耿純,冀州鉅鹿郡宋(song)子縣傅家莊(今河(he)北邢(xing)臺(tai)市新(xin)(xin)河(he)縣新(xin)(xin)河(he)鎮護(hu)駕村)人。東漢開國(guo)將領,新(xin)(xin)朝(chao)濟平尹(yin)耿艾(ai)之子。
耿純(chun)早年就學于(yu)長安,授(shou)官(guan)(guan)為納言士。王莽敗亡后(hou),更(geng)始帝即位(wei),使(shi)舞陽王李(li)(li)軼向各(ge)郡國招降。耿純(chun)父親耿艾投降,回(hui)去任濟(ji)南太守。當時(shi)李(li)(li)軼兄弟(di)掌(zhang)權(quan),獨(du)斷(duan)行(xing)于(yu)一方,賓客游說(shuo)的很多(duo)。耿純(chun)連續多(duo)次(ci)求見不得通報,過了很久(jiu)才得見。因而對李(li)(li)軼說(shuo):“大(da)王以(yi)龍虎之(zhi)雄姿,逢風云(yun)之(zhi)際會,迅(xun)速拔地而起(qi),一月之(zhi)間兄弟(di)稱王,但士民們并不知道你有(you)(you)什么(me)德(de)行(xing),你也沒有(you)(you)對百姓宣揚(yang)有(you)(you)什么(me)功勞,恩(en)寵(chong)與官(guan)(guan)位(wei)暴興,這是聰明人所忌諱的。兢兢業(ye)(ye)業(ye)(ye)警惕(ti)自持(chi),還恐(kong)怕沒有(you)(you)好下場,何況是驟(zou)然暴發而自足(zu),難道可以(yi)成功嗎?”李(li)(li)軼很奇異,而且(qie)以(yi)耿純(chun)是巨(ju)鹿的大(da)姓,就以(yi)帝旨(zhi)拜耿純(chun)為騎(qi)都(dou)尉,授(shou)以(yi)符(fu)節,令他安集趙郡。
更始元年(23),劉(liu)玄稱帝(di)后,派遣劉(liu)秀(xiu)領少數兵馬前往邯鄲,耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)即往謁(ye)見,劉(liu)秀(xiu)高興(xing)地接待了他。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)退(tui),看到官屬們統帥軍(jun)隊(dui)的(de)(de)(de)法度與別的(de)(de)(de)將領不同,就要求(qiu)自(zi)行結(jie)交(jiao)采納,貢獻馬匹(pi)及(ji)縑(jian)帛(bo)數百(bai)匹(pi)。劉(liu)秀(xiu)北(bei)上到中山,留耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)在邯鄲。邯鄲算(suan)命先生出身的(de)(de)(de)王郎(lang)冒(mao)充漢成帝(di)子劉(liu)子輿自(zi)立為王,很快控制了河北(bei)大部郡縣(xian)。劉(liu)秀(xiu)自(zi)薊州向(xiang)東南奔馳時,耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)與從弟耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)、耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)宿、耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)植共同率(lv)領宗族賓客二千余人,老(lao)者(zhe)病(bing)者(zhe)都(dou)載棺木相(xiang)隨,迎劉(liu)秀(xiu)于育縣(xian)。拜(bai)(bai)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)為前將軍(jun),封耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)鄉(xiang)侯,耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)?、耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)宿、耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)植都(dou)拜(bai)(bai)為偏將軍(jun),使他們與耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)居前隊(dui),降下宋子縣(xian),又跟從攻下曲陽(yang)及(ji)中山。
這(zhe)時很多郡(jun)國都(dou)向(xiang)邯鄲(dan)投降,耿(geng)純(chun)惟恐宗(zong)(zong)室心懷二心,就使(shi)耿(geng)、耿(geng)宿回去把宗(zong)(zong)室的(de)廬舍(she)都(dou)燒(shao)掉(diao)。劉(liu)秀(xiu)問耿(geng)純(chun)為(wei)什(shen)么這(zhe)樣做(zuo),耿(geng)純(chun)說:“我(wo)(wo)看(kan)到明公(gong)單(dan)車來到河北,并(bing)無(wu)府(fu)藏之積蓄,可為(wei)重賞之甘(gan)餌,可以聚集(ji)眾人的(de),只不過以恩德為(wei)懷,是(shi)以士眾樂于歸(gui)附。現在邯鄲(dan)自立尊號,北州疑惑,我(wo)(wo)雖舉族歸(gui)命(ming)于明公(gong),老弱同行,還害(hai)怕宗(zong)(zong)人賓客不同心的(de)人,所以燒(shao)其廬舍(she),以絕其反顧的(de)希望。”劉(liu)秀(xiu)嘆息。
到達(da)鄗城(今河北柏鄉),劉(liu)秀(xiu)止于(yu)旅(lv)舍(she),鄗成大姓蘇公(gong)造反,打(da)開城門放王(wang)郎將(jiang)領李惲入內。耿純最先發覺(jue),率兵與李惲激戰,大破并斬了李惲。跟從(cong)劉(liu)秀(xiu)平定邯(han)鄲(dan),又破銅馬。
這時赤(chi)眉、青犢、上江(jiang)、大(da)彤、鐵脛、五幡十多萬部(bu)眾都在(zai)射犬,劉秀引兵(bing)(bing)準備進擊。耿(geng)(geng)純軍在(zai)前,離眾營數里,賊忽(hu)然乘夜(ye)攻耿(geng)(geng)純,箭矢(shi)如雨點射進營中,士卒多有死(si)傷。耿(geng)(geng)純勒令部(bu)眾,堅守不動(dong)。選出敢死(si)隊二千(qian)人,都手持強弩,各(ge)著三矢(shi),令他們輕騎潛行,繞入賊兵(bing)(bing)背后,齊聲呼叫,強弩并發,賊眾驚走,耿(geng)(geng)純追擊,大(da)破(po)賊兵(bing)(bing)。
耿(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)派遣(qian)快馬去稟報劉秀。第二天一早劉秀與諸將都到營,慰(wei)勞耿(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)說:“昨夜很困嗎?”耿(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)說:“仰賴明公威德(de),幸而(er)得到安全。”劉秀說:“大兵不可夜間行(xing)動,所以沒有(you)(you)相救(jiu)。軍(jun)(jun)營進退沒有(you)(you)常規,你(ni)的宗(zong)族(zu)不可全居軍(jun)(jun)中(zhong)哩。”就以耿(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)同族(zu)人(ren)耿(geng)(geng)及(ji)為蒲吾長,令耿(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)將親屬都住在蒲吾縣。
劉(liu)秀(xiu)勢(shi)力(li)逐漸擴(kuo)大后,諸將勸他稱(cheng)帝(di),劉(liu)秀(xiu)不(bu)允。在南平棘(ji)(今趙縣),耿純進(jin)言說:“大家(jia)(jia)丟棄親戚(qi)鄉里,跟隨大王奔(ben)走(zou)戰斗(dou),就(jiu)是為了攀(pan)龍鱗、附(fu)鳳翼。成功得志。現在功業成就(jiu),天人相應,而大王不(bu)聽大家(jia)(jia)的勸告,及時正位,我恐怕大家(jia)(jia)失望,各(ge)自離散,大眾一散,就(jiu)難(nan)以復合了!”聽了耿純的一番話(hua),很(hen)快,劉(liu)秀(xiu)登(deng)基稱(cheng)帝(di),年號建武,封耿純為高陽侯。
建武(wu)元年(25),耿純(chun)(chun)(chun)率軍(jun)擊劉永(yong)于濟陰,攻(gong)(gong)下定陶。起(qi)初,耿純(chun)(chun)(chun)跟從攻(gong)(gong)擊王郎,墜馬(ma)肩部折傷,時(shi)常(chang)肩傷病(bing)發,于是(shi)回(hui)到懷宮(gong)。帝問(wen):“你兄(xiong)弟(di)誰可以使?”耿純(chun)(chun)(chun)推舉從弟(di)耿植(zhi),于是(shi)使耿植(zhi)率耿純(chun)(chun)(chun)軍(jun)馬(ma),耿純(chun)(chun)(chun)還(huan)是(shi)以前將(jiang)軍(jun)職務相從。
這(zhe)時真定王劉揚(yang)又造作讖記說“:赤九之后,癭揚(yang)為(wei)主。”劉揚(yang)有癭病,想惑亂群眾(zhong),與(yu)綿曼賊相往來。
建武二年(nian)(26)春,劉(liu)秀派遣騎都尉陳(chen)副、游擊將軍(jun)鄧隆(long)(long)征召劉(liu)揚(yang)(yang),劉(liu)揚(yang)(yang)關閉城門(men),不(bu)讓陳(chen)副等進(jin)城。于(yu)(yu)是再派遣耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)持符節,頒行赦令(ling)于(yu)(yu)幽(you)州(zhou)、冀州(zhou),所過之處并使其慰(wei)勞王(wang)侯。秘密命令(ling)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)說:“劉(liu)揚(yang)(yang)如果見(jian)你,你就把(ba)他(ta)收(shou)捕起來。”耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)帶領(ling)吏士百余騎與陳(chen)副、鄧隆(long)(long)相(xiang)會于(yu)(yu)元氏,同到(dao)真定(ding),在(zai)旅舍(she)住下。劉(liu)揚(yang)(yang)稱(cheng)有病不(bu)肯(ken)謁(ye)見(jian),以耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)是真定(ding)宗室(shi)姊妹之子,就派遣使者送書信給耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun),準備與他(ta)相(xiang)見(jian)。耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)回(hui)報(bao)說“:我(wo)奉(feng)使見(jian)王(wang)侯牧守,不(bu)得先去(qu)見(jian)你,你如要晤面,應到(dao)館舍(she)。”這時劉(liu)揚(yang)(yang)弟臨邑侯劉(liu)讓及從兄劉(liu)細各擁兵萬余人,劉(liu)揚(yang)(yang)自恃兵多勢強(qiang)而(er)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)意在(zai)安(an)靜,就帶著官屬(shu)去(qu)見(jian)他(ta),兄弟各帶輕兵在(zai)門(men)外。劉(liu)揚(yang)(yang)進(jin)去(qu)見(jian)到(dao)耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun),耿(geng)(geng)(geng)(geng)純(chun)(chun)以禮相(xiang)敬,因而(er)請劉(liu)讓、劉(liu)細都進(jin)屋內,于(yu)(yu)是關門(men)把(ba)劉(liu)揚(yang)(yang)兄弟全部殺了,再帶兵而(er)出(chu)。真定(ding)震驚恐怖,沒(mei)有人敢(gan)異動。帝憐(lian)憫(min)劉(liu)揚(yang)(yang)、劉(liu)讓陰謀尚未(wei)發動,就封了他(ta)們(men)的兒子,恢復了他(ta)們(men)的故國。
耿(geng)純回到(dao)京(jing)師,因而請求說:“臣本是官吏家(jia)子(zi)孫,有幸逢大漢復(fu)興(xing),圣主即位,我備位列將,被爵為通侯。現(xian)在天下略已平定,臣無處(chu)施(shi)展才(cai)志,愿意(yi)試治(zhi)一個郡(jun),盡力報(bao)效。”帝笑著(zhu)說:“你既治(zhi)武事,又想修文治(zhi)嗎(ma)?”就拜耿(geng)純為東郡(jun)太守(shou)。當時東郡(jun)還沒有平定,耿(geng)純視事數月(yue),盜賊都清靜(jing)安寧了。
建(jian)武四(si)(si)年(nian)(28),詔令耿純(chun)率(lv)兵擊(ji)更始東平(ping)(ping)太(tai)(tai)守(shou)(shou)范荊,范荊投(tou)降。又進擊(ji)太(tai)(tai)山、濟南及平(ping)(ping)原(yuan)賊,都平(ping)(ping)定了。居(ju)東郡四(si)(si)年(nian),這時發干(gan)(gan)縣(xian)長(chang)有罪,耿純(chun)案奏,將(jiang)縣(xian)長(chang)圍守(shou)(shou),奏沒有下來,發干(gan)(gan)縣(xian)長(chang)自殺了。耿純(chun)被牽連免職,以列侯奉朝請。跟從(cong)攻擊(ji)董(dong)憲(xian),路過東郡,百(bai)姓老小數千人跟著劉秀車駕(jia)流淚哭泣(qi),說(shuo)(shuo)“愿再得(de)耿君。”帝(di)對公卿們說(shuo)(shuo)“:耿純(chun)從(cong)小身披甲胄為軍吏罷了,作(zuo)為東郡太(tai)(tai)守(shou)(shou)竟然能這樣(yang)為百(bai)姓所思念嗎?”
建武(wu)六年(30),定封為東光侯(hou)。耿(geng)純告辭就(jiu)國(guo),帝說:“文(wen)帝對周勃說過,丞相是(shi)我(wo)所(suo)敬重的,你現在(zai)為我(wo)率諸侯(hou)到封國(guo)去(qu)’,現在(zai)也是(shi)這樣啊。”耿(geng)純接受詔命而去(qu)。到了(le)鄴城,賜谷萬斛(hu)。到了(le)封國(guo),耿(geng)純吊唁死者(zhe)慰問(wen)病人,民眾很敬愛他。
建武八年(32),東郡、濟(ji)陰(yin)盜賊群起(qi),帝派遣大司空李通、橫(heng)野大將軍(jun)王(wang)常去討伐。帝以耿純在衛國之地有(you)很高的威信,遣使拜耿純為(wei)太(tai)中大夫,讓(rang)他與大軍(jun)會于東郡。東郡聽說耿純到(dao)了,盜賊九千余人都(dou)到(dao)耿純處投(tou)降,大軍(jun)不戰(zhan)而回。璽書再以耿純為(wei)東郡太(tai)守,官吏百姓都(dou)心(xin)悅誠服。
建武十三年(37),卒于(yu)官,謚號成侯。
《后漢書·卷二十(shi)一(yi)·列(lie)傳第(di)十(shi)一(yi)》有傳。《太平御覽》、《東觀漢記》、《資治通鑒》均有事跡記載。
《后(hou)漢書》:“任、邳識幾,嚴(yan)城解(jie)扉(fei)。委(wei)佗還旅,二(er)守焉依(yi)。”
徐鈞(jun):“行兵不(bu)與(yu)眾(zhong)人同,已決英雄(xiong)一見中。舉族同心能效順(shun),得君何憚不(bu)成(cheng)功。”
漢明(ming)帝(di)永平年(nian)間,漢明(ming)帝(di)追憶(yi)當年(nian)隨從劉(liu)秀打下東漢江山的(de)功臣(chen)宿將,命繪二十八(ba)位(wei)功臣(chen)的(de)畫(hua)像于洛陽(yang)南(nan)宮的(de)云臺,耿純名列第十三。