明朝(chao)弘治年間,皇權(quan)日益衰朽(xiu),朝(chao)政(zheng)日益腐敗,社會(hui)矛盾日益尖(jian)銳(rui),百姓處于水深火(huo)熱之中,各地農民(min)紛紛揭(jie)竿起(qi)義,其中以池仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)領導(dao)的農民(min)起(qi)義軍影響很大,威震(zhen)四(si)方。起(qi)義軍以“劫(jie)富濟貧”為口號,以紅色“蜈蚣”為旗幟,以紅布扎頭為標志,池仲(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)自稱“金龍霸王(wang)”。
相傳,池仲(zhong)容出生(sheng)(sheng)在(zai)(zai)和(he)平縣(xian)浰(li)頭(tou)(浰(li)源(yuan))曲潭村(cun)(cun),家境貧寒,祖祖輩輩靠租(zu)種財(cai)主(zhu)的土地(di)和(he)打獵(lie)為(wei)生(sheng)(sheng)。池仲(zhong)容少時常隨父進(jin)山(shan)射獵(lie),練就(jiu)一(yi)身好本領,力(li)縛(fu)猛虎、捷如(ru)猿猴,長大(da)(da)后,愛憎分明(ming)、敢(gan)作敢(gan)為(wei)。明(ming)弘治年(nian)(nian)間,浰(li)頭(tou)一(yi)帶(dai)連年(nian)(nian)荒災,哀鴻遍野(ye),民(min)(min)(min)不聊(liao)生(sheng)(sheng),而地(di)主(zhu)富豪催租(zu)逼債,心(xin)狠手毒(du),毫不留情。仲(zhong)容家因欠租(zu)欠債,父親被地(di)主(zhu)惡霸(ba)(ba)強(qiang)(qiang)行抓走。過(guo)了不久,縣(xian)衙門派來兩名官(guan)吏,帶(dai)領一(yi)幫差(cha)役,又(you)往浰(li)頭(tou)征糧(liang)征稅(shui),破門入(ru)戶、橫征暴(bao)(bao)斂,并將(jiang)暴(bao)(bao)取的糧(liang)物,強(qiang)(qiang)迫一(yi)批農民(min)(min)(min)運送(song)。廣大(da)(da)農民(min)(min)(min)義(yi)憤填膺、怒不可遏。此時,仲(zhong)容挺身而出,帶(dai)領數(shu)十人,半途截擊(ji),殺死(si)兩名官(guan)吏,奪回糧(liang)物分給(gei)貧苦農民(min)(min)(min),并趁此機會,倡(chang)導農民(min)(min)(min)起(qi)(qi)義(yi),廣大(da)(da)農民(min)(min)(min)積極(ji)響應。短(duan)短(duan)的幾個(ge)月(yue),就(jiu)組成了上千人的起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍隊伍并建立(li)農民(min)(min)(min)政權(quan)(quan),起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍在(zai)(zai)農民(min)(min)(min)軍控(kong)區里,沒收地(di)主(zhu)惡霸(ba)(ba)財(cai)產,破倉分糧(liang),分田分地(di),起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍的壯(zhuang)舉得到浰(li)頭(tou)一(yi)帶(dai)農民(min)(min)(min)的稱贊(zan)和(he)擁護,各地(di)農民(min)(min)(min)紛紛投奔起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍,起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍隊伍不斷壯(zhuang)大(da)(da),幾年(nian)(nian)之內(nei),起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍發展到一(yi)萬多人。起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍以浰(li)頭(tou)為(wei)大(da)(da)本營(ying),據(ju)(ju)說(shuo)現在(zai)(zai)望(wang)障(zhang)山(shan)下(xia)曲潭村(cun)(cun)有個(ge)營(ying)盤的地(di)名,就(jiu)是當年(nian)(nian)農民(min)(min)(min)起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍的大(da)(da)本營(ying)。農民(min)(min)(min)政權(quan)(quan)建立(li)后,“金龍霸(ba)(ba)王”池仲(zhong)容封池仲(zhong)安、池仲(zhong)寧、李鑒、高允賢、高飛甲、黃尚琦為(wei)元帥,下(xia)設都(dou)督、總兵,據(ju)(ju)守浰(li)頭(tou)38個(ge)寨。
仲容起義軍有(you)嚴密的軍事組織和軍事紀律,他們在浰頭曲潭(tan)村千斤擔一帶開荒種地、屯兵耕活、煉鐵鑄器、保證(zheng)供(gong)給。
仲容起(qi)義軍(jun)還與(yu)(yu)周邊(bian)的起(qi)義軍(jun)組成廣泛聯盟(meng),例如常(chang)與(yu)(yu)贛(gan)州、左(zuo)溪(xi)、橫(heng)崗三大寨以(yi)及漳州大帽(mao)山(shan)起(qi)義軍(jun)結(jie)成聯盟(meng),并和樂昌(chang)起(qi)義軍(jun)遙(yao)相(xiang)呼應(ying),他們經(jing)常(chang)互相(xiang)配合攻打鄰近(jin)諸縣(xian),成為活(huo)躍在粵(yue)、閩(min)、贛(gan)地區、三省邊(bian)界的一支強大的起(qi)義軍(jun)。明(ming)正德(de)年間,仲容起(qi)義軍(jun)先后攻打龍川、翁源(yuan)、始興、會昌(chang)等縣(xian)城(cheng),曾活(huo)捉河源(yuan)主簿、龍南(nan)市(shi)官,擄(lu)南(nan)安府經(jing)歷,戳信豐(feng)所千戶,正德(de)十二(er)年(1517年)2月,圍(wei)攻信豐(feng)城(cheng)。明(ming)王(wang)朝(chao)曾先后兩次調集數萬官兵“圍(wei)剿(jiao)”起(qi)義軍(jun),均(jun)遭慘敗(bai)潰退。從此,“金龍霸(ba)王(wang)”威(wei)震四方、威(wei)懾朝(chao)政。
明(ming)王(wang)朝遭遇二次(ci)失(shi)敗后(hou),遂譴右(you)都御史、南贛巡撫,并授提(ti)督軍(jun)(jun)門王(wang)守(shou)仁(王(wang)陽明(ming),明(ming)代思(si)想家、軍(jun)(jun)事家,心學集大(da)成者),率兵(bing)(bing)進(jin)剿。王(wang)陽明(ming)蒞任后(hou),視(shi)池(chi)仲(zhong)容為(wei)“數(shu)千年巨寇,三省群盜禍根”,他一方面(mian)統調(diao)兩廣、福建、江(jiang)西諸省兵(bing)(bing)力,對(dui)池(chi)仲(zhong)容起義軍(jun)(jun)進(jin)行(xing)圍剿,一方面(mian)施詐招安,瓦(wa)解起義軍(jun)(jun)斗(dou)志。
明(ming)正德十(shi)二年(nian)(nian),南(nan)贛義(yi)軍首(shou)領(ling)黃金巢、盧(lu)柯果然歸順(shun)。官(guan)(guan)府(fu)乘(cheng)機引誘池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)到贛州招(zhao)(zhao)安(an)。遲仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)先(xian)派胞弟遲仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)安(an)前(qian)來(lai)(lai)打探內(nei)情,得知匯報后(hou),決定(ding)深入(ru)虎穴(xue),以(yi)身犯險(xian)。據說(shuo),官(guan)(guan)府(fu)乘(cheng)過年(nian)(nian)(春節)之際,有(you)意(yi)大(da)(da)肆鋪張(zhang)、張(zhang)燈結彩(cai)、舞龍舞獅、觀燈、看(kan)(kan)大(da)(da)戲,熱鬧非(fei)(fei)凡,然后(hou),把池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)當(dang)作已(yi)歸降(jiang)(jiang)部下(xia)來(lai)(lai)對待(dai),獎賞(shang)了很多錢(qian)物。池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)帶領(ling)始興陳(chen)虞(yu)等(deng)大(da)(da)小首(shou)領(ling)以(yi)及(ji)(ji)百(bai)余老弱殘兵前(qian)來(lai)(lai)道謝,當(dang)他(ta)來(lai)(lai)到贛州城,看(kan)(kan)到處處是一(yi)片歡樂(le)喜(xi)慶的(de)氣氛,他(ta)將信將疑,將眾(zhong)人留在(zai)(zai)外面,自己(ji)只帶幾個人來(lai)(lai)見(jian)王(wang)守(shou)(shou)仁,王(wang)守(shou)(shou)仁非(fei)(fei)常客氣,說(shuo):“都(dou)是我的(de)好百(bai)姓,怎能(neng)過門而不入(ru),都(dou)請進(jin)來(lai)(lai),好好招(zhao)(zhao)待(dai)。”王(wang)守(shou)(shou)仁留他(ta)們在(zai)(zai)城里觀燈看(kan)(kan)大(da)(da)戲,池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)和眾(zhong)首(shou)領(ling)快(kuai)樂(le)地度過了大(da)(da)年(nian)(nian)初(chu)一(yi)和初(chu)二,并(bing)(bing)實時向(xiang)池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)招(zhao)(zhao)降(jiang)(jiang),遲仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)未(wei)降(jiang)(jiang),并(bing)(bing)想早日回山。初(chu)三(san)王(wang)守(shou)(shou)仁照(zhao)樣是設(she)酒(jiu)宴招(zhao)(zhao)待(dai),并(bing)(bing)假意(yi)為遲仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)踐行。遲仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)放松了警(jing)惕,正準備離去(qu)時,王(wang)守(shou)(shou)仁早有(you)埋(mai)伏,并(bing)(bing)一(yi)舉拿下(xia)。就在(zai)(zai)年(nian)(nian)初(chu)三(san)晚上,池(chi)(chi)仲(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)容(rong)(rong)及(ji)(ji)大(da)(da)小首(shou)領(ling)四十(shi)多人全部遇害。
在仲容(rong)被害的(de)(de)(de)同時,王守仁發動(dong)了(le)(le)(le)對起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)總部的(de)(de)(de)進攻。他們對起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)眷(juan)(juan)屬和村(cun)(cun)民封鎖仲容(rong)被害和盧(lu)柯叛變消息,指使起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)的(de)(de)(de)叛徒盧(lu)柯傳(chuan)話,說起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)首領(ling)們已(yi)歸順(shun)朝(chao)廷(ting)了(le)(le)(le),為了(le)(le)(le)表示獎賞,官府給義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)眷(juan)(juan)屬和村(cun)(cun)民每人派(pai)發半斤豬肉、兩斤大(da)米,全村(cun)(cun)男女老(lao)少,吃(chi)完晚飯(約(yue)晚上9時)親自到(dao)離大(da)本營約(yue)2里(li)路的(de)(de)(de)“黃(huang)江(jiang)圍(wei)”大(da)圍(wei)屋內領(ling)取。因(yin)為起(qi)(qi)義(yi)軍(jun)(jun)眷(juan)(juan)屬和村(cun)(cun)民不知道(dao)盧(lu)柯已(yi)叛變,把盧(lu)柯的(de)(de)(de)話當(dang)真了(le)(le)(le),吃(chi)完晚飯后,他們陸(lu)陸(lu)續續來(lai)到(dao)黃(huang)江(jiang)圍(wei),并被要求一(yi)個個從前門進、后門出,但最(zui)終沒有(you)一(yi)個人能從后門走(zou)出來(lai)。據說,第二天,黃(huang)江(jiang)圍(wei)屋口的(de)(de)(de)兩口池(chi)(chi)塘堆滿了(le)(le)(le)尸體,今天的(de)(de)(de)曲(qu)潭村(cun)(cun)已(yi)找(zhao)不到(dao)一(yi)戶池(chi)(chi)姓(xing)人家,周圍(wei)方圓(yuan)幾十里(li)的(de)(de)(de)田頭(tou)山野也找(zhao)不到(dao)一(yi)座池(chi)(chi)姓(xing)的(de)(de)(de)墳(fen)墓。這也是(shi)明朝(chao)封建社(she)會(hui)株(zhu)連九(jiu)族的(de)(de)(de)見證(zheng)吧。
失去總首領的起(qi)義軍(jun),仍與朝廷官兵浴血奮戰,至第二年7月,被(bei)殺義軍(jun)達3000余(yu)人(ren),被(bei)擄(lu)賣義軍(jun)眷屬890余(yu)人(ren)。至此,“金龍(long)霸王”池仲容領導的農民起(qi)義軍(jun)以失敗告終。
一場聲(sheng)勢浩大的(de)(de)池(chi)(chi)仲容農民起義早(zao)已落下(xia)帷幕,當年(nian)(nian)在(zai)這(zhe)里(li)發生(sheng)的(de)(de)驚心(xin)動魄、扣(kou)人心(xin)弦(xian)的(de)(de)故(gu)(gu)事(shi)已成為(wei)歷史,在(zai)浰頭望障山下(xia)的(de)(de)曲潭村,已找不到(dao)太多起義軍留(liu)下(xia)的(de)(de)痕(hen)跡,只(zhi)有“金龍霸王”池(chi)(chi)仲容祖屋(wu)樓(lou)閣(ge)遺址前的(de)(de)半(ban)月形池(chi)(chi)塘,保存(cun)完(wan)好,春(chun)夏秋冬都有半(ban)池(chi)(chi)塘水,靜靜地躺在(zai)這(zhe)里(li),使人們聯想起當年(nian)(nian)發生(sheng)的(de)(de)一幕幕故(gu)(gu)事(shi)。