明朝(chao)弘治年間,皇(huang)權日(ri)(ri)益衰朽,朝(chao)政日(ri)(ri)益腐(fu)敗,社會矛盾日(ri)(ri)益尖銳,百(bai)姓處于水深(shen)火熱之中,各地(di)農民(min)紛(fen)紛(fen)揭竿起義(yi),其(qi)中以(yi)池(chi)仲容領(ling)導的農民(min)起義(yi)軍影響很大,威震四方。起義(yi)軍以(yi)“劫富濟貧”為(wei)口(kou)號,以(yi)紅色“蜈蚣”為(wei)旗幟,以(yi)紅布扎頭為(wei)標(biao)志(zhi),池(chi)仲容自稱“金龍霸(ba)王”。
相傳,池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)出生在(zai)和(he)平縣(xian)浰(li)(li)(li)(li)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)(浰(li)(li)(li)(li)源(yuan))曲潭村,家境貧(pin)寒,祖祖輩(bei)輩(bei)靠租(zu)種(zhong)財(cai)主的(de)(de)土地(di)(di)和(he)打獵為生。池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)少時(shi)常隨父進山(shan)射(she)獵,練就一(yi)(yi)身好本領(ling),力(li)縛(fu)猛(meng)虎(hu)、捷如(ru)猿猴,長大后(hou),愛憎(zeng)分(fen)明、敢(gan)作(zuo)敢(gan)為。明弘治年(nian)間,浰(li)(li)(li)(li)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)一(yi)(yi)帶(dai)連年(nian)荒災,哀(ai)鴻遍野,民(min)(min)(min)不(bu)(bu)聊生,而地(di)(di)主富豪催租(zu)逼債,心狠(hen)手毒,毫(hao)不(bu)(bu)留情。仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)家因欠租(zu)欠債,父親被地(di)(di)主惡(e)霸強行抓(zhua)走(zou)。過了不(bu)(bu)久,縣(xian)衙(ya)門派來兩名官(guan)吏,帶(dai)領(ling)一(yi)(yi)幫差役,又往浰(li)(li)(li)(li)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)征(zheng)糧征(zheng)稅,破門入戶、橫(heng)征(zheng)暴斂,并(bing)將暴取的(de)(de)糧物(wu),強迫(po)一(yi)(yi)批農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)運送。廣大農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)義(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)憤(fen)填膺、怒(nu)不(bu)(bu)可遏。此時(shi),仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)挺(ting)身而出,帶(dai)領(ling)數十人(ren)(ren),半(ban)途截(jie)擊,殺死兩名官(guan)吏,奪(duo)回糧物(wu)分(fen)給貧(pin)苦農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min),并(bing)趁此機會,倡(chang)導農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)起(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi),廣大農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)積極響應。短(duan)短(duan)的(de)(de)幾(ji)個月(yue),就組成了上千人(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)起(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)隊(dui)伍并(bing)建(jian)立(li)(li)農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)政權(quan),起(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)在(zai)農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)控區里,沒收地(di)(di)主惡(e)霸財(cai)產(chan),破倉分(fen)糧,分(fen)田分(fen)地(di)(di),起(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)的(de)(de)壯舉得到(dao)浰(li)(li)(li)(li)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)一(yi)(yi)帶(dai)農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)的(de)(de)稱贊和(he)擁護,各(ge)地(di)(di)農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)紛(fen)紛(fen)投奔(ben)起(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun),起(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)隊(dui)伍不(bu)(bu)斷壯大,幾(ji)年(nian)之內(nei),起(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)發展到(dao)一(yi)(yi)萬(wan)多人(ren)(ren)。起(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)以(yi)浰(li)(li)(li)(li)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)為大本營,據說(shuo)現(xian)在(zai)望障(zhang)山(shan)下曲潭村有個營盤(pan)的(de)(de)地(di)(di)名,就是當年(nian)農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)起(qi)(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)的(de)(de)大本營。農(nong)(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)(min)政權(quan)建(jian)立(li)(li)后(hou),“金(jin)龍(long)霸王”池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)封池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)安、池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)寧、李鑒、高(gao)允賢、高(gao)飛甲(jia)、黃(huang)尚琦為元帥,下設都(dou)督、總兵,據守浰(li)(li)(li)(li)頭(tou)(tou)(tou)38個寨。
仲容起義軍有嚴密的軍事(shi)組織和(he)軍事(shi)紀律,他們在浰頭(tou)曲潭村(cun)千斤擔一帶(dai)開(kai)荒種(zhong)地、屯兵耕活(huo)、煉鐵鑄器、保證供給。
仲容起(qi)義軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)還與(yu)周(zhou)邊的起(qi)義軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)組成(cheng)(cheng)廣(guang)泛聯盟,例如常與(yu)贛州(zhou)、左溪、橫(heng)崗三大(da)寨以及漳州(zhou)大(da)帽山起(qi)義軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)結成(cheng)(cheng)聯盟,并和樂昌起(qi)義軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)遙相(xiang)呼應(ying),他們經常互相(xiang)配合(he)攻打(da)鄰近諸(zhu)縣,成(cheng)(cheng)為活(huo)躍(yue)在粵、閩、贛地(di)區(qu)、三省邊界的一(yi)支強大(da)的起(qi)義軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)。明(ming)正(zheng)德年間,仲容起(qi)義軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)先(xian)(xian)后(hou)攻打(da)龍(long)川、翁源、始興、會昌等(deng)縣城,曾活(huo)捉河源主簿、龍(long)南(nan)市官(guan),擄南(nan)安府(fu)經歷,戳信豐所千戶(hu),正(zheng)德十二年(1517年)2月,圍攻信豐城。明(ming)王(wang)朝曾先(xian)(xian)后(hou)兩次調集數(shu)萬官(guan)兵“圍剿”起(qi)義軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun),均(jun)遭慘敗(bai)潰退(tui)。從此,“金龍(long)霸王(wang)”威(wei)(wei)震四方、威(wei)(wei)懾朝政。
明(ming)王(wang)朝(chao)遭遇二次失敗后,遂(sui)譴右(you)都御史、南贛(gan)巡撫,并(bing)授提督(du)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)門王(wang)守仁(王(wang)陽(yang)明(ming),明(ming)代思想家(jia)、軍(jun)(jun)(jun)事家(jia),心學集大(da)成者),率兵進(jin)剿。王(wang)陽(yang)明(ming)蒞任后,視池(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)為“數千年巨(ju)寇,三省(sheng)群盜禍根”,他一(yi)方(fang)面統調兩廣、福建(jian)、江西諸省(sheng)兵力,對池(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)進(jin)行(xing)圍剿,一(yi)方(fang)面施(shi)詐招安,瓦解起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)斗志(zhi)。
明正德十二年,南贛義軍首(shou)(shou)領(ling)黃金巢、盧柯(ke)果然歸(gui)順。官府乘(cheng)機引誘池仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)到贛州招安。遲(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)先派胞弟遲(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)安前(qian)來(lai)打探內情(qing),得知匯報后,決定深入虎穴(xue),以身犯險。據說,官府乘(cheng)過年(春節)之際,有意(yi)(yi)大肆(si)鋪張、張燈結彩、舞(wu)龍舞(wu)獅、觀燈、看大戲,熱鬧非凡,然后,把池仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)當作已歸(gui)降(jiang)(jiang)部(bu)下(xia)來(lai)對(dui)待,獎賞(shang)了很多錢物(wu)。池仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)帶領(ling)始興(xing)陳虞等(deng)大小(xiao)首(shou)(shou)領(ling)以及百(bai)余老弱殘(can)兵(bing)前(qian)來(lai)道(dao)謝,當他(ta)來(lai)到贛州城,看到處處是(shi)(shi)一片歡樂喜慶的(de)氣氛,他(ta)將信將疑,將眾(zhong)人留在外(wai)面,自己只(zhi)帶幾個人來(lai)見王(wang)守(shou)仁(ren),王(wang)守(shou)仁(ren)非常客氣,說:“都是(shi)(shi)我的(de)好(hao)(hao)百(bai)姓,怎能過門而(er)不入,都請進來(lai),好(hao)(hao)好(hao)(hao)招待。”王(wang)守(shou)仁(ren)留他(ta)們在城里觀燈看大戲,池仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)和眾(zhong)首(shou)(shou)領(ling)快樂地度過了大年初(chu)(chu)一和初(chu)(chu)二,并實時向池仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)招降(jiang)(jiang),遲(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)未降(jiang)(jiang),并想早(zao)日回山。初(chu)(chu)三王(wang)守(shou)仁(ren)照樣是(shi)(shi)設酒宴(yan)招待,并假(jia)意(yi)(yi)為遲(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)踐(jian)行。遲(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)放(fang)松了警惕,正準備(bei)離去時,王(wang)守(shou)仁(ren)早(zao)有埋伏,并一舉(ju)拿下(xia)。就在年初(chu)(chu)三晚上(shang),池仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)及大小(xiao)首(shou)(shou)領(ling)四十多人全部(bu)遇害。
在仲容被害的(de)(de)(de)同時(shi),王(wang)守仁發動了(le)對起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)總(zong)部的(de)(de)(de)進攻(gong)。他們對起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)眷屬(shu)和(he)村(cun)(cun)民封鎖仲容被害和(he)盧(lu)(lu)柯(ke)(ke)叛變消(xiao)息,指(zhi)使起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)的(de)(de)(de)叛徒盧(lu)(lu)柯(ke)(ke)傳話,說起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)首領(ling)們已(yi)(yi)歸順朝廷了(le),為(wei)(wei)了(le)表(biao)示獎賞,官府給義(yi)軍(jun)眷屬(shu)和(he)村(cun)(cun)民每人派(pai)發半(ban)斤(jin)(jin)豬肉、兩斤(jin)(jin)大米,全村(cun)(cun)男女老(lao)少,吃(chi)完晚飯(約晚上9時(shi))親(qin)自到(dao)(dao)(dao)離大本營(ying)約2里(li)路的(de)(de)(de)“黃(huang)江(jiang)圍(wei)”大圍(wei)屋內領(ling)取。因為(wei)(wei)起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)眷屬(shu)和(he)村(cun)(cun)民不知道盧(lu)(lu)柯(ke)(ke)已(yi)(yi)叛變,把盧(lu)(lu)柯(ke)(ke)的(de)(de)(de)話當真了(le),吃(chi)完晚飯后,他們陸(lu)陸(lu)續續來到(dao)(dao)(dao)黃(huang)江(jiang)圍(wei),并被要求一(yi)個個從(cong)前門(men)進、后門(men)出,但最(zui)終沒有一(yi)個人能(neng)從(cong)后門(men)走出來。據說,第二(er)天,黃(huang)江(jiang)圍(wei)屋口的(de)(de)(de)兩口池塘堆滿(man)了(le)尸(shi)體(ti),今(jin)天的(de)(de)(de)曲潭(tan)村(cun)(cun)已(yi)(yi)找不到(dao)(dao)(dao)一(yi)戶池姓(xing)人家,周圍(wei)方圓幾十(shi)里(li)的(de)(de)(de)田頭山野也找不到(dao)(dao)(dao)一(yi)座(zuo)池姓(xing)的(de)(de)(de)墳墓(mu)。這也是明朝封建(jian)社會株連九族的(de)(de)(de)見證吧(ba)。
失去(qu)總(zong)首領(ling)的起義軍,仍(reng)與(yu)朝廷官(guan)兵浴血(xue)奮戰,至第二年7月,被(bei)殺義軍達3000余人,被(bei)擄賣義軍眷(juan)屬890余人。至此(ci),“金龍霸王”池仲(zhong)容領(ling)導的農民起義軍以失敗告終。
一(yi)場聲勢浩大的(de)(de)池(chi)(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)容農民(min)起(qi)(qi)義早已落下(xia)帷幕(mu),當年(nian)在(zai)(zai)這(zhe)里(li)(li)發(fa)生(sheng)的(de)(de)驚心動魄(po)、扣人心弦的(de)(de)故事(shi)已成為歷史,在(zai)(zai)浰頭望障山下(xia)的(de)(de)曲潭村(cun),已找不到太多起(qi)(qi)義軍留下(xia)的(de)(de)痕(hen)跡(ji),只有(you)(you)“金龍霸王”池(chi)(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)容祖屋樓閣遺址前的(de)(de)半月形池(chi)(chi)(chi)塘,保(bao)存(cun)完(wan)好,春(chun)夏(xia)秋冬都有(you)(you)半池(chi)(chi)(chi)塘水,靜(jing)靜(jing)地躺在(zai)(zai)這(zhe)里(li)(li),使人們聯想起(qi)(qi)當年(nian)發(fa)生(sheng)的(de)(de)一(yi)幕(mu)幕(mu)故事(shi)。