王堅為南陽鄧州彭橋人,生于南宋寧宗趙擴慶元(yuan)四(si)年(nian)(1198年(nian))。
嘉定十(shi)二年(1219年)金國(guo)侵略軍(jun)(jun)統帥完顏訛可入(ru)侵唐州、棗陽,宋(song)荊鄂統孟宗政招(zhao)募(mu)唐,鄧(deng),蔡三(san)州壯士(shi)兩萬余人,號忠順軍(jun)(jun),王堅即由此招(zhao)募(mu)入(ru)忠順軍(jun)(jun),戊守唐、鄧(deng),在杏(xing)山山區屯田、練兵(bing)、守備(bei)御敵(現(xian)軍(jun)(jun)事設施(shi)尚存)。
紹定元(yuan)年(nian)(1228年(nian)),忠(zhong)順(shun)(shun)(shun)(shun)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)與民屯田,灌溉(gai)十(shi)萬頃(qing),當年(nian)收糧十(shi)五萬石,忠(zhong)順(shun)(shun)(shun)(shun)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)各家(jia)自養馬(ma)匹(pi),官家(jia)給草(cao)料(liao),忠(zhong)順(shun)(shun)(shun)(shun)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)兵強馬(ma)壯,常(chang)常(chang)給入侵的蒙古(gu)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)隊以(yi)沉重打(da)擊。王堅在忠(zhong)順(shun)(shun)(shun)(shun)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)內,作戰(zhan)勇敢且有謀略(lve),成(cheng)為忠(zhong)順(shun)(shun)(shun)(shun)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)的得力將領,升為勁軍(jun)(jun)(jun)統制。
嘉熙四年(1240年),蒙古軍(jun)駐順陽丹江沿岸(an),準備造船(chuan)南(nan)侵江漢(han)。堅(jian)潛兵燒毀其船(chuan)材(cai),自(zi)此嶄露(lu)頭角(jiao),成(cheng)為(wei)南(nan)宋(song)名(ming)將孟珙(gong)部下得(de)力將領。蒙古軍(jun)攻四川,王(wang)堅(jian)隨(sui)孟珙(gong)入川御敵。
淳佑十年(nian)(1250年(nian)),參加南宋(song)名將(jiang),抗蒙總(zong)指揮余(yu)玠(jie)與蒙軍總(zong)帥汪德臣在興(xing)元(yuan)、文州等地大戰(zhan)。次(ci)年(nian),奉命收復興(xing)元(yuan)府,然后(hou)率興(xing)州兵駐合(he)川舊(jiu)城(cheng)。
寶祐二年(nian)(1254年(nian)),升興元府都統兼知(zhi)合州,主(zhu)持釣(diao)魚(yu)城(cheng)防務。王堅(jian)知(zhi)合州后,加固(gu)釣(diao)魚(yu)城(cheng)池。他調(diao)集(ji)所轄(xia)五(wu)縣(xian)軍(jun)民(min)數萬(wan),在釣(diao)魚(yu)城(cheng)上開(kai)掘大(da)小(xiao)“天池”蓄水養魚(yu),控(kong)井(jing)92眼,加筑從城(cheng)上至南北江邊碼頭的(de)一字(zi)城(cheng)墻,阻截敵軍(jun)于(yu)城(cheng)墻與江流(liu)之(zhi)(zhi)外,屯田練兵,“秦蜀之(zhi)(zhi)人,望風響應”。釣(diao)魚(yu)城(cheng)成為川、陜、甘民(min)眾(zhong)聚集(ji)的(de)軍(jun)事重鎮。
寶祐六(liu)年(nian)(1258年(nian)),蒙(meng)古(gu)大汗蒙(meng)哥(ge)與(yu)其弟(di)忽必烈等分三路出兵攻(gong)宋。蒙(meng)哥(ge)親(qin)自駐(zhu)釣魚城東五里的石子山督戰。王堅(jian)(jian)(jian)負險守城五個月(yue),蒙(meng)古(gu)軍(jun)不能下。七月(yue),蒙(meng)哥(ge)命(ming)人(ren)于釣魚城東門(men)高地上(shang)筑(zhu)臺,探城中(zhong)情(qing)勢以謀決戰。王堅(jian)(jian)(jian)在蒙(meng)古(gu)軍(jun)筑(zhu)臺時(shi)已選(xuan)好(hao)位(wei)置,當蒙(meng)哥(ge)上(shang)臺瞭望(wang)時(shi),王堅(jian)(jian)(jian)命(ming)人(ren)放炮將其擊成(cheng)(cheng)重傷(shang)。次日又(you)將池(chi)中(zhong)兩條30斤重的鮮魚做(zuo)成(cheng)(cheng)面餅(bing)投(tou)擲城下蒙(meng)古(gu)軍(jun),且致信蒙(meng)哥(ge)“爾再攻(gong)十年(nian),城亦不可得”。蒙(meng)哥(ge)傷(shang)后,傷(shang)痛(tong)迸發(fa),不久(jiu)死于北(bei)碚溫泉寺。
蒙古軍(jun)北(bei)還,合(he)州圍解(jie)。九月(yue),朝廷封王堅寧遠軍(jun)節度(du)使、依前(qian)(qian)左領軍(jun)衛上將(jiang)軍(jun)、興(xing)元府駐扎(zha),御前(qian)(qian)諸軍(jun)都統制兼知合(he)州(三品),節制兵馬,進封清(qing)水縣(xian)開國伯。
景定(ding)元年(nian)(1260年(nian)),賈(jia)似道忌王堅(jian)戰功(gong),使帝詔堅(jian)回京城臨安(an)(今杭州)。
景定(ding)五年(nian)(nian)(1264年(nian)(nian)),王堅(jian)去世,獲(huo)謚“忠壯”。合州(zhou)軍民(min)聞(wen)堅(jian)卒,立(li)廟(miao)祀之,并建碑記其功,“堅(jian)以魚(yu)臺(tai)一柱支半壁”迄今(jin)猶存。宋蒙釣(diao)魚(yu)城(cheng)之戰(zhan)改寫(xie)了歐亞歷史。王堅(jian)率(lv)領合州(zhou)居民(min)堅(jian)守孤城(cheng)36年(nian)(nian),成為(wei)世界戰(zhan)爭史上的(de)奇(qi)跡,不屈(qu)不撓的(de)精神蜚聲寰宇。
宋嘉(jia)熙年(nian)(nian)間,王堅率軍在杏(xing)山一帶屯(tun)田(tian)練兵,守(shou)(shou)備御敵,當時的蒙古軍隊在順陽(yang)丹江沿(yan)岸,聚集大(da)批船只(zhi)(zhi),堆積大(da)量(liang)造(zao)船木材,準(zhun)備大(da)造(zao)船只(zhi)(zhi),南(nan)下(xia)漢水,長江,加速南(nan)侵,王堅偵知敵情,于宋嘉(jia)熙三年(nian)(nian)(1239年(nian)(nian))一月,挑選(xuan)精壯兵將,準(zhun)備大(da)量(liang)的引火材料(liao),于夜晚憑借(jie)熟悉(xi)地形(xing)越(yue)峭壁,盡(jin)焚敵軍船只(zhi)(zhi)與(yu)(yu)造(zao)船木材,獲得重大(da)勝利(li)。這個(ge)時候(hou)的王堅多次(ci)擊敗(bai)蒙古軍隊,收(shou)復(fu)失地,以(yi)戰功升任郡團練,守(shou)(shou)合(he)州,淳祐十一年(nian)(nian)(1251年(nian)(nian))擊敗(bai)蒙古軍,參與(yu)(yu)收(shou)復(fu)興(xing)元(yuan)(今(jin)陜(shan)西漢中)的作戰。寶祜二年(nian)(nian)(1254年(nian)(nian))任興(xing)元(yuan)都(dou)統(tong)兼知合(he)州。
中(zhong)國南宋(song)(song)寶祐六年至(zhi)開慶元(yuan)年(蒙古蒙哥汗(han)八至(zhi)九年,1258~1259),王堅率兵在(zai)(zai)合州(zhou)(今四川合川東(dong))抗擊蒙古軍(jun)進(jin)攻的(de)著名江(jiang)河山岳地要(yao)塞防御戰。南宋(song)(song)朝在(zai)(zai)抗金、抗蒙的(de)長期戰爭中(zhong),逐步(bu)形成固守(shou)長江(jiang)上游以屏蔽下游的(de)方略。在(zai)(zai)喪(sang)失蜀(shu)道(dao)天險之后(hou),南宋(song)(song)守(shou)蜀(shu)將帥,時任兵部侍郎(lang),四川制置(zhi)使余玠利用(yong)四川多山川的(de)條件,采用(yong)謀士冉氏(shi)兄(xiong)弟建議擇要(yao)隘,建山城,構(gou)成了以重慶為中(zhong)心(xin),以點控面,扼守(shou)夔門(在(zai)(zai)今四川奉節境),阻止蒙古軍(jun)東(dong)下的(de)釣魚(yu)城防御體系(xi)(2010年余玠釣魚(yu)城指揮遺(yi)址老鼓(gu)樓已在(zai)(zai)重慶挖掘)。
蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)古(gu)(gu)軍(jun)(jun)統(tong)帥蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)哥鑒(jian)于以前(qian)對中國宋朝(chao)全面多(duo)路(lu)進(jin)(jin)攻(gong)(gong)(gong)的(de)失敗,和水軍(jun)(jun)不(bu)足(zu)的(de)弱點,采取了迂回長江(jiang)上游的(de)戰(zhan)略,在(zai)大舉南下(xia)攻(gong)(gong)(gong)宋以前(qian),進(jin)(jin)軍(jun)(jun)云南。經(jing)過(guo)(guo)數(shu)年準(zhun)備,于宋寶祐六年二月(yue)(yue)(yue),蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)古(gu)(gu)軍(jun)(jun)分兵(bing)四路(lu)攻(gong)(gong)(gong)宋。蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)哥汗親率(lv)主(zhu)(zhu)力4萬,號稱(cheng)(cheng)10萬,于四月(yue)(yue)(yue)沿嘉陵(ling)江(jiang)向重慶(qing)進(jin)(jin)發,企圖占領重慶(qing),東(dong)(dong)出(chu)夔門(men)(men),會師荊湖,直取臨(lin)安(今杭州(zhou))。十二月(yue)(yue)(yue),蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)古(gu)(gu)軍(jun)(jun)進(jin)(jin)至(zhi)合(he)州(zhou)境內(nei)。合(he)州(zhou)治所在(zai)釣(diao)魚(yu)山上,稱(cheng)(cheng)釣(diao)魚(yu)城(cheng),峭(qiao)壁(bi)懸崖,三面環(huan)江(jiang)。宋軍(jun)(jun)憑(ping)險設防,依山勢(shi)筑有周長十二三里(li)、高兩三丈的(de)石城(cheng),南北山腳下(xia)各有一(yi)(yi)延至(zhi)江(jiang)中的(de)城(cheng)墻,名(ming)一(yi)(yi)字(zi)城(cheng)。釣(diao)魚(yu)城(cheng)上可控制三江(jiang)(嘉陵(ling)、渠(qu)、涪(fu)),下(xia)可屏(ping)障重慶(qing)。城(cheng)內(nei)兵(bing)精糧足(zu),水源豐富。10萬多(duo)軍(jun)(jun)民(min)在(zai)主(zhu)(zhu)將王(wang)(wang)堅(jian)(jian)(jian)率(lv)領下(xia),團(tuan)結一(yi)(yi)心,堅(jian)(jian)(jian)決抗(kang)蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)。次年二月(yue)(yue)(yue),蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)哥汗率(lv)軍(jun)(jun)渡過(guo)(guo)渠(qu)江(jiang),駐軍(jun)(jun)于釣(diao)魚(yu)城(cheng)東(dong)(dong)五里(li)的(de)石子山一(yi)(yi)帶(dai),強(qiang)攻(gong)(gong)(gong)釣(diao)魚(yu)城(cheng)。經(jing)過(guo)(guo)幾(ji)天戰(zhan)斗,攻(gong)(gong)(gong)破一(yi)(yi)字(zi)城(cheng),遂連(lian)續攻(gong)(gong)(gong)東(dong)(dong)新門(men)(men)、奇勝(sheng)門(men)(men)(城(cheng)西)、鎮西門(men)(men)等。守(shou)城(cheng)軍(jun)(jun)民(min)依堅(jian)(jian)(jian)據(ju)守(shou),木石兼投,大炮遙擊,使蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)古(gu)(gu)軍(jun)(jun)進(jin)(jin)攻(gong)(gong)(gong)均(jun)遭失敗。四月(yue)(yue)(yue)大雨20天,蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)古(gu)(gu)軍(jun)(jun)利用一(yi)(yi)無雨深夜(ye)(ye),偷(tou)襲宋軍(jun)(jun),殺傷多(duo)人。王(wang)(wang)堅(jian)(jian)(jian)率(lv)兵(bing)反(fan)擊,打退(tui)蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)古(gu)(gu)軍(jun)(jun)。五月(yue)(yue)(yue)酷熱,蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)古(gu)(gu)軍(jun)(jun)疫病(bing)流行,王(wang)(wang)堅(jian)(jian)(jian)乘隙多(duo)次率(lv)兵(bing)夜(ye)(ye)襲其(qi)營地(di)。蒙(meng)(meng)(meng)古(gu)(gu)軍(jun)(jun)日(ri)夜(ye)(ye)不(bu)安,戰(zhan)斗力大為減弱。
王堅在合州(zhou),調集屬縣(xian)十七萬(wan)人(ren),鞏固釣魚城,設防堅守。秦、鞏、利、閬等州(zhou)陷(xian)于蒙古(gu)后,各地人(ren)民(min)陸續(xu)來(lai)這里集結(jie),釣魚城成(cheng)為十數萬(wan)人(ren)聚居(ju)的重鎮。開慶元年(一(yi)二五九年)正月(yue),蒙哥派降(jiang)人(ren)晉國寶(bao)到釣魚城勸降(jiang)。王堅把晉國寶(bao)押到閱武場(練兵場),斬首示(shi)眾,軍(jun)聲大振。
六月,汪德(de)臣復選兵夜(ye)登外城馬軍寨(zhai)(zhai),殺(sha)寨(zhai)(zhai)主(zhu)及(ji)守城者,王堅(jian)率(lv)兵來戰。遲明,遇雨梯折,后(hou)軍不克進而(er)止。
七月,蒙(meng)(meng)哥(ge)汗以(yi)(yi)馬軍寨之(zhi)(zhi)馬鞍山為(wei)橋頭堡,向釣(diao)(diao)魚(yu)(yu)城(cheng)內(nei)城(cheng)發起進(jin)攻(gong)(gong)。在(zai)此場激烈的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)戰(zhan)(zhan)斗(dou)中(zhong),在(zai)王堅的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)指揮下,蒙(meng)(meng)哥(ge)汗被飛(fei)丸擊(ji)中(zhong),崩于釣(diao)(diao)魚(yu)(yu)山。蒙(meng)(meng)哥(ge)汗戰(zhan)(zhan)死之(zhi)(zhi)后,進(jin)軍鄂州(今湖(hu)北武昌)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)蒙(meng)(meng)哥(ge)之(zhi)(zhi)弟忽必烈和進(jin)攻(gong)(gong)漳州(今湖(hu)南長沙)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)塔察(cha)兒,以(yi)(yi)及(ji)占領了(le)(le)(le)大馬士革(ge),正在(zai)與古(gu)埃及(ji)馬木路克王朝軍隊作戰(zhan)(zhan)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)旭烈兀,為(wei)爭(zheng)奪汗位而匆忙回(hui)師,蒙(meng)(meng)古(gu)貴(gui)族集團即(ji)開始了(le)(le)(le)長期的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)內(nei)部爭(zheng)戰(zhan)(zhan)。釣(diao)(diao)魚(yu)(yu)城(cheng)由(you)此在(zai)世(shi)界中(zhong)古(gu)史(shi)上,赫然(ran)豎(shu)立了(le)(le)(le)“延續(xu)宋祚、緩解(jie)歐亞(ya)戰(zhan)(zhan)禍、阻止蒙(meng)(meng)古(gu)向非洲擴張”的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)不(bu)朽豐碑(bei)!當時,釣(diao)(diao)魚(yu)(yu)城(cheng)就(jiu)以(yi)(yi)“東(dong)方的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)麥迦城(cheng)”、“上帝折鞭處”的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)威名震驚了(le)(le)(le)中(zhong)外。
南宋著名詩人劉克莊《蜀捷》詩云:“吠南初謂(wei)予堪(kan)晦,折北俄聞彼不支(zhi)。撻覽果殲強(qiang)弩下,男章(zhang)有入檻車(che)時。鐘捷捷表前無古,班固銘詩繼(ji)者誰…。”