bing)焦(jiao)渴困乏,甚(shen)至(zhi)擠榨馬糞汁來(lai)飲用。耿(geng)恭(gong)親自帶領士(shi)兵(bing)(bing)(bing)挖(wa)井運土,不(bu)久,泉水(shui)(shui)涌出,眾人(ren)(ren)齊呼萬歲。耿(geng)恭(gong)便命官兵(bing)(bing)(bing)在城上潑水(shui)(shui)給(gei)北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)看。北(bei)匈(xiong)奴(nu)(nu)人(ren)(ren)感到意外,以(yi)為(wei)有(you)神明在幫助漢軍(jun),于是(shi)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(yu)的焉耆和龜茲兩國攻打西域(yu)都(dou)護陳(chen)睦,陳(chen)睦全(quan)軍覆(fu)沒。北匈奴的軍隊則在柳中(zhong)城包圍關寵。
永平(ping)十八年八月(yue),漢明帝(di)去世,朝(chao)廷(ting)正是大(da)喪之機(ji),沒有派(pai)出救(jiu)(jiu)兵(bing)(bing)。于(yu)是車師再度(du)反(fan)叛(pan),和(he)北匈(xiong)奴(nu)一道進(jin)攻(gong)耿(geng)恭。耿(geng)恭激勵(li)士(shi)兵(bing)(bing)進(jin)行(xing)抵抗。車師后王(wang)夫人(ren)的祖先是漢人(ren),經常暗中(zhong)把敵(di)情(qing)告訴耿(geng)恭,又(you)供給他糧食軍(jun)餉。幾(ji)個月(yue)后,漢軍(jun)糧食耗(hao)盡,便用水煮鎧甲弓(gong)弩,吃(chi)上面的獸筋皮革(ge)。耿(geng)恭和(he)士(shi)兵(bing)(bing)以(yi)誠相待,同(tong)生共死,所以(yi)眾人(ren)全無二心,但死者(zhe)日漸(jian)增多,只(zhi)剩下了(le)數十人(ren)。北匈(xiong)奴(nu)單(dan)于(yu)知道耿(geng)恭已(yi)身陷絕境,定(ding)要讓他投降,便派(pai)使(shi)者(zhe)去招降耿(geng)恭說:“你如果(guo)投降,單(dan)于(yu)就封你做白屋王(wang),給你女(nv)子為(wei)(wei)妻。”耿(geng)恭引(yin)誘使(shi)者(zhe)登城,親手將(jiang)他殺死,在城頭用火炙烤北匈(xiong)奴(nu)使(shi)者(zhe)尸體。北匈(xiong)奴(nu)單(dan)于(yu)大(da)為(wei)(wei)憤怒,又(you)增派(pai)援兵(bing)(bing)圍困(kun)耿(geng)恭,但仍不能攻(gong)破城池(chi)。當時(shi),關寵上書(shu)朝(chao)廷(ting)請求救(jiu)(jiu)援,漢章帝(di)采納司(si)徒鮑昱的建議,派(pai)征西將(jiang)軍(jun)耿(geng)秉屯(tun)守酒泉,派(pai)酒泉太守秦(qin)彭(peng)(一作段彭(peng))、謁者(zhe)王(wang)蒙、皇甫援征發張掖、酒泉、敦煌三郡以(yi)及鄯(shan)善部隊,共七千(qian)多人(ren),前(qian)往救(jiu)(jiu)援。
建初元年(nian)(nian)(76年(nian)(nian))正月,秦(qin)彭等人(ren)率軍(jun)在柳中集(ji)結(jie),進(jin)擊車師,攻(gong)打交河城,斬(zhan)殺三千八百(bai)人(ren),俘(fu)虜三千余人(ren)。北匈奴驚慌(huang)而逃,車師再度投降東漢。
這(zhe)時(shi),關(guan)寵已(yi)(yi)經(jing)去世,王蒙等(deng)人(ren)(ren)打算引兵東歸。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)(de)一位軍(jun)吏范羌(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)當(dang)時(shi)正在王蒙軍(jun)中(zhong)(zhong),他堅持要(yao)求去援(yuan)救(jiu)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)。將(jiang)領(ling)們不(bu)敢前往,便分出兩(liang)千救(jiu)兵交給(gei)(gei)范羌(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)。范羌(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)經(jing)由山北(bei)之(zhi)路(lu)去接耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong),途中(zhong)(zhong)曾遇到(dao)一丈多(duo)深的(de)(de)(de)積雪。援(yuan)軍(jun)精疲力(li)盡(jin),僅能勉強(qiang)到(dao)達。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)等(deng)人(ren)(ren)夜(ye)間在城(cheng)中(zhong)(zhong)聽(ting)到(dao)兵馬之(zhi)聲,以(yi)為(wei)(wei)北(bei)匈奴(nu)來(lai)了援(yuan)軍(jun),大(da)(da)為(wei)(wei)震(zhen)驚。范羌(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)從遠處喊道(dao):“我是范羌(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)。朝(chao)廷派(pai)部(bu)隊(dui)迎接校尉了!”城(cheng)中(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)齊呼萬(wan)歲(sui)。于是打開城(cheng)門,眾人(ren)(ren)互相擁抱,痛哭流涕。次日,他們便同救(jiu)兵一道(dao)返回(hui)。北(bei)匈奴(nu)派(pai)兵追擊,漢軍(jun)邊戰邊走。官兵饑餓已(yi)(yi)久(jiu),從疏勒城(cheng)出發時(shi),還(huan)有二十六人(ren)(ren),沿途不(bu)斷死亡,到(dao)三(san)月(yue)抵達玉(yu)門時(shi),只剩下(xia)了十三(san)人(ren)(ren)。這(zhe)十三(san)人(ren)(ren)衣衫襤褸,鞋履洞(dong)穿,面容憔悴,形銷骨(gu)立(li)。中(zhong)(zhong)郎將(jiang)鄭眾為(wei)(wei)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)及其部(bu)下(xia)安排洗浴,更換衣帽。并上書朝(chao)廷說:“耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)以(yi)微弱的(de)(de)(de)兵力(li)固守孤城(cheng),抵抗匈奴(nu)數(shu)萬(wan)大(da)(da)軍(jun),經(jing)年(nian)累(lei)月(yue),耗盡(jin)了全部(bu)心(xin)力(li),鑿山打井,煮食弓弩(nu),先后殺傷(shang)敵人(ren)(ren)數(shu)以(yi)千計(ji),忠勇俱全,沒有使漢朝(chao)蒙羞。應當(dang)賜給(gei)(gei)他榮耀的(de)(de)(de)官爵,以(yi)激勵將(jiang)帥。”耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)到(dao)達洛(luo)陽后,鮑昱上奏稱耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)(de)節操(cao)超過蘇武,應當(dang)封爵受賞(shang)。于是任(ren)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)為(wei)(wei)騎都尉,任(ren)命(ming)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)(de)司(si)馬石修為(wei)(wei)洛(luo)陽市丞,張(zhang)封為(wei)(wei)雍營司(si)馬,軍(jun)吏范羌(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)(qiang)為(wei)(wei)共縣丞,剩下(xia)九(jiu)人(ren)(ren)都授予羽林之(zhi)職。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)母(mu)親在此之(zhi)前就(jiu)已(yi)(yi)去世,等(deng)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)(gong)回(hui)來(lai),補行喪禮(li),漢章(zhang)帝下(xia)詔(zhao)派(pai)五宮中(zhong)(zhong)郎將(jiang)饋贈牛和酒解除喪服。
建初二年(nian)(77年(nian)),耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)升任長(chang)水校尉。同年(nian)八月,金(jin)城和隴西的羌(qiang)(qiang)人(ren)反(fan)叛(pan)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)上書談論對付羌(qiang)(qiang)人(ren)的策(ce)略,漢章帝召(zhao)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)進宮詢(xun)問詳情。漢章帝于是派代理車騎將(jiang)軍(jun)馬防和耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)率領北軍(jun)的越(yue)騎、屯騎、步兵、長(chang)水、射聲等五校兵以(yi)及各郡的弓弩(nu)射手,共三萬人(ren),討伐羌(qiang)(qiang)人(ren)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)恭(gong)屯守枹罕,屢次和羌(qiang)(qiang)人(ren)交(jiao)戰(zhan)。
建初三年(nian)(78年(nian))秋天(《資治通鑒》作正月),馬防(fang)進(jin)攻羌(qiang)人(ren)燒當(dang)部(bu)落(luo)(luo)首領布橋,布橋大敗(bai),率領部(bu)眾一(yi)萬余人(ren)投(tou)降。漢(han)章帝下(xia)詔(zhao),命令(ling)馬防(fang)回朝。耿恭(gong)留(liu)下(xia)來(lai)攻打各處沒有(you)投(tou)降的(de)(de)羌(qiang)人(ren)部(bu)落(luo)(luo),斬殺、俘虜一(yi)千多人(ren)。于是,羌(qiang)人(ren)勒姐部(bu)落(luo)(luo)、燒何部(bu)落(luo)(luo)等十三個(ge)部(bu)落(luo)(luo)共數萬羌(qiang)人(ren),全部(bu)向耿恭(gong)投(tou)降。耿恭(gong)曾因上書奏事(shi)冒犯過馬防(fang),監(jian)軍謁(ye)者(zhe)便秉承馬防(fang)的(de)(de)意(yi)思,彈劾耿恭(gong)不留(liu)意(yi)軍事(shi),接(jie)受詔(zhao)書時心懷不滿。耿恭(gong)因此獲罪而被(bei)召回朝廷,逮(dai)捕入獄,并罷免其官職(zhi)遣送原(yuan)籍(ji),耿恭(gong)最終老死家中。
鄭眾:“恭(gong)之節義,古今未有。”
鮑昱:“恭節過蘇武”
范曄《后漢(han)書》:①“慷慨多(duo)大略,有將帥才。”;②“后覽耿恭疏勒之(zhi)事,喟(kui)然(ran)不覺涕之(zhi)無從(cong)。”
杜牧:“周有(you)(you)齊太公,秦有(you)(you)王翦,兩漢有(you)(you)韓信、趙充國(guo)、耿恭、虞詡(xu)、段颎,魏有(you)(you)司馬懿,吳有(you)(you)周瑜,蜀有(you)(you)諸(zhu)葛武(wu)侯(hou),晉有(you)(you)羊祜(hu)、杜公元(yuan)凱,梁有(you)(you)韋睿,元(yuan)魏有(you)(you)崔浩,周有(you)(you)韋孝寬(kuan),隋有(you)(you)楊素,國(guo)朝有(you)(you)李靖(jing)、李勣、裴行(xing)儉(jian)、郭(guo)元(yuan)振。如此人者,當此一時,其所(suo)出計(ji)畫,皆考古校今,奇秘長遠,策先定於(wu)內,功后成於(wu)外。”
《十七(qi)史百將傳》:“孫子曰(yue)(yue):‘兵以(yi)詐立(li)。’恭以(yi)毒藥傅矢,而(er)謂漢家箭(jian)神(shen)。又(you)曰(yue)(yue):‘出其不意。’恭揚水以(yi)示虜而(er)圍解是也。”
黃(huang)道周《廣名將傳》:“恭為司(si)馬(ma),破(po)降(jiang)車師。初(chu)置校尉,以恭為之。示漢(han)威德,降(jiang)及昆彌。匈奴爭(zheng)國,攻城(cheng)甚危。毒箭射中,以為神奇。既解(jie)復至,據(ju)水(shui)(shui)絕資。笮糞解(jie)渴,死亡莫辭。耿(geng)恭拜天,清泉忽滋。揚水(shui)(shui)示敵(di),敵(di)方(fang)解(jie)圍。招降(jiang)不降(jiang),殺使陳尸。怒(nu)而圍城(cheng),食盡煮(zhu)皮。范姜力救,方(fang)得迎(ying)歸。歸受一命(ming),忤人(ren)復追。忠烈苦節,真(zhen)不可為。”
永平十八(ba)年(75年),北匈奴在(zai)疏勒(le)城(今(jin)新疆(jiang)昌(chang)吉回族自治州奇臺縣(xian)城南64公(gong)里處的(de)半截溝鎮(zhen)麻溝梁(liang)村)攻(gong)打耿(geng)恭(gong),并堵絕漢軍(jun)的(de)水源。耿(geng)恭(gong)在(zai)城中(zhong)掘井(jing)十五丈,仍然(ran)沒有(you)出水。官兵焦渴(ke)困(kun)乏,甚至(zhi)擠榨馬(ma)糞汁(zhi)來飲用。耿(geng)恭(gong)仰(yang)頭嘆息說:“聽說從(cong)前貳師將軍(jun)李廣利拔佩刀(dao)刺山,飛泉從(cong)山中(zhong)噴出;如今(jin)漢室恩德神(shen)圣(sheng),怎么可(ke)能走投無(wu)路(lu)呢(ni)?”于是(shi)整理衣服向井(jing)拜(bai)了兩拜(bai),替將士(shi)祈禱。過了一(yi)會(hui)兒(er),水柱噴出,眾人(ren)齊呼萬歲。耿(geng)恭(gong)命(ming)人(ren)在(zai)城上潑水給北匈奴人(ren)看。北匈奴人(ren)感到意(yi)外(wai),以為有(you)神(shen)明在(zai)幫助(zhu)漢軍(jun),于是(shi)領兵撤(che)退。象(xiang)棋(qi)的(de)“耿(geng)恭(gong)拜(bai)井(jing)”,即(ji)來源于此。