明朝弘治年間,皇權(quan)日益衰朽,朝政日益腐敗(bai),社會矛盾日益尖銳,百姓處于水深火熱之中(zhong),各地農民紛(fen)紛(fen)揭(jie)竿起義,其中(zhong)以池(chi)仲(zhong)容領(ling)導的農民起義軍影響很大(da),威震(zhen)四方。起義軍以“劫富濟(ji)貧”為口號,以紅色“蜈蚣”為旗幟,以紅布(bu)扎頭(tou)為標志,池(chi)仲(zhong)容自稱“金龍霸王(wang)”。
相傳,池(chi)仲容(rong)出生在(zai)和平縣浰(li)頭(tou)(tou)(浰(li)源)曲潭(tan)村,家(jia)境貧(pin)寒,祖祖輩(bei)輩(bei)靠租種財(cai)主(zhu)(zhu)的(de)(de)土地(di)(di)和打(da)獵為(wei)生。池(chi)仲容(rong)少時常(chang)隨父(fu)進山射(she)獵,練就一(yi)身好本(ben)領,力縛(fu)猛虎(hu)、捷如猿(yuan)猴,長大(da)(da)后,愛憎(zeng)分(fen)明、敢(gan)作(zuo)敢(gan)為(wei)。明弘治年間,浰(li)頭(tou)(tou)一(yi)帶(dai)連年荒災,哀(ai)鴻遍野(ye),民(min)(min)不(bu)(bu)(bu)聊生,而地(di)(di)主(zhu)(zhu)富(fu)豪(hao)催租逼債,心狠(hen)手毒,毫(hao)不(bu)(bu)(bu)留(liu)情。仲容(rong)家(jia)因(yin)欠(qian)租欠(qian)債,父(fu)親被地(di)(di)主(zhu)(zhu)惡(e)霸強行抓走。過(guo)了不(bu)(bu)(bu)久,縣衙(ya)門(men)派來兩(liang)名(ming)官吏,帶(dai)領一(yi)幫差役,又往浰(li)頭(tou)(tou)征糧(liang)征稅,破門(men)入戶、橫(heng)征暴斂,并將暴取(qu)的(de)(de)糧(liang)物(wu)(wu),強迫一(yi)批農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)運送。廣(guang)大(da)(da)農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)義(yi)(yi)憤填膺、怒不(bu)(bu)(bu)可遏。此(ci)時,仲容(rong)挺(ting)身而出,帶(dai)領數十人,半途截擊(ji),殺死兩(liang)名(ming)官吏,奪回糧(liang)物(wu)(wu)分(fen)給(gei)貧(pin)苦(ku)農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min),并趁(chen)此(ci)機會,倡導農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)起(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi),廣(guang)大(da)(da)農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)積極(ji)響應。短短的(de)(de)幾(ji)個(ge)月(yue),就組成了上千人的(de)(de)起(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)隊伍(wu)(wu)并建(jian)立(li)(li)農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)政權,起(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)在(zai)農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)軍(jun)控(kong)區里,沒收(shou)地(di)(di)主(zhu)(zhu)惡(e)霸財(cai)產,破倉分(fen)糧(liang),分(fen)田分(fen)地(di)(di),起(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)的(de)(de)壯舉得到(dao)浰(li)頭(tou)(tou)一(yi)帶(dai)農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)的(de)(de)稱贊和擁護,各地(di)(di)農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)紛紛投奔起(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun),起(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)隊伍(wu)(wu)不(bu)(bu)(bu)斷(duan)壯大(da)(da),幾(ji)年之內,起(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)發展到(dao)一(yi)萬多人。起(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)以浰(li)頭(tou)(tou)為(wei)大(da)(da)本(ben)營,據說現(xian)在(zai)望障山下曲潭(tan)村有個(ge)營盤的(de)(de)地(di)(di)名(ming),就是當年農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)起(qi)(qi)(qi)義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)的(de)(de)大(da)(da)本(ben)營。農(nong)(nong)民(min)(min)政權建(jian)立(li)(li)后,“金(jin)龍霸王”池(chi)仲容(rong)封池(chi)仲安、池(chi)仲寧、李鑒、高允賢、高飛(fei)甲(jia)、黃尚(shang)琦(qi)為(wei)元(yuan)帥,下設都督(du)、總兵,據守(shou)浰(li)頭(tou)(tou)38個(ge)寨。
仲(zhong)容(rong)起義軍有嚴密的軍事(shi)(shi)組織和軍事(shi)(shi)紀律,他們在浰頭(tou)曲(qu)潭村千斤擔(dan)一(yi)帶開荒(huang)種地、屯(tun)兵耕活、煉鐵鑄器、保(bao)證供給。
仲容起義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)還與周邊的(de)起義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)組成(cheng)(cheng)廣(guang)泛聯(lian)盟,例(li)如常(chang)與贛州(zhou)、左溪、橫崗三(san)大(da)寨以及漳州(zhou)大(da)帽山(shan)起義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)結成(cheng)(cheng)聯(lian)盟,并和樂昌起義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)遙相(xiang)呼(hu)應,他(ta)們經(jing)常(chang)互相(xiang)配合攻打(da)鄰(lin)近諸(zhu)縣,成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)活(huo)躍在粵、閩、贛地(di)區(qu)、三(san)省邊界的(de)一支強大(da)的(de)起義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)。明(ming)正(zheng)德年(nian)間(jian),仲容起義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)先(xian)(xian)后(hou)攻打(da)龍(long)川、翁源、始興、會(hui)昌等縣城,曾活(huo)捉河(he)源主簿、龍(long)南市官(guan),擄(lu)南安府經(jing)歷,戳信(xin)豐所千(qian)戶(hu),正(zheng)德十(shi)二年(nian)(1517年(nian))2月(yue),圍攻信(xin)豐城。明(ming)王朝(chao)曾先(xian)(xian)后(hou)兩(liang)次調集數萬官(guan)兵“圍剿”起義(yi)(yi)軍(jun)(jun)(jun),均(jun)遭慘敗潰退。從(cong)此(ci),“金(jin)龍(long)霸王”威震四方、威懾朝(chao)政(zheng)。
明(ming)王(wang)朝遭遇二(er)次(ci)失敗后(hou),遂譴右都御史、南贛巡撫,并(bing)授提督(du)軍(jun)門王(wang)守仁(王(wang)陽明(ming),明(ming)代思想家、軍(jun)事家,心學集大成者(zhe)),率(lv)兵進剿(jiao)。王(wang)陽明(ming)蒞任后(hou),視池(chi)仲容為“數千年巨(ju)寇,三省(sheng)群盜禍根”,他一方面統(tong)調兩廣、福建(jian)、江西諸省(sheng)兵力,對池(chi)仲容起(qi)義軍(jun)進行圍剿(jiao),一方面施詐招(zhao)安,瓦解(jie)起(qi)義軍(jun)斗志。
明正(zheng)德十二(er)年(nian),南贛義(yi)軍首領(ling)(ling)黃金巢(chao)、盧柯果然歸順。官(guan)府(fu)乘(cheng)機(ji)引誘池(chi)(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)(rong)到贛州招(zhao)(zhao)安(an)。遲(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)(rong)先派胞弟遲(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)安(an)前來(lai)打探內情,得知匯報(bao)后,決定深入虎穴(xue),以身犯(fan)險。據說,官(guan)府(fu)乘(cheng)過年(nian)(春節)之際,有(you)意大肆鋪(pu)張、張燈結彩、舞龍(long)舞獅(shi)、觀(guan)燈、看(kan)(kan)大戲,熱鬧非凡,然后,把(ba)池(chi)(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)(rong)當作已歸降部下來(lai)對待(dai),獎賞了(le)很(hen)多錢(qian)物。池(chi)(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)(rong)帶領(ling)(ling)始興陳虞等大小(xiao)首領(ling)(ling)以及(ji)百余(yu)老弱殘兵前來(lai)道謝,當他來(lai)到贛州城(cheng),看(kan)(kan)到處處是(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)片歡(huan)樂喜慶的氣氛,他將信將疑(yi),將眾人留在外面(mian),自己只(zhi)帶幾(ji)個人來(lai)見王(wang)(wang)(wang)守仁(ren),王(wang)(wang)(wang)守仁(ren)非常客氣,說:“都是(shi)我(wo)的好百姓,怎(zen)能過門而不入,都請進(jin)來(lai),好好招(zhao)(zhao)待(dai)。”王(wang)(wang)(wang)守仁(ren)留他們(men)在城(cheng)里觀(guan)燈看(kan)(kan)大戲,池(chi)(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)(rong)和眾首領(ling)(ling)快(kuai)樂地度(du)過了(le)大年(nian)初(chu)(chu)一(yi)(yi)(yi)和初(chu)(chu)二(er),并(bing)實時向池(chi)(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)(rong)招(zhao)(zhao)降,遲(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)(rong)未(wei)降,并(bing)想早日回山。初(chu)(chu)三王(wang)(wang)(wang)守仁(ren)照樣是(shi)設酒宴(yan)招(zhao)(zhao)待(dai),并(bing)假意為遲(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)(rong)踐行。遲(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)(rong)放松了(le)警惕,正(zheng)準備離(li)去(qu)時,王(wang)(wang)(wang)守仁(ren)早有(you)埋伏,并(bing)一(yi)(yi)(yi)舉拿下。就在年(nian)初(chu)(chu)三晚上,池(chi)(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)(rong)及(ji)大小(xiao)首領(ling)(ling)四十多人全部遇(yu)害。
在仲容(rong)(rong)被(bei)害(hai)的(de)(de)同(tong)時,王(wang)守仁(ren)發(fa)動了(le)對(dui)起義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)總部的(de)(de)進攻。他們(men)對(dui)起義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)眷(juan)屬和村(cun)(cun)(cun)民(min)封(feng)鎖仲容(rong)(rong)被(bei)害(hai)和盧柯叛變消息,指使起義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)的(de)(de)叛徒盧柯傳話(hua),說起義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)首(shou)領們(men)已(yi)歸順朝廷了(le),為了(le)表示獎賞,官府(fu)給義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)眷(juan)屬和村(cun)(cun)(cun)民(min)每人派(pai)發(fa)半斤豬肉、兩斤大(da)米,全村(cun)(cun)(cun)男女(nv)老(lao)少,吃(chi)完晚(wan)飯(fan)(約(yue)晚(wan)上9時)親自到(dao)離大(da)本(ben)營約(yue)2里路的(de)(de)“黃(huang)(huang)江(jiang)(jiang)圍(wei)(wei)”大(da)圍(wei)(wei)屋(wu)內領取。因為起義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)眷(juan)屬和村(cun)(cun)(cun)民(min)不(bu)知道盧柯已(yi)叛變,把(ba)盧柯的(de)(de)話(hua)當真了(le),吃(chi)完晚(wan)飯(fan)后,他們(men)陸(lu)(lu)陸(lu)(lu)續續來(lai)到(dao)黃(huang)(huang)江(jiang)(jiang)圍(wei)(wei),并被(bei)要求一個個從前門進、后門出,但最(zui)終沒有(you)一個人能從后門走出來(lai)。據說,第二天,黃(huang)(huang)江(jiang)(jiang)圍(wei)(wei)屋(wu)口的(de)(de)兩口池塘堆滿了(le)尸體(ti),今天的(de)(de)曲潭村(cun)(cun)(cun)已(yi)找不(bu)到(dao)一戶池姓人家,周圍(wei)(wei)方(fang)圓幾十里的(de)(de)田頭山野也找不(bu)到(dao)一座池姓的(de)(de)墳墓。這也是明(ming)朝封(feng)建(jian)社會株連九族的(de)(de)見證吧。
失去總首領的(de)起(qi)義(yi)軍(jun),仍與朝廷官兵浴血奮戰(zhan),至第二年(nian)7月,被(bei)殺義(yi)軍(jun)達3000余(yu)人(ren),被(bei)擄賣義(yi)軍(jun)眷屬890余(yu)人(ren)。至此(ci),“金龍霸王”池仲(zhong)容領導的(de)農民(min)起(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)以失敗告(gao)終。
一場(chang)聲勢浩大的池(chi)仲容(rong)農(nong)民起義早已落(luo)下(xia)(xia)帷幕(mu),當年在這里發生(sheng)的驚心動魄、扣(kou)人心弦的故(gu)事已成為歷(li)史,在浰頭望障山下(xia)(xia)的曲(qu)潭村,已找不到太多起義軍(jun)留(liu)下(xia)(xia)的痕(hen)跡,只有(you)“金(jin)龍霸王(wang)”池(chi)仲容(rong)祖(zu)屋樓閣遺址前的半月形池(chi)塘(tang),保存完好,春(chun)夏秋冬都有(you)半池(chi)塘(tang)水,靜靜地躺在這里,使人們聯想起當年發生(sheng)的一幕(mu)幕(mu)故(gu)事。